NNP vs. PA Advice?
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This is a discussion on NNP vs. PA Advice? in NICU Nursing / Neonatal, part of Critical Care Nursing ... Hi all, I posted on another thread, but I'm posting here as well. I'm a Registered Dietitian...
by dcorynn Jun 10, '12Hi all,
I posted on another thread, but I'm posting here as well. I'm a Registered Dietitian working in a level III NICU in a large teaching facility. My dream has always been to be a mid-level practitioner of some sort. As of late, I've been going back and forth between Neonatal Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant (and then doing a post grad residency in neonatology). I understand that to become an NNP, I would have to complete a BSN program first (I've been looking into alternate entry MSN programs) and then working for a minimum of two years before being able to complete the NNP Program. Whereas with the PA program, it would take ~2 yrs of school + 1 year of residency. I love the NICU and am trying to figure out the best route. My major concern is that it seems much more common for NPs to be in the NICU vs PAs. Is this your experience as well? As someone who is not a nurse but wants to work in the NICU, what is your opinion on the best route to take?
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Jun 10, '12 by NicuGalThe three big hospitals by us do not us PA's in the NICU, they only use NNP's. I'm not sure about others. I personally prefer NP's...I feel that they get a much better rounded education
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Jun 11, '12 by umcRNMy hospital uses PAs & NNPs. like the previous user states most of us prefer NNPs. They have more "hands on" experience in what we, the bedside nurses, see and do every day. They tend to listen better when we think our kiddo is sliding downhill but can't exactly prove it yet because they have been there and understand our thought processes. They understand the bedside nurse and I feel, are much more competent in bedside procedures because they are used to handling infants. - Jun 12, '12 by babyRN.There was a thread about this a couple of years ago and you should do a search...some hospitals take PAs but they are rare and you are not equipped with the information in PA school to do NICU and require a lengthy residency (which takes $$ out of hospital pockets vs NNPs). It is possible that the PA program offers a NICU rotation as an elective, but this wouldn't take the place of years of experience a NNP would have. Big academic centers would be more likely to take PAs than regular hospitals for NICU. I would also recommend checking out the neonatology forum at the studentdoctor website.Last edit by babyRN. on Jun 12, '12
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Jun 12, '12 by karnicurncI work in a Level III NICU teaching hospital and we do not use PAs. We only use NNPs. I think the NNP route is your best choice. You will be more marketable as an NNP than a PA. Good luck! - Jun 12, '12 by rnkayteeInteresting that this is a topic on the front page since I'm in the same boat. I've been a NICU RN in a Level III for 12 years and they are needing NNPs in our unit. There will be a doctorate requirement by 2015 and I just read an article stating that because there are so few DNP programs that more units will be phasing in PAs instead of NNPs. Might just bag the whole thing if that's the case. Here's a link to that article:
The NNP/DNP Shortage: Transforming Neonatal Nurse Practitioners Into DNPs - Jun 13, '12 by babyRN.I would like to point out that NPs needing a doctorate by 2015 is an enormous MYTH. It is a recommendation made by the AACN, nothing more. Only the state boards of nursing can make it a requirement and likely, that needs to go through the political system in each state.
Would I get my DNP? Probably as years go by since I'm still at the young end of my career. But it's by no means required.Bortaz, RN likes this. - Aug 5, '12 by Babies>AdultsWe have 30+ NNPs and 1 PA in my level III NICU.
But, our PA is STELLAR, super super smart, very kind, listens to parents, nurses. And not afraid to change a diaper if she's assessing a baby ;-)nursenick20 likes this. -
- Aug 5, '12 by dcorynnQuote from Babies>AdultsBabies>Adults, do you see a difference in the knowledge base of the PA vs the NNPs? Meaning, does the PA seem to not know certain things that the NNPs do or does the PA know more in certain areas than the NNPs? From looking at the curriculum of various nursing & NNP programs vs PA programs, there is certainly a difference, so I was just curious if you've noticed anything?We have 30+ NNPs and 1 PA in my level III NICU.
But, our PA is STELLAR, super super smart, very kind, listens to parents, nurses. And not afraid to change a diaper if she's assessing a baby ;-)
