I'm very interested in becoming an NP soon (FNP or PMHNP), but I want to go to a very rigorous program. I'm very concerned with always providing the best care for my patients and so I want to go to a program where I will learn the most. It seems a lot of "diploma mill" type schools have opened for NPs, and I need help weeding them out!
I look through a few curriculums for NP programs and I'm kind of worried I won't learn enough. I see a lot of "fluff" classes on nursing theory/public health type things - and while these are definitely important, I feel that most of the NP program I've found just don't have enough strong science courses. I want to really work hard, take a lot of deep courses on diagnosis, pathophysiology, pharmacology, immunology, etc. Anyone go to a program like that?
Regardless of your program, do you feel you graduated with a very sound knowledge of how to diagnose and treat most patients on day one or did you feel completely lost?
There are plenty of np programs that offer a solid foundation to begin practice. They may have different course titles than the standard medicine courses (and many do not) but the key is they provide a foundation, just as PA school does. Plus, there is nothing stopping you from picking up a book, because honestly any grad program is going to throw info at you, not hand hold. When you are in rotations, stay longer. Beg for information. Read read read.. Keep the ego in check, as one of the most dangerous things for a patient is a new clinician that thinks they know it all, or is ego driven and can't say I don't know. Medicine is life long learning. If you are really that worried, either go to medical school or do a post grad residency. HTH
I think, with all due respect, the holistic approach is a myth. Pharmacology, advanced patho phys, medicine, ect. Is what it is, and what many np programs have in their curriculum. Those thinking only medical school and pa school have that approach, are looking at the wrong programs.
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.
NPs are NOT midlevel providers. You are obviously not an NP.
Is our care judged on a midlevel? Or is our care compared to current best medical practice?
Don't even try to go with the tired old argument of PAs get more or better education, sigh.
Please get a clue.
If you are looking for an NP program where you are going to be able to diagnose everything from Day 1 on the floor, you aren't going to find it. Most future MD's don't find those programs either.
NP's, are mid-level providers. Keyword: Mid-Level.
They are an invaluable part of the healthcare team, but if you are looking for more in-depth science courses, I suggest you go the PA route.
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.
If you are not an NP as some of the posters in this thread, please refrain from giving advice about NP issues. Most of you are not giving accurate information.
Please delete the term MIDLEVEL from your vocabulary. It is not accurate and actually derogatory.
If you doubt what I say, refer to http://www.aanp.org and the other major NP organizations. They all have statements about this term.
I, too, dislike to term midlevel. It's another way for physicians to get into the public's mind that an NP is inferior, thus keeping them from competing on an even playing field. I believe the "midlevel" title applies for a PA because a PA is essentially a master's degree of medicine, they study much the same model and classes as an MD, but don't have the same length or breadth of education and are thus a midlevel in the hierarchy of medicine. Nurse Practitioners, on the other hand, are at the TOP of the nursing profession. What are they a "midlevel" of? You can't compare them to MDs as they are not in the same field - nursing vs medicine. Just because NPs are trained to diagnose and treat doesn't mean they are practicing medicine...they are practicing advanced nursing.
Back to my original question though: I think I would like to be a PMHNP. I'm from Florida, but have moved to NYC and no longer have Florida residency. Cost is a factor, as I don't want to go in debt, but I don't want an subpar education. Thoughts anyone?
Any chance of NP education being more standardized in the future? Perhaps a national exam similar to the USMLE where programs with passing rates below 85% are put on probation?
NPs are NOT midlevel providers. You are obviously not an NP.
Is our care judged on a midlevel? Or is our care compared to current best medical practice?
Don't even try to go with the tired old argument of PAs get more or better education, sigh.
Please get a clue.
Pardon my pointing this out, perhaps you're new here but we try to be respectful in our answers and you might want to consider responding in a less accusatory and abrupt manner.
You'll be happy to know that many programs are starting to only offer an NP degree as a doctorate. Meaning, more in-depth classes and practicum hours will be required. The AANP and other heavy organizations support this transition.
University of Maryland is one such program whose Fall '13 matriculating class is the first to enter in the DNP-only option.
There is no standard curriculum for the DNP, as far as I know. So this doesn't meant that the switch to DNP really means anything in terms of more prepared graduating NPs
Specializes in Pediatrics, Women's Health, Primary Care.
I am attending OHSU for my ABSN, but have also considered their NP programs (FNP, PMHP, Nurse-midwifery, etc) and have heard great things about the programs and experience. OHSU is heavy on research, science courses, and public health-- you might want to look into it.
All things being equal, I do believe PA school has a much more rigorous training based in more hard sciences and many more clinical hours. This is virtually undebatable. All NP preceptors I have rotated with have unequivocally agreed. That being said, there will be certain restrictions once you become a PA that you wouldn't have as an NP. I was in a quandry choosing between the two, and I chose PA because of the educational opportunities, and because I want to enter EM which seems to have more jobs for PAs than NPs, at least in regions I'm in. A big part in the decision I believe should come from what field of medicine you want to practice in. If I was sure I wanted Family Practice, NP hands down far and away. Inpatient settings less so (Peds and OB/Gyn being notable exceptions). As many earlier have said much learning will also come from the job.
There is no standard curriculum for the DNP, as far as I know. So this doesn't meant that the switch to DNP really means anything in terms of more prepared graduating NPs
Yeah this is too bad in my opinion, because the NP profession really had a chance to fix some of the problems with current NP programs such as limited clinical hours.
whoamibutme
11 Posts
There are plenty of np programs that offer a solid foundation to begin practice. They may have different course titles than the standard medicine courses (and many do not) but the key is they provide a foundation, just as PA school does. Plus, there is nothing stopping you from picking up a book, because honestly any grad program is going to throw info at you, not hand hold. When you are in rotations, stay longer. Beg for information. Read read read.. Keep the ego in check, as one of the most dangerous things for a patient is a new clinician that thinks they know it all, or is ego driven and can't say I don't know. Medicine is life long learning. If you are really that worried, either go to medical school or do a post grad residency. HTH