Nurse Practitioner School vs Medical School

[mdaniel747]

Right now I feel like I am at a crossroads. I am 26 and feel like I could do both. On one hand, becoming an NP through a direct entry program is the quickest route. I would start fall of 2015 and be 30 when I am done. On the other hand I know that I have what it takes to go to med school and do well. I imagine myself as an NP working alongside doctors with the feeling that that could have been me. But finishing medical school and residency is a mighty long route and I pictured myself with kids and being settled in my career before 40. So unfortunately for me the medschool ship might have passed. If I choose nursing I would become an FNP. If I were to go to med school I would like to become a gastroenterologist.

Does anyone have insight that can help me put this issue in perspective? Many thanks.

Background: Graduate of Brandeis University with a BA in something non-health related. Have been taking science courses at another institution as pre-reqs for both medical and nurse practitioner programs. Married with a husband that can support me throughout either med school or an NP program.

[dhart17]

I didn't have the opportunity to read all of the posts but I can say my girlfriend is in med school and I'm heading to direct entry np school in the fall. You need to decide what it is you want to do! They have completely different jobs. And you should seriously consider PA school as an option. With that said all of the schools are incredibly challenging. It will consume most of your life for many years, my girlfriend has zero free time. None. You'll need to fully dedicate yourself to your academic courses and clinical rotations. So keep that in mind, good luck!

[mdaniel747]

Thank you for sharing your story. I will be looking into PA schools too.

[PG2018]

If you want gastro then you'll have med school, residency, and then a fellowship as well. I've read some articles about streamlining medical education and reducing many of the prereqs required for matriculation. They learn extensively more in school/residency than any NP program could ever offer although that makes NPs gasp. I'm in a NP program myself, and although I listen and read with vigor I still don't know near what the docs I work around know. If I could go to a psychiatric-specific med school eliminating rotations in ob/gyn, surg, an entire year, and follow up with a two year or less residency I'd do it. However, even though I have a passionate interest in psychiatry and mental health I don't want to work in the field bad enough to go to med school for four years and then go through a psych residency for four years. Eight years to get a job isn't practical to me.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

If I could go to a psychiatric-specific med school eliminating rotations in ob/gyn surg, an entire year, and follow up with a two year or less residency I'd do it. [/quote']

You just described PMHNP school didn't you?

[manusko]

If you want gastro then you'll have med school residency, and then a fellowship as well. I've read some articles about streamlining medical education and reducing many of the prereqs required for matriculation. They learn extensively more in school/residency than any NP program could ever offer although that makes NPs gasp. I'm in a NP program myself, and although I listen and read with vigor I still don't know near what the docs I work around know. If I could go to a psychiatric-specific med school eliminating rotations in ob/gyn, surg, an entire year, and follow up with a two year or less residency I'd do it. However, even though I have a passionate interest in psychiatry and mental health I don't want to work in the field bad enough to go to med school for four years and then go through a psych residency for four years. Eight years to get a job isn't practical to me.[/quote']

Not true. They are starting fellowship training for nurse practitioners. Refer to the link posted in this thread.

[PG2018]

Haha, no. I compared the core curriculum of the campus medical college to the college of nursing's APRN core, and it's nowhere close even sans the less desireable rotations. They (med students) get to take a lot of really interesting things, and I don't think my 740 hours of psych training can compare to even half of a psych residency. In a word, enviable.

Nonetheless, I'm proud of my program and chosen field!