Registered Nurse RN

Registered Nurse, Free Care Plans, Free NCLEX Review, Nurse Salary, and much more. Join the nursing revolution.

  • RN
    • Nursing Clinical Skills
  • Nursing Videos
  • Blog
  • Nursing School
  • Nursing Care Plans
  • Nursing Quizzes
  • Nursing
  • Nursing Jobs
  • NCLEX Review
  • Store

Nurse Practitioner Vs Physician Assistant | What Is the Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA)?

With so many choices for careers in the medical field, students may have an extremely difficult decision to make about their futures.  Two of the most popular careers in the medical field are Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants.  The two careers may seem similar, but they are very different.  Find out what the difference is between a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA).

What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner is an Advance Practice Nurse who has an advanced level of training and education in nursing.  These Registered Nurses earn a master’s degree in nursing, and they are well suited to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical illnesses and conditions.  Some Nurse Practitioners seek additional training in specialized areas of medicine so that they are more valuable as nursing professionals.

Nurse Practitioners have the ability to work their own medical practice, but many choose to work with a group of medical professionals that include physicians, other Nurse Practitioners, and other medical personnel.  Some may choose to work in hospitals, while others work in other medical facilities.

A few of the job responsibilities of Nurse Practitioners include:

  • Ordering medical tests
  • Documenting health history
  • Performing physical exams
  • Writing prescriptions
  • Treating illnesses and diseases
  • Performing procedures and tests

What Is a Physician Assistant?

A Physician Assistant is a trained medical professional who is licensed to work under the supervision of a doctor.  They can work in clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities.  They make medical decision as determined by the supervising doctor.  The level of education varies but may consist of either a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in either medical science, physician assistant studies, or health science.

Physician Assistants should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform simple tasks and administrative tasks under the supervisor of doctors, nursing assistants, and other medical professionals.

Physician Assistants can diagnose and treat common illnesses, perform physical examinations, assist with surgery, write prescriptions, order and interpret tests, give medical orders, and counsel patients on preventative care.

Additional responsibilities of Physician Assistants include the following:

  • Treating minor injuries
  • Carrying out therapies
  • Examine and treat patients
  • Order medical tests and exams
  • Interpret medical test and exams
  • Supervising assistants and technicians
  • Diagnosing medical conditions

List of Differences Between A Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant

  • Nurse Practitioners can practice independently, but Physician Assistants work under the supervision of physicians.
  • Physician Assistants must complete at least 2 years of training but most earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees, while Nurse Practitioners must complete 4 years of undergraduate studies plus 2 years of graduate level studies.
  • Nurse Practitioners take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), and Physician Assistants take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
  • Nurse Practitioners can specialize in acute care, pediatrics, adult health, oncology, emergency medical, psychiatric and mental health, geriatric medicine, occupational health, home health nursing, neonatal care, women’s health, and public health, while Physician Assistants can specialized in thoracic surgery, general internal medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, geriatrics, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine.
  • The average salary for a Nurse Practitioner is higher that the salary of a Physician Assistant during the first 5 years of experience but lower thereafter.

Salaries of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistant

According to information taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salaries for Physician Assistants are $84,420 annually.  The middle 50 percent of these individuals make $81,709 and $98,317 annually.

According to information taken from Salary.com, the median salaries for Nurse Practitioners are $89,985 annually.  The middle 50 percent of these individuals make between $83,327 and $96,712.

With approximately 5 years of experience, the salaries begin to shift in Physician Assistants’ favor.  With 5 years of experience, Nurse Practitioners make salaries of $72,480 to $90,234 annually, while Physicians Assistants earned salaries of $73,351 to $91,130 annually.  After approximately 20 years of experience, the salaries have a larger gap between these two professions. Nurse Practitioners make salaries of $73,257 to $98,418, while Physician Assistants make annual salaries of $79,234 to $100,852.

Careers as Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants have some similarities, but they are also very different.  For those who want to choose a career in the medical field, they have two amazing choices with a career as a Physician Assistants and a Nurse Practitioner.  Both career choices offer amazing opportunities to help patients to improve or maintain their health.

Please Share:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
Nursing Gear

RSS Latest YouTube Videos

  • Recap a Needle Using the One-Hand Scoop Technique Nursing Skill | Medication Administration
  • Elevation and Depression Anatomy Body Movement Terms (Mandible & Scapula)
  • Car Seat Safety Teaching: Nursing Care & Discharge Pediatric Maternity Nurse NCLEX Review
  • Aqueous Humour Eye Circulation Flow Animation: Open-Angle vs Closed-Angle Glaucoma

Recent Posts

  • Flexion and Extension Anatomy Quiz
  • One-Hand Scoop Technique
  • Elevation and Depression Anatomy
  • Car Seat Restraint Safety Pediatric Nursing Review

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols. We strive for 100% accuracy, but nursing procedures and state laws are constantly changing. By accessing any content on this site or its related media channels, you agree never to hold us liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. See our full disclosure and privacy policy. Copyright Notice: Do not copy this site, articles, images, or its contents without permission.

Important Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Follow Us on Social Media

  • Facebook Nursing
  • Instagram Nursing
  • Twitter Nursing
  • YouTube Nursing

Get Free Email Updates:

Enter your email address below and hit "Submit" to receive free email updates and nursing tips.

Copyright © 2021 RegisteredNurseRN.com. All Rights Reserved.