NP vs PA

[allishort]

Hello everyone, this website is amazing and I am loving all of your stories, especially ones about the day in the life of a PA student, all the talk about rectal exams and lectures gets me excited, not joking. I have been a nurse for 5 years in a hospital on the oncology floor and I am ready to go higher, learn more, and get challenged. I work with NP's and PA's and I do not see much of a difference in their scope of practice; I am leaning towards PA because I want to be educated from an MD perspective and work closely with doctors, I feel that I will have more of an understanding of medicine that way. All of my colleagues and family are telling me that I should be an NP that they have more autonomy and the schooling is easier. Do you have any thoughts on this manner? Thank you.

[Ashwee]

This blog article gives a really great explanation of the specific differences between NP/MD/PA as well as the difference in the programs:

http://doseofpa.blogspot.com/2014_02_01_archive.html

[SaizEva]

So, I was reading this article http://www.nursepractitionerschools.com ... -assistant and just saw your question, you should dive into this website, as for me author described everything pretty clear, concerning your question of course.

[sca1een]

PAs do not receive more intensive training than NPs, and they perform in similar functions as physician extenders in clinical settings. Both are well prepared to deal with moderately complex health care issues, and should turf more complex cases to supervising physicians. On average, PA's are more immersed in the Biomedical model of medicine and less so in the Biopsychosocial model. While, NP's are more immersed in the Biopsychosocial model of medical care and less so in the Biomedical model. NP's are more likely to incorporate "nursing diagnoses and plans" into their care routine.

[ellascott]

On average, PA's are more immersed in the Biomedical model of medicine and less so in the Biopsychosocial model