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Hi, I am new to allnurses, but I have a few questions regarding nurse practitioner school.

When I compared PA and NP curriculum I noticed that many NP schools do not teach gross anatomy, graduate level physiology (they just have pathophysiology), microbiology, or have a course dedicated to EKGs. How is gross anatomy, graduate microbiology and physiology, and in depth EKG training introduced into NP training? Or do they not go over these and just focus on pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment?

Another question, how in depth do NP programs go into? Do they cover biochemical pathways and molecular mechanisms in relation to pathology and normal physiology? Histology? Cell biology?

And the last, how do NP specifically approach patients differently than the medical model? For example, if you have a patient with heart disease how would you go about treating them?

Thank you!

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

I would also like to point out that NPs have full practice authority in almost 1/2 of states and in those states, an NP can set up their own practice. This is also true for all Federal Govt jobs. In contrast, PAs must work under an MD in all states and in the Fed Govt. They cannot set up their own practice.

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I'm an accelerated BSN student.

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While I do know that nurses have to take biology (sometimes), anatomy and physiology, micro, etc so do PA and medical students. (Also, for my nursing school they do not require us to take biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, or physics which I think is crucial for a provider to know.) PA school just seems to have more formal classes specifically dedicated to each of those subjects at the graduate level, which are more in depth than undergraduate classes. From what I've seen from NP classes they don't have as much classes dedicated to the background PAs and Drs have (pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, diagnostic) vs a 1 anatomy, 1 physiology, 1 patho, 4 pharm, 4 health assessment, genetics, etc classes in PA school (according to NSU PA school) and PAs also have to take A&P , micro, bio before PA school as well but still receive additional graduate level education in those areas. I'm just worried if I did NP I wouldn't get the depth that PAs do considering they have more classes in those areas.

As for my goals, I'm not sure. I'm pretty open to anything right now. My main interests are around primary care, neuroscience, neurology, intensive care, emergency medicine, and psychiatry currently. There are definitely specialties where I'd prefer NP over PA such as psych, but there are also a few specialties where I'd choose PA. I also would never practice independently as a NP (unless I did rural) or PA (if it is passed for them to do so) as the educational deficit between them is very vast and would want a physician for help if needed.

I think NP is great if you're training to be in a specific area, but I'm not sure if I want that. I may when I decided to specialize more. However, I really like the general background that PAs get across all of medicine but then I would like some specialty knowledge like NPs get as well. I'm still pretty stuck.

I do appreciate all the responses and insight very much!!!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Sounds like you'd want a dual FNP/ACNP certification if you went the NP route. There are plenty of schools that offer the dual program. Then you get all the in-depth critical care training as well as the family practice training (and ability to see patients of all ages). Before I started nursing school, my original goal was to become a PA. I completed all the pre-reqs for PA school during the summer breaks I had off for nursing school. However, once I started working as an RN in the hospital and seeing the PAs & NPs on the units, I decided to stick with NP. You really need to select the program that you feel is the best fit for you. If you feel that PA is more appealing to you, there's nothing "wrong" with that. At the end of the day, we want to provide the best care we can for our patients. Go for the educational plan that feels right for your situation. For me, it worked out great going the NP route (still in school).

Good luck with your decision :D

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Sounds like you'd want a dual FNP/ACNP certification if you went the NP route. There are plenty of schools that offer the dual program. Then you get all the in-depth critical care training as well as the family practice training (and ability to see patients of all ages). Before I started nursing school, my original goal was to become a PA. I completed all the pre-reqs for PA school during the summer breaks I had off for nursing school. However, once I started working as an RN in the hospital and seeing the PAs & NPs on the units, I decided to stick with NP. You really need to select the program that you feel is the best fit for you. If you feel that PA is more appealing to you, there's nothing "wrong" with that. At the end of the day, we want to provide the best care we can for our patients. Go for the educational plan that feels right for your situation. For me, it worked out great going the NP route (still in school).

Good luck with your decision :D

Thank you! I guess I'll have to wait and see. I've considered ACNP/FNP or FNP/Psych. I think I would enjoy doing that!

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I think this is a great question. Usually, an NP has experience in their field of nursing. They have hands on experience and have gleaned knowledge from experienced physicians and midlevels. In my experience in the emergency department, and working with midlevels, the competency seems

to rest on the individual. I am currently in an online NP program. The reason I am in an online program is because I am an experienced nurse. If I wasn't a RN already, I would probably be in a PA course.

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Specializes in ED, OR, Oncology.

I think the experience of the RN that the NP model is meant to build on is the key- and I think that schools that have minimized the amount of experience required have weakened the profession as a whole. I'm sure there are NP's out there that were direct entry or minimal RN experience that are great practitioners, but I think they would be better (or would have a shorter learning curve early in their NP practice) with more experience as an RN. I think without that experience the PA educational model might be superior, but who knows. It probably varies a lot school to school, and of course person to person- some will seek the extra learning opportunities and become great providers whatever path they choose. While i'm currently researching and applying to online NP programs, the fact that those programs are available to those with minimal experience as an RN scares the **** out of me. I'd personally be terrified to start as a new NP with the clinical hours in NP school alone being the extent of my direct patient care experience ( or any significant percentage of it). Good luck whatever path you choose.

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Specializes in RN/FNP student.

I realize this is an old thread. But, I have to say I wish I would have done a lot more research before choosing to do NP and interviewed the school to make a more informed decision. I trusted that I would be getting and advanced education that would prepare to care of patients using a medical model. No doubt that is what will be expected of me when I graduate. But, I feel cheated not being taught gross anatomy, biochemistry, epidemiology. But, rather in its place nursing research, nursing theory, and social determinants of health. To me all of this feels like social work and not medicine.  Nothing could have prepared me for the amount of paper writing I’m doing. I feel like it takes away from valuable study time needed to learn things that are useful.  Very disappointed with this education. I am getting what I need because I have bought medical books and taught myself. All while trying to keep up with the busy work. Feels like BSN nonsense all over again. 

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
9 hours ago, Debbie Downer said:

I realize this is an old thread. But, I have to say I wish I would have done a lot more research before choosing to do NP and interviewed the school to make a more informed decision. I trusted that I would be getting and advanced education that would prepare to care of patients using a medical model. No doubt that is what will be expected of me when I graduate. But, I feel cheated not being taught gross anatomy, biochemistry, epidemiology. But, rather in its place nursing research, nursing theory, and social determinants of health. To me all of this feels like social work and not medicine.  Nothing could have prepared me for the amount of paper writing I’m doing. I feel like it takes away from valuable study time needed to learn things that are useful.  Very disappointed with this education. I am getting what I need because I have bought medical books and taught myself. All while trying to keep up with the busy work. Feels like BSN nonsense all over again. 

Anatomy and organic Chemistry are prereqs for the BSN for reputable programs.  The school should require these classes be completed before the BSN.  My school did.  As for epidemiology, some nursing schools also require it as a prereq.  In addition, my BSN and MSN programs reviewed epidemiology and taught new concepts required to understand research.

 

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Specializes in oncology.
On 10/25/2021 at 6:45 AM, Debbie Downer said:

I trusted that I would be getting and advanced education that would prepare to care of patients using a medical model. No doubt that is what will be expected of me when I graduate. But, I feel cheated not being taught gross anatomy, biochemistry, epidemiology.

May be your understanding of the NP role was being a "mini medical doctor"? There is no way any program could cover  "gross anatomy, biochemistry, epidemiology" and additional science courses in a 2 year program.  

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