What's the difference between a NP and a RN?

What is the difference between a PA and a NP? I am interesting in pursuing this as a career but I am not an RN

• I have a BS but not in nursing. Working on Prereqs but both programs have different requirements. Trying to pick the right one. I am currently taking classes for my CNA and CMA. Which ...show more

• Answer:

  Unfortunately all your answers are incorrect with regard to the NP/PA job. Both are mid-level practitioners. They overlap in some areas & in others are distinct. A PA is not a medical assistant--they DO NOT assistant the doc. They see their own patients, do physical exams, order & interpret tests & Xrays, write Rx's (they have their own DEA #) etc. It is a master's (most are heading that way) 2 years after a pre-med bachelors & health care experience (any kind). It is taught in the medical model, often as an adjunct to the medical school. PAs can so surgery, set fractures, suture, reduce dislocations, etc --basically anything their supervising doc can do (and supervisory means available by phone or on site to consult for questions--not standing at you side). PAs are all trained as primary care practitioners, then can do residencies to specialize (heart surgey,peds, ER, trauma etc). The national organization is www.aapa.org and all states have a state chapter you can contact. PAs also need 50 hours/year continuing education & retake their boards every 6 years. They make on the average about $50/hr. (about $80,000+ per year). NPs are all nurses, this is a masters degree after a BSRN. They can be primary care but there are specialty programs such as GYN NPs & Peds NPs, for example (a Peds NP would have to go back to school to work as a FPNP etc). Theya re taught in a nursing model at a nursing school. They also have their own DEA #. While they can be more autonomous, in actuality, many work in conjunction with a doc just like PAs. They are more protocol driven than PAs. How to decide? PAs are often more procedure oriented, NPs are often more patient/social oriented. Depends on what you wish to do. You might want to shadow both for a few days & even take a look at their professional journals & publications. As to CNA v CMA--CNAs do nursing duties, CMAs assist MDs in their offices & do more procedures. Personally, I would go CMA for the greater experience.