Clinical physician assistant vs practical nurse

The differences between clinical physician assistants and practical nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a clinical physician assistant has an average salary of $145,549, which is higher than the $75,363 average annual salary of a practical nurse.

The top three skills for a clinical physician assistant include patients, primary care and medical care. The most important skills for a practical nurse are patients, APN, and home health.

Clinical physician assistant vs practical nurse overview

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Practical Nurse
Yearly salary	$145,549	$75,363
Hourly rate	$69.98	$36.23
Growth rate	28%	6%
Number of jobs	94,210	511,602
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	39	46
Years of experience	-	2

What does a clinical physician assistant do?

A clinical physician assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in clinics, hospitals, and similar establishments. Typically serving as the patients' first point of contact, it is their responsibility to gather the personal and medical information of patients, identify their needs, answer inquiries, and escort them to offices and other rooms. They may also perform clerical tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, preparing and filing documentation, and coordinating with other offices. Moreover, a clinical physician assistant must maintain an active communication line with physicians and nurses, assisting them as needed.

What does a practical nurse do?

A practical nurse is responsible for providing the highest quality care services for the patients and assisting them with their needs and concerns. Practical nurses work within a health institution or private household to support the patients in their daily activities, monitor their conditions, administer medication, and inform the doctors of their health updates. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to develop nursing care plans and activities to suit the patients' lifestyle and keep their active wellbeing.

Clinical physician assistant vs practical nurse salary

Clinical physician assistants and practical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Practical Nurse
Average salary	$145,549	$75,363
Salary range	Between $84,000 And $252,000	Between $47,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	Duluth, MN	Lancaster, CA
Highest paying state	Minnesota	California
Best paying company	Central Ohio Primary Care	University Hospitals
Best paying industry	Non Profits	Health Care

Differences between clinical physician assistant and practical nurse education

There are a few differences between a clinical physician assistant and a practical nurse in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Practical Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Emory University

Clinical physician assistant vs practical nurse demographics

Here are the differences between clinical physician assistants' and practical nurses' demographics:

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Practical Nurse
Average age	39	46
Gender ratio	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%	Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	12%	7%

Differences between clinical physician assistant and practical nurse duties and responsibilities

Clinical physician assistant example responsibilities.

Implement and manage cardiology internship college course.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Complete nursing assessments, complete care plans, perform ADL's, utilize lifts, alarms and transfer patients safely.
Care for multiple patients in a fast pace setting and provide total care including all treatments, medications and ADL's.
Perform tracheostomy care and suctioning for ventilator dependent patients.
Provide physical therapy services in the inpatient rehabilitation unit and oncology floor.

Practical nurse example responsibilities.

Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
Treat patients with dignity, respect, and compassion while maintaining there safety.
Maintain safety and quality standards of care while facilitating early discharge of mother and baby.
Maintain HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
Receive and implementing Dr orders.
Train in lactation and NRP certify.

Clinical physician assistant vs practical nurse skills

Common clinical physician assistant skills

Patients, 30%
Primary Care, 6%
Medical Care, 6%
Family Medicine, 5%
Urgent Care, 5%
Diagnostic Tests, 4%

Common practical nurse skills

Patients, 27%
APN, 7%
Home Health, 6%
Acute Care, 5%
Physical Examinations, 4%
Vital Signs, 4%

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Clinical Physician Assistant
Clinical Physician Assistant vs Practical Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

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