Why do people call physicians assistant glorified nurses?

Question

Why do people call physicians assistant glorified nurses?

Answer 1

From Wikipedia:

"As of May 2008, there were 141 accredited PA programs in the United States. The majority are graduate programs leading to the award of master's degrees in either Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), Health Science (MHS), or Medical Science (MMS), and require a bachelor's degree and GRE or MCAT scores for entry."

They cannot practice medicine without a physician present.  In that, they resemble nurses.  However, they are far more completely trained than nurses.  Some RNs reach that level of competence after many years.  They are really better than nurses and most of them continue their medical education on a part time basic and become MDs.  It's not fair to call them "glorified nurses", but it happens.

However, medical assistants are below the level of nurses and their bosses can be doctors or nurses, usually the latter.

Answer 2

I work in an ER with both PAs and Doctors and I have really never heard of a PA being called a glorified nurse.  I think the problem is most people don't know what PAs do!  A PA can suture and read x rays and intubate and write perscriptions...they are literally what their job title is...a physician's assistant.  They have a very different role than a nurse!  I nurse provides patient care while a PA directs patient care.  A PA can diagnose where as a nurse cannot.  PA's go to school for 6 years and have a master's degree while most clinical nurses have a BSN or a two year degree.