NP or PA??? HELP!

[ladybugme!]

Hello,

I am a pre nursing student right now, and have just applyed for RN school.... I will find out in Nov if I get in! (cross your fingers!!!!)

anywho...I am really struggling with what I want to do in the future....as far as nurse, or med school!!

How do you know which you want to do?? I know I want to be in the health care setting and want to work in a hospital....I am thinking l&D or trauma... but I guess I will figure that out once I am in my rotations ....???right???

One of my really good friends is a PA for an OBGYN and she advises me that if i want to be an NP than I should just be a PA?? But school wise that is a WHOLE nother ball game??? As far as right now ... I am gonna be starting nursing school in JAn, If I wanted to change to be PA (pre med) route than That would get me back about 2 years until I can start a program!! WHAT DO I DO!!!! I know I want to be a top dog, a leader and a teacher later on in my career.. I dont know if they have NP in the trauma setting??DO they... what roles do that take?!!? I really think with my personality i want to "call the shots" which is better...which way to go!? can anyone help me.... ?!

[Prettyladie]

i think you should do what you feel. but in my personal opinion i believe you should do NP because it is easier to get into than PA school and you would have to take more classes than you did just for nursing school. NP's can open up their own clinics. PA's cant. If that is what you're interested in. I know some NP schools only want one year experience in the field then you can apply. Its roughly 2 years and PA's schools are anywhere from 31-36 months. So those are just my suggestions on what you should do. I hope I helped a little.

[ladybugme!]

thank you sooo much, ok so NP can have there own clinics?? Would that be like there own "practice" ? My girl friend the PA said they cant have there own clinics?? but I dont know if she really knows herself??

[Prettyladie]

yes they can own and operate their own clinic. here in texas you would just have to have a physician oversee you. meaning that they could come in once a month and check your papers, documents, and etc. and they sign off on it..and thats it until another month. that is like that in most states. PAs dont do anything accept work under doctors. they cannot open their own clinic/practice.