First, thank you for a nice forum to talk about whatever. Much nicer than some of the other forums (I won't mention names).
I'm a 24 y/o guy applying to a hospital-based RN diploma program here in the Pittsburgh area. It is a UPMC hospital, BTW.
I am also employed FT as a paramedic and have been involved in EMS since I was 18. I even teach some medic classes and precept students. I am very good at my job and am proud of it. The job really promotes critical and independent thinking, treatment planning, and so on. We are certainly more than ambulance drivers or stretcher jockeys. We are taught how to recognize many health issues and emergencies. I take my job seriously and am always advancing my knowledge and skills.
I would like to finish my ADN and then go for my BSN/MSN with a FNP concentration. My career goal is to work in an outpatient clinic, urgent care center, or family practice. I am curious how well your average NP program will prepare you for real world medicine, to think critically, order appropriate tests, formulate diagnosis, and understand a high level of pathophysiology? The reason I ask is the debate over NP vs PA. Personally, I know some very good mid-level providers in each field. But I do recognize a significant amount of hard sciences and such in the PA curriculum compared to NP. I also have seen a few threads about the "fluff" of NP programs. Is there a way to avoid this or any specific programs that are less "fluffy" than others? I have no plans on attending a web-based or distance NP program. I like to be in the classroom. Really, I don't want to be sold short on my education. I want a good education for my own edification as well as the well-being of my patients.
