Odd question, but...

Jules A, MSN · Apr 2, 2018

If becoming a PA would allow you to work in your desired specialty that would be my advice if you are interested in a quality education. In my opinion the medical model is far superior to our nursing curriculum. I went to two well respected schools and found the content and clinical experiences extremely light on science and heavy on nursing fluff, hence my belief that RN experience is so important. Look at the differences in courses.

https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/pa-curriculum-1146429.html

Goldenfox · Apr 3, 2018

If you really want to get into the meat of the science skip both and try for medical school. Spend the extra 2 years in the pre reqs. Well worth it.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 3, 2018

Do you want to stay in Peds? If so, then look at PNP programs. Most require 2 years experience minimum in Peds. Are you thinking of remaining in acute care? Then you'll need actual Peds ICU experience. Do you want to expand your role in your unit? You might want to look at CNL, although I think most CNL programs focus on adult care. FNP will be all ages. ACNP or AGNP will be ages 13 and up, with AGNP focusing on geriatric population. ACNP usually requires experience in the adult world (ER & ICU are preferable).

PA gives you rotations through everything, including surgery, which is lacking in NP curriculum. You'll focus more on the medical model and have in-depth science. It's like a fast-paced version of med school. One thing to keep in mind is that there are few online PA programs (Yale has one, but it's $98K) and nearly all of them require that you don't work (or only work less than 20 hours per week) during the program. Sometimes it's impossible to find a PA program close enough to home to make it feasible to attend.

Good luck with your decision :)

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 6, 2018

If you really want to do peds, consider a PNP or PACNP program. Do some research in your area, though - are there a lot of PNP/PACNP jobs in your area? What is the projected job outlook in the next few years when you're done and actually looking for a job?

Honestly, if I could do it all over again, I think I would have gone to PA school. They are better trained in my opinion, and they do way more clinical hours than I was required to do. I'm doing extra because I'm in the ENP program, but I still end up with only half of the required PA-S hours. PAs are more respected imo. I've had physicians tell me they prefer PAs because the knowledge of (recent) NP students and new NP grads is lacking. PAs can essentially work anywhere unlike NPs. I wish we didn't have so many speciality designations (FNP, ACNP, PNP, etc.) because that really hinders job opportunities in my opinion. I chose FNP because it gives me the most flexibility and I can work in the ER once I get my ENP certification; but in reality, because I live in such a saturated area, job opportunities are very scarce. I've seen job opportunities that I would also be interested in, but they want ACNPs or PNPs and therefore, I do not qualify.

As far as education goes, I wish there was less "fluff" and more real stuff. I think a graduate-level A&P course like the one PA-S and med students have to take would have been great. For some of us, it's been a long time since AP&P (for me, over 10 years ago!) and while I do have a good foundation as a nurse, as an advanced practice provider, you really need to have a deeper understanding. I also wish there was a part II to my patho and pharmacology courses.

I had to take not one, but TWO research classes, as well as a class on population health and a class on informatics. In research, I learned some, but two classes was overkill and honestly, the population health and informatics classes were a complete waste of my time and I learned nothing. I would have preferred something relevant to clinical practice instead, like the A&P course that I mentioned above, or a whole course on radiology interpretation. I've had lectures on radiology interpretation but I think an entire semester-long class would have been more beneficial.