Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner: Which Path is Right for You?

While you’ve undoubtedly spent time researching the differences between being a physician assistant and an MD or DO, a commonly overlooked comparison is the difference between the physician assistant vs nurse practitioner professions. Both career paths are categorized as advanced practitioners, have similar timelines to degree completion, and allow for individual patient oversight with diagnostic and prescriptive authority. The major divergence between them lies in their underlying training models. While physician assistants practice based on a medical model, nurse practitioners employ a nursing approach. 

Whichever path you choose, it’s important to understand what each entails so you can decide which one is right for you. Check out the chart below to find the key similarities and differences between these pathways!

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Similarities and Differences Between Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner Career Paths 

Topic	Physician Assistant	Nurse Practitioner
Undergraduate degree/prerequisites	Requires bachelor’s degree (non-specific) with science-based prerequisite classes	Majority require Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and RN license; some RN to NP programs exist
Terminal degree	Master’s degree (specific degree varies based on program)	Master’s degree (MSN-NP) or Doctoral degree (DNP)
Job experience	Minimum experience hours vary by PA program but generally 1,000+ hours	At least 1-2 years of clinical nurse experience (RN)
Duration of schooling	24-27 month program	15-24 months full-time or 24-48 months part-time (BSN to MSN-NP) 3-4 years full-time or 4-7 years part-time (BSN to DNP)
School format	Didactic and clinical phases with very few online delivery options Students are assigned standardized clinical rotations arranged by PA program Must complete at least 2,000 hours of clinical rotation experience	Many hybrid or online options for the didactic portion with a clinical phase  Students may have to establish their own clinical rotation sites/find preceptors  Must complete at least 600 hours of clinical rotation experience
Specialization	Train as a generalist with the ability to work in any specialty without additional certification Additional fellowship programs and competency exams are offered for specialty care areas	Train with a concentration of a specific patient population: acute care, adult, family, gerontology, neonatal, oncology, pediatric, or women’s health Must recertify to change specialty areas
Certification	Certified through general exam (PANCE) with generalist recertification required periodically	Didactic and clinical phases with very few online delivery options Students are assigned standardized clinical rotations arranged by the PA program Must complete at least 2,000 hours of clinical rotation experience
Professional oversight, responsibilities, and liability	Require a supervising physician with some states moving toward independent practice authority	May have independent practice authority (depending on the state) without the need for supervising physician

Many of the regulations and standards pertinent to day-to-day practices in either profession are similar, such as the need to be licensed in each state, maintain the required amount of continuing education credits and patient care responsibilities. Both PAs and NPs evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients while filling the practitioner shortage need with compassionate and personalized patient care.

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Knowledge is Power

Distinguishing between these two career paths will not only allow you to find the best fit for your goals as a clinician, but you’ll also be able to give more educated answers as to why you have chosen a particular path when you are asked that question during interviews.

For example, because I researched the similarities and differences between the physician assistant vs nurse practitioner career paths during my own pre-PA journey, I felt more confident and reassured that I was investing in the right pathway based on my personality, skills, and background. This allowed me to better articulate to the interview panel at my school of choice why I wanted to be a PA and helped me narrow down what I wanted out of a career as a clinician.

By taking into consideration your educational and professional background, approach to medical care, and desire to serve specific populations, you can hone in on the best pathway for you! Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be a stronger applicant at the school of your choice.

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Further Reading

Interested in more pre-PA content? Check out these additional (free!) Rosh blog articles:

• How Long Is PA School? A Walkthrough of the PA Journey
• The First Step of Your PA Journey: A Tutor’s Guide to Pre-PA Success
• PA School Prerequisites: The Ultimate Guide

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