Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are positioned to provide essential care to patients. Earning an MSN typically takes students about two years of full-time enrollment. Both NPs and PAs are considered advanced practice providers (APP) and are vital assets to our healthcare community. Although the master’s degree serves as the minimum requirement to become an NP or a PA, professionals in both careers sometimes choose to pursue doctoral degrees to advance in the field. Physician Assistant vs. Family Practice Physician (updated ) *Programs vary and the following represents averages for each vocation. For the same period, the BLS reports the median annual wage for nurse practitioners as $103,880—with the highest-paid 10 percent of NPs earning more than $145,630. Cynthia has always been committed to public awareness and overall health for herself as well as others. There are approximately 234,000 NPs and 115,500 PAs in the United States providing cost-effective patient care, preventive care, and health promotion. Both nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) are advanced practice providers who often function in similar roles. She received her master’s degree in midwifery from Oregon Health & Science University in 2011. One of the main differences between these two professions can be seen in the different ways they approach patient care, as well as the training they receive through the different practice models used to prepare professionals for clinical practice. Once foundational factors have been considered—such as the required education and certification, specializations that are available, the scope of practice and model of care that is used—most people would like to learn more about the difference between physician assistant vs. nurse practitioner salary. Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are increasingly mentioned as a collective solution to the nation’s primary healthcare shortage. Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are mid-level medical practitioners, diagnosing patients and prescribing medications like physicians at a lower cost to patients. While both physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide healthcare services to patients, the main difference is who they work with and what they are licensed to do. At first glance, determining the differences between the occupations might not be clear. Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant Scope of Practice. Depending on the work environment, these professionals might need to be available on call or work nights, weekends, and holidays. Physician assistants can perform many of the same duties as a physician, but in most cases, have to report to a supervising doctor. Nurse Practitioner vs. Nurse practitioners can hang out a shingle and they can practice on their own. Physician Assistants are licensed medical professionals who may work independently of the lead physician, while Nurse Practitioners are well trained, but not necessarily licensed caregivers, who must work under the close supervision of the attending doctor. There are many duties from the pre-operative to post-operative stage. The following organizations can provide PAs with many helpful benefits, including events, seminars, and opportunities for professional development and networking. But what are the differences between the two? A physician assistant uses a disease-centered approach. PAs complete at least 2,000 hours. What is a physician assistant? Outpatient care centers provide PAs with the highest salary opportunities, and NPs can find their highest-paying opportunities within local, state, and private hospitals. Both NPs and PAs treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and work closely with primary care physicians. The major difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant is that, a nurse practitioner has enough qualification and experience to handle a patient alone without the guidance of any one. Physician: Career Opportunities. During these programs, students encounter similar curriculum requirements and focus on some of the same topics, such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment. Relevant clinical experience for PA master’s applicants can include previous work as an RN, nursing assistant, paramedic, or EMT. Responsibilities for both are built upon a foundation of advanced education and training, which enables greater autonomy in practice—typically within the context of a collaborative physician relationship. She has more than 15 years of clinical experience with all ages and in many different environments. She has more than 15 years of clinical experience with all ages and in many different environments. In addition, NPs must obtain advanced clinical training beyond the initial educational foundation required to become a registered nurse, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). What is the Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician's Assistant? Travel nursing jobs are available to locum tenens nurse practitioners, and physician assistant jobs also yield opportunities for locum tenens positions across the country. NPs on the other hand, choose their field of speciality before starting their NP program and graduate as a family practice NP or mental health NP, for example. Nursing Model. According to 2017 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for physician assistants during that period was $104,860—with the top 10 percent making more than $146,260. Differences in training of PAs and NPs . Background: Under the Affordable Care Act, the number and capacity of community health centers (HCs) is growing. Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some form of chronic disease, and two thirds of all death is caused by chronic disease such as … That’s it, the major differences between a nurse practitioner’s and a physician assistant’s scope of practice. In comparison, 2017 median pay for Physician Assistants is over $108,000 per year or $52 per hour. Prospective PAs should first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. PAs must pass this certification exam every 10 years to maintain board certification. Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are mid-level medical practitioners, diagnosing patients and prescribing medications like physicians at a lower cost to patients. In 2011, the average full-time salary for nurse practitioners was $90,583 while the average salary for physician assistants was $94,870. Learn more about careers for nurse practitioners. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), over 99 percent of nurse practitioners have either a master’s degree (MSN) or a doctorate (DNP). The programs PAs and NPs go through will inform the kind of care and services they provide once they are certified and licensed. Nurse practitioners and physicians assistants work in similar capacities. A student aiming to become an NP or PA generally begins by earning a bachelor’s degree. Nurse practitioners are more patient-centered; Physician assistants are more disease-centered. Meredith specializes in out-of-hospital birth, lactation support, and childbirth education. Readers can examine how to decide which career path is right for them, along with how to become an NP, and how to become a PA. But what exactly is the difference between these two groups of clinicians? This video will go over some differences and similarities between NPs and PAs and help you choose which one may be a better fit for you. Agencies maintain different requirements, but they generally include at least 500 hours of supervised clinical practice. Although both academic paths require graduate degrees, each path differs. Contrasts in Academic Preparation Physician assistants typically obtain a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies by completing a three-year graduate program that has been accredited through the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.