As someone considering a career in medicine, you may be wondering what physicians assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) do, what the differences are between the roles, and what opportunities both careers offer within the healthcare industry. Below,
we explore the daily responsibilities and expertise required of both professions and the differences between them so you can decide what path is right for you. Nurse practitioners play an important role in healthcare, no matter the
type of facility they work in or the patient population they serve. NPs serve a primary role of monitoring patient health, providing direct care, and serving as a primary care provider. Published Date June 07, 2021 In our Ask a Nurse series, experienced nurses provide an insider look at the nursing profession by answering your questions about nursing careers, degrees, and resources. Question: My daughter is graduating next year and wants to become a PA. Would it make sense for her to complete an RN program first or go right into a PA program? Great question! Becoming a registered nurse (RN) or physician assistant (PA) are both great career paths. These roles are:
RNs and PAs work in similar settings but have different responsibilities. RNs become nurse practitioners (NPs) after practicing as a RN for several years. They then complete a master's degree in nursing (MSN). As an NP, you will have similar responsibilities as a PA. These responsibilities include:
There are four questions I would first have your daughter think about when choosing a nursing school or a PA program:
Deciding Careers Depends on Your Current Academic SituationIs your daughter academically prepared to apply for an RN or a PA program? The acceptance rate is very competitive. Only 20% of applicants are accepted into a PA program. Nursing school is also highly competitive. Both pathways require:
If your daughter has a few or all of these qualities, including a resume, strong recommendation letters, and a personal essay, she has a good chance of getting accepted. If not, she can always increase her chances by working or volunteering as a patient care worker, retaking certain science classes to increase her GPA, or concentrating on taking natural science classes, such as biology or chemistry, her senior year. Program Cost Should Be a ConsiderationA student can enter an RN program right out of high school. A two-year program can get you an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year program can get you a bachelor's in nursing (BSN). Depending on your state, the cost of completing an ADN program or a BSN program varies. Things to consider when it comes to cost:
One thing to note, many hospitals only hire nurses with a BSN. To become an NP, you must have a BSN. It's important to consider the cost in the long run, depending on which nursing track you choose. A PA program is a master's level program. You must have your bachelor's degree before applying to PA school. There are only 254 accredited PA schools in the United States. The cost varies by state and whether you are a resident or nonresident. The average cost of a 27-month PA program is about $50,000, with costs continually rising. How Long Does it Take to Complete These Programs?If your daughter wants to take her time completing her degree, then good for her! She should take all the time she needs. RN Program Options:
PA Program Options:
RN programs do not have specific patient experience requirements, but it can boost your chances of getting accepted. What Are Your Future Career Goals?When making the decision to either go to nursing school or PA school, your daughter should think about her future career goals. What kind of setting does she want to work in? Does she eventually want to open her own practice or business? Does she like the idea of always being a member of a physician-led team? Here are some key similarities and differences between NPs and PAs: Similarities:
Differences:
As a nurse, you have the option of pursuing different master's-leveled career paths. RNs can become:
Both RN and PA Career Options Are ValuableWhichever path your daughter decides, there is a great need for both PAs and nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the PA profession to increase 31% from 2019-2029, with registered nursing jobs increasing by 7% during the same time period. Both of these jobs are growing at a faster rate than other professions. For both career options, make sure she's in great academic standing with a high GPA and taking science courses. She should start volunteering or working in a hospital setting. This can show she is serious and passionate about a career in healthcare. When it comes to her future goals, allow her to take some time to think about where she wants to be in her career 5-10 years from now. This will help her decide which path to take. In Summary
Written by:Joelle Y. Jean, RN, FNP-BCJoelle Jean has been a nurse for over 10 years and family nurse practitioner for over three years. She has a background in pediatric emergency room, labor and delivery, and primary care medicine. Today, she is a senior nurse writer for NurseJournal. She lives in New York with her husband, two boys, and cat, Zuzu. Is Physician Assistant higher than a nurse?Because PAs require more education and training, they tend to have more job opportunities and salaries tend to be higher for them. On average, registered nurses enjoy a median annual salary of $75,330, compared to $115,390 for physician assistants, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Are Physician Assistants higher than nurse practitioners?Is NP higher than PA? Neither profession ranks "higher" than the other. Both occupations work in the healthcare field, but with different qualifications, educational backgrounds, and responsibilities. They also work in different specialties.
Is a pa below a nurse?Many people have primary care providers that are NPs or PAs. But what's the difference? In basic terms, a nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced education and clinical training. A physician assistant is a medical professional with advanced education who is trained in the same way physicians are.
Are physician assistants and nurses the same?Physician assistants train using the medical model, similar to physicians, which means they focus on the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease that the patient has. Nurse practitioners train on the nursing model, which means they focus on the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of the patient with the disease.
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