I am currently a medical scribe at a primary care community clinic and I have completed more than enough prerequisites to apply to nursing school. Actually I spent two years applying to physician assistant schools, but admission is so competitive I just can't get in. I scribe for doctors, PAs and NPs, spending all day watching what they do and how they speak with patients. On simpler encounters I can write the diagnoses and treatments including medications into the chart note before the provider even verbalizes what the diagnoses or treatments are. I strongly feel that I could be great in a provider role if I could get the necessary medical training. I do not feel that bedside nursing would be a good fit for me.
I would like to become an NP, a CNS, an RN who does a lot of nurse-only visits, or something along those lines (I'm not sure exactly what a CNS does or if this is a provider role that is being phased out). I am aware that I can complete 2.5 years of nursing school followed by 2 or 3 years of FNP school at a cost of $200,000 or so, but I'm already 44 years old. I'm getting pretty tired of jumping through educational hoops and borrowing money.
My apologies if I give the impression of being lazy. My GPA for the last 2.5 years has been 3.9, so I am working hard at my studies as well as my job. Returning to college and changing careers is just taking a lot more time and effort than I expected. If anyone has any ideas or advice for me I'd be grateful. I have already ruled out becoming an audiologist, speech therapist, physical therapist or dietician, but I am open to other suggestions.
Thank you so much if you read all that! :) P.S. I live in California but would love to move to Oregon or Washington state, or perhaps Colorado.
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
PA school is your fastest route to becoming a provider. It will not cost you 200k.
My suggestion is to finish the prereqs for PA school at your local community college and then apply to PA schools around the country, starting with the area you want to move to, but be willing to apply anywhere that is not saturated with prospective students.
I agree with what JustBeachy and the others have said. Also, you have mentioned several times that you are seeking more information about alternative careers in health care, which seem to not be in nursing. I suggest that you make a list of other fields you are interested in and go ahead and do some research on these fields and figure out the pros and cons to make a better decision for yourself (like you mentioned with the Chiropractor interest).
The county health department is chok full of nurses giving vaccinations, handing out condoms, and treating STDs without a doctor present. It's the only think I can think of. Nursing cannot do a lot on its own. It has to have someone of a higher authority giving it direction.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
The county health department is chok full of nurses giving vaccinations, handing out condoms, and treating STDs without a doctor present. It's the only think I can think of. Nursing cannot do a lot on its own. It has to have someone of a higher authority giving it direction.
But you still must be a licensed nurse. Many states require public health credentials
When you say " provider role" a lot of us in this forum think it means NP PA MD. it sounds like you want an independent autonomous practice within healthcare. Student Doctor network forums might give you some ideas. I saw a physical therapist recently who diagnosed me and gave me a treatment, for example.
When you say " provider role" a lot of us in this forum think it means NP PA MD. it sounds like you want an independent autonomous practice within healthcare. Student Doctor network forums might give you some ideas. I saw a physical therapist recently who diagnosed me and gave me a treatment, for example.
You are right. I should not have used the word "provider". It derailed the conversation. I should have said that I was interested in "a role that allows me, when a patient arrives, to do most of the talking and conduct the majority of visits or at least follow-up visits without direct supervision by another professional at each encounter." And I should have made it more clear that I was willing to go complete whatever program necessary to obtain the proper license, be it RN, physical therapy, or other.
I am fully aware that you cannot be a public health nurse without a nursing license. I am fully aware that prescribing medications requires an MD, DO, PA, NP, CNS or other proper license. I am fully aware that nurses who see patients for any type of care without a doctor present are operating under a protocol or procedure written by a doctor or other high-level licensed professional.
I was looking for suggestions along the lines of optometrist, audiologist, physical therapist, school nurse (yes with a nursing license and operating under protocols, I know), radiologic technician, personal trainer, wellness coach, dietician, acupuncture therapist, massage therapist, herbalist, naturopath, paramedic (with EMT-P credential needed, yes I know), licensed flight nurse, dental hygienist, psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed nurse at a correctional facility, licensed nurse at a college who might provide advice or OTC medications (?) because the doctor comes in only once per week, camp nurse, nurse who provides training to families on the use of durable medical equipment and so on.
Thank you for your responses everyone. I apologize for miscommunications due to my poorly worded posts. It does not seem like any original suggestions are going to result from this thread. However, if anyone does have any suggestions for unusual health/fitness/wellness occupations that fit the theme of semi-autonomy (occupations which I would only do once I had the proper license, years of experience and training) I would love to hear your suggestions. Thank you.
Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.
Just a side note and a personal observation , I have no idea why, but the way you word your responses rub me the wrong way. It just seems very dismissive with a touch of sarcasm/haughty taughty mannerisms while dancing right back to politeness as evidenced by the apologies and "thank yous ". Don't know if it's overthinking in my part, intentional on your part, or maybe unintentional. Just thought I oughta point it out so you're aware.
Back to the topic, you could always pursue a visiting nurse career. There will be doctors orders already in place and you're typically working for your organization. You visit their home, do your thing and there isn't a lot of Doctor supervision.
