Healthcare professionals are in high demand, with opportunities expanding rapidly across hospitals, clinics, and community healthcare organizations. For those exploring advanced practice roles, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are two of the most popular options — but they’re often confused. Understanding the key differences in education, scope of practice, responsibilities, and career trajectory is essential for choosing the path that best aligns with your goals and interests.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide comprehensive care to patients across a variety of settings. Their primary responsibilities include:
NPs also play a key role in patient education, helping individuals understand preventive care and overall health management. They collaborate closely with physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated, high-quality care.
The scope of practice for NPs varies by state. In some states, they have full-practice authority, which enables them to evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate treatment independently. Other states have reduced or restricted practice models that require varying levels of physician oversight. NPs can specialize in areas such as family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatry, or acute care.
NPs work in a wide range of environments, including:
They may also offer care in diverse and sometimes nontraditional settings, such as schools, telehealth platforms, or public health organizations.
Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed healthcare professionals trained to provide a broad range of medical services under the supervision of or in collaboration with a physician. Their primary responsibilities include:
PAs also assist in surgeries and perform certain medical procedures, while providing patient counseling on treatment options and preventive care.
The scope of practice for PAs is defined by state laws as well as the supervising physician’s practice area. Unlike NPs, PAs are trained as generalists, which means they can work across multiple medical specialties and patient populations without needing additional formal education. This versatility makes PAs valuable in a wide range of clinical environments and enables them to adapt to changing healthcare needs throughout their careers.
PAs can be found in diverse healthcare settings, including:
With their flexibility and broad training, PAs can provide high-quality care in many different contexts, often bridging gaps in healthcare delivery.
While nurse practitioners and physician assistants share many responsibilities in patient care, their education, training, autonomy, and practice models differ in key ways. The following chart provides a side-by-side comparison that demonstrates how each career path aligns with individual goals and professional interests.
Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the U.S. currently enjoy strong earning potential and exceptional job growth.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for NPs is about $132,000, while PAs earn slightly more at around $133,000. Both roles typically require a master’s degree, indicating that advanced training and deep expertise is needed to provide high-quality care.
Job growth for these professions is projected to be much faster than average over the next decade. Employment for NPs is expected to increase by 40% by 2033, adding roughly 141,200 new positions as demand rises in primary care, specialty care, and underserved communities. PA employment is also growing rapidly, with a projected 28% increase over the same period, translating to approximately 43,700 new jobs.
This strong growth is driven by the ever-expanding need for healthcare providers, larger aging populations, and the versatility of both NPs and PAs in meeting a variety of patient care needs.
When entering or transitioning to a career as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, the best career path for you depends largely on your educational or training background. If you already have a nursing degree or clinical nursing experience, pursuing an NP role may be a smoother transition. For those coming from a non-nursing but science-focused background, PA programs are often more accessible.
Your career goals play a key role in the decision. NPs typically focus on a specific patient population or specialty from the start, while physician assistants are trained as generalists, which affords them greater flexibility to switch specialties throughout their careers. Timeline considerations may influence your choice as well: NP education can vary in length depending on prior nursing credentials and course schedule, while PA programs are usually full-time and take two to three years after completing prerequisite coursework.
Consider the type of clinical setting you prefer. NPs and PAs both work in primary care, acute care, surgical, and specialty settings, but each role requires strengths in different areas of practice, such as patient interactions or medical analysis.
Knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and a strong medical vocabulary are essential for success in either path. Both NP and PA programs require mastery of complex medical terminology from day one. Proficiency in medical language not only helps you excel in coursework but also ensures clear communication with colleagues and accurate clinical documentation.
Building a strong foundation in medical terminology is a critical first step for anyone preparing to become a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. USD’s Medical Terminology course offers a flexible way to develop this foundation before entering a degree program, giving you a head start on either career path.
Taking this course can help you strengthen your medical vocabulary, gain confidence in coursework, communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, and navigate clinical documentation with ease. The course is entirely online and self-paced, allowing you to start anytime and complete it within 180 days.
Topics covered include:
Who should enroll?
Ready to deepen your expertise and prepare for career advancement? Enroll in USD’s Medical Terminology course today and build the skills you need to succeed in NP or PA programs.
It depends on your background, career goals, and preferred clinical setting. Nurse practitioners often focus on a specific patient population or specialty and may have full-practice authority in certain states. Physician assistants are trained as generalists, giving them flexibility to work across multiple specialties under physician supervision. Consider your education, desired level of autonomy, and the type of clinical work you enjoy when deciding which path is better for you.
Median salaries for both roles are very similar. According to 2024 data, nurse practitioners earn a median of $132,000 per year, while physician assistants earn slightly more at $133,000. Salaries can vary based on factors such as geographic location, specialty, experience, and work setting.
A physician assistant cannot directly transition into an NP role, because the two careers require different education and licensing paths. To become an NP, a PA would need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with an NP focus, meet any clinical prerequisites, and pass a national NP certification exam.
Taking a medical terminology course is a great first step to equip you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to be successful.