Why do PAs earn more than RNs?

Question

I thought an RN would earn more, especially if you are helping out in trauma etc

Answer 1

PAs and RNs are not on the same level  - professionally speaking.  

PAs can write prescriptions and see patients and make medical decisions AND act as first assist in the operating room.  RNs do none of that - they monitor patients and implement orders - they do not write orders themselves.

A better coorelation would be a PA and a NP - both can write Rx, manage medical conditions and see patients.  They tend to have somewhat similar salaries in the same field. - i.e. a NP and PA in a surgical speciality would have similar salaries, and a NP and PA in a family practice would have similar.  However, PAs tend to have slightly higher salaries overall - not sure why BUT PAs tend to be more a male dominated (or equal male/female ratio) field while NPs are mostly women so I think it has something to do with women being lower paid

Answer 2

it depends on what the nurse does and what field the pa works. i know of a pa that works with an orthopedic surgeon and earns more than a family medicine doctor.  then there are pas that work in family medicine who would definitely make around the same as RN's who probably work in the rehab department or as a nurse case manager.  it just depends..i  am sure that er nurses or nurses who asssist in surgeries make a lot more than a family medicine pa.