Clinical physician assistant vs public health nurse

The differences between clinical physician assistants and public health 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 $60,319 average annual salary of a public health nurse.

The top three skills for a clinical physician assistant include patients, primary care and medical care. The most important skills for a public health nurse are community health, patients, and health education.

Clinical physician assistant vs public health nurse overview

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Public Health Nurse
Yearly salary	$145,549	$60,319
Hourly rate	$69.98	$29.00
Growth rate	28%	6%
Number of jobs	94,210	310,843
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	39	44
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 public health nurse do?

A Public Health Nurse maintains the public's health through providing health services and information. They promote a healthy lifestyle, take part in health campaigns, and educate and inform the public about issues, such as preventing disease.

Clinical physician assistant vs public health nurse salary

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

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Public Health Nurse
Average salary	$145,549	$60,319
Salary range	Between $84,000 And $252,000	Between $42,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	Duluth, MN	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Hawaii
Best paying company	Central Ohio Primary Care	Dignity Health
Best paying industry	Non Profits	Government

Differences between clinical physician assistant and public health nurse education

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

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Public Health Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Clinical physician assistant vs public health nurse demographics

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

	Clinical Physician Assistant	Public Health Nurse
Average age	39	44
Gender ratio	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%	Male, 7.5% Female, 92.5%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	9%

Differences between clinical physician assistant and public health 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.

Public health nurse example responsibilities.

Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
Assist in application of traction devices.perform routine tests such as urine dip stick, vision and hearing tests.
Dispense medications and provide education for TB patients.
Provide basic CPR classes at the community level as well.
Produce and conduct staff classes such as CPR, respiratory protection, infectious diseases, etc.
Instruct family in the care and rehabilitation of patient, maintenance of health and prevention of disease for family members.

Clinical physician assistant vs public health 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 public health nurse skills

Community Health, 10%
Patients, 9%
Health Education, 8%
CPR, 6%
Communicable Diseases, 5%
Home Health, 3%

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Clinical Physician Assistant
Clinical Physician Assistant vs Public Health Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

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