Hi everyone. I am new to the site and I have a few questions. I am currently in college attempting to get my BSN. I know that once I receive my degree I want to continue my education. At this point I am stuck between going to become a physicians assistant or a nurse practitioner. I know that both programs that roughly 2 years to complete. But am not sure what the difference is between the two. If anyone can provide me with this information or a website please do so. Thanks.
How long it will take, depends on where you go and how many classes you have under your belt already.
A PA is usually a four year degree while a Nurse Practitioner is usually a 2-3 year Masters in Nursing program.
One focuses on Nursing Practice, skills the other is for Medical School wannabees. It will focus more on diseases than the patient same as a doctor does.
I'd suggest getting at least two years of floor experience in an acute care setting to solidfy your nursing skills and gain experience.
Once you have that behind you, you'll always be able to find work and you can go anywhere in Nursing or Advance Practice.
Wish you luck.
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com
Thanks
Re: Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant
Originally Posted by nursinghumor
How long it will take, depends on where you go and how many classes you have under your belt already.
"You have 2 options in PA school depending on where you apply."
Many 4 year BS PA schools exist, however, the competition in those applicant classes is great and most applicants already have a prior BS in some science setting and an average of 5 years in the health field.
"A PA is usually a four year degree while a Nurse Practitioner is usually a 2-3 year Masters in Nursing program."
Actually, PA schools are usually Master's degree programs that last 2-3 years, with the minority of programs left being BS 4 year programs as mentioned above"
"One focuses on Nursing Practice, skills the other is for Medical School wannabees. It will focus more on diseases than the patient same as a doctor does."
PA schools are not for "medical school wanna-bees" as Mr. Lopez suggests. Perhaps he should apply and actually get admitted to an actual program before stereotyping on who actual PA students are. Many PA students, again the average age is 30 years old, and 5 years healthare experience, seek to enter patient care and gain knowledge and skills to care for and educate patients just as an NP or MD would and want to be an important member of the healthcare team. Most PA students would rather not invest 4 yrs in medical school and 3 years in residency and limit themselves in 1 practice setting. As a PA, you can practice in any medical setting your supervising physician is practicing.
"I'd suggest getting at least two years of floor experience in an acute care setting to solidfy your nursing skills and gain experience."
This is about the only worthwhile advice he's given.
"Once you have that behind you, you'll always be able to find work and you can go anywhere in Nursing or Advance Practice."
More good advice
Wish you luck.
Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly.com, A National Nursing & Consumer Health Directory
So now that I've filled in the blanks, you can find more information on PA's at the AAPA organizational website. AAPA.org
You can find a list of both 4 yr and master's programs nationwide, as wel as comparison and salary information to NP's. True, the "scope of practice" does differ state to state because state medical licensing boards all define what a mid level can or can't do. They do not define the autonomy a PA or NP has per say, and that is usually done by organizational policy or individual physician-PA comfort, and scope of state practice. Good luck in your nursing career and school if you choose it.
I don't know of any four year PA programs, you will have to contact the above poster for that information. What I do know about the differences are, they are both master programs. A NP has his/her own licence where as a PA works under the licence of an MD. A PA told me once his job was like being an MD but just in residency his whole life, checking with another MD before making any major decisions. In my state NC, both write prescriptions, even narcotics without a co-signiture. PM me if this doesn't help.
Thanks
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raymond said:
I don't know of any four year PA programs, you will have to contact the above poster for that information. What I do know about the differences are, they are both master programs.
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Hello Raymond,
Lots of Bachelors programs out there, one local to me is:
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Physician Assistant Program
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ
08854-5635
Phone: 732/235-4444
Needing a Masters is not a national requirement.
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com
Is it true that there is approximately a $10,000 per year difference between NP and PA, with PA's being the higher income?
not necessarily... I've seen primary care PA's making a mere 65,000 a year in the rural midwest where cost of living is relatively low when compared to Cali or East coast, the the work week is M-F 8-4pm...
A surgical PA or ER PA in the same area may start out at 77,000 a year, but they work insane hours like 70/week and have no life outside the hospital.. hence the compensation. After 5 years experience, they may clear 100,000 in surgical positions, but still work insane hours.
The autonomy and actual practices for both NPs & PAs differs from state to state. There is an article that is published annually called the Pearson Report that breaks down state by state the exact practices for these health care providers.
The theoretical underpinnings of the two professions vary significantly. PAs come from a medical model, where the focus is on etiology and treatment of the disease. Nursing comes from a different paradigm, one that treats the patient from a wholistic standpoint.
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