Completely lost and in need of help

Published

Anyway, I really need some help. I am 21 years old and currently an EMT-Basic going forward with Paramedic school and hoping to soon further my education and career. The only reason I considered Paramedic school was because I knew it would be EXCELLENT healthcare experience for PA school... I thought I wanted to go to PA school. But this economy is sincerely messed up in the U.S. right now. There's a whole lot of "people not staying in their place" and "wanting to play doctor without taking the time out to go to actual Med school". Anyway, let me explain what my problem is...

Due to the Affordable Care Act, A LOT of things seems to be changing within the healthcare field as a whole. That's fine. But here's where my concern comes in: There's a shortage of doctors (especially in Primary care)... But there are a lot of doctors that don't consider going into that field... I guess, because it doesn't pay well... I don't really know if that's the true reason. It's just something I've read... And also there are just doctors leaving the field completely because of the government and insurance companies taking over... undecided.gif Because of those reasons and the amount of education it takes to become a doctor, there is a major shortage of physicians. Not good. So now, PAs and NPs are stepping up to fill the shortage. Okay. But I hear there are feuds and competition between the two? Even more concerning to me is the fact that NPs are now going to doctorates by 2015? So wouldn't that make NPs more likely to be hired over PAs? Plus, wouldn't the shortage of physicians hurt job opportunities for PAs, seeing that PAs work for doctors or at least under their supervision? I just know that when NPs start getting doctorates, and more and more NPs start owning their own practices, they'll only be interested in hiring other NPs and nurses. Seems like NPs hate PAs and look at them like the enemy...

After learning about all this garbage about the healthcare field, it really got my hopes down. I wanted to be a nurse, but stopped pursing it because I heard that the nursing market is in the crapper. There are numerous articles on it. So it's like... Why go to school for something I may possibly not get a job in? Right? I didn't want to be a doctor only because I didn't want the loads of debt... And I feel like I wouldn't be a great candidate for it seeing that I only have a 3.6 gpa... I thought the PA field would be perfect for me. No serious debt, challenging career, pretty good salary, getting to help people... But now I'm not sure if the PA field will be safe enough for me to enter into... So now, I just feel stuck. Media overhypes NP as the only choice... I don't know what to do. Someone please help... cry.gif

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

PA and NP do virtually the same thing, though they follow different educational paths. PA follow more of a medical school path, while NP follow a nursing model though they both learn the same basics. NP's are allowed more autonomy because of state laws (vary by state) originally to take the place of a Dr in rural areas where there was a primary care Dr shortage. It's true NP can work independently, depending on the state, but that doesn't mean many do because it's not any more profitable than an independent primary Dr clinic. NP's get paid less so I would imagine being independent would be even more difficult because of the high cost of overhead and dealing with insurance. Most of the NP's I know work for doctors, hospitals or free standing clinics as employees. Also there are many more colleges offering RN and NP programs than PA programs, which are much harder to find and therefore more competitive to get into. I think it is much easier to become an NP for that reason and because of state laws favoring NP's they have an edge in hiring due to their independence and autonomy including prescribing rights in many states. As to which a dr would hire it simply depends on their preference and some hire both.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As far as the doctorate by 2015 for NPs, this is no longer the case. Originally, the powers-that-be would have liked that to be a possibility, but the reality fell short due to timing issues and availability of BSN-DNP programs (which are now up-and-coming). The date is not set in stone for entry level DNP as of yet (that I know of), but it will likely be in the 2020s, similar to the CRNA date. I am unsure about the effect that the DNP degree will have on hiring NP vs PA because I don't believe there is data to support that claim at this time.

Touching on your perception of NP vs. PA... I haven't seen much of a negative relationship in the way that you describe. I have seen PAs and NPs work together in clinics and hospitals with no issues. Many times NPs and PAs have a common organization within these institutions in which both fields are represented and managed. They are different models of education with similar job roles, depending on specialty and independence by state (for NPs).

When it comes to the ACA, I believe it is presenting an opportunity for NPs and PAs to step up to the plate to fill a gap left by physician shortage. As for the other aspects of the ACA, I will not present my opinion because this is not the topic of discussion. However, the primary care physicians that are in practice seem to enjoy hiring NPs and PAs (for the most part, some are not as receptive to the idea) because they are profitable and allow the practice to serve more patients. I foresee such agreements to continue growing. At this time, I believe one physician is allowed to oversee a total of 7 NPs and PAs which allows for multiple providers in one or many clinics.

For your situation, I think that you are well on your way to being either an NP or PA if you so choose. Your experience as an EMT with a 3.6 GPA is a good spring board into the health care field. I understand that you have heard a lot of claims and you are disheartened, but I urge you to do some additional research on the reality of the situation before you write off your dreams. I have a feeling you might be surprised!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal Child Health, GYN.

I would like to encourage you to follow your dreams and not allow the negative publicity to deter you.

There may be a lot of issues that are not thoroughly researched but if you are truly sold on becoming a NP or a PA

then do your home work and press on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't believe everything you read online, NPs should and do work in collaboration with PAs. I know several NPs and PAs that are well respected by everyone. As far as nursing goes, there are places with great job opportunities. It may be a little tough at first to gain experience but once you do (1-2yrs) you could go almost anywhere. I like nursing because there are so many different areas that you can go into, some that you may not have known existed and go to find out you love it. I started out as an EMT almost to getting my Paramedic but went to nursing school, no regrets! I am currently in FNP school and will graduate in December, I have learned so much, including about myself since I started the nursing career in 2009.

It sounds like you really are focused towards PA, go for it. Do what you have to do, if you have a Bachelors degree then take what ever prereqs that are needed, take the GRE... and apply. The PA field is not going anywhere, its here to stay.

And for the 100th time don't believe that the DNP is mandatory because it is not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion