THIS is the difference between a PA and NP

This video is all about the similarities and differences of a PA (physician assistant/associate), and NP (nurse practitioner)! There are many similarities, but also quite a few differences between the 2 professions!

[joelmunoz]

In PA school they work with cadavers and are more surgical, but I’ve heard of some NP programs adding some type of surgical rotation

[Byronrn]

Great video! I agree with so many of these points and the large majority of them are why I’m applying to PA school as an RN. (Oversaturation, scheduling clinicals, less lateral mobility)
My local NP school is also a doctorate only, and I cant imagine paying another year of school for nursing theory classes that likely won’t change my practice.

[DM-MD]

Hey! Great presentation of the differences of the two mid-level Professions. One of the things I would like to add to the PA school would be this. PA school can be described as a shorter medical school. By that I mean PAs are trained the same way as Physicians are but they graduate with a Masters of Medical Science versus a Medical Doctorate degree. Of course some can choose to get their Doctor of Medical Science degree. The schooling for PAs is structured the same as medical schools, in fact most PAs do their clinical rotations with medical students during their rotations. PAs just do not be on rotations as long as medical students and get a more deeper knowledge.

[MyPMHNPJourney]

“Nurse Practitioner”, “Physician Assistant”, “Physician Associate”….. I think these are often confusing titles for patients. I was talking with a PA in our ER and he suggested we all have the title MLP - Mid Level Provider, as a way to help patients better understand who was treating them. To me, it seems like it would be good to have a title that more conveys that scope and authority of the provider. Not sure what it would be. Thoughts?

[JW-zdry]

I'm currently an NP student, and it is expensive. The online cost right now (2023) average is 35-40k.

[HizImperial]

Hey David.

Can you talk about debt for NPs? Specifically your debt (if you’re comfortable). I’m about to start my NP journey and I’m concerned about the cost and how to pay it off.

Thanks

[kdscanlo]

I'm a paramedic with experience in ground and flight EMS & a bachelor's degree in health science. I considered going to nursing school with the goal of eventually doing an NP program. But, I felt like my past clinical experience would be more valued going into PA school. Transitioning to nursing and getting a BSN just seemed more like starting over instead of building on my current skills and education. So, I'm preparing to apply for PA school next year's application cycle. I love the insight in this video and I'd really be interested in hearing an opinion on AA vs CRNA also. Im curious if theres as much of a difference between those roles.

[ericg]

This is an interesting video, for sure. I apologize in advance for the length of this response.
It's interesting that you seem to feel entry into a PA program is significantly more difficult than entry into NP programs. For reference, I'm on the outside looking in as a respiratory therapist who's just now applying to nursing school and beginning my program this Fall.
The barrier to entry into nursing school by itself, is significant, and after graduating as a nurse and having additional clinical experience under your belt afterward, it would make sense that one could progress onward into NP school as the initial barrier to entry into RN practice had been met.
Am I completely wrong in thinking this way? I mean, I have definitely seen NP's who struggled and were lost after graduating from their programs, but I've seen the same thing in PA's, especially in emergency situations and/or critical care, and even MD's and DO's who don't really seem to know what's going on when they first graduate from school.
A nurse who has been through school, passed their RN certification and gained additional experience at whatever level, seems to me to be better prepared to enter advanced practice school than someone who has no clinical experience whatsoever and applies directly into PA school. I would hope that they have more clinical hours as they haven't had the previous experience that all nurses have through clinical nursing school rotations plus real-world working experience as RN's.
PA's definitely don't saturate the market like NP's do, however, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

[tonyw.]

PA is on the medical model and NP is on the Nursing model but in practice most of the mid-levels are interchangeable

Good move on CRNA, too many NP schools, which translates into too many NP’s and the pay is too low oftentimes

I work for the government and I make about $1500 more per month than my RN outpatient, inpatient RN makes more than NP given shift differential etc

But I like writing orders more than taking orders 😊

Good video

[LD-edjv]

Hey David! From my understanding, PA’s have to do 2000 clinical hours and they sit for the AAPA board exam. However, when you mentioned the PANCE exam, I wonder if they have a choice to sit for one or the other or if they can do a duo certification like NP’s with the ANCC/AANP?

[michaeljuniorlenko]

Barrier to entry: to enter PA schools any degree will get u in plus you might have to work as an EMT etc .. to become an np you need to be a nurse it's a higher barrier to entry

[The_Temple]

The main difference is philosophy of care

[graduategator]

David, as an NP student i would lile to know how did you address the "mid level provider" comments? Is it a derogatory manner in which to address NPs? Would appreciate your take on that.
Regarding NP school, I purposely selected a school that places us in clinical, went through a challenging application process, interview and high threshold for passing a class.. I purposely selected the tough path to NP with so many options out there and glad I did.

[adegbolaoluwawamiri]

What uni did you finish your NP school. I like they set up rotations

[jewboy]

How is it not a clear answer that PA's are better trained? The vast majority of not all of NP students have a BSN and my mom has one and says she knows nothing and can't do anything different than she could as a diploma RN. I would trust a biochem student with a crass course on disease process over an NP I don't understand how learning how great nursing is readies anybody to diagnose and treat a patient. I went over the NP syllabus on several schools and shit like cultural competency, diversity, bias in nursing and bullshit like that and one on pharmacology and pathophysiology.
If I go see someone I want the shit fixed not a lecture on inclusion and maybe the nurses will fuckin strike if they don't get to write prescriptions. I'm gonna become an NP because it's easy and I get to write scripts that's it the reason