what are the benefits (pro's cons, things one can do) of being a RN vs a PA? I'm am trying to be a CRNA

Question

I was wondering what are the pros and cons of a PA vs an RN. My buddy, who just applied for PA school, is trying to tell me that he'll eventually be able to do surgeries and make more than the average physician. To me this isn't true. I am trying to be a CRNA and wondering if I would have more advantages than a PA? He wants to get into Orthopedics, and I'm just wondering. Money wise who makes more and what does the schooling allow what to do?

Answer 1

If your goal is to be a CRNA then you must go to a BSN program nursing program. All CRNA programs now are masters degree programs. A PA cannot do surgery without a physician. They can be trained to "first assist" a surgeon in the OR. An RN can be trained to "first assist" a surgeon in the OR. A PA cannot get a masters and becom a CRNA.

Dont get me wrong... A PA is a very useful part of the health care team. They work assisting a physician in the office, hospital, OR, and often work remotely, under physician guidance. Please note that in no case is a PA licensed to work independently. And at no time has a PA ever made more than the physicians they are working with. Under current insurance guidelines the maximum a PA can bill is 85% of the physician rate.

An RN can work in many areas of the hospital and throughout many areas of health care without additional training. But if they desire they may obtain a masters and become an advanced practice nurse. This allows them to work as a Nurse Practitioner (who has the same job description as a PA in most states, but is indepently licensed and can work without a physichian in many states, unlike a PA) , CRNA (who works often independently but under the guidance of the surgeon), a Midwife, or a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

PAs and NPs make approximately the same salaries in the same areas. CRNAs will always make more than PAs and NPs because anesthesia pays more than the work normally performed by NPs and PAs. Remember even if the PA gets to assist in the OR and charge as a first assistant, most of his time will be on the hospital unit seeing post and preop patients (for which the cost is bundled into the surgery) or in the office seeing potential patients at office rates or post op patients (again post op visits for a set time period are considered part of the surgery charge). CRNAs sit in the OR and charge constantly, they will always make more money.

sorry about the typos

EDIT: Sorry to add more but I just read the firt response. Nurse Practitioners are widely used in many areas. Many prefer not to work in ER settings preferring to work in offices but that is a long philosophical discussion that could take weeks. NPs work in Family Practice, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Pain Medicine, Pediatrics, and any other specialty area you can name. It is a matter of training and specialization. Some even work in hospitals contrary to the first responder. Usually when a job notice is put out for either a PA or NP the person is just looking for a "mid-level" provider.

Answer 2

PA to RN is no comparison. The PA will win on all accounts. Money privileges ect.

Now PA vs an NP (Nurse Practitioner) is very compariable. Depends on the state but for the most part they have the same previleges. Hositals will tend to hire a PA over a NP in most areas. NP are seen more often in pediatrics. An NP can technically work under their own license where a PA has to work under an MD's license. Most NP's will never work under their own license because the liability is too high.

There are several other factors too many to consider. This is a broad generalization.