For students that are undecided between RN/PA

[Peeps Mcarthur]

I wanted to let anyone that is considering PA vs NP or RN know that I have experienced a semester of nursing classes, and found that the curicculum did not match my expectations nor seem appropriate for later consideration of applicability to a PA program post BSN.

I don't want to blather on about a subject that I have been vocal about since I came to the board. This debate has been worked over and over on many threads, but never before with someone that had been through nursing classes, to my knowledge.

If there is an interest expressed, I will post away and answer questions for the people that wish to discuss the topic.

[Peeps Mcarthur]

What are you implying?

That I'm saying something that I shouldn't?

That I should not post anything because I'm not trying to become a nurse?

Nobody that is not going to talk favorably about nursing should post?(it's not unfavorable)

Although it's only 3 or four people to make the same comment.............and it's kind of obvious that the kind of posts that seem to be telling me to shut-up are coming from people not intending to discuss the topic.

So...............

If you find my message difficult to understand, you could just ask what I meant by such-n-such. It is soooooooo obvious what you are doing and who might have encouraged you to do so:rolleyes:

That's so very nursing of you:chuckle

Go ahead.say what you mean.................let it rip.

[kcsun3]

Hi Peeps :)

You said:

The pathophysiology in the medical model is a different pathophysiology from the one in the nursing curicculum.

I have not found this to be true in my current program (at least I don't think it was different, but I don't have another frame of reference).

Are you meaning that your experience with the nursing patho courses has been that they are less focused on the science, physiology and disease process, and instead focus more on nursing interventions for each specific condition (mine did not), or maybe threw in psycho/social stuff (mine did not do that either)...? Can you clarify or elaborate?

I felt that the course offered by my school was designed to give us an understanding of pathophysiology as a foundation (along with our pharm course) that we could apply to our clinical experiences to better understand what was going on with our patients, their treatment and expected outcomes.

[fab4fan]

Any actual data to show that it's more difficult to become a PA than an NP?

Why don't you go post at http://www.studentdoctornetwork.com. They have a PA section.

I think you are just agitating here; you've got a similar thread running somewhere else. And some of your replies are far from the professional image you seem so desperate to have.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Sorry you are disappointed in your schooling. I know I remember you posting that before. I have heard people say that about other nursing programs as well. I got my BS in nutrition and I loved it. I am on the last class for my MS in the same. I just could not bear any more nursing classes. My goal is to contract with home health agencies for nutritional visits or to teach at the college level.

renerian

[Peeps Mcarthur]

By Kcsun

Are you meaning that your experience with the nursing patho courses has been that they are less focused on the science, physiology and disease process, and instead focus more on nursing interventions for each specific condition (mine did not), or maybe threw in psycho/social stuff (mine did not do that either)...? Can you clarify or elaborate?

Yes! That's it.

Virtualy all of it was focused on how psychosocial issues have an effect an all things.

That was only one program though, and just one semester. It would seem to run throughout the program though since it was the foundation class. As some people have posted, their experience with their courses was that the science was stressed more in their opinnion. I think it's possible that my program was in the minority,but I did look at a few university sites and found the course descriptions to be very similar.

Psychosocial impact on pathological course was stressed throughout communications, interventions, I mean to say most anything that was assigned or discussed. Maybe it was simply my perception of the strength of the science content. I did well in science courses, while most struggled. Perhapse the content I see as barely scrapping the surface of what's needed other students see as all that's required to incorporate into the psychosocial model.

Whatever the case, it was difficult for me to use both discilplines in that context, so it was not to be.

From Fab

I think you are just agitating here; you've got a similar thread running somewhere else. And some of your replies are far from the professional image you seem so desperate to have.

It's funny that you would come here just to agitate me, so you could call me an agitater:chuckle

I think the thread you are referring to died long ago, and didn't have quite the same theme. Maybe it was in the wrong section,but whatever the case this thread has quite a few views of people clicking on it to view it and very few negative responses in relation to the numer viewing.

Any actual data to show that it's more difficult to become a PA than an NP?

I understand how you might be upset by that,but I did not make the statement that started that idea. Look in the post that it was in response to.

It's no use calling me unprofessional,I'm not one.

By Renerian

Sorry you are disappointed in your schooling. I know I remember you posting that before. I have heard people say that about other nursing programs as well. I got my BS in nutrition and I loved it. I am on the last class for my MS in the same. I just could not bear any more nursing classes. My goal is to contract with home health agencies for nutritional visits or to teach at the college level.

