So, you’ve determined you want a career in health care, but where will you choose to focus your efforts? Because of an increasingly interdisciplinary health care system and the growing complexities of patient care, deciding which educational path to pursue can be daunting.
This article is designed to help ease that uncertainty by examining two popular career choices within health care: nurse and physician assistant (PA). It will outline the basics of each profession, as well as explain the similarities and differences in nursing vs. PA careers.
Nursing
Nurses play a critical role in the delivery of high-quality health care in a variety of settings, including hospitals, emergency rooms, long-term care facilities, and schools.
Nursing Skills and Competencies
● Clinical knowledge
● Empathy
● Communication and teamwork
● Critical thinking and problem solving
Education Required to Become a Nurse
The first step toward becoming a nurse is to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses. In order to prepare for this exam, students typically enroll in an accredited undergraduate degree program; however, there is growing demand for nurses with a more advanced level of education. A variety of nursing degrees are available at the master’s and doctoral levels.
Potential Career Paths and Average Salaries
Once a nurse has obtained his or her registered nursing licensure, the nurse may choose to advance his or her education by earning the nurse practitioner certification. Nurse practitioners (NPs), who make an average of $107,460 per year, can specialize in a variety of fields, including the following:
● Pediatrics: Pediatric NPs diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses in children; provide caregiver education; and design home care plans for families of children with special needs.
● Family Care: Family care NPs perform many of same duties as physicians, including interpreting medical histories, conducting physical examinations, and prescribing medication.
● Psychiatric Mental Health: Psychiatric mental health NPs are focused on the assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of mental illness.
● Women’s Health: Women’s health NPs are involved in helping promote women’s lifelong health. Areas of care include prenatal and postnatal care, family planning, and sexual wellness, as well as diagnosing and treating acute illnesses.
● Adult-Geriatric Care: Adult-geriatric NPs care for the senior population through a combination of preventive care, the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and the promotion of healthy habits.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants work closely with physicians and surgeons to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. They are involved in a number of other elements of medicine, including prescribing medicine, counseling patients and their families, researching treatments, and participating in outreach programs.
Physician Assistant Skills and Competencies
● Attention to detail
● Compassion
● Emotional Stability
● Problem solving and critical thinking
Potential Career Paths and Average Salaries
Like nurses, physician assistants can choose to specialize in various areas. Below are some of the common types of PAs, along with their average salaries.
● PA Specializing in Pathology ($119,000/year). PAs in this field work under the supervision of a pathologist and carry out a variety of tasks, including examining pathological and laboratory specimens, assisting with diagnoses, and performing autopsies.
● PA Specializing in Dermatology ($118,145/year). Dermatological PAs diagnose and treat a variety of skin-related issues. Sometimes, they are also trained to perform cosmetic and surgical procedures, under the supervision of a physician.
● PA Specializing in Emergency Medicine ($116,661/year). These PAs primarily work in a hospital setting and see patients on a walk-in basis. They may diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medication, or perform physical exams.
● Critical Care PA ($114,235/year). Caring for critically ill patients is the primary focus of PAs in this specialty. Their duties include the close monitoring of their patients, determining a treatment plan, and working with the ICU team.
Nursing vs. PA: Similarities*
● Both nurses and physician assistants work in tandem with physicians and other health care professionals to deliver patient care.
● Becoming a registered nurse can help lay the foundation for future education and professional development as either an advanced practice nurse or a physician assistant.
● Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants may work independently as a patient’s primary care provider.
● Both careers offer the chance to specialize in certain areas of practice, including emergency medicine, family practice, or pediatrics.
*These similarities are meant to be a general guide and may not be applicable among all jobs and regions.
Nursing vs. PA: Differences*
● The minimum required education for nurses is typically an associate degree, while physician assistants require a graduate-level degree.
● Nurses approach patient care from a holistic perspective, meaning they take into account a patient’s mental and emotional health, as well as a patient’s physical needs.
● A career as a nurse could be described more as a patient care role, while a job as a physician assistant is as a medical care provider.
*These differences are meant to be a general guide and may not be applicable among all jobs and regions.
Learn More
Both nurses and physician assistants play a vital role in today’s health care system. By working together with other health care professionals, those working in these professions can have a lasting, positive impact on patient care, but nurse practitioners often have more autonomy as providers, which many prospective students appreciate. . Now that you know more about the two careers, consider advancing your own nursing practice by enrolling in one of Regis College’s Master of Science in Nursing online programs. This degree program can help provide the foundation for an exciting and rewarding career in nursing.
Recommended Reading
Pediatric NP Job Roles and Responsibilities
Career Outlook: Family Nurse Practitioner
5 Areas of Study for the Master of Science in Nursing Student
Sources
Clinical Nurse Educator Salaries — Indeed
Clinical Nursing Specialist Salaries — Indeed
Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nurses
Bureau of Labor Statistics — Nurse Practitioners
Bureau of Labor Statistics — Physician Assistants
AAPA
American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants