Physician assistant vs nurse practitioner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a hospital physician of 20 years who works with both daily, I find that our PAs have a better knowledge foundation than NPs who go straight from Nursing school to their NP degrees. Too many programs(especially online programs) churning out unprepared NPs. That said, those NPs who started out as nurses and have several years of nursing under their belt before going to NP school are well prepared. Sadly, I see this route less and less each year.

Nurse here and I completely agree. It’s frightening when I see some of my barely competent co-workers get into NP school. FYI. I think PA school is much better at pathophysiology. At least CRNA programs require ICU experience. There are good NP programs but many will just take anyone with a pulse.

Our DD is pursuing a BSN (direct-admit) and initially had thought to pursue NP. Was told she would have to do two years post-RN/BSN before being considered for an NP program. We both think that wise.

In the meantime, she’s had several opportunities to shadow a CRNA and thinks that could be a real interest, despite it being a 3+ yr add-on.

Any real life experience might lead her one way or another.

Considering DC wanted to be a teacher and was highly advised by several valued mentors to NOT “do it,” we shook our head over the decision to jump from one hot-mess profession to another — even though we desperately need “good” people to do them both.

surgeon mom who works with many different anesthesiologists who all agree crna is a great gig. high demand, great salary, training not as long. good luck!

[Anonymous]

Generally doctors think PAs are better trained. I’m an MD and I’d probably go the RN to NP route just because it allows for more opportunities to stop at RN (has a lot of ways to leverage that degree) or pursue an academic path. PA is a young field and is often forgotten about (no PA appreciation week) and there is a strong tradition of RNs in leadership but harder to find that for PAs.

So from a holistic career standpoint I’d go with NP. But if the goal is just to find work and go home then I’d just go the PA route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids who want to be doctors but don’t want to go through the academics.

Or debt.

Or want a better work/life balance in certain specialties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a hospital physician of 20 years who works with both daily, I find that our PAs have a better knowledge foundation than NPs who go straight from Nursing school to their NP degrees. Too many programs(especially online programs) churning out unprepared NPs. That said, those NPs who started out as nurses and have several years of nursing under their belt before going to NP school are well prepared. Sadly, I see this route less and less each year.

Agree. When I went to Grad school for my MSN it was required that you have at least 2 years real world RN experience. Huge difference

[Anonymous]

We have a famliy member interested in PA school. They were considering MD or PT, but ended up getting exposure to all 3 career options and PA was the most appealing to them based upon day-to-day experience. Schools with strong pre-health offices can help the students navigate the requirements. PA schools require a lot of clinical hours, so that is something to keep in mind and shadowing doesn't count. A lof the pre-med and pre-PA course requirements are the same, so it's not hard to switch between the two.

[Anonymous]

We can sit here and dice and slice all the problems with going either the NP or PA route - the fact of the matter is: they are mid-level positions in healthcare that are in high demand. Always going to have a job.
NP route - need to have your BSN first. Then it is another two years to get your Master's in Nursing (MSN) and pass your boards to become an NP. Most nurses recommend two years under your belt before going to get your NP.
Nursing is a more holistic approach to health and wellness.
PA route - get your 4 year bachelor's degree in virtually any field. Take the pre-requisites to get into PA school and graduate in two years.
Both have comparable salaries.
Avoid the online programs.
NPs and PAs are the future for primary care (if not already) as many MDs go into specialties and subspecialties.
NPs and PAs can also specialize - dermatology, surgery, oncology,etc. I have a friend who is an NP and runs a diabetes clinic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is helpful, but really doesn't answer what the real difference are between the two. From what I read, they are very similar and both can do patient care. Do some of the above posters have insight.

Also, what if my DD goes to a direct admit nursing school, but then decides to switch to a PA after graduation (and will have her BSN). Anyone seen that happen?

I would suggest your DD look into PA program requirements. It is highly likely an RN would have all the science coursework required for PA. She would have to take these courses in order to apply. This is factor of why RNs choose NP over PA. Just so you know, there are direct admit PA schools available now too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is helpful, but really doesn't answer what the real difference are between the two. From what I read, they are very similar and both can do patient care. Do some of the above posters have insight.

