Is physician assistant school harder than nursing school?

Yes, in general, physician assistant school is harder than nursing school. This is due to the fact that physician assistants are required to complete master's programs in the field, while nurses are only required to get a bachelor's degree in nursing, though they do have the option to get a master's degree in their field as well.

Comparing these two educational paths can be difficult, as each has its own set of unique challenges and requirements. Here is a closer look at some of the features in each path:

• Attending PA school

PA school requires the obtaining of a master's degree. This typically takes between two to three years to complete. Common courses required in PA master's degree programs include:

• Anatomy

• Physiology

• Pharmacology

• Clinical medicine

• Medical ethics

PA students also must complete clinical rotations in several medical venues, such as:

• Primary care

• Emergency medicine

• Surgery

• Other specialties

PA school tends to cover a wider scope of medical topics and in a more in-depth fashion than nursing school does. The clinical rotation requirements are also more intense than the clinical experience that nurses must gain during their education and training.

• Attending nursing school

Getting a bachelor's degree in nursing takes around 4 years. There are also programs that can take two years for an associate's degree, however, these limit the skills and job prospects of nurses. In a four-year bachelor's program nursing school students study and complete classes pertaining to:

• Nursing fundamentals

• Physiology

• Psychology

• Microbiology

• Pharmacology

• Women and infant health

• Leadership management

Individuals wanting to be a school nurse need to be sure that the nursing schools they apply to are accredited institutions. In certain states, registered nurses only need an associate's nursing degree in order to practice.

Most BSN programs not only give you the knowledge you need, but also expose you to hands-on experience as a nurse.

• Completing and passing the NCLEX exam

After obtaining your degree, this is the required next step. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, also known as NCLEX, or NCLEX-RN.

Just about every role in nursing requires you to pass this exam.