The American healthcare industry is currently in a state of extreme growth and evolution. As the population grows — and elderly individuals live longer than ever before — there is a tremendous need for nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. According to a 2018 CNN report, the U.S. will need about 2.3 million new healthcare workers by 2025 to meet the nation’s growing demand for medical care. In addition, the Association of American Medical Colleges reports, “The United States will see a shortage of up to nearly 122,000 physicians by 2032.”
This shortage has created an urgent need for medical professionals with advanced education, particularly physician assistants (PAs) and family nurse practitioners (FNPs). These individuals are healthcare providers who have earned a master’s or a post-master’s degree, and are legally certified to assess, diagnose, and treat patients just as a doctor would. FNPs and PAs are an essential part of modern healthcare, and they are likely to become even more important in the coming years.
Both FNPs and PAs can work in a variety of environments, from hospitals and clinics to physicians’ offices, birthing centers, and other healthcare facilities. However, there are differences when it comes to family nurse practitioner vs. physician assistant roles.
Family Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant
FNPs and PAs play similar roles in today’s healthcare system. Both professionals conduct physicals, assess and diagnose patients, write prescriptions, and advise their patients on treatment plans and preventative measures. While these healthcare providers serve a similar role, there are a few key differences that separate FNPs from PAs, particularly when it comes to educational requirements and job opportunities.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Many family nurse practitioners begin their careers as registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, this degree is only the first step on the journey to becoming an FNP. To reach this next step, aspiring nurse practitioners must earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited university and pass a certification exam from a nurse practitioner certification board. These advanced degrees give nurses the essential skills they need to be successful FNPs.
While earning their MSN, nurses have the opportunity to learn more about many aspects of patient health. Because practitioners of family medicine are expected to provide comprehensive care to every member of a family, FNP education includes instruction on both general care and specific fields of medicine, such as women’s health and pediatric care. Nurse practitioners also need to hone their decision-making and problem-solving, and interpersonal skills — skills vital to determining treatment plans and making patients feel comfortable during their visit.
FNPs have many promising career paths and can work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to private physicians’ offices. In some states, NPs can even establish their own practice without a supervising doctor on staff. In addition, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that healthcare professionals such as nurse midwives and nurse practitioners earn a median salary of $113,930 per year, and the number of jobs is expected to grow 26% by 2028 — a rate far beyond the national average.
Physician Assistant
Similar to becoming an FNP, becoming a physician assistant is a long process that requires a significant amount of advanced education. Most PAs begin their career journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in a scientific field, as well as taking some additional courses to meet the requirements of their desired PA program. Then, aspiring PAs must accrue healthcare experience (HCE) and patient care experience (PCE) by working in a healthcare setting. The amount of experience one needs varies from one school to the next, but most programs require at least 1,000 hours of HCE or PCE.
After earning a degree and gaining the right number of hours, PA students can begin a physician assistant master’s program. During the 23 to 27 months it takes to complete the program, students will gain leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and analytical skills, in addition to critical math, science, and medical knowledge. Once students have graduated, they will have to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to become a licensed PA.
The career opportunities awaiting certified PAs are numerous. The BLS expects the number of PA jobs to grow at an even faster rate than FNP jobs: 31% by 2028. Physician assistants earn a median salary of $108,610 per year; however, that rate can vary from one state to another. For example, a 2019 article in Forbes reports that Connecticut is the state with the highest PA annual salaries ($125,610), while PAs in Mississippi earn the least ($81,130).
Pursuing Advanced Nursing Education
Whether you are interested in pursuing a career as a family nurse practitioner or as a physician assistant, AdventHealth University Online (AHU Online) has a program that will help you achieve your goals. AHU Online’s Online Master of Science in Nursing program is perfectly suited to working healthcare professionals. The program’s curriculum provides in-depth knowledge on advanced health assessment, leadership, and women’s and pediatric care — all on a flexible schedule so you can earn your MSN and advance your career at the same time. AdventHealth University also has an on-campus Master of Physician Assistant Studies for those interested in pursuing that pathway.
Recommended Readings
BSN vs. MSN: What’s the Right Path for You?
Nursing Career Paths: What You Can Do with a BSN or MSN Degree
The Fastest Growing Healthcare Careers
Sources
AAPA, “6 Steps to Become a PA”
AdventHealth University Online, BSN to MSN-FNP
AdventHealth University Online, Master of Science in Nursing
Annals of Neurosciences, “The Impact of Advanced Practice Nursing in Healthcare: Recipe for Developing Countries”
Association of American Medical Colleges, “New Findings Confirm Predictions on Physician Shortage”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Physician Assistants
CNN Business, “The US Can’t Keep Up with Demand for Health Aides, Nurses and Doctors”
Forbes, “Here’s How Much Money Physician Assistants Earn in Every State”
NCSBN, “APRNs in the U.S.”
