Is a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician assistant the same thing?

Which makes more?

Actually none of the answers are completely correct (and some are just wrong).
NPs do need to be BSRNs first and then get a NP which is a masters and take an exam. They are taught in a nursing model and many come out specialized (that is they are a pediatric NP or a GYN NP etc) and can't practice except in that field. NPs can write prescriptions; and while legally can be totally autnomous, most work in collaboration with a physician (and legally, it is very risky to not).
Both NPs and PAs diagnosis, do proceedures, order tests, interpret tests, write Rxs, etc.
PAs, on the other hand, are taught in the medical model, usually associated with a medical school. They are all trained as generalists and specialize after either by on the job of by doing a residency.They take a certifying exam after graduation and must recertify every 5 years & have 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years. Most programs are also Masters level. Most work relatively autonomously under some physician (who does not need to be physically present in most states). By law, the PA can do whatever their supervising MD is licensed to do & has provided training. (or the PA has been trained to do). PAs can be a wide range of medical providers before PA school--respiratory practitioners, clinical lab scientists, physical therapists etc besides nursing.
Some specialties attract more PAs (cardiothoracic surgery for instance) and some attract more NPs (GYN). Salaries run back & forth (see other questions in this section).

Hope this helps

A NURSE PRACTIONER IS LOWER THAN A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT. THE PA MAKES MORE THAN THE NP

They are under the Physician. I see one and I like her alot(actually prefer her over the Dr.)

I'm not sure about the salary but I believe that they are basically at the same level though some PA's have a bachelor's degree while some have their master's and NP's need to have gotten their BSN (bachelor's in nursing/RN) and then have gotten their master's as a NP. I was under the impression (as a layperson) that the NP has more job opportunites and that PA's may be utilized more in rural (and/or perhaps also urban) areas.

Here is a website from the US occupational outlook handbook: www.bls.gov/oco and search 'physician assistant' and 'registered nurse' (NP is under RN).

For US colleges: www.utexas.edu/world/univ

Here is the truth, they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT!!!! Both pay well, but the NP has to have a nursing background, being formerly an RN/BSN and obtaining an MSN in the track of Nurse Practioner where they will be able to sit for an exam at the end of the education. In most states they are also able to sit for an exam to obtain prescriptive authority. PA's do NOT have to have prior nursing experience, and can be obtained through local colleges or some trade schools. NP's tend to have a broader scope of practice opportunities and PA's tend to be used in acute settings to alleviate non-critical cases from the Doctor.