I hope your experience on this board after you decided to leave nursing,was different from mine. If we could get people to talk about thier dissatisfaction, it might be an interesting discussion, but the agitators that roam the boards will never allow an intelligent discussion on that topic to go unharrassed. Are you still selling pharmaceuticals?

[fergus51]

peeps, luv ya, but how can you say no one wants to discuss disatisfaction with nursing:)!!! LOL! Most of this bb is filled with venting!

[meandragonbrett]

Peeps,

No, I don't want to imput on the topic, but I will say something about your posts. They do have an arrogant tone to them. One of "I'm better than you all because you are all nurses and they are nothing" That's just the vibe I get from you. I think it was fab4fan who mentioned http://www.studentdoctor.net and I agree that you should post over there. But that's my opinion and I can have my opinion.

Brett

[Nurse Izzy]

Originally posted by Peeps Mcarthur

Hey,

Anybody know of a state where NPs are independent?

Peeps,

I used to live in South Carolina where NPs are independent - to the extent they also have prescribing capabilities. I now live in Alabama and the laws are changing - the last I knew NPs could not write scripts but have since heard that that is changing - haven't researched it so can't say for sure. Do know that in both SC and AL NPs can open their own practice, separate from MDs.

Elizabeth

[Nurse Izzy]

Originally posted by meandragonbrett

Peeps,

No, I don't want to imput on the topic, but I will say something about your posts. They do have an arrogant tone to them. One of "I'm better than you all because you are all nurses and they are nothing" That's just the vibe I get from you. I think it was fab4fan who mentioned http://www.studentdoctor.net and I agree that you should post over there. But that's my opinion and I can have my opinion.

Brett

Brett,

I have to agree with you. Peeps does seem quite arrogant. I can't quite figure out if it's an "I'm better than you" attitude or if it's fear or jealousy that we've found our niche and he lacks that confidence thus far.

Peeps - you should go on to medical school because you seem to have that perception that you only want to diagnose/treat and not have anything to do with the actual person. That is exactly the reason I opted out of medical school - the lack of hands on caring and time spent with the patient. You do have the God complex. Just my honest opinion, for whatever it's worth.

Elizabeth

[Bonnie Blue]

Just had to put in my two cents. I have a master's in exercise physiology. I did cardiac rehab and related things for a few years. I felt stuck and explored my options. I thought about med school but realized that I didn't have the time needed to prepare for the MCAT. I also wanted a life.

I considered PA school next. But I decided not to go that route for two reasons. One, my chances of getting into a PA program were slim. Competition for admission is steep. Most applicants have a least one year or more of hands on health care experience. Paramedics seem to get in quite a bit. At that point in my life I wanted to go somewhere, not bang my head against a wall trying to get accepted. Two, I heard about the Bridge NP program at Vanderbilt from someone who went through it. I did some research and realized the acute care track was just what I wanted.

The bridge year of core nursing classes was a pain but I did learn patho and pharm. I spent my last 3 weeks of clinical working in a trauma unit.

My specialty year has been much harder. I had medical physiology, patho, and pharm. These classes had a lot of science content. In fact some CRNA candidates were in my medical phys class.

I feel that I have made the right choice for me. I will have a license which allow me to get a job practicaly anywhere. Being able to feed myself and keep a roof over my head is important to me. I love the fact that I will be in the front lines taking care of people. I always wanted to help people and make my corner of the world better. Nursing gives that chance. As an NP, I will be able counsel patients, monitor their progress and help them reach their goal of quality of life amoung other things like writing orders and pulling chest tubes. ;-)

Peeps, go for PA but from what I have read, research might really be more your thing. We need scientists and researchers to find better ways to treat disease etc. Do what you feel is best for you. But consider how you speak about nursing and nurses. A nurse is more likely to help you care for a patient if they are treated with respect.

[globalRN]

I am late to this discussion....personally, I prefer NP to PA. I hold licence in NH which is an 'independent' NP practice state.

In my practice....I diagnose and treat AND use my psychosocial skills all the time. Understanding where patients and their families are coming from can facilitate the success of your treatment plan. Ever wonder why there are so many 'noncompliant' patients? Lots of times, they never understood what the game plan was or how it related to them or someone(PCP) never took the time to do some patient education or .... patient assessment beyond the physical and physiological assessment.

My .02

[globalRN]

oh and what gives with ...the thinking that medical doctors don't give holistic care? The good ones always do.