Male Chiropractor considering nursing...advice please :)

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Hello All,

I am a 31 year old Chiropractor looking into nursing as a possibility. I'm researching going to an accelerated 1 year BSN program for 2nd degree non-nursing majors. I have all pre-reqs from prior education. I'm also looking at PA programs that are at a minimum 2 years, some 2.5 to 3. I would also have to move for the PA programs, since only ones in my area are 3-4 years. My ultimate goal would be to get NP while working as an RN. Maybe CRNA, if I go the nursing route.

I guess my question relates to the better option for a male with a Chiropractor degree. I hear NP would give me more independence, but PA would give me more ability to switch specialties. And some tell me, that their really isn't much a difference at all.

Certainly, money is some what of an issue, since I already have a ton of loans with Chiro degree. I've also looking into going back for DO, but honestly don't really want to put the time and money into that. I really just like helping people and not in it for titles and money....although I do have lot of loans to pay back. Anyways, I would really love to hear from some nurses out there, especially men out there(not many I know). Anyone know any Chiro's that have gone this route? Any thoughts is much appreciated. Thanks so much.

D

Thanks for that tip. Yes, its usually everyone else. Some of my Chiro friends don't really say much, but they have a feeling of jealousy it seems. I have a friend in Florida practicing, and a friend in Texas practicing, that are constantly contacting me about the NP route. They want to do the same thing!! Its interesting, but kinda sad I guess at the same time. My family is the same way. "you want to be a nurse now"? Anyways, most Chiropractors understand. They have lived it and are living it. I really just wanted to get a feel for the best way to go...whether its NP or PA. I did spend the last year thinking PA was the way to go, but now i'm leaning towards Nursing and NP, with talking with others. Thanks

D

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Question-what sort of nursing focus would you like to study? Being that you are a Chiro, I would think your interest would be orthopaedics. Are you interested in surgery? You could investigate an RNFA degree as well if this is what you want. (An RNFA isn't technically a degree, but rather a certification in which you must gain experience and education under the supervision of a surgeon, and then sit for a certification exam.) In my hospital, the NPs just do clinic. The PAs are not in the surgical theatre at all-they do paperwork and take trauma call when the surgeons are on vacation. Hmmm...not so interesting, but my opinion is only from the PAs and NPs that I have talked to about their job requirements and experiences. One of my fave PAs just quit because she was just pushing paper all day.

I applaud you for going back to school-it should be fairly easy for you. Look into scholarships and grants that your school or a surrounding hospital may offer. I had 5 different scholarships when I was in NS, so it was almost like I got paid for going to school, and when I graduated, I was debt free.

Are you interested in travel nursing at all? I did this when I had 6 years of experience under my belt, and I went from making 53K a year at my staff position to 90K as a traveler. It was SO fun and everything is provided for you. If you can swing it, you can do travel nursing locally, and receive a housing stipend instead of a furnished apartment. There are limitations instituted by different travel companies; for example, one of the limitations from my company was that you must live 50 miles away from your assigned hospital in order to get the stipend.

I am proud of you! Your life will probably change for the better as a result of your going forward with nursing. Kudos to you!

Canesdukegirl,

Thanks so much for you pleasant post. I really appreciate the Kudos!! I'm not sure about focus yet. Ortho is surely something I am interested in, as I feel as though I have a strong base background for that type of work. I do know a Chiro that went back for PA and found out that she lOVES CardioThoracic, so I guess I'd like to keep an open mind for awhile. I do like idea of ICU as well as psychiatric actually. And then their is such a shortage of Primary Care, that I think I could help in that area. I think the main reason I like the idea of going for the RN now, is that I have time to make those types of decisions and seems you can do anything you want within nursing. I plan on doing some volunteer work at the local VA, and maybe I can get a better idea. I will look into RNFA also.

I am interested in travel nursing. I heard many good things about that as well. Geez, so many things! How could I not go this route? Thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated....now lets hope I get into the accelerated program! ;)

Hi, Best of luck with whatever you decide. I think Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine has some options for people who have been in other healthcare professions to become DO's. Thier website is: LECOM - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy. My daughter does rehab nursing. You would be such an asset in that field! That is pretty cool to think that there are chiros returning to school for the RN degree. I also agree that financial stability and happiness with one's position in life are important. Personally, I would hate to worry with running my own business. More and more physicians are becoming part of practices owned by hospitals or just becoming hospitalists.

Adding to the above... I saw two CBAG/valves right up table-side while in school. Awesome fun. Would be great if you could wiggle your way to an observation. Also saw a few ortho surgeries. Cardio thoracic PA is so cool because you will harvest the vessel and actually work with the surgeon in the cavity actively, very precise work. If you are someone who loves to/and can control your every movement like a swiss watch, this might be for you. In watching ortho, you are the "pull it out" "pop it in" go- to guy. As an ortho PA you are going to continue that toll on your body in surgery, eg hip replacements. First Assists aren't so common in my area. You would need to see what the lay of the land is where you think you'll be.

