Questions on why to choose NP

[kea137]

I am extremely torn between the NP route and the PA route. I have gotten into both schools and now have to make a decision, which I thought I would have figured out by now. I am hoping someone can help clear some questions up for me.

The NP program is a accelerated BSN into the masters, so I have no RN experience as of now. I do not want to be a nurse or what I think of as a bedside nurse, the role does not appeal to me and I dont think I have it in me to deal with that side of nursing. I am not sure how much bedside nursing you will have to do in school??

I also am leaning towards NP for the reason that you have more freedom and could open your own practice. It seems to me you have more flexibility in some ways later in your career.

But PA's have the option of changing specialties as often as they like, work in surgery (a big part why i still am torn and thinking of PA school) and have more clinical training in school, which I may need being that I was not a nurse or anything going in.

If anyone has some insight I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much.

[TX RN]

Seems to me that you would probably benefit more going the PA route. I'm in a NP program right now and can tell you that although no two programs are alike, the work experience is invaluable during the learning process.

Maybe someone that has done the NP route without any prior bedside or nursing experience will chime in with a different opinion.

Just my small, tiny, almost invisible

Best of luck to ya.

[yoginurse2b]

So it's true that you can do NP without any RN bedside experience?

I am thinking of NP too, but most schools in Los Angeles that I am interested in require one year RN experience.

[zenman]

Toss a coin and notice how you feel about the results.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I'm wary of anyone who doesn't want to do nursing studying to be a nurse practitioner.

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

Perhaps becoming a RN and trying to move into the operating room environment... (no med-surg is not required - but it is the 'traditional' route). After you work in the OR you would have great background to apply to a surgical focused PA school... or perhaps continue on to NP at a later date.

[Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C]

Why not do both in an all in one program?

http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/fnppa/

[Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C]

I do not want to be a nurse or ...

I think you have answered your own question.