Future of nurse practitioners

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hey, this is my first thread

I am 16 years old and intend on per suing a BSN after high school, however I am not planning on staying a RN for more than 2 years i originally wanted to become a Nurse practitioner but now I'm hearing things about MSN being phased out and being turned in to a DNP which i have no interest in per suing. SO naturally I told my self I would attempt to go in to a PA program.

So my primary question is do you think in 6 years when im done my BSN (cause im 16 right now) there will be and MSN programs around because I really wanted to follow in my uncles foot steps who is a Nurse practitioner who has employed a medical director and owns his own clinic in Texas, Any other advice for me or things you wish you would have done while you were younger will be much appreciated.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
So much wrong info in this thread.

PAs can own their own practice

PAs have just as much clout or IMO more than NP. *cough* medical model *cough*

I am going PA because of the rigor and I feel with all of the diploma mill NP programs, saturation is near.

When people talk down PAs on here without knowing what exactly their role is it makes me cringe. PAs have supervisory physicians who in most cases are only there to consult on a handful of cases or are available when needed for help.Never do they look over their shoulder or have to sign off on everything. No provider is ever truly independent. PAs also go into a lot of roles and specialties where NPs aren't found a lot...ED...ortho...surgery...Autonomy is not even in issue.

Really? Well enjoy your path as a PA. The reality is PAs don't have independent practice. They just don't. NPs...many states have it and many states working on it. I don't ever see a day of independence for PAs.

Also, you don't see NPs in the ED and ortho? Not sure where you are but that's not the story here.

Sounds like somebody just needed to pound their chest a little believing Brit education is superior. Feel good?

No wrong information in thread....just a lack of comprehension.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I really don't agree with you. NPs can do everything a PA can do, and on top of that, in many states they are completely independent and don't need to pay a physician to be available to consult at all.

NPs are found in all of the specialties you listed above. In fact, in my area, you can't find an ED or an OR without an NP. In my state, the functional difference in scope between them is that PAs can't write prescriptions for narcotics without a co-signiture of a physician and NPs can.

Allowed to do something because of lobbying power and the capability to do something are two different things. In my state PA/NPs are fully automous so it doesn't matter. When it doesn't matter I am going for the one that will provide a better foundation for MEDICINE which is what providers do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Really? Well enjoy your path as a PA. The reality is PAs don't have independent practice. They just don't. NPs...many states have it and many states working on it. I don't ever see a day of independence for PAs.

Also, you don't see NPs in the ED and ortho? Not sure where you are but that's not the story here.

Sounds like somebody just needed to pound their chest a little believing Brit education is superior. Feel good?

No wrong information in thread....just a lack of comprehension.

Nope, wrong info.

As stated above PAs are practically independent in most states. Supervisory physicians are not often seen for months at a time and rarely sign off in charts. There is currently a push for a PA name change and along with that comes more lobbying power that NPs have. Lobbying power is truly the only think that has given NPs a grip on the mid level world and there are many many PAs who were RNs who realized this including the main PA of our ED (which is why they chose PA). If you look at national stats for mid levels PAs outnumber NPs in all of those specialities by far soooo.

I have worked with both, some good and some bad but when I see staff nurses who are almost done with their online NP programs know less than me it scares me....

Its the OPs choice but if you want to practice medicine and the rigor that goes along with it ( hard science, no online, can't work during school), the choice is obvious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Nope, wrong info.

As stated above PAs are practically independent in most states. Supervisory physicians are not often seen for months at a time and rarely sign off in charts. There is currently a push for a PA name change and along with that comes more lobbying power that NPs have. Lobbying power is truly the only think that has given NPs a grip on the mid level world and there are many many PAs who were RNs who realized this including the main PA of our ED (which is why they chose PA). If you look at national stats for mid levels PAs outnumber NPs in all of those specialities by far soooo.

I have worked with both, some good and some bad but when I see staff nurses who are almost done with their online NP programs know less than me it scares me....

Its the OPs choice but if you want to practice medicine and the rigor that goes along with it ( hard science, no online, can't work during school), the choice is obvious.

Practically independent is not independent. Enjoy being practically independent and never enjoy full independent and autonomy.

Pat yourself on the back all you want...PAs are in no way superior to an NP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Practically independent is not independent. Enjoy being practically independent and never enjoy full independent and autonomy.

Pat yourself on the back all you want...PAs are in no way superior to an NP.

For nursing no they aren't, for medicine they are far superior. Ask any physician about which one is better prepared. A quick survey of both curriculums is telling. But hey it's cool if you are so stuck on being independent 100% and not 99.5% that's fine, I'll give up that .5% to become a better provider within the medical model. Nursing model...yeah no been there done that....got the t shirt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

And in the end, who knows what will be happening in six years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I think what it all boils down to is what is allowed in your particular state. There are vast regional differences as it relates to scope of practice.

I've been debating between PA & NP because in my state, they have the exact same authority. The only difference is medical model vs. nursing model when it comes to training.

You can only do what's allowed in your state. I see more PA job listings than I do NP. I've yet to see a NP in the ER. I see PAs in the ER, ICU and OR. My parents live in another state and they see NPs everywhere and rarely see PAs.

I'm trying to keep my options open once I'm done with the BSN. In the mean time, I'm working on pre-reqs for PA/NP school. I've looked at the course curriculum for both and PA appears to be more challenging. That's just in my state, your experience may be different elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
For nursing no they aren't, for medicine they are far superior. Ask any physician about which one is better prepared. A quick survey of both curriculums is telling. But hey it's cool if you are so stuck on being independent 100% and not 99.5% that's fine, I'll give up that .5% to become a better provider within the medical model. Nursing model...yeah no been there done that....got the t shirt.

And you are welcome to your opinion....because what you have is nothing more than that.

For the record...my family avoids PAs at all costs. The subpar care we have received in the past is enough to turn my family off completely.

So keep yelling you are superior....I'm sure it will help you.

I also know somebody going for PA....criminal record (domestic abuse with jail time) and serious drug issues in the not too far past. They seem to let anyone in...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Practically independent is not independent. Enjoy being practically independent and never enjoy full independent and autonomy.

Pat yourself on the back all you want...PAs are in no way superior to an NP.

Why can't we appreciate what each of us bring to patient care? This NP/PA ______________ contest is helpful to no one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
And you are welcome to your opinion....because what you have is nothing more than that.

For the record...my family avoids PAs at all costs. The subpar care we have received in the past is enough to turn my family off completely.

So keep yelling you are superior....I'm sure it will help you.

I also know somebody going for PA....criminal record (domestic abuse with jail time) and serious drug issues in the not too far past. They seem to let anyone in...

​Considering the plethora of threads here about, "Can I get into nursing school with DUI/felony/assault/theft/etc., I don't exactly think our "house" is all that pristine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
​Considering the plethora of threads here about, "Can I get into nursing school with DUI/felony/assault/theft/etc., I don't exactly think our "house" is all that pristine.

I never claimed it was pristine. But this other poster doing nothing but bashing NP education and abilities...I'm just pointing out that PAs don't walk on water.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Why can't we appreciate what each of us bring to patient care? This NP/PA ______________ contest is helpful to no one.

It could be helpful if one comes here and believes that PAs have full autonomy and independence when they don't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment