Which is "higher up," a nurse practitioner or Pysician's Assistant? Which makes more money...?

and which has more autonomy, such as being able to practice without supervision or is able to open a private practice?

As Diane said, both are considered to be mid-level providers, or physician extenders. Whether a nurse practitioner can practice independently is a function of the state nurse practice act. NPs have benefited from some of the litigation and legislation related to CRNAs and the changes in the state nurse practice acts affecting those providers.

As far as salary, Diane is not actually correct, the two career fields are actually reasonably equal, however, in some areas of the country PAs are favored and in others NPs are prefered and this affects the salary in those areas. The average US PA salary in 2006/2007 was $62,600. The average NP salary in the US for the same period was $70,100.

Educationally, PAs are still struggling with the same issue that nursing has with RNs. There are PA programs at the associate level, bachelor level, and master of science level. The push in the PA community is for all PA programs to be a graduate level program. Currently, all nurse practitioner programs in the US must be a master degree, and there is discussion about changing to a doctoral degree in the future. The statement of whether one is taught in the medical or nursing model is confusing, as both cover the same anatomy and physiology, medical conditions, diagnostic techniques and treatments. NPs use a nursing model because they were nurses first, and they work based on a license using the nurse practice act, not a delegation of authority from a physician.

In many states NPs can open private offices and work independently. Studies have shown high levels of autonomy in NPs in the US. I am not aware of any autonomy studies performed on PAs or any comparrison studies.

Physicians Assistant is higher up the food chain - but money really depends on each job.

Pysician's assistant

NP because you can specialize..(eg: Anesthia(sp?)specialist...they make around 160,000 where I live)

The education is very simular however the one with more autonomy is the NP. PA's must work physically in the same building with their Physicians. I know of several NP's with their own practices however I beleive the office is still registered under a Dr. reaper out......

A physician Assistant can make over $80,000 a year for working 32 hours a week.

Sounds sweet to me.

In terms of education they are both very similar. An NP definitely has more autonomy than an PA, being that a PA 9 times out of 10 has to work with a MD, whereas an NP can have their own practice if they choose. In terms of salary an they are both around the same range, but an NP can make more money than an PA

A little clarity--PAs work in collaboration with an MD but in many states that can be by phone--they do not need to be in the same room! NPs can open up their own practices but many do not--the malpractice & legal ramifications are very high (the most common NPs on their own are GYN). Salaries are very similar although the latest figures in Clinical Reviews has PAs slightly ahead; it does cost more to maintain a PA license with continuing medical education tho'. Both are considered "midlevel practitioners" and neither is "higher up", they are just different. PAs are taught in the medical model & NPs in the nursing; they often specialize in different areas (but there is overlap).

My personal feelings on complete autonomy is why risk it? You can not possibly learn as much in NP/PA school as an MD; to me working with an MD is like getting a "free second opinion" and help with difficult problems. Opening a private practice is also extremely expensive--let someone else do it! I actually prefer hospital employment--another option.

I have a very good relationship with my MD and I practice pretty autonomously--as much as I want with her safety net, expertise, and her managing the practice. Can't get much better than that.