Nurse and Physician AssistantThis outline of information will compare

three occupations that are closely related in tasks and roles: Registered Nurse, Nurse

Practitioner, and Physician Assistant.

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What They Do• Gather and record patient information• Order and interpret diagnostic tests• Assist a physician with surgery and other

procedures• A nurse practitioner and some physician

assistants can write prescriptions

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Tools They UseThe tools that are used in these occupations vary from location to location and may have some overlap, but these are the tools generally associated with each of the three.• A registered nurse uses

Forceps and/or hemostatsMedical oxygen masksIntravenous catheters Suction kits

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Tools They Use• A nurse practitioner uses

Cardiac monitors Electrocardiography (EKG) machinesSurgical lasersSuction kits

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Tools They Use• A physician assistant uses

Hypodermic needlesOphthalmoscopes or otoscopes Spinal trays or needlesSurgical clamps and/or forceps

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Working Conditions• Work in well lit, safe, clean areas• May be on call to go to the hospital• Often work in close proximity to people

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Who They Work For• Hospitals• Physician's private practice• Clinics• Registered nurses and nurse practitioners

also work in nursing homes• Physician assistants are also employed by

prison systems

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Training RequiredRequirements may vary from state to state. The following are Texas requirements.

• A registered nurse must complete either an associate or bachelor's degree in an approved nursing program and pass a licensing exam.

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Training Required• A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse that

has completed a master's degree in nursing and passed a certifying exam in his/her specialty.

• A physician assistant must complete an approved physician assistant program and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. Most programs result in a master's degree.

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Skills• Active listening• Speaking• Critical thinking• Social perceptiveness: Being aware and

understanding of other's reactions

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Knowledge Areas• Medicine• Biology• Psychology• English Language

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Income• Median annual salary of a registered nurse is

$63,750.O*net Summary of Registered Nurse

• Median annual salary of a nurse practitioner is $65,220 .

O*net Summary of Nurse Practitioner

• Median annual salary of a physician’s assistant is $84,420.

O*net Summary of Physician's Assistant

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