Does anyone know, or know of anyone who's gone to medical school after becomming a NP? DO or MD?
What was their speciality that they saught after medical school?
What are your thoughts on the whole matter?
Although I absolutely LOVE being a NP, lately medical school has been comming to mind. My wife and I will likely move from our small town to a much larger city and this will greatly restrict my practice as a NP. Very unlikely I could do Family Medicine and have admitting privilages or do anything in the hospital, unless I was an employee of the hospital and did ONLY hospital work.
The doc I work with has also spoken of making the move to the larger city and has pondered the idea of doing another residency in a more specialized field. Frankly, if I DID go back to medical school, I would probably residency in Ob/Gyn. I would also ONLY consider a DO program.
The biggest problem I have with advancing is it would seem like I am abdoning everything I am about. I have faught so hard to advance Np's in my area and based alot of my arguments on the fact that NP's are just a trained and knowledage as a physician. Then, there's the whole idea that I could be a stronger advocate for NP's as a "Doctor". Confusing isn't it?
Please don't take this as anything negative towards NPs. I am, and always will be a NP. It's just that in the end... I wonder if I might could be more. (And I'm not sure that being more, would be a good thing... this is just something that is crossing my mind).
You comments are greatly appreciated!
Dave, future DO ? (doesn't that just sound weird )
I decided to take a break from reality and come read the boards. I just got accepted to medical school at Texas Tech. after being a Paramedic and then a Physician Assistant for several years. I think that being a "mid-level" practitioner is a fabulous career, and I would recommend it to anyone, but I started thinking that I wanted to be a surgeon. I applied really thinking that I would not get in (I think everyone is afraid when they first apply), but now I am ecstatic about continuing my education.
I think that is the way that you really need to look at this. Going to medical school is only a continuance of what you have already learned. I have a feeling that my knowledge as a PA will make med school a little easier for me, and I am sure that your case will be no different. My first love is for EMS, probably like yours is for nursing. I try to advocate for EMT's and Paramedics whenever possible. Becoming a PA has given me a little more influence to do that, and becoming a physician will only add to what I can do for them.
I work side-by-side with physicians and Nurse Practitioners every day, and we consider each other colleagues. Regardless of what anyone might say, I believe that my Masters PA education is every bit as good as the MSN programs that many of you have gone through, but I am the first to recognize that neither form of education is equivalent to an M.D. or D.O.'s. I feel that I am very competent in my field, and I really believe in the the concept of mid-level practitioners, but becoming a surgeon really has been calling to me lately. That doesn't mean that I am foresaking my profession. I can definitely envision hiring a surgical PA (or maybe even a damn good NP :) ) as a first assistant, and I am want to advocate for mid-levels on the other side of the field.
If you don't do this, you may always wish that you had. This isn't about Nursing vs. Medicine, so I would encourage you to look at it outside of that context.
Gldngrl, I agree completely with your post. I would like to add that there are an equal number of disappointing practioners in each health care field, as well as, shining stars. I choose to judge people based on their own actions. I still believe the US has one of the best healthcare systems and the partnership between physicians, NP's, PA's, nursing, and other ancillary staff is just as important as caring for the patient.
You are very much the voice of reason. It good to have a PA on this board who isn't looking for a fight. Good luck with your future career path. Don't be hell bent on being a surgeon. Gastro docs make more and have a better life style... no needle sticks either! Good Luck!
Gldngrl, I agree completely with your post. I would like to add that there are an equal number of disappointing practioners in each health care field, as well as, shining stars. I choose to judge people based on their own actions. I still believe the US has one of the best healthcare systems and the partnership between physicians, NP's, PA's, nursing, and other ancillary staff is just as important as caring for the patient.
I love Orthopaedics. Fun procedures. Instant gratification. Patients usually always happy with the results. Besides I am less than 2 weeks from the match.
I found http://www.oldpremeds.org/ site to be very-very helpful for people like yourself (on the fence)! They also have live seminars, check it out! Wealth of useful info!
)
PA-C in Texas
88 Posts
I decided to take a break from reality and come read the boards. I just got accepted to medical school at Texas Tech. after being a Paramedic and then a Physician Assistant for several years. I think that being a "mid-level" practitioner is a fabulous career, and I would recommend it to anyone, but I started thinking that I wanted to be a surgeon. I applied really thinking that I would not get in (I think everyone is afraid when they first apply), but now I am ecstatic about continuing my education.
I think that is the way that you really need to look at this. Going to medical school is only a continuance of what you have already learned. I have a feeling that my knowledge as a PA will make med school a little easier for me, and I am sure that your case will be no different. My first love is for EMS, probably like yours is for nursing. I try to advocate for EMT's and Paramedics whenever possible. Becoming a PA has given me a little more influence to do that, and becoming a physician will only add to what I can do for them.
I work side-by-side with physicians and Nurse Practitioners every day, and we consider each other colleagues. Regardless of what anyone might say, I believe that my Masters PA education is every bit as good as the MSN programs that many of you have gone through, but I am the first to recognize that neither form of education is equivalent to an M.D. or D.O.'s. I feel that I am very competent in my field, and I really believe in the the concept of mid-level practitioners, but becoming a surgeon really has been calling to me lately. That doesn't mean that I am foresaking my profession. I can definitely envision hiring a surgical PA (or maybe even a damn good NP :) ) as a first assistant, and I am want to advocate for mid-levels on the other side of the field.
If you don't do this, you may always wish that you had. This isn't about Nursing vs. Medicine, so I would encourage you to look at it outside of that context.