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Physician assistant vs nurse

The differences between physician assistants and nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physician assistant has an average salary of $118,812, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for a physician assistant include patients, diagnostic tests and surgery. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Physician assistant vs nurse overview

Physician AssistantNurse
Yearly salary$118,812$57,564
Hourly rate$57.12$27.68
Growth rate28%6%
Number of jobs39,752696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age3944
Years of experience-2

What does a physician assistant do?

The physician assistant, also known as "PA," is now considered a key player to any healthcare team. Physician assistants are health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians. They work on several areas of medicine, from primary care to emergency service and even psychiatry. Neither they are a doctor nor a physician, but their job profile showcases many of these responsibilities. More than as assistants to the doctors, they are also equipped to examine, diagnose, and develop treatment strategies for patients.

What does a nurse do?

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

Physician assistant vs nurse salary

Physician assistants and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Physician AssistantNurse
Average salary$118,812$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $201,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVermontCalifornia
Best paying companyMarshall UniversityConviva
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between physician assistant and nurse education

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

Physician AssistantNurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorPhysician AssistantNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Physician assistant vs nurse demographics

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

Physician AssistantNurse
Average age3944
Gender ratioMale, 33.6% Female, 66.4%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between physician assistant and nurse duties and responsibilities

Physician assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage a variety of acute and chronic conditions especially asthma, allergies, injuries, and infectious diseases.
  • Manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, ASCVD, chronic back and joint pains, depression, and anxiety.
  • Manage patient surgical care throughout the continuum of care from pre-op, to discharge planning, including ambulatory and hospital in-patients.
  • Attain pertinent history & physicals for obstetrics and gynecological acute and preventative visits.
  • Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
  • Aid in the acute management of trauma patients including obtaining appropriate studies, suturing, and CPR.
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Nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Manage high-acuity cardiac/pulmonary and psychiatric patients
  • Monitor patients for cardiac rhythm changes and implement medication according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Educate patients and families on diseases processes, medications, wind care, and iv infusion.
  • Provide care for patients on medical/surgical, transplant, cardiac, orthopedic, postpartum, neonatal ICU, and psychiatric units
  • Demonstrate competence in CPR and other medical emergency situations.
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Physician assistant vs nurse skills

Common physician assistant skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 6%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • Primary Care, 5%
  • Urgent Care, 4%
  • CPR, 3%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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