Their are many Chiro's out there, and insurance is covering less and less. You really have to love it, and do a ton of marketing, and be motivated to build the business as well as maintain it.... Anyways, the future in medicine looks brighter and is in much more demand, not to mention always evolving. I also have a friend that is an RN in ICU out in California, that makes 6 figures and works 3 12 hour shifts a week, and absolutly loves it. Not to mention great benefits and ability to continue education on employers wallet.

It may be a great move for you. Just to take under consider as you ponder alternatives... insurance issues affect everyone, including nurses. NPs are more likely to be directly impacted by reimbursement issues while employed RNs may find themselves squeezed by employers who are feeling the squeeze financially. I have no doubt that the need for nurses will continue to grow, but the ability to pay good money for good nursing care... there I'm not so sure. In other words, I don't necessarily think that nurses will be able to "write their own ticket" so to speak even if the demand is high. Yes, those with specialty skills, who are very adaptable, who are very motivated, who can market themselves well, etc will always have an advantage in whatever arena but *most* nurses out there do not make 6 figures (and if they do they're likely working more than 3 12s a week).

"...(she) absolutely loves it." Remember that she loves not only the pay and the hours, but she also (presumably) likes and feels good about her work. Not everyone can work in bedside nursing day after day and year after year without burning out, especially if they are feeling the crunch of short-staffing or poor management or miserable co-workers or other things that employees have little control over.

I'm not trying to be discouraging! Just food for thought! Best wishes!!!

Thanks for the discouraging post...just kidding. I understand everything has its pro's and con's. I appreciate all input! But I do favor the positive inputs more! ;)

NP/PA, good luck with whatever you decide. Not a chiro, but a male RN with heavy experiences in Trauma/Neurosurgical ICU. Also debated between NP and PA; I decided PA due to desire for entry into surgical specialties. However, I am pro-PA and NP. IMO, if you think primary care is in your future the NP route may be the way to go. Both PAs and NPs will continue to be heavily utilized, but I think NPs will really take off in primary care arenas (peds, IM, FP), while PAs will be heavy utilized in surgical specialties, hospitalists, carido, etc. You also mentioned potenital interest in psych, and it's my understanding that psych NPs do very well. Now, of course that is not to say that NPs cannot trhive in surgical areas and vice versa for PAs in priamry care, just a generalization. Do some research in your area of future practice as well. For example, I live in a fairly large metro area and the trend is for NPs in primary care arenas, and you see A LOT of PAs in ortho, cardio, CT surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, etc. Seems to be mixed as far as NPs and PAs in the ER.

There are some differences in training of course, but in the real world PAs and NPs pretty much function the same. In general, PAs may have a leg up in surgical arenas due to training but in many places (especially primary care) PAs and NPs work side by side. You'll have to peruse the many posts on this board (maybe SDN and the PA forum as well) for the differences in how NPs are regulated, independent issues, etc. I know that the prospect of independent practice for NPs is very appealing to some, as it should be (especially for you coming from chiro), but research your state and get the facts especially pertaining to independent practice and prescriptive authority (e.g, although you are considered "independent", do you need physician supervision to prescribe?). Again, some on here can expalin that very well. But i think it's different from state to state. "Physician supervision" of PAs is vastly misunderstood by many. I've worked with many and shadowed many PAs in several settings and their supervising physicians do not babysit them; they held a great deal of autonomy and responsibility. Depending on prior experience and once they get their feet wet, PAs (as well as Nps) are expected to produce, but know their limits.

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

You should have no problem getting accepted into an accelerated program. Keep us updated on your progress!:yeah:

Thanks, will keep posted.

Well, I'm a chiro who went back to school for my NP. Just finished my accelerated BSN and will start the NP program in January. I didn't do it because I don't like chiropractic or because I don't make any money doing it. I did it to expand my scope of practice and to do primary care. I loved the neuro ICU preceptorship and I loved the surgical rotation I did, but I would still stick to the primary care aspect of NP just because of the huge demand that exists for PCPs. Btw, Obama's health reform includes a 10% Medicare payment bonus for any provider (MD, DO, NP, PA) that is in primary care. I chose the NP route because of the autonomy NY provides, as well as for the potential for administrative field NP's can get into while PA's don't have as much of an opportunity. Even as an NP you can do first assist with a trusting Neuro/Ortho surgeon, given that you have enough experience and skill.

Either way you go, your education and experience as a DC will only make you a much more valuable and desirable asset to any hospital or facility. I suggest incorporating your DC practice into your NP/PA practice. It will make you unique and you will stand out as an expert in the field of neurology and orthopedics. Believe me, smart MD's appreciate your background and will utilize your skills accordingly.

Thanks Chirodoc,

Some very good perspective there. Are you planning on working as an RN while pursuing the NP? I like the idea of primary care in the future as well. Many options, so that is exciting. How did you find the accelerated BSN program to be? How long was it? Did you work at all? How many in class? Any other Chiro's?

Thanks

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