Physician assistant versus Nurse practitioner

Does anybody know what is the difference between a physician assistant and a nurse practitioner.

They seem to have the same responsibilities and same range of salary.
Hi there,Scope of practice varies according to individual state law. To know the exact difference in the state you wished to ultimately practice in, you could review that state's specific laws.Generally speaking, both are considered "mid-level" providers. There are a couple of states that are hinky about the prescriptive authority for each designation, which is where the tricky part comes in. Additionally, the degree of supervision from an MD or DO varies (again from state to state.)You might try www.aanp.org or www.aapa.org for additional info.
Quote from xngdoes anybody know what is the difference between a physician assistant and a nurse practitioner. they seem to have the same responsibilities and same range of salary.
I am a Nurse Practioner in Women's Health. One of the main differences is that I am on my own license and a PA is under an MD on the MD's license. Your abilties and pay ranges VARY greatly from state to state. If I had to do it over again, (Texas anyway), I would go PA. They have a far stronger lobby in the legislature, and overall make better money.
Quote from austinranchI am a Nurse Practioner in Women's Health. One of the main differences is that I am on my own license and a PA is under an MD on the MD's license. Your abilties and pay ranges VARY greatly from state to state. If I had to do it over again, (Texas anyway), I would go PA. They have a far stronger lobby in the legislature, and overall make better money.
I know it varies from state to state but I have also heard that NP's have perscriptive abilities and most PAs do not?
From what I understand, another difference is in the schooling. NP's are taught differently than PA's as far as healing/caring and that type of stuff. I am pre-nursing myself, so I don't know all the details, but I have read that on other posts similar to this. I plan on doing the RN route and maybe, after I've done that for several years, going the NP route because I like the nursing model better than the PA model. I like the whole nursing approach . . . that is a personal opinion.
In california at least, PAs and FNPs go to the same school and have the same schooling. The difference is that FNPs are certified/licenced under the nursing board. They virtually do the same thing because they are taught all the same things. Once thing that is different however is that PAs must have all of their charts reviewed and signed off by doctors, where FNPs do not. PAs have to have some type of hands on medical experience and for a certian amount of documented time, not that FNPs don't, they usually just have the hours already having worked as a nurse. I work with FNPs and PAs. The FNPs have a certification/licence as FNPs and PA-C while the PAs are just PA-C.
Quote from sddlnscpFrom what I understand, another difference is in the schooling. NP's are taught differently than PA's as far as healing/caring and that type of stuff. I am pre-nursing myself, so I don't know all the details, but I have read that on other posts similar to this. I plan on doing the RN route and maybe, after I've done that for several years, going the NP route because I like the nursing model better than the PA model. I like the whole nursing approach . . . that is a personal opinion.
Quote from austinranchI am a Nurse Practioner in Women's Health. If I had to do it over again, (Texas anyway), I would go PA. They have a far stronger lobby in the legislature, and overall make better money.
How would you describe the "nursing model" for NP's versus the "medical model" for PA's
I read that NP's can start their own practice and PA's can't. I personally think nuring is better, but they do basically the same work... they both help people and are valued medical professionals. I would personallly would like to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in neonatology/ Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or NNP.
um, quick thing, PA school and NP school never cross paths, as one poster mentioned, the other thing is that you should be careful with this "NP's have their own license thing" you will never see a hospital based NP working solo, always under supervision, second it's a rare thing to see them solo in the real world. Legislation does seem to be moving in that direction though, so good luck with whatever you decide. and PA's have prescriptive authority in all 50 states.