Difference between a physician assistant and nurse practitioner

While both Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are both noble professions dedicated to the care and welfare of their patients, there are a wealth of differences in education, licensing, responsibilities and philosophy. 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.

Contrasts in Academic Preparation

The differences between these two professions begin at the educational level. Physician Assistants must attend a PA program following graduation with a Bachelor’s degree. These Master’s level programs are extremely rigorous and are modeled on the curriculum found in medical schools. In fact, many of the courses like dermatology, hematology and psychiatry are found in both medical schools and Physician Assistant programs, although there is a less in-depth study of these subjects in PA programs. Although the level of comprehensiveness differs between medical schools and PA programs, they are both focused on the medical science.

Nursing programs do provide a strong medical background for Nurse Practitioners, but they are more focused on natural, behavioral and humanistic sciences. This emphasis upon the state of the patient rather than the treatment of the underlying medical affliction reflects a historical origin in which Nurse Practitioners were utilized to ease the discomfort of the ill or injured. Nurse Practitioners do, however, complete a Master’s degree program like Physician Assistants.

Differences in Clinical Preparation

In addition to differences in classroom instruction, there are also many differences in the clinical preparation that Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners receive. While Nurse Practitioners may obtain from 500 to 700 hours of experience in a clinic learning about diagnostic techniques, common medical procedures and case management, Physician Assistants are required to spend almost 2,000 hours in a clinical environment prior to licensing.

Furthermore, while Nurse Practitioners are expected to choose a specialty like pediatrics, acute care or oncology in which they can devote their clinical preparation, Physician Assistants are expected to rotate through a wide variety of medical specialties. Ultimately, the difference in clinical preparation provides PAs with more freedom to choose the type of medical practice they wish to join because they already possess a broader based experience, while NPs are more limited to their chosen specialty.

Certification and Licensing

There are also significant differences in the certification and licensing of these two professions. Physician Assistants must be nationally certified to practice and are nationally certified by a single authoritative body, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. The NCCPA only certifies those who have taken the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam and passed. Nurses, on the other hand, are not required to pass a national certifying exam, although doing so will permit them advanced credentials.

The state licensing procedures for each profession are slightly different. PAs must submit proof that they have passed the PANCE and completed all educational and clinical prerequisites. Nurse Practitioners typically only need to provide proof that they graduated from a nursing program. Additionally, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education hours every two years an pass a recertification exam every six years, while NPs need only complete 75 continuing education units every five to six years.

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Considering a career as an nurse practitioner or physician assistant? Here are the similarities and differences between the two occupations.

What’s the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant?

The most commonly asked question among students interested in pursuing a health care career is "What’s the difference between a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA)?" A career in the health care field can be extremely rewarding, but getting there requires several years of classes, training and learning. This kind of commitment means you need to be aware of your options.

Here are three differences to consider:

1. Both fields pursue (different) higher education and examinations

When nurses advance from a bachelor's to a master's or doctoral degree and complete an exam, they receive a nurse practitioner certification. Physician assistants also need to complete their master's degree and follow their own certification process, the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE).

Both parties need to retest every few years in order to maintain their certification:

• Nurse practitioners need to re-certify every five years, but can also re-certify by meeting the clinical practice and continuing education (CE) requirements. In most states, that's 1,000 clinical hours and 75 continuing education hours.
• Physician assistants need to re-certify every 10 years and have 100 continuing medical education credits.

2. Most physician assistants practice medicine autonomously

In most states, upon completion of their education and certification process, physician assistants work with a physician under a collaborative agreement, but their day-to-day work usually does not require any direct MD oversight. Physician assistants often operate independent PA-led clinics, and their physician interaction is usually limited to a few monthly on-site visits.

While about half of the states now grant nurse practitioners freedom to practice and prescribe independently without having any collaborative agreement with an MD, many states still require nurse practitioners to maintain collaborative agreements with physicians and are not considered independent practitioners.

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3. Nurse practitioners are more patient-centered; Physician assistants are more disease-centered

Nurse practitioners tend to have a long-term approach to working with patients. This is increasingly important when you look at the role of chronic disease in America. 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 cancer or diabetes. Nurse practitioners work with patients to form long-term health plans and provide health education and counseling to those at risk.

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Physician assistants typically are more disease-centered. They work with physicians to identify problems with patients and brainstorm treatments and eventual cures. Their goal is to work with physicians to get patients as healthy as can be and back on their feet.

Despite these differences, both career fields complete

• patient assessments,
• prescribe treatment and
• perform diagnostic tests to determine the health of their patients.

While their education and legal practice operations may be different, the type of candidates that both fields attract is incredibly similar. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants pursue their careers because they want to help people and have a passion for comforting patients and making them as healthy as possible.

Discover the nursing career path that’s right for you with this handy infographic: