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Discussion

NP a career for me?

Hey everyone,

I hope I put this in the right place, I'm sorry if I didn't! I'm a senior about to obtain a BS in Biology. Currently, my goal is to go to PA school, but I have recently started looking at direct entry NP programs. I started looking at NP programs because I am solely interested in primary care. I have shadowed and volunteered at a few hospitals/clinics around my area and it seems that everywhere I looked in primary care offices there were NPs, and hardly a PA in sight. I have shadowed PAs in cardiac surgery & emergency medicine, and while interesting, it's not something I could see myself doing for a career. Now I know that PAs can practice in primary care, but I can't help but wonder if I would get a stronger primary care education in an FNP program than PA school.

I do not know much about nursing theory, but I do know that I do enjoy the medical model. I also like the idea of the clinical year in PA school, with greater clinical hours, but find myself not interested in certain specialties. I am also not too concerned with independent practice, but I like that I would have that option as a NP in case something changes for me down the line. I plan on applying to schools next year, and giving myself a gap year to work as a CNA to get a little more experience in the healthcare world.

Based upon my current career goals, do you think that an MSN is something I should look into pursuing?

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    Pursue MSN of what? You cannot take MSN nurse practitioner if you are not a registered nurse plus you need a bachelor's of science in nursing not BS in biology.

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    From my understanding there are direct entry nurse practitioner programs such as one from Simmons that I have been looking at. You are not required to be a RN or have a BSN, only a bachelors in another field. The first half of the program you work to obtain your RN licence and then you continue on to receive your masters.

    Nursing (MSN): Direct Entry for BA/BS Holders

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    Oh yeah they made it sound easy to catch somebody. It's saying in the description they will prepare you to pass NCLEX, which is National Council Licensure Examination to have a license as REGISTERED NURSE. And it's saying "UPON PASSING" you will continue on to MSN nurse practioner route. You can't continue until you have your RN license.

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    Yeah it's doable but you really have to be an RN first.

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    If your main objective is primary care I feel you would benefit by NP school. In 20 states and growing you would have the ability to work independently if you so choose. As a PA you are always going to work under a physician. NP has a masters degree and own license. PA only a Bachelors required (most programs) and you work under the license of a physician.

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    From my understanding there are direct entry nurse practitioner programs such as one from Simmons that I have been looking at. You are not required to be a RN or have a BSN, only a bachelors in another field. The first half of the program you work to obtain your RN licence and then you continue on to receive your masters.

    Nursing (MSN): Direct Entry for BA/BS Holders

    Your understanding is correct and these programs are very common in Boston. My alma mater has had one for at least the last 9 years.

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