Nurse Practitioner Vs Physician Assistant Essay
During the past few decades, there are a number of different career opportunities available in health care. Several new medical and healthcare professions have been created to keep up with the demand for specialized health care as well as to fill the physician shortage. Nurse practitioner and physician assistant become other career options to professionals who desire to work in advanced healthcare because those professions require less commitment than a physician job does. They can join the healthcare system after just two to three years of graduate programs with advanced training, compared with seven years for medical residents.
Education
Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants require a bachelor’s degree of education and post-graduate advanced training to provide specialized care to those in need. Nurse practitioners attend a nursing school where they apply the nursing-centric education model to their health-promotion perspective. In contrast, physician assistants are trained in a medical school or center of medicine to form an approach that focuses on the study of disease.
In order to be a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) obtains a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). MSN degree is a combination of advanced academic …show more content…
achievement and additional experience in medical settings within two to three years. The master program which designed for nurse practitioner includes courses of advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced practice nursing, as well as some research courses to enhance their knowledge and understanding of diagnosis and treatment. They usually complete clinical experiences in a healthcare facility. After graduating from the program, qualified candidates may then take the respective certification exam to earn their credentials. Nurse practitioners must complete continuing education periodically to maintain their certification. There are two options for nurse practitioners to choose in order to maintain their certification. First, they can renew their license by applying to take the appropriate Adult or Family examination. On the other hand, they can meet minimum of a thousand hours of clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in the population focus, and seventy five contact hours of continuing education relevant to the nurse practitioner's role and population focus within the current 5-year certification period.
Physician assistants obtain formal education and training through an accredited program. The initial requirement of physician assistant programs is that applicants must have bachelor's degrees and some amount of experience in the healthcare profession to gain admission. The programs generally take approximately two and a half years to complete. Courses may include pathology, diagnosis, pharmacology, surgical technique, emergency medicine, pediatrics and research methods. During the first year, students focus on classroom instruction in medical science and clinical preparation. Afterward, the curriculum shifts to focus mostly on clinical rotations under the supervision of licensed physicians. Students gain patient care experience in various disciplines, such as general surgery, gynecology and behavioral medicine. Along with completion of an accredited training program, they are prepared to take license exam for physician assistants. Physician assistants must earn one hundred continuing education credits every two years. They are also required to pass the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam every six years.
Job Description
The job of nurse practitioners mainly focuses on providing general care to patients of all ages.
The nurse practitioner is a licensed independent practitioner who can fulfill a majority of tasks in the healthcare. They not only provide primary and some acute care and but are also qualified to meet the majority of patients' health care needs in accordance with State and Federal rules and regulations and the nursing standards of care. They promote a comprehensive approach to health care and emphasize the overall health and wellness of their patients. They may work in both inpatient and outpatient situations as they specialize in family practice, adult health, women's health or
pediatrics.
Physician assistants work closely with doctors to promote and maintain health and handle duties that range from taking medical histories, examining patients, diagnosing injuries and illnesses, and providing treatment. They are allowed to prescribe medications in some states. Some physician assistants specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as emergency department or geriatrics. They are allowed to assist doctors in advanced medical techniques and procedures as performing some minor surgeries, prepare casts or splints for fractures, and suture small wounds
Role Responsibility
Nurse practitioners can assist physicians and enhance public awareness on the importance of health. Generally, nurse practitioners perform the important task of counseling and educating patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments. Their role responsibilities do not limit which include diagnosing, treating, and helping patients manage acute and chronic illnesses. They may conduct physicals, order tests and serve as a patient's primary healthcare provider as well. They also order diagnostic tests and procedures. Some nurse practitioners are also able to prescribe pharmacological treatment, physical therapy and rehabilitation. They provide prenatal care, family planning services, and screening services.
