Nurse practicioner or Physicians assistant?

Question

I was wondering what is the real difference between a nurse practioner and a physicians assistant? Which one is better to become, I checked it out and the salary is about the same. Also, which one is better to go for if I eventually want to go to med school to become a doctor?

Answer 1

Either will be an avenue for medical school. Traditionally the Physician Assistant positions were held by more men than women, Nurse Practitioner being the opposite. The jobs and privileges are almost identical if the level of license and degree is the same. Obviously a PA with an undergrad degree isn't going to make as much money as an ARNP with a Master's degree.

Answer 2

I would say Nurse Practitioner. I have been told by a couple of Physician's Assistants that they(medical community) are phasing out the PAs. As a Nurse Practitioner, you will do basically the same thing and I feel have more of an insight into your patients needs. All of the years of nursing will only help you to be a wonderful doctor if you decide to follow that path. You will be able to appreciate your nurses and work better with them and they will appreciate you for that. I have worked with nurses so angry for the way the doctor's treated them,like they were clueless. Not all docs do this BUT it does happen. Good luck.

Answer 3

I am not quite sure where these people think that PAs are phasing out all the time but look at the PA web site for the real statistics (AAPA.org)--they are definitely not beeing phased out. And most PAs also have masters now so the other answer isn't quite correct as well. I am a PA & I love it--I work critical care & emergency.

Answer 4

NPs are on the same level as nurses maybe with more respect while PAs are just slaves. Doctors hate both because they can steal patients away.