PA, psych NP, or MD/DO??

[rlpalmer3]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone might be able to help me find a little career focus. I majored in psychology at a small liberal arts college. Always liked the idea of going to grad school but wasn't able to formulate a structured plan on which field to go into. After a few years of random jobs, I started working an entry level job at a community mental health where I dealt with medications for the first time. This sparked a fascination with a career in psychiatry. It was a relief to finally feel like I found a field that would combine my love of science and psychology with the type of prestige and income potential I craved.

After researching and considering my options, I decided my best bet would be to become a PA -- I could work in psychiatry but wouldn't be stuck with it which sounded great as I'm horribly indecisive. I found an awesome primary care PA to shadow. Made the tough decision to go into debt to take the prerequisite classes needed to apply while working full time. Ended up getting A's in all the classes and I thought things were going pretty well, except for starting to feel a little overexerted by working full time at night with classes during the day. Then it seemed like my plans just collapsed suddenly. I found out I wouldn't be able to get anymore financial aid for more classes, which seemed to keep piling on due to all the different requirements at the various programs. Around the same time I took the GRE for the second time and scored absolutely terrribly. The stress of it all made me unsure of why I was even doing it, and if it was even something I would want to do for a living.

I haven't figured out what to do since. Perhaps I overestimated my abilities and a career in medicine isn't right for me. For the last year I've been in limbo not making any real progress in any direction. I have tried to consider other grad programs that might be less competitive and different types of careers but I keep circling back to medicine. Now I am curious whether I might have had the right goal but the wrong path. Working as a PMHNP or a psychiatrist sounds pretty awesome. I might be stubborn but can't seem to accept that I'm not good enough to make it into some type of program. At the end of the day, I think I could really help people and be damn good my job.

Might be grasping at straws here. Does anyone have any insight or advice? I would appreciate any input. Thank you!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

The pathway to NP is not any easier than PA. You'd still be dealing with the same issues. I understand your passionate need to "help people", but getting there involves a long and challenging journey. NPs are RNs - so the pathway for NP involves mastery of all of those requirements. Have you explored PMHNP programs to determine their requirements for admission? Here is a listing of the top rated programs - this may be a start. As you can see, none of them are inexpensive. BTW, the only people who have a career in medicine are physicians (legally protected scope of licensure) ... all the rest of us work in health care - and AN'ers are nursing professionals.

Have you thought about counseling as an alternative?

[rlpalmer3]

Thank you for replying. I did not realize the distinction between medicine and healthcare. I definitely need to do more research into PMHNP programs. As for counseling, I have struggled with the idea of becoming a counselor for a long time. It seemed like a career I would be good at, but I always felt like it was missing something for me. Counseling is grounded in science but I love the heavy science involved with pharmacology and physiology. Also, I have been skeptical of the financial security becoming a counselor would leave me with. The debt from grad school and the modest income I've read that counselors make does not sound ideal. However, maybe it's worth a closer look. Thanks!