Also, what if my DD goes to a direct admit nursing school, but then decides to switch to a PA after graduation (and will have her BSN). Anyone seen that happen?

PA school is 2 years after graduation. As long as you have the pre-requisite classes you can apply. Be careful with nursing science classes vs standard science classes taught at a university for STEM majors. The nursing classes are often not as rigorous and may not be accepted by the PA program. Your DD may have to do a post-Bacc year to get the requirements. Your best bet is to contact a few PA schools admissions offices and ask if they accept nursing science classes.

This is incorrect. Virtually all, if not all, PA programs require some medical work experience. What each program considers to be good enough experience varies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quality of physicians vary too. Also popular opinion of them vacillates.

Make a decision based on the work and which your child prefers. The rest is out of anyone’s control.

But their training does not.

[Anonymous]

From a patient’s perspective, PA is best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From a patient’s perspective, PA is best.

Thanks for your expert opinion. No further advice needed here folks

[Anonymous]

From a patient's perspective, NP is best. Far more holistic in their approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a patient’s perspective, PA is best.

Thanks for your expert opinion. No further advice needed here folks

😆 LOL
What a BS answer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a hospital physician of 20 years who works with both daily, I find that our PAs have a better knowledge foundation than NPs who go straight from Nursing school to their NP degrees. Too many programs(especially online programs) churning out unprepared NPs. That said, those NPs who started out as nurses and have several years of nursing under their belt before going to NP school are well prepared. Sadly, I see this route less and less each year.

Nurse here and I completely agree. It’s frightening when I see some of my barely competent co-workers get into NP school. FYI. I think PA school is much better at pathophysiology. At least CRNA programs require ICU experience. There are good NP programs but many will just take anyone with a pulse.

Our DD is pursuing a BSN (direct-admit) and initially had thought to pursue NP. Was told she would have to do two years post-RN/BSN before being considered for an NP program. We both think that wise.

In the meantime, she’s had several opportunities to shadow a CRNA and thinks that could be a real interest, despite it being a 3+ yr add-on.

Any real life experience might lead her one way or another.

Considering DC wanted to be a teacher and was highly advised by several valued mentors to NOT “do it,” we shook our head over the decision to jump from one hot-mess profession to another — even though we desperately need “good” people to do them both.

surgeon mom who works with many different anesthesiologists who all agree crna is a great gig. high demand, great salary, training not as long. good luck!

Thanks! I know this is an anonymous forum with sometimes harsh critiques so it’s nice to get some encouragement. We knew nothing about CRNAs and it’s been a pleasant, if unexpected, potential career option for a young person excellent EF skills to go along with the caring mentality needed in education or health care.

So if she ends up as a school nurse, helping with the marching band….we’d be OK with that too and would not see it as an education wasted.

Thanks again. ☺️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a hospital physician of 20 years who works with both daily, I find that our PAs have a better knowledge foundation than NPs who go straight from Nursing school to their NP degrees. Too many programs(especially online programs) churning out unprepared NPs. That said, those NPs who started out as nurses and have several years of nursing under their belt before going to NP school are well prepared. Sadly, I see this route less and less each year.

Nurse here and I completely agree. It’s frightening when I see some of my barely competent co-workers get into NP school. FYI. I think PA school is much better at pathophysiology. At least CRNA programs require ICU experience. There are good NP programs but many will just take anyone with a pulse.

Our DD is pursuing a BSN (direct-admit) and initially had thought to pursue NP. Was told she would have to do two years post-RN/BSN before being considered for an NP program. We both think that wise.

In the meantime, she’s had several opportunities to shadow a CRNA and thinks that could be a real interest, despite it being a 3+ yr add-on.

Any real life experience might lead her one way or another.

Considering DC wanted to be a teacher and was highly advised by several valued mentors to NOT “do it,” we shook our head over the decision to jump from one hot-mess profession to another — even though we desperately need “good” people to do them both.

surgeon mom who works with many different anesthesiologists who all agree crna is a great gig. high demand, great salary, training not as long. good luck!

I've heard that AI will impact the profession of anesthesia and I wonder if the CRNA's will be the first to go?