[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by n_g

Cost is not the prohibitive factor. You would be comparing the outcomes of two groups. One by NP's. One by MD's. How many research studies and how much money do you think is spent on research every year? There's nothing about doing a nationwide, multi-center study that would be out of the ordinary in terms of cost. You're not building a multi-billion dollar particle accelerator here.

When you decide to post your qualifications/education then we can continue this conversation until then I have already posted my comments and exactly what I think of yours.

[Bree124]

I don't think that requiring more fundamental science courses for the NP role will increase the level of respect that the position garners (although I still don't think it's a bad idea in general).

My husband is a chiropractor, and during their first two years of chiro school, they take several semesters of gross anatomy (with full cadaver labs), physiology, pathology, clinical path, micro, biochem, clinical biochem, immunology, embryology, and many more courses. These courses are taught by PhD's, MD's, and DC's, and the students have board exams that cover these courses to ensure minimal competency in these core sciences.

People still think it's a degree you can get at a community college.

[Faith213]

Originally Posted by jzzy88

Calculus is actually not that difficult of a class. I really enjoyed my calculus class. I think there are myths about these classes being so intensely difficult. I think in general out educational system does not push students to stretch their thinking to it's capacity, which is a shame, because it is exciting to go to the limits of ones intellect and expand it. For some reason, some people say to themselves "oh, that class is too hard for me, or I don't need that class for my major," and that is really limiting.

This is something that has been brought to my attention alot lately. I sometimes find myself wishing I was raised in India, China, or other eastern countries so I could have a better education. Their cirricula is so much more advanced from what I have heard about and they still think it's so easy. I feel sort of let down by America.

[grad*student]

Originally Posted by Bree124

I don't think that requiring more fundamental science courses for the NP role will increase the level of respect that the position garners (although I still don't think it's a bad idea in general).

My husband is a chiropractor, and during their first two years of chiro school, they take several semesters of gross anatomy (with full cadaver labs), physiology, pathology, clinical path, micro, biochem, clinical biochem, immunology, embryology, and many more courses. These courses are taught by PhD's, MD's, and DC's, and the students have board exams that cover these courses to ensure minimal competency in these core sciences.

People still think it's a degree you can get at a community college.

Maybe it doesn't garner more respect b/c there are misconceptions about the field, but regardless, it probably makes him a better chiropractor!

[Bree124]

Originally Posted by grad*student

Maybe it doesn't garner more respect b/c there are misconceptions about the field, but regardless, it probably makes him a better chiropractor!

Yes, undoubtedly!

[jzzy88]

Originally Posted by Bree124

I don't think that requiring more fundamental science courses for the NP role will increase the level of respect that the position garners (although I still don't think it's a bad idea in general).

My husband is a chiropractor, and during their first two years of chiro school, they take several semesters of gross anatomy (with full cadaver labs), physiology, pathology, clinical path, micro, biochem, clinical biochem, immunology, embryology, and many more courses. These courses are taught by PhD's, MD's, and DC's, and the students have board exams that cover these courses to ensure minimal competency in these core sciences.

People still think it's a degree you can get at a community college.

I see your point. Do you think it would yield a better practitioner?

[Bree124]

Yes and no. Someone who is going to school to be an Adult Nurse Practitioner - Older Adults (a specialty that my school offers) really doesn't need to learn the nitty gritty details of embryology. The additional coursework, which obviously adds length to the program, could be a turn off to some students who are considering the NP route.

However, I feel that a broader knowledge of clinical sciences cannot HURT the profession, and I definitely wouldn't mind seeing it happen. It just doesn't necessarily make sense with the way the system works now. If NP school was more similar to PA school (in that you don't have to choose a specialty area) it would be more logical.