Nurse Practitioner vs. Medical School, subjects covered?

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Hello, I am 17 and entering community college in 2 weeks. I've already signed up and registered for all my classes in order to get into the ADN program. I'm going to work torwards a Bachelors in Nursing. That's the major I want, and after all my research and experience I know that I would just love nursing. However I also have a driving passion for biological science and the human body which I know that is what is covered in medical school in great depth. I have really good memorization when it comes to reading and sciences. One of my greatest interests is neuroscience and the nervous system. I would love to one day do research into this field and have a profession in it. Which is why I'm thinking about whether, when choosing graduate school...should I go for MD or PHd in Nursing....I'd love patient interaction and all that but I also want to go into something more science and 'scholarly' related and learn more about that....I haven't heard much about nursing specialties in Neuroscience but do they exist? And what are the subjects covered in Nursing Graduate schools? Anything like Human Anatomy and Physiology? I know we have to take the basic classes A&P but I mean...is that covered in depth in Practitioner school too? I know that I would love either profession, and I also know that I can do whatever I set my mind to. So it's not a matter of how hard which ever one is, it's more a matter of the subjects and science differences in each profession.

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I can't really answer your question about MD vs PhD for research purposes, but you do get more in depth A&P classes in NP school. I will also never forget a particular NP during one clinical rotation in nursing school. She specialized in neurology and was the practitioner for one of my stroke patients. I was really impressed by her her professionalism and level of knowledge in the field. She is probably what has most influenced me to pursue the NP degree.

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Specializes in FNP.

Didn't you post almost this exact same thread a few weeks ago? Ill tell you again what I told you then, shadow people.

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OP: Linearthinker's post made me check your stats. You have started 41 threads in just over 3 months! You seem to be all over the place and quite anxious about your future.

Yes, do shadow some people if you are serious about a career in healthcare. And get face-to-face with a counselor to help you focus and get some direction. Not that we don't want to help, but I think you will benefit more from in-person guidance than coming here with your particular questions at this point in your life.

But you really need to relax and realize that you have lots of time to figure out what to do. You come across as the type of person who will have an ulcer before you complete your nursing program if you don't heed some of the advice you've been given here already.

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I cannot shadow people. That's impossible for me at this moment. All I can do is go to college right now.

And I am anxious about my future. Very much.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, PACU.

Apples and oranges. If you want to be a nurse, be a nurse. If you want to be a physician, be a physician. NP's are not junior doctors. They practice from a nursing perspective with nursing training.

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I cannot shadow people. That's impossible for me at this moment. All I can do is go to college right now.

And I am anxious about my future. Very much.

Ok, but I still think you would benefit from talking with a counselor at school. Good luck. :)

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Op: there is Nothing wrong with coming here and asking questions. That is why we have allnurses. I think if people have a problem with your diligence they should not even bother to comment. There isn't an obligation to do so. I for one have had almost the same dillema as you. I am a graduate RN with a BSN and start grad school in the fall. I do not know what I want to specialize in but I know I want to further my education. I say keep asking your questions because that is the ONLY way you will be able to find answers. It's called research and you will be doing alot of it in NUrsing School.. (asking questions) probably more than 41 in a little over 3'months .

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skylar, i really applaud your drive considering your age! here is link that i hope will be beneficial to you!! http://www.aann.org/about/content/index.html

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Op: there is Nothing wrong with coming here and asking questions. That is why we have allnurses. I think if people have a problem with your diligence they should not even bother to comment. There isn't an obligation to do so. I for one have had almost the same dillema as you. I am a graduate RN with a BSN and start grad school in the fall. I do not know what I want to specialize in but I know I want to further my education. I say keep asking your questions because that is the ONLY way you will be able to find answers. It's called research and you will be doing alot of it in NUrsing School.. (asking questions) probably more than 41 in a little over 3'months .

Nobody said there was anything WRONG with the OP asking questions. However, the OP is only 17 and I sense that she needs help beyond what she can get from simply from asking questions in this forum. I'm trying to direct her to that help.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm going to agree with some previous posters, you need to chillax. I know that's hard to do because I was/am the same way(I would like to think that I've chilled out, too!). I have been OBSESSED with getting into nursing school ever since I graduated from high school. 2 years later, transferred schools, working full time as a hospital CNA, and I'm still working on my pre-reqs to get in. I'm still super excited to get into my nursing program because I truly love nursing and can't wait, but working in the real world has given me some true insight into the profession and while I still love it, I think some of the wonder has worn off. What I'm trying to say is, chill out. I have to remind myself that there are other things in my life besides trying to get into nursing school and that I need to quit thinking about nursing and concentrate on other things or you'll get burnt out(yes, this can happen even when you're still in school). Maybe get a job as a CNA or a hospital CNA/tech and see what you truly like about nursing, and as someone else said, try to shadow a doctor if you can, just to see if you like it. Or shadowing a nurse practitioner would be good, too!

Believe me when I say I'm just like you. I have analyzed and re-anaylzed and re-re-analyzed my career choices, specific education path, and payment methods over and over again. I talk about it to my Dad a lot and he usually tells me: "Kool-Aide, your thought processes are exhausting me." I think about it all the time and it's exhausting and frustrating to me, too. My advice is to enjoy your time while you're still in high school and try not to obsess over your career. You have plenty of time to worry about it. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's my :twocents:

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Skylar,

I've had some background in medical school, as well as now being in nursing. I've also been a respiratory therapist, machinist, tire builder and systems programmer. My point is just that life throws all kinds of curve balls at you and you have to continually reassess and adjust your goals. Tomorrow, you may come up with the perfect plan, whatever it may be; maybe you will be able to exactly follow that plan without deviation. But, that is unlikely . . . more likely, you will make many changes during your life as you adjust to life changes (employment/unemployment, marriage/divorce, death of a loved one/birth of a child, changes to your health, etc.)

I think it's great that you are researching thoroughly. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Sunny

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