Differences between an NP and PA?!
Question: Differences between an NP and PA!?
Hey guys, I am currently working towards a B!.S in nursing but intend to get higher training and move up to one of 2 potential career tracks, the problem is I do not really see what the difference is between them!.
After being a nurse for a few years (especially as a travel nurse) I would like to EITHER go and become a Nurse Practitioner OR a Physician Assistant!.
It seems to me that most of their duties over-lap so I have to put the question bluntly to clear the confusion, which is:
The 3 things I'm most unclear about and need clarification on are:
1) Assisting in surgeries, its not the blood that worries me or the gore I just don't want to bear soo much responsibility for the survival of the patient, I would scarred for life if I ever made a mistake in surgery!.
2) Performing physicals would be really uncomfortable for me and although I understand both NPs and PAs do them, who has to do them more often!?
3) Which career between NP & PA pays better and has more room for advancement and leisurely time!?
Those are are my 3 main questions and I would really really appreciate and welcome anyone's advice as to which path would be better for me to prepare towards!.!.!.!.!.!.!.Thanks everyone!Www@Answer-Health@Com
After being a nurse for a few years (especially as a travel nurse) I would like to EITHER go and become a Nurse Practitioner OR a Physician Assistant!.
It seems to me that most of their duties over-lap so I have to put the question bluntly to clear the confusion, which is:
The 3 things I'm most unclear about and need clarification on are:
1) Assisting in surgeries, its not the blood that worries me or the gore I just don't want to bear soo much responsibility for the survival of the patient, I would scarred for life if I ever made a mistake in surgery!.
2) Performing physicals would be really uncomfortable for me and although I understand both NPs and PAs do them, who has to do them more often!?
3) Which career between NP & PA pays better and has more room for advancement and leisurely time!?
Those are are my 3 main questions and I would really really appreciate and welcome anyone's advice as to which path would be better for me to prepare towards!.!.!.!.!.!.!.Thanks everyone!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I've been a PA for three years and have worked hand-in-hand with both PAs and NPs!. So, first things first!. I suggest you shadow a PA and an NP each for several days!. See how both of them work, the level of responsibility they have, and what they do in a normal day!. Shadow some in Family Practice roles and specialty roles!. You have to have shadow hours to get into any PA or NP school anyway!. Plus, you'll need letters of recommendation from an NP or PA to get into school, too!. So, by shadowing you'll get a feel for what each does, meet a few folks who can write you a letter of recommendation, and get some shadow hours!. You can contact your local PA society to hook up with someone to shadow!. And I promise you, they'll know how to hook you up with an NP!.
Both are highly trained, well respect health care professionals!. Fore the most part, they do exactly the same thing and get paid based on experience!. Many, Many PAs were nurses prior to going to PA school!. Depending on what state your in, sometimes being a PA is better; sometimes being a NP is better!. An NP can work in an independent practice as long as they have immediate physician back up available at all times!. That means in the same clinic or by phone!. A PA can also work independently, too, as long as his/her supervising physician is in the clinic at least 10% of the time and available by phone at all other times!.
I have a question for you!. If you're concerned about doing physicals and the responsibility for patient survival, why do you want to become a PA or NP!? Most PAs and NPs I know make a nice six figure income, but it comes with a heck of a lot of responsibility!. Many people try to drive a wedge between PAs and NPs!. Like I said, they both are equally important, respected health care professionals!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Both are highly trained, well respect health care professionals!. Fore the most part, they do exactly the same thing and get paid based on experience!. Many, Many PAs were nurses prior to going to PA school!. Depending on what state your in, sometimes being a PA is better; sometimes being a NP is better!. An NP can work in an independent practice as long as they have immediate physician back up available at all times!. That means in the same clinic or by phone!. A PA can also work independently, too, as long as his/her supervising physician is in the clinic at least 10% of the time and available by phone at all other times!.
I have a question for you!. If you're concerned about doing physicals and the responsibility for patient survival, why do you want to become a PA or NP!? Most PAs and NPs I know make a nice six figure income, but it comes with a heck of a lot of responsibility!. Many people try to drive a wedge between PAs and NPs!. Like I said, they both are equally important, respected health care professionals!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
I know that Nurse Practitioners are not trained to assist with surgeries!. That's really the only question you posed that I feel is valid!.
Understand that just being an ordinary RN!.!.!. you will from time to time be in situations where making a mistake can be very grave indeed (common example: preparing/administering medications)!. Also, body parts are body parts!. Ignore the stigma, you are a scientist: be rational!.
I think you seem a bit squeamish!. Realize you'll have to at least go through a lot of ugly things on the way to your degree and during training!. I would suggest maybe focusing on eventually working in Sports Medicine, Rehabilitative Medicine, or similar practices!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Understand that just being an ordinary RN!.!.!. you will from time to time be in situations where making a mistake can be very grave indeed (common example: preparing/administering medications)!. Also, body parts are body parts!. Ignore the stigma, you are a scientist: be rational!.
I think you seem a bit squeamish!. Realize you'll have to at least go through a lot of ugly things on the way to your degree and during training!. I would suggest maybe focusing on eventually working in Sports Medicine, Rehabilitative Medicine, or similar practices!.Www@Answer-Health@Com