For students that are undecided between RN/PA

Published

I wanted to let anyone that is considering PA vs NP or RN know that I have experienced a semester of nursing classes, and found that the curicculum did not match my expectations nor seem appropriate for later consideration of applicability to a PA program post BSN.

I don't want to blather on about a subject that I have been vocal about since I came to the board. This debate has been worked over and over on many threads, but never before with someone that had been through nursing classes, to my knowledge.

If there is an interest expressed, I will post away and answer questions for the people that wish to discuss the topic.

Taken from the Maryland Board of Nursing website

B. Before a nurse practitioner may practice he shall:

(1) Obtain certification under these regulations;

(2) Enter into a written agreement with a physician whereby the physician on a regularly-scheduled basis shall:

Read:supervise

This is not true in all places. there are many states that allow NP's to practice on their own. So yes, where you live an NP cannot practice on their own and that is quite unfortunate.

I also want to say that a nurse cares for the whole person not just the disease, and thus NP's are more holistic in their approach to care. If you really enjoy the science aspect then maybe PA that is the route for you. However it is important to remember that no matter what you are dealing with a WHOLE person not just a disease.

Specializes in MICU/CCU.

I noticed how many times people were commenting that a PA is "under" a physician's license...

That is simply not true. A PA has his or her own license and is in no way under the physician's license. Just as a PA has to have his or her own DEA # rather than using the Physician's. I think there are a lot of common misconceptions on both sides. I have a BS in Molecular Biology and a BSN but I'm going to go for the PA. I seriously considered NP but I found the PA to be a much better fit for me.

Everyone seriously needs to work together. It's a little ridiculous sometimes the pettiness we all show.

Specializes in ER.
Zoe,

I'm not trying to discourage anybody from nursing. I'm trying to encourage those people that are not sure.

A few quickies:

NPs must get signed-off by an MD. They do not perform independently of the physician.

I know of no RN programs that require organic chem or calculus. I do know of a BSN program that requires a semester of organic chem though. I however do not know of any PA programs that do not require these as minnimum standards.

I wonder if the PA program you are referring to is even accredited. It has been pointed out that nursing and medicine are not the same. Why would you be allowed to clep into a program of medicine?

Yes, but not in the medical model. The two are philisophicaly opposed. Even though a nursing degree is used as a prerequisite there is no medical model from which to draw from.

Therefore..........invalid.

This thread is crazy old and just happened to come up when I googled something. But I thought I'd reply anyway! Who cares about the organic chem and calculus requirements LOL! I took organic chem and statistics for my BSN. Big whoop. One day while I was taking organic chem I had an OB appt. I took in my books to study. My OB asked what I was studying and I told him. He looked and smiled and said he vaguely recalled that stuff. We talked a little about it and I asked him some questions and he couldn't recall enough to tell me. Organic chem is interesting (I got above a 100 in that class) and it is fun but it is not relevant to what a dr. does on a daily basis OR what an NP or a PA does.

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