PA vs. NP in CHICAGO

U.S.A. Illinois

Published

Hi folks! I have a question. I am in the process of doing some research on midlevel providers in the chicagoland area. I know very little about this so I'm hoping some of you could offer me some insight. I am from the chicago area and I really would prefer not to relocate for jobs or school (all my family is around here, etc), but the chicago area has only 3 PA programs that I know of: Cook co (associates degree), midwestern, and finch university.

The schools that offer PA programs don't offer NP programs and vice versa which makes sense since graduates of those programs would be competing for the same jobs. I have also noticed that here in chicago, there are more job opportunities in area hospitals such as Loyola, northwestern, and Rush for NPs maybe because those schoos train NPs. Another thing I noticed was when I did a job search on different PA and NP jobs web sites, there seems to be more opportunities for NPs than PAs in chicago.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that when I went to midwestern for my PA interview, I had asked them about jobs in the chicago area and they all said, including the PA director, that the chicago market is very tight for PAs. I am really wondering why this is so.

I wonder if it's because there are more schools that train NPs as opposed to PAs and from what I know the PA programs out here haven't been around all that long. I know midwestern's program started in 1992.

I would still love to go to PA school but I am now wondering if when I graduate I would still be able to find work in the chiicagoland area. Well, I was just curious if anyone knew anything about this. Your comments are valued highly!

Thanks!

OK, now I can give you some more "advice". Your a CNA with a BS in psychology-right? Now where getting somewhere. You've got much experience and a BS degree. Now you need to be an RN. Run to your nearest associate degree community college. An RN with a BS in Psy. has much more opportunities that many others. ANY State of Illinois job only looks at: 1-are you an RN? 2-do you have a bahelors degree(BS or BA they don't care). 3-do you have ANY experience? You could get a STATE job in: corrections, mental health, DCFS, Public Aid, Public Health, Mental Health(DD/or MI) These jobs(and others) pay well(and are UNION protected) You'll get a good salary, 13 holidays, 12 sick days, at least 10 vacation days, a good retirement, excellent health insurance, continuing education(to pay for that NP or whatever). The state is short of nurses and you have to put up with a lot of politics(not as much as in many hospitals-esp. the docs) This would be your biggest bang for your money.

Blueblaze

Thanks for the advice blueblaze. Yea, I applied to college of Dupage for this fall, but I was waitlisted. My number is 70 so I suppose there is a good chance that I might get in for the fall. I was told that everyone who was waitlisted last year was given an opportunity to get into the program. So we'll see.

I also applied to DePaul's program. There I could get an MSN degree but of course that is going to cost me.

I like the idea of working for the state like you mentioned. I think I will look into such opportunities. What do you think of Depaul's program? I could also teach with a masters if I wanted to.

Yes, you can teach. The pay is usually bad. And most wat adjuntant professors.(their term for part time/no benifits).

Just why do you want to go into nursing.

"What is your calling"? Your 31, your "work life" is half over. Do you really want to go to school for 4 plus years, no salary and a hugh student loan? I don't think so. I'm 53 and having problems which may put me "out of commission". I'll know more in 2 weeks.

I have a son(28) with $65,000 in student loans. I don't know how he'll ever pay them off. He still has no real job. Don't do likewise.

Blueblaze

I want to do nursing because I like it and I know there will be opportunities for me when I graduate. Is your son a nurse? My work life is half over? Last time I checked I still had a pulse. At 31, I'm not exactly dead. Anyway, I don't have a family so that's not a concern of mine at this point. I am just trying to find the best way to become a nurse and get the most out of my education and my career if that's possible.

You "passed" the calling. Nursing is really 1001 different jobs. I've had several NON nursing business people tell me if given the opportunity, they'd hire a nurse.\ over a non nurse. My children are adopted. The boys (28 and 19) probably have RAD. We've dealt with it. My daughter (25) is mild D/D. I've advocated for the special needs child for several years(another story). The boys would never consider nursing. They puck at the site of blood. The girl is set up as a dog groomer and will probably always live at home. While mom got her NP, I became Mr. MOM. Some of the teacher thought I was a single Dad. No problem. I understand. I volunteer for organ retrieval and my daughter has "help" me on several occasions. I've taught her sterile techniques, etc. She worked for a Veternary clinic as a "cage" cleaner(as part of her school credit) One day they were short of help and need someone in surgery...She told them she could help. They let her in and it blew them away. Before becoming a groomer, she was their most senior employee. Mom was much older than you when she went on to become an NP. It has taken a toll not only on the family but on her. She loves her job and I love her and want what's best for her. However, as I get older, I realize that life is too short and you must make the best of it.

I just read about the MSN degree you are referring to(2 yrs, great). If given the opportunity, go for it. Don't wait, if you can't get in, get that R.N.

Blueblaze

Thanks for the word of encouragement blueblaze. Sounds like you have had many things to deal with. What is RAD?

So, I will try for Depaul and if I don't get in, then I will try for COD which is also a very good school. I live with my parents so my expenses aren't too bad. I just need to keep working on a part-time basis to pay for things like gas and what not. I am working part-time as a patient care tech in a pediatricians' office which has been a lot of fun. So, life is good.

And I agree with you, life is too short and we just have to make the best of it.

:)

RAD is an "attachment disorder" It's listed as an official mental health disorder (DSM III) for about 10 yrs. Most psy. people never heard of it. I believe you'll see a lot more as many children are being adopted from all over the world. Many of these kids have had trauma like we've never see. RAD sometime shows up (esp. on boy during puberty) Girls somehow seem to "overcome" RAD. Jeffrey Daumer was an extreme case of RAD.

On my way to take youngest to boarding school tomorrow(500 miles) 8 more weeks of school. One week home and he is off to U.S.Marine @ Paris Island in another week.

Blueblaze

One other thing to remember is that a PA works under the license of the physician. The NP actually works under her own license. In some states the NP can actually have their own clinic/office, the PA will never be able to. You must have an MSN to become an NP, to become a PA, it only requires a BS in many states.

:balloons:

In Illinois, most schools(Not the State, for there are NO regulations because you are under the liscense of the doc), you must have a BS or BA in anything(my PA once was a hospital administrator looking for a job) and 18 months of on the job training. YET, many DOC perfer PAs. OH Well!!

Blueblaze

That's interesting about docs preferring PAs. I have researched PA jobs in IL and they are actually very hard to come by. Matter of fact, I even interviewed for a PA program in IL at Midwestern and they even said including their PA program director that PA jobs in IL are few and far between. So, I think it's a good thing I didn't get into their PA program. I think their admissions process is extremely biased. I have a lot of healthcare experience and they didn't even consider me. I also had a good GPA and decent GRE scores. And they are taking 21 year olds fresh out of college. Go figure!

My physician's group has about 12 clinic. To my knowledge(and per Med.Dir.) there are no NP. and recently the PA's hours were cut due to buget cuts. If your willing to move out of state, there are states that appreciate NP much more than Illinois

Blueblaze

well, for now, I will just work on becoming an RN and then when I am done paying off my loans, have gotten some work experience and if the time is right, I can consider going back for my NP. I was thinking of working for a hospital as an RN that actually hires NPs. but, for now, I will just take it one step at a time and work on that RN and then I can go from there.

I have already applied to Depaul's program and am waiting to hear back. Hopefully, I will know sometime in early April if I have been accepted. So, we shall see. I am really excited about this and all the opportunities that will be open to me. I have some work experience as a case manager and I also worked in market research for a few years. I always tell people, I'm jack of all trades, master of none!

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