Confused on which route- NP or PA

[Pat23]

About my situation- Ill be finishing my BA in Psych this May. My ultimate goal is to work in Women's Health/OB/GYN area either as a NP or a PA.

My option is either an accelerated BSN and Masters in NP which take around 3 years. whereas the PA would be around 2 (but roughly the same in my case as the PA programs require more preq. courses I need to complete).

PA would cost less since its only one degree. However, I love living abroad sometimes and aware that PAs aren't really well known anywhere else. However, are accelerated BSN programs not accepted in other countries anyways? (Mostly interested in Latin America, Europe (not UK) or Australia). If so, I'd be screwed either way on that one.

Where can I find more information of what countries require?

I have fear that I'll be entering a NP program before 2015 but not graduating until after that date and I'm confused as if I'll need to complete a DNP (in that case PA would probably be smarter).

I'm just confused on route to take specific to my situation and any information pertaining to these questions or any additional insight would be greatly appreciated!

[scabby21]

There is no rule yet stating that you must have a DNP after 2015. It is a rumor as of yet and there is no way it will be able to go into effect by 2015, there are not enough schools that have this program available at this point so I would not worry about that.

[myelin]

Given your career goals (women's health, desire to practice abroad), I'd choose nursing over PA. The DNP thing is merely a suggestion and no laws have been changed to require it. My school (one of the best in the country) doesn't even offer it yet. If I were you, I'd look into combined women's health/midwifery programs.