need advice from rns that became pas or nps

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We know np program is intense but not as intense as pa school do you think the dnp program will change this?

Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

Here we go again! For what it's worth, there honestly is no comparison between PA and NP programs. As has been stated time and again in this forum, PAs are educated more as generalists where NPs are educated more as specialists (acute care, pediatric, family, neonatal, etc.), so obviously there will be less clinical hours needed by the NP. One is not MORE intense than the other for they are different!

As far as all of your so-called "hard sciences" that PA programs require - those are the same courses that nursing students take as undergrads. The A&P Iⅈ the general bio; the general chem Iⅈ the micro, the physics, the stats, the first level of pharm - I HAD all that during my BSN in the same classes as the pre-med students. The self-proclaimed #1 PA school in the nation (can't say if the title is true or not) requires all of those courses either as pre-reqs prior to getting into the upper level of of the PA program (so, essentially one could have a BA in history, take those pre-req courses at the undergrad level and then apply to matriculate into the upper level of the PA program); or one could get accepted as an undergrad into this particular PA program and take those courses at that time before entering the upper (master's) level. The PA programs I have seen do not require EXTRA chemistry, bio, micro, etc. classes at the master's level on top of the pre-req classes (which are at the undergrad level). Where you are all getting this info from that they have more "hard sciences" is beyond me......but it will continue to be part of the argument, I guess. It just shows how ignorant some are about a NPs education. One does not get accepted into an NP program without having those science courses. It just doesn't happen. Even if it is a direct entry RN-MSN program, those ADN/diploma nurses had the "hard sciences" at the collegiate level during their RN program.

Please don't come here and proclaim your (general your) knowledge as fact when you have no idea what you are talking about.

I also love when these questions are directed at those of us who are already NPs but 9 times out of 10 are answered by anyone but NPs.

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oh i already got the information i needed on the first page .i just like reading peoples post. i like using all their experience and using it to my own benefit. If you want you can close this thread, but i still like reading other peoples opinion

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As far as all of your so-called "hard sciences" that PA programs require - those are the same courses that nursing students take as undergrads. The A&P Iⅈ the general bio; the general chem Iⅈ the micro, the physics, the stats, the first level of pharm - I HAD all that during my BSN in the same classes as the pre-med students. T/QUOTE]

thats rough i hated physics in high school. Could you tell me your experience in the NP program?

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Im doing dnp just to get dr. In front of my name

That's an awful lot of trouble to go to just to stroke your own ego ...

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haha sorry about that but by 2015 the master program will be phased out and DNPs will be forced upon us, and you better believe when i get that doctorate of nursing degree im going to use it to my advantage in anyway shape or form.

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As far as all of your so-called "hard sciences" that PA programs require - those are the same courses that nursing students take as undergrads.

quote]

Those are the same classes required for entry into PA school as well, lol, if not more of them. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

As far as all of your so-called "hard sciences" that PA programs require - those are the same courses that nursing students take as undergrads.

quote]

Those are the same classes required for entry into PA school as well, lol, if not more of them. :rolleyes:

Guess you missed where I mentioned that in my post, and obviously you missed the whole point of it. Oh well, back to the whole PA vs. NP debate once again!!!

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Guess you missed where I mentioned that in my post, and obviously you missed the whole point of it. Oh well, back to the whole PA vs. NP debate once again!!!

Ha. I'm always open to a good debate. It doesn't really matter to me though since I don't have any intention of becoming either, lol.

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what do you tend to become that guy

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Here we go again! For what it's worth, there honestly is no comparison between PA and NP programs. As has been stated time and again in this forum, PAs are educated more as generalists where NPs are educated more as specialists (acute care, pediatric, family, neonatal, etc.), so obviously there will be less clinical hours needed by the NP. One is not MORE intense than the other for they are different!

Wanted a quick clarification here. You say that NPs are trained more as specialists but from a quick glance at several PA curricula, it looks like PAs receive more training (more clinical hours) in a particular specialty than an NP who is a specialist. That's in addition to the generalist training they get in several other specialties also. Furthermore, with regards to prereq science courses, a significant number of schools offer easier classes for nursing students. I know for a fact that nursing students took the intro versions to chemistry, physics, etc at my undergrad. Those classes were reserved for nurses and even non-majors weren't allowed to take those classes to fulfill requirements. I don't know how prevalent it is in the rest of the US but there are a good number of schools that do this where the nursing students do not take courses at the same level of difficulty as majors/non-majors do. Just wanted to point that out.

I wish NP programs would look towards standardizing and improving their curricula (more basic sciences, more clinical hours, less nursing theory/other clinically irrelevant stuff) before setting their sights on a mandatory doctorate.

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what do you tend to become that guy

I don't know. I start a BSN program soon, and I've already got a B.S. from the same school. I work now, and I like my current field usually. I think I just want options. Emergency depts and admin are the fields of interest for me. I like what I've read about the USPHS commissioned corps, and I've given thought to guard and reserves. Who can say really? I may keep doing what I'm doing and work part-time as some kind of nurse, or I could quit, shake the dust off my feet, and become a full-time nurse some day. What I've learned is you never know what you'll end up doing.

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Im doing dnp just to get dr. In front of my name though i dont believe PAs are superior than NP. I eill admit their program is way more intense then the NPs. I know it doesnt make sense.

I cannot tell if you're a troll or if you're serious. If you're actually serious, that is one of the worst reasons to get a doctorate in any field.

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