Why NP instead of MD, DO, or PA?

SkiBumNP · Feb 21, 2012

I have to say, I think the argument that doctors don't treat the whole person is BS.

we ALL practice medicine, when I see a patient in the ED I treat them the same as my MD/DO counterpart.

anyone who says otherwise is full of it.

had I have been 10 years younger I would have gone to med school.

though Now i am an NP I am happy with my life now, and want to build my medical base to be the best provider I can be.

SkiBumNP · Feb 21, 2012

Basically if you have the time, go to med school. you will learn more.

tta94 · Dec 29, 2017

At the risk of seeming rude, this question has been beaten to death here at AN and many other cyberspaces. I would be delighted, however, to engage with you about it. I would offer that my reasons for becoming a nurse are not nearly as important as your reasons. Here is my list, 1. This is an exciting time for nursing. There are many, many opportunities. 2. I like the nursing approach to care, which places more emphasis on the lived experience of the patient, not just the disease process. 3. I am interested in helping people cope with symptoms and less interested in curing disease.4. While I count several physicians and one surgeon among my friends, I have to say that, in general, medicine attracts some of the biggest egotistical fatheads I have ever meant. The culture of hospital medicine is nothing short of toxic and surgery is even worse.I went to a Masters Entry program and I suspect you are probably interested in the same. Remember, NPs are nurses. The approach to the patient is subtly but importantly different than MD PA DO care.

I know this is late, but I am applying to Masters Entry programs. Could you give me any advice or tell me a little bit about your experience before applying?

caliotter3 · Dec 29, 2017

Some people pursue NP rather than the others because of accessibility.

aprnKate · Dec 31, 2017

its a personal choice. I was a RN first before NP. Learned about PA's once I started working as RN. Didn't want a lot of debt just to practice medicine. so I became a NP because it was easier for me to get into NP school than PA school. PA school I still have some prerequisites to take before hand. NP school took me right away.

My NP school was less than 30k. My new grad salaryy was 90k which I thought in the end NP school was worth it to me because I didn't spend a lot of money compared to other school's tuition. MDs have a lot of debt but they are trained well in medicine compared to NPs, so there is a downside to it that you will have to make up with experience.

GoodNP · Jan 1, 2018

Sometimes, one doesn't know their potential until it is effectively too late. Had I, or the adults in my life at the time, recognized what I was capable of when I was younger, I might have pursued medicine. My parents were satisfied with a high school diploma. I then went into nursing at the urging of my father whose primary concern was job security, telling me "you'll always have a job", and he was right. Given such low standards, I am quite proud of what I have accomplished as a NP, and a good one at that.

Many of the physicians I have interacted with over the years are, shall we say no Albert Einstein, while working class people I encounter daily are clearly quite intelligent. We all have the same opportunities in this country, and yet we don't all have the same opportunities.

Looking back, there's a lot I would have done differently. I can't say for certain that "I wish had become a doctor", because part of me wishes I had pursued dancing, while another part of me feels I would have enjoyed the military. But, ultimately this is the path I have chosen for myself, it's not a bad one at all.

All that said, if you are young person and you have the intelligence and the intestinal fortitude, then I encourage you to aim to achieve as much as you are capable of!

offlabel · Jan 1, 2018

The differences between becoming an advanced practice nurse and applying to, being accepted to medical school and then completing a residency and (nowadays, frequently) a fellowship are not, as the tone of this thread implies, the difference between choosing vanilla or chocolate ice cream. There is no comparison to the level of commitment, grit and expectation of those going the medical route and those going the nursing route. None.

That is not in any way to suggest that the advanced practice field isn't flush with people entirely intelligent and tough enough to have become doctors. It's just way easier, cheaper and less hassle to go the nursing route. But you will always, at the end of the day, be "just a nurse" no matter what people say to your face.

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 1, 2018

I think the original question is most applicable toward the direct entry crowd more than the current RN crowd. Current RNs can generally expect to follow the path they are on because it is something they are used to and they aren't really reinventing their learning process. Because outside of DE NP programs, the other direct entry is pretty much PA. If you have no interest in working as an RN and having that experience and want to just work in primary care, why would you ever choose the RN pathway? What about the nursing model speaks to you differently than the PA/Medical model? Because to me, it is that nursing experience that differentiates RN providers to Medical providers. You bring those years of bed-side learning to primary or acute care where you can provide a different perspective that a medical model provider may not have.

mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2018

I have no desire to learn the exorbidant depth of pathyphysiology, anatomy, and physiology that is required in medical school. Furthermore, with the uncertainty of healthcare access and economics I would be very hesitant to invest in medical school and residency. I strive for balance in my life..and NP school allows me the flexibility to go part time while working and engaging socially. My hope and understanding is that the hours and on call schedule is more reasonable as an NP than that of a physician.

Hello Mystory, BSN,

Please do not misunderstand me, I mean what I am about to say in the nicest of ways. The BSN or Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing is just that, a degree that is founded in Science. For one to earn a BSN, one must have studied Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Pathophysiology. In today's world, without those courses, nurses really would not be nurses. I personally believe that Nurse Practitioners must have an invested desire to not only holistically care for patients, but to understand the scientific roots of the care we give. Without learning and understanding pathophysiology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, etc., what kind of care would we be providing? Definitely not safe and competent care.

We are healthcare professionals that care for patients with our in depth knowledge of science.

tta94 · Jan 13, 2018

I am only a CNA, but how many years of experience do people typically need to get into a PA program? I'm trying to figure out what my chances are of getting into a PA a program..

My undergrad gpa wasn't so great from UW (3.16), and about a combined gpa of 3.25. My grades in the intro chem and bio series were on the lower side, but my grades improved and I did really well in A&P.

My experience consists of two years of volunteering at a hospital, volunteering back in high school, two years of CNA work at a SNF and almost a year as a medical scheduler. I'm looking to gain more experience, but my GPA I think holds me back a little.

I recently got accepted into WesternU Masters Entry program but it's quite expensive. I'm also applying to UW's BSN program, but I'm still interested in the PA profession. Any thoughts?

allnurses Guide · Jan 13, 2018

If you have no interest in working as an RN and having that experience and want to just work in primary care, why would you ever choose the RN pathway?

Atonomy and return on investment.

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 13, 2018

Atonomy and return on investment.

I could argue in many places PAs are seeing similar and in some cases more autonomy.