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In the healthcare field, there are two distinct career opportunities for people who want to become advanced healthcare practitioners without going to medical school. With a master’s degree, you could become a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician assistant (PA). NPs and PAs are similar roles, but there are key differences between the two.
What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is a licensed clinician who provides advanced medical care and examines, diagnoses, treats and educates patients.
What is a physician assistant?
A physician assistant is a licensed medical professional who assesses, diagnoses and treats patients.
How are NPs and PAs similar?
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants have many similarities, including their functions, their certification requirements and the settings in which they work.
| Nurse Practitioners | Physician Assistants | |
| Functions | NPs diagnose patients, treat patients, and prescribe medication. | PAs diagnose patients, treat patients, and prescribe medication. |
| Certification | NPs must pass a certification exam. | PAs must pass a certification exam. |
| Setting | NPs work in clinics, hospitals and doctor’s offices. | PAs work in clinics, hospitals and doctor’s offices. |
Both NPs and PAs work directly with patients, providing a range of healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment and prescriptions. NPs and PAs both must pass a certification exam after graduation. You can find NPs and PAs in all healthcare settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices and clinics.
NPs vs. PAs: What’s the difference?
There are some key differences between NPs and PAs, primarily in education, specialization and autonomy.
| Nurse Practitioners | Physician Assistants | |
| Education Level | NPs are first licensed as RNs and then earn a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. | PAs earn a master’s degree. |
| Education Focus | NP education is patient-focused. | PA education is disease-focused. |
| Specialization | NPs specialize in an area of practice, such as gerontology or psychiatric-mental health. | The education for PAs is generalized. |
| Autonomy | NPs have full practice authority in more than 25 states.1 | PAs work under a doctor’s supervision.2 |
NPs and PAs can both become certified in their fields after earning a master’s degree and passing an exam. However, NPs must become RNs (registered nurses) before enrolling in graduate-level nursing education. NPs can also choose to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in addition to a master’s degree. Additionally, the educational focus is different for the two healthcare careers. Nurse practitioner education follows a patient-focused nursing model. PA education follows a medical model, which focuses on disease diagnosis and treatment.2
One of the biggest differences between NPs and PAs is that NPs often choose an area of specialization and PAs generalize. Nurse practitioners can choose to focus on a patient range or a healthcare focus and receive specialized education in that area. For instance, a nursing student might choose to pursue an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner specialization, a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization or a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialization. A PA-focused student will choose to earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.
In more than half of the states in the U.S., nurse practitioners have full practice authority, which means they can work independently, including operating their own practice, without being supervised by a physician. Physician assistants, on the other hand, always work under a doctor’s supervision.2
NP vs. PA: Which is better?
If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare field that empowers you to help improve your patients’ health, nurse practitioner and physician assistant careers are both great options. Both roles are vital, valued positions in medical settings. With a growing demand for healthcare services, both NPs and PAs are well positioned to enjoy fulfilling careers while contributing to the overall well-being of their communities. The annual salary for both roles is similar, and demand for both professions is expected to increase much faster than average through 2032.3,4
To decide which is best for you, consider the following:
- Education. Are you already an RN? Then you’re likely qualified to apply to a graduate nursing degree program. If you’re not an RN already, enrolling in an MPAS degree program may be the easier educational route for you.
- Specialization. Are you certain about your career path? If so, you could choose a nurse practitioner specialization. If you’re not sure, you could leave your options open by studying the generalized physician assistant curriculum.
- Independence. Do you prefer to work independently? Can you see yourself running your own clinic in the future? As an NP, you have more opportunities for autonomy — but check to see what restrictions are applicable in the state in which you plan to practice. If you become a PA, you will work under a physician’s supervision.
Both roles are highly attractive career options for those passionate about making a difference in healthcare.
Still unsure? Chamberlain University is an accredited institution that offers both nurse practitioner specialization options and a physician assistant degree program. Request more information to learn about Chamberlain’s nursing school and physician assistant school. Your future in healthcare is waiting for you … and it’s very bright!
Chamberlain University, an accredited institution, offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 130 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.
1 Source: nurse.org/education/np-full-practice-authority
2 Source: nursejournal.org/resources/np-vs-physician-assistant
3 Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
4 Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm
Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE).
By Chamberlain University
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