Physician Assistant vs Registered Nurse (RN)
Pay, skills and open jobs side by side, from current job postings across the US.
Pay
Physician Assistant
$140,700 typical, a year
Most Physician Assistants earn $124,800 to $159,100 a year.
From 656 postings that list pay
2,380 open jobs now
Registered Nurse
$89,400 typical, a year
Most RNs earn $80,100 to $103,000 a year.
From 17,819 postings that list pay
107,484 open jobs now
Physician Assistants typically earn about $51,200 more a year than RNs.
What each one does
Physician Assistant
- Assess patients and obtain medical histories during physical examinations.
- Diagnose and treat patients according to medical protocols and standards.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in consultation with physicians.
- Prescribe medications and therapies as appropriate for patient needs.
- Provide patient education regarding diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up care.
- Perform diagnostic tests and interpret results to inform care decisions.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Registered Nurse
- Administer medications and treatments to patients as ordered by a physician.
- Monitor patient health and record vital signs or changes in condition.
- Create and update patient medical records and care plans.
- Communicate with patients, families, and medical staff about care.
- Coordinate care with other healthcare team members.
- Supervise nursing assistants or other staff members.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Skills employers ask for
Physician Assistant
More common in Physician Assistant postings
- Physical Examination 3 in 10 postings
- Physician Assistant Studies 2 in 10 postings
- Primary Care 2 in 10 postings
- Injections 1 in 10 postings
- Suturing 1 in 10 postings
- Occupational Health 1 in 10 postings
- Wound Care 1 in 10 postings
- Nurse Practitioner 1 in 10 postings
Registered Nurse
More common in RN postings
- Direct Patient Care 1 in 10 postings
- BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) 1 in 10 postings
- Patient Education 1 in 10 postings
- Nursing 1 in 10 postings
Out of each role's current postings.
Licenses and certifications
Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant Licensure (NCCPA) 3 in 10 postings
- Basic Life Support 2 in 10 postings
Registered Nurse
- RN License 5 in 10 postings
- Registered Nurse 5 in 10 postings
- Basic Life Support 3 in 10 postings
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) 2 in 10 postings
- CPR Certification 1 in 10 postings
Open jobs
Physician Assistant
Neurosurgery Physician Assistant
Boxwoodgo$156,603/yrstated Neptune City, New JerseyMicrosoft OfficeElectronic Medical RecordsEvidence-based PracticeClinical DocumentationPhysician Assistant Licensure (NCCPA) +3Neurosurgery - Physician Assistant
Boxwoodgo$149,036 - $175,336/yrstated Seattle, Washington HybridNeurosurgeryClinical Skills
Registered Nurse
Staff Nurse: Aultman NICU
AkronchildrensPay not stated Canton, OH, USMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft ExcelEpicCustomer ServiceMicrosoft Office +7School Staff Nurse
AkronchildrensPay not stated Akron, OH, USMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OfficeRN LicenseBasic Life Support +1Clinical Nurse - Ambulatory
BoxwoodgoPay not stated Phoenix, ArizonaRN LicenseEvidence-based PracticeAmerican Heart AssociationBasic Life SupportPEARS Certification +1
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