NP or PA? My great dilemma...

Published

I am a nursing student in a BSN program. I eventually want to become either a PA or an NP. I want to take the NP route because it seems more suited because of my BSN. BUT. I know that most (im not 100% sure) NP programs do not have surgery or emergency medicine rotations in them. Those are the two fields that interest me the most. PA has those rotations but then I am not able to become an independent practitioner (plus I gotta do more pre reqs). Can anyone shed some light on a 2nd semester nursing student???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgery.

You can still work in Surgery and ER as an NP as you know it just takes a little more work on your part. Are you able to find a surgeon or ER NP/PA that would allow you to do a rotation with them?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

I'm enrolled in an emergency dual role nurse practitioner program at the university of south Alabama. Basically it's just the family and acute care nurse practitioner certifications all rolled into one. A large part of my clinical rotations will be in the ER.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Vanderbilt has an emergency specialty as well, I'd look into it :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Since you're doing a dual program how long is it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Alicia777, would I be a ready fit for first assist?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgery.
Alicia777, would I be a ready fit for first assist?

No, I wouldn't think so. I wonder if those Emergency NP programs include some basic suturing instruction-I would think they would. You would still need a RNFA (RN first assist) certification to assist in OR. It's state dependent though. In general though suturing is practice practice practice. Much of it needs to be hands on-so to speak [emoji6]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion