In today’s dynamic healthcare landscape, pursuing a career as a physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP) offers a rewarding opportunity for both personal growth and service to others. As advanced practice providers, PAs and NPs meet increasing workforce needs and lead the way to delivering positive outcomes for more patients.

These professional pathways are accessible today for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds considering career changes. When comparing PA vs NP options, you’ll want to consider your practice goals and clinical interests in the context of contemporary healthcare.

Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner Roles at a Glance

Physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide many of the same services as medical doctors and care for patients with high levels of expertise. NPs use their prior degree and experience as RNs to prepare as advanced practice registered nurses, while PAs work closely with physicians to cover a wide range of medical practice patterned after physician education.

While there are many similarities in the roles, let’s look at an overview of each.

What Does a Physician Assistant Do?

Physician assistants, also known as physician associates, work on medical teams, typically under the supervision of a physician. With a foundation in general practice, a PA offers a broad medical perspective, including wellness care, management of chronic conditions and acute care.

PAs provide routine services across patient populations:

• Guiding patients in preventive measures
• Performing physical exams
• Ordering tests and evaluating results
• Diagnosing and treating conditions
• Prescribing medication
• Conducting medical procedures

Physician assistants may also support physicians in surgeries, complete rounds in medical care facilities or engage in clinical research, although specific responsibilities vary state-by-state.

What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?

The scope of practice for an NP includes the same types of services as those of a PA, but an NP often practices independently and within a specialization. Rather than generalized practice, an NP is certified in one of the following areas of “population focus” based on the population focus of their graduate degree:

• Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
• Adult/Gerontology Primary Care
• Family/Lifespan
• Neonatal
• Pediatrics Primary Care
• Pediatrics Acute Care
• Psychiatric-Mental Health
• Women's Health

Like PAs, nurse practitioners provide routine and preventive care, performing evaluations, diagnosing and treating illnesses and coordinating care. NPs also prescribe medications and treatments. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, a distinctive priority for NPs is a holistic approach to patient education and care that emphasizes wellness and prevention.

More than half of the states in the United States grant full practice authority to nurse practitioners within their population focus. Other states have varying supervision requirements for one or more practice elements.

Career Outlook for PAs and NPs

The roles of physician assistant and nurse practitioner are two of the top professional pathways for today’s workers. U.S. News and World Report lists nurse practitioner as number one and physician assistant as number five in its current “100 Best Jobs” rankings based on job satisfaction, mobility, compensation and demand.

A little more than half of physician assistants and almost half of nurse practitioners work in physicians’ offices, while about one-fourth of each work in hospitals. Increasing the number of PAs and NPs in the workforce allows physicians’ offices and hospitals to provide timely, high-quality care to more patients. Both PAs and NPs contribute to improved patient outcomes and lower costs, making their roles increasingly vital.

What Are the Job Projections and Salary Expectations?

Both physician assistant and nurse practitioner roles are among the fastest-growing professions in the country, according to data from the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. Projections for nurse practitioners estimate a 40 percent increase in jobs from 2024 to 2034, while the projected increase for physician assistants is 20 percent. These numbers compare to an average increase of only three percent across all occupations. 

Compensation for advanced healthcare practice is commensurate with the high demand. The median annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $129,210, and for a physician assistant is $133,260. These salaries are significantly more than double the median wage for all occupations.

Why Are PAs and NPs in Such High Demand?

The United States faces a crisis in accessible healthcare, leaving millions of people without adequate services. As advanced healthcare providers, physician assistants and nurse practitioners find unprecedented opportunities to pursue fulfilling careers while addressing some of the most critical issues in healthcare today. 

Physician Shortages

Current data from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a national shortage of more than 140,000 physicians by 2038, an average 12 percent gap in supply and demand. Shortages are even more critical in primary care, with expectations that only 80 percent of physician demand will be met by 2038.

In non-metro areas, the need is particularly dire, with HRSA data projecting an almost 40 percent supply gap for primary care physicians. A recent Government Accountability Office report found that the disproportionate distribution is tied to graduate medical education, as medical residencies are largely concentrated in urban areas.

Physician shortages, especially in underserved areas, mean that fewer people have access to quality healthcare.

Primary care contributes to healthier populations and longevity, as documented in a recent discussion paper from the National Academy of Medicine that calls for priority attention to the urgent needs. PAs and NPs are part of the solution to this challenge, providing primary care, along with health education to prevent disease and urgent care services to increase early intervention.

America’s Aging Population

As the oldest baby boomers celebrate their 80^th birthdays this year, the national population of older adults continues to escalate. The percentage of adults over 65 has been gradually increasing for years. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, the proportion has now reached 18 percent of the total population, and some estimates predict this number will reach 25 percent by 2060.

Because older adults are more prone to illness and injury than younger adults, healthcare needs increase as the population ages. Where healthcare systems are already stretched thin, increased demand places even greater stress on providers.

Supplementing care teams with PAs and NPs reduces this pressure by expanding service capacity in physicians’ offices, clinics and hospitals.

Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders

The most recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that in the previous year, almost a quarter of American adults experienced mental illness of some type. However, data from the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) indicates that almost half of Americans reside in workforce shortage areas. This results in a critical lack of resources for millions of people.

Primary care doctors, PAs and NPs often provide mental healthcare services, such as treatment for anxiety disorders and clinical depression. Preventive primary care can reduce the occurrence of mental illness or address symptoms early, before conditions reach crisis levels. Adequately staffed primary care facilities are better equipped to provide holistic care that includes attention to mental health concerns.

Further, advanced practice providers such as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health and behavioral disorders including providing therapy to individuals and groups. With escalating needs and limited supply for psychiatric mental health services, advanced practice nurses are now among the leaders in the field.

Expanded Settings for Healthcare

Despite the tremendous challenges in healthcare, emerging delivery trends are bringing promising advancements.

The National Association of Community Health Centers reported a surge in its network last year, showing that community health centers now serve more than 30 million people nationwide. These settings expand access to care, especially for underserved populations and those facing financial barriers to care.

The American Hospital Association recently reported on the “new wave” of delivering care in underserved communities. Initiatives such as mobile health units, street projects and care hubs are bringing medical and mental health services to people experiencing drug addictions, homelessness and poverty.

Further, there is a growing trend of employment-based care services, with companies providing onsite clinics or virtual services to encourage employee health and wellness.

Advanced healthcare providers, such as PAs and NPs, expand the healthcare workforce to enable or lead innovative approaches to care.

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An Overview of PA vs NP

As you consider which professional pathway to take, you might consider questions like:

• Do I prefer a generalized approach to medical practice or specialization in a particular area?
• Which pathway better fits my interests in training and approach to patient care?
• How much autonomy do I desire in my practice?

The following chart summarizes key similarities and differences in comparing physician assistant vs nurse practitioner.

Education and Scope of Practice Comparison

The Pathway to Advanced Healthcare Careers

With burgeoning opportunities for advanced healthcare providers, pursuing a career as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner is more accessible than ever. The first step is acquiring a bachelor’s degree in nursing, through either a BSN or ABSN program.

Both PAs and NPs require advanced education and training to deliver the high level of services needed in their roles. A master’s degree is the starting point for pursuing PA licensure, typically requiring over 1,000 hours of direct patient care in addition, and NP licensure begins with either a master’s or doctoral degree after receiving a BSN. Graduate programs for advanced healthcare providers include in-person or online coursework along with extensive clinical training.

If your evaluation of PA vs. NP points you toward a nursing career, choosing a nursing school begins by considering your personal and professional goals. Accelerated programs offer an intensive track into nursing for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.

Make a Difference with Cleveland State University’s Online Nursing Programs

Whether you are just starting your career in nursing or looking to take the next step as an advanced practice nurse, Cleveland State University has a program designed to help you meet your healthcare goals.

CSU’s online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is the perfect entrance for aspiring nurses, preparing you for practice through an affordable, full-time degree pathway. 

If you are already a registered nurse looking to enter advanced practice, CSU’s MSN and MSN NP programs will provide you with the skills and experience needed to prepare for specialized advanced roles including FNP, PMHNP, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator and Forensic Nursing. And for those who already have their MSN, CSU’s Post-Graduate Certificates will equip you with the qualifications needed to specialize as either a Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.