NP a career for me?

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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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Specializes in Nephrology.

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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Specializes in Nephrology.

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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Specializes in Nephrology.

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

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Specializes in critical care, ED.

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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Specializes in Pedi.
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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