Both need a sound foundation in natural sciences. Some schools have identical prerequisites for the two tracks. There can, however, be significant differences.
PA programs may be more science-heavy. Some are very specific about the expected chemistry coursework; expectations are not identical from program to program. PA programs sometimes place less emphasis on other related coursework. Some require coursework in nutrition, but this is not the norm. A PA program may or may not have a psychology requirement.
A majority of physician assistant programs require previous healthcare experience. Physician assistant students typically enter school with three or four years of experience, though the formal requirement will likely be lower.
Nurse practitioner offers a relatively straightforward career path for professional nurses. Both disciplines have professional organizations that are working for policy that allows practitioners to practice to the full extent of their training. In the case of nurse practitioners, this typically means independent practice. Map Click Here. Find the right program for you and advance your education with an online degree.
Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant August 3, Staff Writers. Collapse All Expand All. Meeting the Requirements. PAs receive generalist training and typically need to complete about 1, didactic hours and more than 2, clinical hours.
The AANP provides links to the licensing agencies. PAs seek licensure through a state medical board, board of medical examiners, or similar agency. They may sit for the appropriate exam or complete a minimum 1, hours of clinical practice and continuing education units in their NP specialty. PAs need hours of continuing medical education CME hours every two years and an exam every six years.
View state-by-state NP practice authority status. Is NP higher than PA? Latest Posts. Nurse Executive Programs October 4, Brit Brogaard Nurse executive programs can open the door to rewarding and lucrative careers. 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. While the outcomes of the two training models are similar, philosophically they are very different. You will focus on health promotion and restoration and consider how individual patients, families, and communities react to the illness based on factors such as racial, ethnic, and cultural beliefs or socioeconomic status.
Nurses look to how the treatment plan can be implemented in a way that values individuals and families preferences and beliefs. Looking for disruptions in the pathophysiology of the body, a PA focuses on the biologic aspects of diagnosing and treating the disease. PAs and NPs can both be found working in hospitals, clinics, and physician's offices. While they can fill similar roles within any given setting, one of the main differences is in how they come to their practice specialty.
PAs and NPs work in similar settings , including physicians' offices, hospitals, and clinics. After earning a master's degree, PA and NP graduates must pass national certification exams and become licensed before they can practice.
Although PAs and NPs share many roles and responsibilities, the positions differ in important ways. While both hold some level of prescriptive authority in all 50 states, the criteria for what and when they can prescribe without supervision may differ by state. Many states require NPs with prescriptive authority to work in collaboration with licensed physicians. Prospective NPs or PAs generally begin by earning a bachelor's degree. Both positions require a graduate education. These degree paths prepare students to sit for certification exams in their field.
Although the master's degree is the minimum educational requirement to become an NP or a PA, professionals in both careers sometimes pursue doctoral degrees to increase their skills and marketability. PA programs often require applicants to have experience in the healthcare field which may include nursing, emergency medical technician or paramedic experience, phlebotomy, and other areas.
Check out our ranking of the best registered nursing RN programs. Certification requirements for NPs vary according to the chosen specialty. While agencies maintain different requirements, they generally include at least hours of supervised clinical practice. PAs complete at least 2, hours. Outpatient care centers offer PAs the highest salaries, and NPs can find the most lucrative opportunities within local, state, and private hospitals. Both PAs and NPs typically work full-time schedules.
Depending on the work environment, these professionals might need to be available on call or work nights, weekends, and holidays. California also boasts the nation's highest employment levels for NPs. The highest concentration of jobs for NPs, however, are found in Mississippi and Tennessee. New York is home to the highest employment levels and job concentration for PAs, while Alaska features the highest salary opportunities. Physicians' offices provide the highest concentration of jobs and employment levels for both PAs and NPs, with outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals, and offices of other healthcare practitioners making up the other top industries.
Prospective PAs and NPs should consider factors like salary potential, educational requirements, the scope and flexibility of practice for each position, and individual job duties before choosing their career path. Scope of practice laws in the candidate's state of residence may also influence the decision-making process. While most nurses choose the NP route, it is not unheard of for nurses to become PAs.
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