NP or PA?

Np can be independent and possibly have their own practice (complete independence in over 20 states), whereas a PA must always work with a physician. PAs typically work in surgery more than NPs, but that is just my observation. Otherwise the pay and job description is pretty comparable. I've been an RN for 3 years with an application pending to a NP program. I would say my experience having worked at 3 hospitals in south MS has been overall positive. The hardest part was my ADN program, and then maybe my first year of nursing. It has gotten less stressful with more experience. I will say that it can be hard not to increase bills with more pay and attempt to maintain those bills in the face of going back to school and doing clinicals. I'm hoping that I can make it work. Also please be ready for people to scold you for not searching for this thread as it has been discussed many times on allnurses, lol.

Also please be ready for people to scold you for not searching for this thread as it has been discussed many times on allnurses, lol.

What he said. No need to reinvent this wheel. Use the Search feature and find many other threads on this subject.

Well first off, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but most reputable NP schools require at least some nursing experience before being accepted to the program. You can definitely go the "for profit online program" route but from what I've seen and heard, the education is not comparable to a private or public university. I was a nurse for 5 years before I applied to my NP program and I was definitely challenged. It's a whole different ballgame when suddenly you are the one responsible for making the decisions. I think most programs require some nursing experience because how are you supposed to diagnose and order treatment when you have little to no independent experience assessing and managing a patient as a RN? Just something to consider.

As for PA vs NP, in some states NPs can practice completely independently whereas a PA never can. I would say the biggest difference in schooling is probably the fact that NPs are more about holistic medicine and alternative therapies whereas I do not believe those types of things are taught at all in PA school (at least not in my dad's program).

No one is in the same situation I am in. I started a new thread for this reason.

No one is in the same situation I am in. I started a new thread for this reason.

You are trying to decide between PA and NP correct? Type NP vs PA in the search function and I'm sure you'll notice many people have asked this question. Also, I did answer your question before I informed you about the possibility of you being scolded. Yes most schools want at least 1 year nursing experience before applying.

you could just finish the bsn program with excellent grades, and then apply to uc davis. their program is the only one in the U.S. that offers a dual NP/PA certifications. you apply to the NP program, then apply within the school to the PA one. You finish in 2.5 years and you don't need any nursing experience.

No one is in the same situation I am in. I started a new thread for this reason.

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/pa-c-or-682476-page2

https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/pa-vs-np-600425.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/rn-bsn-vs-14678.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/pa-vs-np-967591.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/pa-vs-np-529050.html

More NP vs PA discussions available on demand.

I am feeling like some of these posts are living up to the OP's expectations/experiences about nurses.

I remember when I use to work as a pharmacy tech long ago, I also had the feeling nurses weren't happy. However, now as a nursing student my experience is different. They are typically very busy, on the go, and very focused on their work. They can appear unfriendly or unhappy as a result, but that is not necessarily the case. I have experienced a lot of great nurses in clinical so far!

As far as deciding NP vs. PA, there really are a lot of threads on this and it is totally an individual thing. At the point where you are in your education, either is a completely suitable or viable option. It depends on your goals and how NPs vs. PAs can practice in your state. I think you should look up what each can do and how long each will take. The good news with nursing is that you can work while going to NP school. You can accomplish getting into the workforce and gaining experience more quickly as a nurse.

No one is in the same situation I am in. I started a new thread for this reason.

You're right, no one is in the same situation as you. Buuuuut everyone & their dog's aunt has asked the same question (NP vs. PA) over & over again. Only you can decide what is best for you. As for the nurses & that environment, maybe you should work somewhere else. Is the hospital constantly short staffed? Is there a high nurse to patient ratio? Do you really want to work there as a nurse?

By the way, I would change your profile picture if that's you. This is a very public forum & anyone can find this.

I work in the NICU and love what I do. It does become stressful, but what job isn't? I've been a nurse for 2.5 years and starting my MSN program this fall :). I will say having experience is better than going in without any. Have you considered working in another department? I can say I LOVE being a nurse and we all aren't mean, hateful, or eat our young :).

I haven't seen a post that was "just plain hateful" from anyone. Majority are taking the time to point her to other information. If anything the poster is making insane assumptions (unhappy? based on what..."just plain hateful" based on what? (and frankly what does that even mean). Also states she doesn't want a feeling of "unimportance". Does that sound like someone concerned about herself or her patients. And "I know hostility and lateral violence is a common problem among nurses" Ok..how does she "know" this and what does it even mean? Hostility from who? Patients? Management? co workers? What "lateral violence"? If the OP is going to make brazen generalizations based on what..her time as a CNA? Then yes..people will respond accordingly.

I won't scold you, although it might be a good idea to read the hundreds of threads by users who have asked your exact question for some insight.

It's hard to know what you really want when you're only at the pre nursing stage. You might start nursing school and find its not for you at all. It's good to have long term goals but you might want to wait until you're studying nursing before you start planning your post graduate education.

Also tip: Avoid saying things like "my grades are outstanding" on the forum. It's great you are doing well in your pre reqs, but saying it like that makes you appear pretentious, which I doubt you really are.