Physician assistant, nurse practitioners roles blurring

Obviously bias.

PAs have more stringent certifiction requirements and continuing medical education requirements than NPs.

PAs are required to pass an initial certification exam (the PANCE) and then retake the exam (the PANRE) every six years. There is only one exam for PAs to take and pass. No excuses. In addition, PAs must get 100 total continuing medical education hours every two years with 50 of those having to be Category I hours. These hours must be approved by the same organizations that approve medical doctor's continuin education or by the AAPA.

In comparison, NPs never have to take another single exam after passing their first exam. They get to pick and choose which exam they would like that to be as well since there are numerous certification companies that certify NPs. They also require only 30 hours of continuing nursing education that must be approved by those who approve registered nurse hours.

The choice is only evident when given the valid information. Choose a PA if you want to know what you are getting. Someone who has been through a standrdized process of classroom and extensive clinical training and is required to pass the same test as every other PA while maintaining the most stringent CME reuirements and re-certification requirements in healthcare.

Or, you can chose a nurse who could be an amazin provider from a reputable school or could be someone who took some online classes and did 600 hours of clinical rotations who chose the easiest test to take and only gets 30 hours of CEs every two years.

Your decision, now that you have the real facts.

Wow! I think that was probablly the most insightful and unbiased reply regarding NP's & PA's Iv'e ever had the privilege of stumbling on Viva la revolution! Let's see PA's are superior in every way possible, and NP's well they just can't compare, yet both are qualified for the exact same job. Hey sucks to be a PA! Anyway no after second thought those comments still sound like the same ol tired sh!t.

I have worked for many years in the medical field. PA's and NP's serve the same purpose almost all of the time. I think a good comparison of the two would be a DO and an MD. They both fill the same role with a slightly different approach. Which is better suited depends on what you prefer. There is now the American College of Clinicians, an organization for NP's and PA's TOGETHER!!! Go figure! I think this is a great idea and instead of arguing about who's better, NP's and PA's should put their brilliant heads together to better the mid-level position.

HI, i'm in PA school right now and I can say that the process is more difficult than that for a NP. You do require a all of the prerequisite classes needed to get into med. school, medical experience, shadowing, volunteer, GRE, and not to mention a really high GPA. I had a 3.9 in college and didn't get into my top two programs. The days are longer than the DOs. We get done at just about 5PM daily and then go home and study all night. (no life for the didactic year) I'm sure the clinical year coming up will be equally challenging. also, there is a final masters project and we are board certified every six years (PANCE exam). Also, the DO's required to have a 70% total to pass we need an 80% cummulative and we are required to attend every class unlike the DO's and DPM's.

Biased report. NPs DO have to have first a bachelor degree, and the NP is a masters. However, while there are Associate degree PAs, 95% of them are Master's degrees. 4% are Bachelor, and 1% are Associate. So don't think that the Master's degrees are rare. In fact, it's now becoming the norm to get a Doctorate in Physician Assistant Studies.

The lack of research into this so called article is disgusting. Is there no accountability for lazy authors trying to fill their writing allotment? This level of misinformation is more harmful than any good that may have been intended. I have been a PA for 14 years and have a Master's degree as do most of my fellow PA's. I question the level of education the author of this drivel has though.

Most PA's have never stepped a foot inside a hospital prior to their education. NP's are already RN's who have been caring for patients for many years. All of us already know there is nothing that compares to experience. Experiencing clinical situations is the best teaching method. Nurses have been the eyes and ears for physicians for a long time. I feel there is a role for both The NP and PA in providing care, what is more important is knowing when you are over the line. Practicing in your scope of practice should always be the forefront of your care.

Why are people always getting offended when the topic of PA-C and NP's. Shouldn't people be worried about their patient care. Instead of comparing each program worry about doing your job to the best of your ability.

This is a bogus report. PA's are have rigorious training in the medical model versus NP's who typically complete their education online, part-time with only a fraction of the time spent in the classroom. PA's are the next best thing to a physician. NP's take course in nursing theory and courses similar to social workers....not even close to the level of science and healthcare practic training to that of a PA..Compare coursework. Also, it doesn't matter what degree you have. THe degree means nothing...it's the content of the training and education that matters...not the name. ALL PA PROGRAMS ARE STANDARDIZED....whether associates, bachelors, or masters....it's almost identical edcuation. That can't be said regarding NP education...which are all "masters degrees", but lack education standardization durin accredidation. The advantage of the nursing model is that it's easier academically, nad logistically to complete. Sit in your living room, turn on the computer, become and NP. Some programs are legitamate.....many more are not. None of hte programs come close to the education of an PA. PA's require supervision because they are practicing medicine with complex procedures and patients. NP's are practicing wellness treating UTI's and ear infections. PA's typically make more money and are usually prefered by physicians. The nursing organization is a powerful lobby....and often times up to no good...

In the end, its the competent practitioner, not the initials behind their name that assure the best care. Degrees do not guarantee quality care, in any speciality.