I know in WA, naturopathic doctors are pretty much restricted to private practice. But there is a great school called Bastyr University here for those interested in Eastern medicine or naturopathic medicine. Check out their programs on their website. It sounds like you've already done a lot of research on different careers. The only ones I have to add (maybe you mentioned them already) are athletic trainer, occupational therapy, genetic counselor, pathology assistant, anesthesiology assistant, and pharmacist.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
You are right. I should not have used the word "provider". It derailed the conversation. I should have said that I was interested in "a role that allows me, when a patient arrives, to do most of the talking and conduct the majority of visits or at least follow-up visits without direct supervision by another professional at each encounter." And I should have made it more clear that I was willing to go complete whatever program necessary to obtain the proper license, be it RN, physical therapy, or other.
I am fully aware that you cannot be a public health nurse without a nursing license. I am fully aware that prescribing medications requires an MD, DO, PA, NP, CNS or other proper license. I am fully aware that nurses who see patients for any type of care without a doctor present are operating under a protocol or procedure written by a doctor or other high-level licensed professional.
I was looking for suggestions along the lines of optometrist, audiologist, physical therapist, school nurse (yes with a nursing license and operating under protocols, I know), radiologic technician, personal trainer, wellness coach, dietician, acupuncture therapist, massage therapist, herbalist, naturopath, paramedic (with EMT-P credential needed, yes I know), licensed flight nurse, dental hygienist, psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed nurse at a correctional facility, licensed nurse at a college who might provide advice or OTC medications (?) because the doctor comes in only once per week, camp nurse, nurse who provides training to families on the use of durable medical equipment and so on.
Thank you for your responses everyone. I apologize for miscommunications due to my poorly worded posts. It does not seem like any original suggestions are going to result from this thread. However, if anyone does have any suggestions for unusual health/fitness/wellness occupations that fit the theme of semi-autonomy (occupations which I would only do once I had the proper license, years of experience and training) I would love to hear your suggestions. Thank you.
Those who work under standing protocols still require consultation with a licensed provider (flight nurse, radiology tech, paramedic, school nurse, any non APN registered or practical nurse).
Terminal licenses that are the consultants and practice independently
Chiropractor (doctoral degree)
Licensed social worker/licensed clinical social worker (masters plus supervised clinical practice)
Psychologist (doctoral)
Licensed professional counselor (masters plus supervised clinical practice)
Licensed marriage and family counselor (masters plus supervised clinical practice)
Certified alcohol and drug counselor (masters plus supervised clinical practice)
Speech & language pathologist
(masters plus supervised clinical practice)
Physical therapist (doctorate plus supervised clinical practice)
Audiologist (doctorate plus supervised clinical practice)
Occupational therapist (masters plus supervised clinical practice)
Registered dietician (masters plus supervised clinical practice)
Personal trainer--depends on credential some requires bachelor's
Exercise physiologist -bachelor's
Registered Dental hygienist--bachelors independent only for cleaning & assessment of hygiene
CAM providers such as naturopath, massage therapist, acupuncturist, herbalists, wellness coach have alternate pathways and are not regulated. Some states you can call yourself an herbalist right now after doing a free online course.
You are right. I should not have used the word "provider". It derailed the conversation. I should have said that I was interested in "a role that allows me, when a patient arrives, to do most of the talking and conduct the majority of visits or at least follow-up visits without direct supervision by another professional at each encounter." And I should have made it more clear that I was willing to go complete whatever program necessary to obtain the proper license, be it RN, physical therapy, or other.
I am fully aware that you cannot be a public health nurse without a nursing license. I am fully aware that prescribing medications requires an MD, DO, PA, NP, CNS or other proper license. I am fully aware that nurses who see patients for any type of care without a doctor present are operating under a protocol or procedure written by a doctor or other high-level licensed professional.
I was looking for suggestions along the lines of optometrist, audiologist, physical therapist, school nurse (yes with a nursing license and operating under protocols, I know), radiologic technician, personal trainer, wellness coach, dietician, acupuncture therapist, massage therapist, herbalist, naturopath, paramedic (with EMT-P credential needed, yes I know), licensed flight nurse, dental hygienist, psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed nurse at a correctional facility, licensed nurse at a college who might provide advice or OTC medications (?) because the doctor comes in only once per week, camp nurse, nurse who provides training to families on the use of durable medical equipment and so on.
Thank you for your responses everyone. I apologize for miscommunications due to my poorly worded posts. It does not seem like any original suggestions are going to result from this thread. However, if anyone does have any suggestions for unusual health/fitness/wellness occupations that fit the theme of semi-autonomy (occupations which I would only do once I had the proper license, years of experience and training) I would love to hear your suggestions. Thank you.
Sounds like you are already aware of a wide range of professional options; I'm wondering just what other kinds of opportunities you think people here might be able to suggest. There are a finite number of healthcare occupations and professions. I suggest you pick one of the options you've already listed and pursue it.
I get the feeling you're kind of hoping that someone will suggest some magical occupation in which you can have all the autonomy and authority you clearly want but without having to, y'know, go to school for years and work hard and actually learn stuff. That's not going to happen. Autonomy and authority in healthcare is earned.
You could also become a prosthetist/orthotist, though you may have to relocate since there are relatively few programs (master degree). I've look at UW's but decided it wasn't for me.
FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN
2,320 Posts
PA school is your fastest route to becoming a provider. It will not cost you 200k.
My suggestion is to finish the prereqs for PA school at your local community college and then apply to PA schools around the country, starting with the area you want to move to, but be willing to apply anywhere that is not saturated with prospective students.
Good luck.