Difference between PA and RN?

College Majors Nursing Major
1

<p>Can anyone explain to me the difference between these two jobs, and the courses required for them? Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Depends on what kind of RN you are talking about.</p>

<p>If you are talking about a PA versus an RN with a bachelor’s degree or lower - there are a lot of differences. A PA is a medical professional trained in the medical model, and they do primary care under the supervision of a physician. Nowadays, if you go to a clinic or a private practice you can often see a PA instead of a physician unless you have a serious problem. In fact, there are many free urban and rural clinics that are staffed almost entirely by PAs and nurse practitioners, and a physician or two that comes around once or twice a week to check on things. PAs can do general medical checkups, gyn exams, prenatal care, certain types of long-term care, and they can prescribe medication. Regular RNs with no advanced degree can’t do that - they work primarily in the care of patients on the floor.</p>

<p>However, an advanced practice nurse - a nurse practitioner with an MSN - is very similar to a PA. They are also mid-level providers. They can prescribe medication in most states, and they do primary care. Nurse practitioners also can operate independently; they do not have to be supervised by physicians, as PAs do.</p>

<p>See also these resources:</p>

<p>[The</a> Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and a Physician Assistant ¶ - Sunbelt Staffing](<a href=“http://blog.sunbeltstaffing.com/advanced-practice/the-difference-between-a-nurse-practitioner-np-and-a-physician-assistant-pa/]The”>Blog - Sunbelt Staffing)</p>

<p>[Nurse</a> Practitioner vs Physician Assistant: What?s the Difference? | Online Nurse Practitioner Programs](<a href=“onlinenursepractitionerprograms.com”>onlinenursepractitionerprograms.com)</p>

<p>[Nurse</a> Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/07/AR2011010704936.html]Nurse”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/07/AR2011010704936.html)</p>