Educational Preparation of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the differences and similarities in educational preparation of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) along with requirements for entry into each program, graduation, and certification. Using an exploratory descriptive design, a convenience sample of 50 NP and 50 PA programs was accessed over the Internet. The major finding in this study is that high-quality educational requirements exist for both NPs and PAs. NPs and PAs are educated under very different models of practice. PA programs tend to follow a medical model tradition of education with a generalist preparation, while NP programs build on a baccalaureate nursing educational framework and require students to choose a specialty NP program (i.e., family, adult, women's health, pediatric, acute care, etc.). NP education is completed primarily on a part-time basis while PA education required a full-time commitment. Entry into practice requirements is also different; while all NPs are required to have a minimum of a master's degree in nursing, PAs can currently practice with a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree. NP and PA programs also have different requirements for admission. NP candidates must have the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in nursing, and many programs prefer a minimum of 2,000-4,000 hr of professional nursing experience. Requirements for all PA programs consist of 2 years of college coursework in the basic premedical sciences; along with appropriate healthcare experience (most schools prefer some healthcare-related experience; American Academy of Physician Assistants, 2006). A PA student entering a master's level program must also have a baccalaureate degree. In comparing educational curriculums, didactic content is very similar among both programs. Didactic and clinical hours required for graduation are also examined.

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“…Although the professional practice of the NP and the PA has developed into one that tends to mirror the other, the differences in the education and background of its professionals are well documented. An exploratory descriptive study conducted in 2007 examined many important differences in the educational preparation of the NP and the PA (Bednar et al, 2007). The author utilized a convenience sample technique to examine and compare 50 NP and 50 PA programs.…”

“…The author utilized a convenience sample technique to examine and compare 50 NP and 50 PA programs. Bednar et al (2007) did identify that the study was limited by the relatively small sample size. The study revealed five major differences between NP and PA educational preparation.…”

“…The study revealed five major differences between NP and PA educational preparation. The five differences included model of training, entry requirements for the NP and PA programs, entry level into the profession, didactic content and clinical hours (Bednar et al, 2007).…”

“…The holistic approach includes the assessment and treatment of specific disease processes as well as the numerous emotional, financial, and social effects that are present. The study reported that 21 of the institutions included in the sample prepared both the NP and the PA. Bednar et al (2007) states, "Although many of the programs are existing side by side at the same university, there is very little integration of the students between the two programs" (p. 165). In fact, only two institutions were found to integrate the NP and PA coursework within the same curriculum (Bednar et al, 2007).…”

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“…However, in comparing the didactic content, both NP and PA programs are more similar than they are different, and each has a high quality of educational standards (Bednar et al, 2007). Nurse practitioner's practice focuses on a holistic approach to patient care, focusing on health education, patient advocacy, and health promotion versus the disease-focused approach of PA education (Urgent Matters E-Newsletter, 2010).…”