concerned about limited clinical/didactic hours

[Smwright19]

So I've been torn between going the NP route vs the PA route for some time. Both are appealing to me in some regards, but right now, I'm just focusing on the intensity of schooling. If both professions are mid-level providers, how come PA school is so much more thorough? I feel like if I just get my BSN and then do an NP program, I'll be lacking in both clinical and didactic hours. I did hear of someone who completed his NP education and then applied to an EM fellowship to gain some knowledge of the medical approach that he didn't obtain through the nursing approach. So, are there other nurses who favor the medical model? If so, how did you approach this issue? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Julius Seizure]

The reasoning behind the way an NP program works was that the prior years of nursing experience were to help "bridge the gap" and make up for the smaller amount of clinical hours.

However, that doesn't happen when students go straight to grad school without working as a nurse for a while first, which concerns many. If you don't have the years of bedside experience, I would recommend considering the PA route so that you get the needed clinical time.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

PP's analysis is absolutely spot-on. This is the huge weakness of the 'accelerated' pathway to NP.... and it is the basis for the constant refrain of all the physicians (and other like-minded individuals) who criticize the clinical ability and preparation of NPs. I hate to admit it, but it's true... I don't see how graduates of entry-level NP programs (without nursing experience) can compete with better-prepared PAs. OTOH, there is a ton of evidence that the clinical care & outcomes for traditionally prepared NPs is comparable or better than their physician counterparts. I guess time will tell.

My organization employs a lot of NPs in various types of settings but those jobs are only available to fully qualified NPs with evidence of established clinical competency/expertise.