Some of physician assistant responsibilities are identifying care for patients’ acute and chronic issues; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of action; implementing physician directives. They are able to assess patient health by interviewing patients; performing physical examinations; obtaining, updating, and studying medical histories. Then they will determine abnormal conditions by administering or ordering diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, electrocardiograms, and laboratory studies, and interpreting medical tests. Moreover, physician assistants instruct and educate patients by describing therapeutic regimens; discussing family planning; providing counseling on emotional problems of daily living; promoting wellness and health maintenance. In some cases, a physician assistant will refer the patient to a medical doctor or make arrangements for transferring the patient to a hospital or clinic.
Scope of Practice
Nurse practitioners can be autonomously independent clinicians or as part of a treatment team in collaboration care while physician assistants provide medical services under the supervision of a physician.
The main important professional role of nurse practitioners is to emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. They serve as patient advocates, interdisciplinary consultants and health care researchers. Nurse practitioners’ practice requires accountability for health care outcomes, clinical outcome evaluations, evidenced-based practice, and periodic peer review. They must respect code for ethical practice to promote professional development, maintenance of clinical skills and improvement of quality health care. This is accomplished by leading and participating in professional conferences, conducting research and applying findings to clinical practice. Each physician assistant’s scope of practice is defined by education and experience, state law, facility policy and the needs of the patients at the practice. Physician assistant is responsible for maintaining safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations. They have to comply with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
Job Opportunities and Future Role
Over the next decade, healthcare industry will face a severe shortage of health care professionals, especially physicians due to healthcare reform and increased healthcare needs of baby boom generation. In order to fill the shortage of physicians, both professions will provide many challenges and opportunities in the short and long term support for healthcare system. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are non-physician providers, besides physicians, in the provision of primary care and specialty services. Therefore, healthcare workforce has been growing demandingly to meet the nation's health care needs. According to U.S. News and World Report's 2014, nurse practitioners and physician assistant are ranked at in top fifteen best jobs in United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nurse practitioner field will archive a 33.7 percent job growth rate by 2022; and physician assistant will grow by 30 percent through 2020. Both career are well paid with average starting salary is more than $90,000.
In conclusion, healthcare system has been transformed without roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistant because they are important members of healthcare specialists who play a role in filling provider gaps. However, their roles are unique thanks to their education and lifetime of clinical practice. Each profession has its own job responsibilities and scope of practice in relation to regulation and policy. Despite of some differences in their job description, they are together leading change and advancing care in this increasingly complex health system with high consumer demands.
Education
Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants require a bachelor’s degree of education and post-graduate advanced training to provide specialized care to those in need. Nurse practitioners attend a nursing school where they apply the nursing-centric education model to their health-promotion perspective. In contrast, physician assistants are trained in a medical school or center of medicine to form an approach that focuses on the study of disease.
In order to be a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) obtains a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). MSN degree is a combination of advanced academic …show more content…
achievement and additional experience in medical settings within two to three years. The master program which designed for nurse practitioner includes courses of advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced practice nursing, as well as some research courses to enhance their knowledge and understanding of diagnosis and treatment. They usually complete clinical experiences in a healthcare facility. After graduating from the program, qualified candidates may then take the respective certification exam to earn their credentials. Nurse practitioners must complete continuing education periodically to maintain their certification. There are two options for nurse practitioners to choose in order to maintain their certification. First, they can renew their license by applying to take the appropriate Adult or Family examination. On the other hand, they can meet minimum of a thousand hours of clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in the population focus, and seventy five contact hours of continuing education relevant to the nurse practitioner's role and population focus within the current 5-year certification period.
Physician assistants obtain formal education and training through an accredited program. The initial requirement of physician assistant programs is that applicants must have bachelor's degrees and some amount of experience in the healthcare profession to gain admission. The programs generally take approximately two and a half years to complete. Courses may include pathology, diagnosis, pharmacology, surgical technique, emergency medicine, pediatrics and research methods. During the first year, students focus on classroom instruction in medical science and clinical preparation. Afterward, the curriculum shifts to focus mostly on clinical rotations under the supervision of licensed physicians. Students gain patient care experience in various disciplines, such as general surgery, gynecology and behavioral medicine. Along with completion of an accredited training program, they are prepared to take license exam for physician assistants. Physician assistants must earn one hundred continuing education credits every two years. They are also required to pass the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam every six years.
