Are you considering an advanced degree in the realm of healthcare? Two mid-level positions in the industry you may want to pursue are the physician assistant (PA) and nurse practitioner (NP) roles.
While the two positions may seem similar, they both come with their own set of responsibilities and requirements. If you’re interested in learning more about what these roles entail, read on for a straightforward comparison.
Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant: A Side-By-Side Comparison
Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants play important roles in healthcare, regardless of the patient population they serve or the facility they’re working in.
What a Nurse Practitioner Does
Nurse practitioners serve the primary role of monitoring patient health and providing patients with direct care. Often, NPs serve as specific patients’ primary care providers, which entails the following day-to-day duties:
- Recording patients’ medical histories by taking note of their present symptoms, medication history, and medical history to ensure all medical records are up to date for an accurate diagnosis
- Observing patients and completing routine examinations
- Collecting biological samples and data from patients
- Ordering lab tests and diagnostic procedures as needed
- Analyzing test results and creating individualized patient treatment plans
- Prescribing and administering medication and monitoring the results
- Performing certain medical procedures based on specializations and each patient’s specific needs
- Managing other members of the nursing team, including RNs, CNAs, LPNs, and other staff members
The workload of a nurse practitioner will also vary depending on their specific field. Of course, providing top-level patient care and medical expertise is the first priority of a nurse practitioner.
What a Physician Assistant Does
Similar to nurse practitioners, physician assistants are vital to many daily tasks involved in patient care. PAs work directly under the supervision of a physician or surgeon. Their primary responsibility is to diagnose illnesses. They’re also tasked with creating and overseeing treatment plans and prescribing medications. They sometimes serve as healthcare providers.
The daily responsibilities of a PA include:
- Keeping a record of patient medical histories
- Carrying out physical exams
- Educating patients on preventative healthcare methods and disease prevention
- Ordering and analyzing patients’ diagnostic tests and lab tests
- Diagnosing both acute and chronic conditions
- Documenting ongoing relevant patient information and analyzing the results of treatment plans to make adjustments where needed
- Prescribing medications
- Carrying out medical procedures and assisting during surgeries
- Carrying out clinical research and collaborating with each patient’s medical team
- Making rounds in hospitals
As a physician assistant, you might work in hospitals, medical offices, clinics, educational institutions, nursing homes, community health centers, or even in government positions. Being a PA can also allow you to practice in a variety of specialties, ranging from family practice to radiology.
Primary Differences Between Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
Now, let’s talk about the more specific differences between a physician assistant and a nurse practitioner.
Their Roles and Responsibilities
While the work responsibilities of these two positions leave plenty of room for overlap, there are specific differences in how their daily duties play out.
- Nurse practitioners technically specialize in one type of “patient population,” meaning they focus on patients within their area of expertise. For example, RNC-OB practitioners cater to expecting mothers during labor and delivery, whereas other nurses may specialize in senior care, pediatrics, trauma care, and so on.
- Physician assistants focus on specific areas of medicine, which can include surgery specialties and emergency or internal medicines. They cater to patients who need help in specific areas of medicine. For example, they may treat patients with autoimmune disorders or patients who’ve been injured in accidents.
Nurse practitioners tend to work more autonomously compared to physician assistants, as PAs are required to work under a specific physician.
Their Training and Education
Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants undergo extensive clinical training and require educational backgrounds with specific degrees. However, nurse practitioners study and practice using a patient-focused nursing model, whereas physician assistants study and practice using a disease-centered (medical) model.
- To become an NP, you must first complete an ASN or BSN degree and pass the NCLEX exam to obtain a registered nurse (RN) license. From there, you must complete 2,000 clinical practice hours to gain experience. A master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) is also necessary.
- To become a PA, you complete both a bachelor’s program associated with medical sciences and a master’s-level PA program. From there, you pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to obtain your official PA license.
Their Salary and Future Job Projections
Both nurse practitioner and physician assistant jobs are known for their competitive salaries and benefits. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
- Physician assistants earn a median salary of $121,530 per year
- Nurse practitioners earn a median salary of $123,780 per year
Additionally, physician assistant jobs are projected to grow by 28% by 2031, and nurse practitioner jobs are projected to grow by 40% within that same time frame. This means there will continue to be plenty of opportunities for long-term careers in both medical fields.
When it comes to choosing the right career for you, it’s best to keep in mind the responsibilities and requirements of each role. Regardless of which you choose, both roles put you in charge of helping people and saving their lives, making both NP and PA jobs that much more rewarding.