Physician Assistant or PA is, as the name indicates, an assistant to a physician. This does not mean that PA is not a trained or qualified person. There is primary level training and there is specialization for PAs as well. Therefore, a PA can opt for surgical specialties training. After completing such training, PA would be certified as Surgical Physician Assistant. This means the PA is qualified to assist surgeons. Other areas of specialization open to PAs include geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, emergency medicines, etc. Notwithstanding any such training, a PA would always be in a subordinate position, and cannot start any independent practice.
When comparing a Physician Assistant VS Nurse Practitioner it’s important to understand that unlike PA’s, Nurse Practitioner can start and have an independent practice. The time taken to become a PA is much shorter than the time taken to become a Registered nurse.
It takes approximately four years to get a degree followed by specific training.
Nurse practitioners on the other hand need to qualify as Registered nurses. In addition, they should also have Masters degree. It implies that the Registered nurse would also have to be Bachelor of Science in Nursing. On the whole, nurse practitioners should also have excellent academic background. In addition, they need to have adequate clinical experience in primary medical care. There are areas of specialization too for Nurse practitioners. These include adult health care, neonatal care, family nursing, geriatric nursing, pediatrics, etc.
Both PA’s and NP’s can ask their patients to undergo diagnostic tests. Both these professionals can also diagnose the diseases. There are no restrictions on these professionals to come up with plans for treatment. Both may even prescribe medicines. But the prescription and diagnosis that PAs come up with is subject to confirmation from physicians who are licensed to practice. Some of the drugs such as those with narcotic content may also not be prescribed by PA.
PA’s are licensed at State level, unlike Nurse Practitioners. Therefore, rules and regulations applicable to PA’s vary from state to state. PA’s can also take up employment in hospitals, but again, they have to be supervised by qualified physicians. Doctors often delegate a lot of specialized procedures to their PAs, based on their experience and abilities. But corresponding responsibility always rests with the doctor. Unlike this, Nurse practitioner is responsible for wrong diagnosis, and any wrong treatment.
PA’s are medical professionals who are normally present during medical emergencies such as automobile accidents, or in Emergency rooms. Unlike them, Nurse Practitioners are professionals who can be approached for any common ailments or medical problems. Though PA’s begin their careers much before Nurse Practitioners, their earnings are slightly lower. As of date, on average, PA working for approximately 32 hours in a week would be drawing around $69,000, while a Nurse Practitioner with corresponding working hours may earn almost $74,000. That’s a fair bit more for the same amount of hours.
The last but not the least difference between these to professions is the flexibility of working hours. Because PA’s have to work under supervision of a licensed physician, their working hours are tied with those of the physicians. In other words, there is less of flexibility in work timing in case of PAs. Unlike them, Nurse Practitioners can decide their working hours.
So to answer the question of Nurse Practitioner VS Physician Assistant which is best for you? Look at the Nurse Practitioner schools VS Physician and see not only what requirements would be needed but length of time to finish, cost and school location. Then armed with information make your best decision.