Job Description
The job of nurse practitioners mainly focuses on providing general care to patients of all ages.
The nurse practitioner is a licensed independent practitioner who can fulfill a majority of tasks in the healthcare. They not only provide primary and some acute care and but are also qualified to meet the majority of patients' health care needs in accordance with State and Federal rules and regulations and the nursing standards of care. They promote a comprehensive approach to health care and emphasize the overall health and wellness of their patients. They may work in both inpatient and outpatient situations as they specialize in family practice, adult health, women's health or
pediatrics.
Physician assistants work closely with doctors to promote and maintain health and handle duties that range from taking medical histories, examining patients, diagnosing injuries and illnesses, and providing treatment. They are allowed to prescribe medications in some states. Some physician assistants specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as emergency department or geriatrics. They are allowed to assist doctors in advanced medical techniques and procedures as performing some minor surgeries, prepare casts or splints for fractures, and suture small wounds
Role Responsibility
Nurse practitioners can assist physicians and enhance public awareness on the importance of health. Generally, nurse practitioners perform the important task of counseling and educating patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments. Their role responsibilities do not limit which include diagnosing, treating, and helping patients manage acute and chronic illnesses. They may conduct physicals, order tests and serve as a patient's primary healthcare provider as well. They also order diagnostic tests and procedures. Some nurse practitioners are also able to prescribe pharmacological treatment, physical therapy and rehabilitation. They provide prenatal care, family planning services, and screening services.
Some of physician assistant responsibilities are identifying care for patients’ acute and chronic issues; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of action; implementing physician directives. They are able to assess patient health by interviewing patients; performing physical examinations; obtaining, updating, and studying medical histories. Then they will determine abnormal conditions by administering or ordering diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, electrocardiograms, and laboratory studies, and interpreting medical tests. Moreover, physician assistants instruct and educate patients by describing therapeutic regimens; discussing family planning; providing counseling on emotional problems of daily living; promoting wellness and health maintenance. In some cases, a physician assistant will refer the patient to a medical doctor or make arrangements for transferring the patient to a hospital or clinic.
Scope of Practice
Nurse practitioners can be autonomously independent clinicians or as part of a treatment team in collaboration care while physician assistants provide medical services under the supervision of a physician.
The main important professional role of nurse practitioners is to emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. They serve as patient advocates, interdisciplinary consultants and health care researchers. Nurse practitioners’ practice requires accountability for health care outcomes, clinical outcome evaluations, evidenced-based practice, and periodic peer review. They must respect code for ethical practice to promote professional development, maintenance of clinical skills and improvement of quality health care. This is accomplished by leading and participating in professional conferences, conducting research and applying findings to clinical practice. Each physician assistant’s scope of practice is defined by education and experience, state law, facility policy and the needs of the patients at the practice. Physician assistant is responsible for maintaining safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations. They have to comply with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
Job Opportunities and Future Role
Over the next decade, healthcare industry will face a severe shortage of health care professionals, especially physicians due to healthcare reform and increased healthcare needs of baby boom generation. In order to fill the shortage of physicians, both professions will provide many challenges and opportunities in the short and long term support for healthcare system. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are non-physician providers, besides physicians, in the provision of primary care and specialty services. Therefore, healthcare workforce has been growing demandingly to meet the nation's health care needs. According to U.S. News and World Report's 2014, nurse practitioners and physician assistant are ranked at in top fifteen best jobs in United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nurse practitioner field will archive a 33.7 percent job growth rate by 2022; and physician assistant will grow by 30 percent through 2020. Both career are well paid with average starting salary is more than $90,000.
In conclusion, healthcare system has been transformed without roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistant because they are important members of healthcare specialists who play a role in filling provider gaps. However, their roles are unique thanks to their education and lifetime of clinical practice. Each profession has its own job responsibilities and scope of practice in relation to regulation and policy. Despite of some differences in their job description, they are together leading change and advancing care in this increasingly complex health system with high consumer demands.