Nurse Practioner Vs. Physician Assistant

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Hello. I'm about to graduate from the RN-BSN program next semester. I have been working as nurse in the hospital for 2 years now. I have not decided whether I want to continue in my studies to become a Nurse Practitioner because I fear having to continue dealing with topics such as nursing theory and culture (fluff). I was then thinking of becoming a PA because it focuses more on the medical model. Can any NP students or graduates tell me if there programs spend a lot of time dealing with non-medical topics or is it just a small portion of the program that one can easily swallow. If you could do it all over again- would you have become an NP? Thank you!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Honestly, if I wasn't on year 2 out of 3 of a BSN to DNP program then I would go to a PA program. I personally like the medical model of learning better. I think they have better clinical training. They also are not responsible for locating their own preceptors. That seems to only be in nursing. PAs also do not have to write a lot of research papers and take theory courses. Many will disagree but I like their education better.

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Yes, go with the medical model:

Dr. John Ioannidis – world’s foremost expert on credibility of medical research

• 90% of published medical information that we rely on is false

• 80% of non-randomized (most common) studies turn out to be wrong

• 25% of gold-standard randomized trials are wrong

• 10% of platinum-standard trials are wrong

Freedman, D.H., “Lies, damned lies, and medical science,” The Atlantic, November 2010.

I have so much trouble with PA's in clinical practice, especially in regards to psych. For some reason they don't comprehend that when a patient says, "I just want the pain to go away," they just want to pain to go away and are NOT SUICIDAL! Jeez….

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One word made the choice for me a no brainer...AUTONOMY ... PA's will never know it.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

It sounds like you really haven't researched either. First step, do that.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I agree with Boston and VTach. Determine your priorities for your career and practice. Education is only 3 years; I'd base my decision on the following 30. My primary consideration would be independent practice, so I would never consider PA practice. You may think that isn't of interest to you, just keep in my, once you go the PA route the decision is no longer yours. As a NP, all you have are choices, your own choices. I don't agree that PA education is superior, I agree that it is different. However, even had it been more appealing to me, it wouldn't have mattered, the next 30 years would be a deal breaker. Get the facts from independent sources and list priorities. Good luck.

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You say you work in a hospital so why not speak with both a PA and a NP to see what they're opinion is. I work with a great NP so was able to grill him with questions about what he likes and doesn't like about his job as well as his schooling. If I was not married and trying to have a baby I'd get my DNP in a heartbeat!!!

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I have been an NP for a little over a year now. Before becoming a nurse I worked in a hospital setting over 15 years as a radiology engineer. I have always been a "hands-on" guy and love to work with my hands. I love sewing folks up in my little ER and casting, and a lot of stuff that others find to be a pain in the rear. If you enjoy those type things then PA may be a "short-cut" to having a more fulfilling career in practice. While a lot can be said for autonomy and other aspects that go along with the NP, a lot can also be said for really enjoying what you do. I do not dislike my job, but if I could find a cardio-thoracic surgeon to train me to assist in surgery, I would jump on it in a heart beat. I know there are options out there, but PA's/SA's have more training in that area of practice and do not have as large of a learning curve as an NP when it comes to hands on procedural type stuff. There are many other facets to consider when it comes to deciding on where to take your career, but that is just one aspect I can speak of where, for me, SA might not have been a bad choice. Something else to consider is the state in which you practice. I happen to practice in one of the worst stares in the union when it comes to autonomy. PA's have less restrictions in Alabama than an NP. Both are extremely limited, but PA still has us beat by a gnat's whisker.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

As one who has seen many, many PA students come through the OR. That training is not much. Mostly they stand there and watch. Up here where I practice, there are more NPs in the OR with the surgeons. Other places I've been have had almost all Pas in the OR.

PA or NP will need lots of OJT when they start in surgery. No way around it.

I have been an NP for a little over a year now. Before becoming a nurse I worked in a hospital setting over 15 years as a radiology engineer. I have always been a "hands-on" guy and love to work with my hands. I love sewing folks up in my little ER and casting, and a lot of stuff that others find to be a pain in the rear. If you enjoy those type things then PA may be a "short-cut" to having a more fulfilling career in practice. While a lot can be said for autonomy and other aspects that go along with the NP, a lot can also be said for really enjoying what you do. I do not dislike my job, but if I could find a cardio-thoracic surgeon to train me to assist in surgery, I would jump on it in a heart beat. I know there are options out there, but PA's/SA's have more training in that area of practice and do not have as large of a learning curve as an NP when it comes to hands on procedural type stuff. There are many other facets to consider when it comes to deciding on where to take your career, but that is just one aspect I can speak of where, for me, SA might not have been a bad choice. Something else to consider is the state in which you practice. I happen to practice in one of the worst stares in the union when it comes to autonomy. PA's have less restrictions in Alabama than an NP. Both are extremely limited, but PA still has us beat by a gnat's whisker.
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Yes, am glad I am aNP.

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I work with some great PA's, great NP's, I also think PA's get a touch more technical skills in school, at first that may be helpful, but a year or two out it all blends together and it's more about the provider and professional growth.

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No comparison in my state, NP's are independent, huge attraction for many reasons. Lots of CME's for what ever skill set you want to focus on. I could not imagine doing it any other way.

J

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care.

IF I had not already gotten my BSN and worked as a RN I would have went to PA school instead of NP school. There is no time for fluff in PA school. You will still see it in NP school.

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