PA vs. NP in CHICAGO

blueblaze · Mar 29, 2004

:rolleyes: No one got blacked balled(please read again). The pre-med student just couldn't find a medical school who would accept his admission. Just because you take and pass pre-med classes doesn't always get you into a medical school. The point was this guy really wanted to be a "doctor". He really wanted to take care of sick people. And after 4 yrs. of college, he had now real job and was very disapointed. I have wondered where he is today and if he perservered and got into a med. school somewhere. Back then, some students I beleive ended up in the Bahama's or Jamacia's med. schools.

Blueblaze

banshee35 · Apr 15, 2004

sorry to get you so hot.
nah, i'm not hot and sorry if i came across that way, i just don't like to see bad information being passed around out there :)
as for the job market thing, i live in probably the worst area in the country for pas in that there are like eight programs in this area that all feed into the local workforce. i went to the 3 hospitals in this citys web pages, not even counting the immediate area, and with a few jobs that were posted on the american academy of physician assistants web page and there were over twenty positions available in my area alone.
my point here - well healthcare in general is in short supply because people don't want to get involved in it because it doesn't pay like it used to, the legal issues, etc. etc. well this has been a boom for pas and nps to fill the gaps left by less docs and new resident hours requirements. now the pay isn't what it should be in this area just due to being new grads and many of them very young and accepting jobs for less than they should, but the jobs are out there and many you won't see until you get involved in your profession.
don't let the numbers scare you away or be afraid to try what you want to do. there will always be jobs in healthcare; you just might have to look instead of one falling into your lap.
as for the doc dieing, retiring, etc. - no problem, you pack up your stuff and move to the next job. it's not like they own us or anything, we are just covered under their malpractice insurance and we must have some official supervising physician. these rules vary greatly from state to state, but for example, i am looking at a job right now in midwayisland at a wildlife refuge that i would be the only healthcare provider for 30-40 people within a 2-3 hour flight. cool stuff :)

Cardiology EP NP · Apr 19, 2004

I actually interviewed at a PA program in the chicago area, Midwestern University. They told me including the PAs that interviewed me and the program director that PA jobs are very hard to come by in the chicago area. I really don't want to relocate. Many of area hospitals do not hire PAs. They mostly hire NPs. I have researched this quite a bit. The hospitals that hire NPs are Northwestern, Rush, Loyola, Sherman hospital, childrens memorial and a HOST of others. I do not know why they don't hire PAs. I mean it's kind of the same type of job right?

I think it has to do with training. Nurses get excellent training. I think PAs get really good training too, but the problem is that many people enter PA school with very little or no healthcare background. When I interviewed at Midwestern, very few of the other interviewees had any real healthcare experience. Also, the people that were already students there had very little experience either.

So, there are NPs with a ton of training and experience while PA schools are graduating people with a PA degree but little experience. It is not a wonder why the hospitals are opting to hire NPs over PAs. I wouldn't want some of those people graduating from PA school working on me.

For what it's worth, that's my 2 cents.

blueblaze · May 4, 2004

Who knows what to do. Last week after almost one year of a "wonderful" relationship with her physicians and patients, my wife was approached by the "university's" administration and told her NP position was eliminated. They were replacing her with a physician. So much for a $40,000 plus education. She should have been a plumber.

OH Well!

Blueblaze

Cardiology EP NP · May 5, 2004

Blueblaze,

I'm SO SORRY your wife lost her position. Did she try some of the chicago area hospitals like Rush, northwestern, and children's memorial? They all hire Nurse practitioners. Good samaritan hospital in downers grove also hires nurse practioners.

I was just hired at Loyola as PCT II and I hope to work there as an RN when I am finished with Depaul's program in 2 years. If I do the NP program, I will most likely do it while I work at Loyola.

Getting the right job these days is so tough especially in the health care field. I truly hope your wife is able to find an NP position that she likes and is able to stay at long-term.

Who knows what to do. Last week after almost one year of a "wonderful" relationship with her physicians and patients, my wife was approached by the "university's" administration and told her NP position was eliminated. They were replacing her with a physician. So much for a $40,000 plus education. She should have been a plumber.
OH Well!
Blueblaze

blueblaze · May 5, 2004

The group who eliminated her position called her today and ask her to come in for an interview in another area. They have 5 NP positions. Go Figure! And employers can't understand why there is little loyalty left among it's employees. A few more days and she'd be invested in their retirement system.

Blueblaze

Cardiology EP NP · May 11, 2004

Can I ask how old your wife is? It sounds like she went back to school later in life. At least she will get money for her retirement. Times are tough these days. I have job hopped quite a bit and I just recently got a job at a major medical center. I really hope this is my last stop. I'm sure I could probably find my nitch here. I start nursing school in the fall and continue working at Loyola.

So, you wouldn't ever recommend getting that NP, huh? I know Loyola has 52 NP's working at the medical center in different areas of the hospital.

Silverhawk · Jan 31, 2005

BlueBlaze - thanks for the honesty. I live in downstate Illinois and work at a teaching hospital in the ER as a case manager. I'm getting an MSN but a generic track. You are right - our hospital hires NP for the NICU and PICU - there are none in the ER.

Have you completed your MSN yet? I have a B.S. in management and an associates in business, and another associates in supervision. I am currently an LPN. What is your perspective on me either: 1) Getting a AS in nursing

2) Completing an MBA, or 3) Getting a B.S. in nursing? The LPN position I have now is very stressful, no breaks, and 5 minute lunches. I have 50 residents and 1 or 2 aides. All I have worked is LTC. Is hospital nursing just as bad?

blueblaze · Feb 1, 2005

It's my understanding you cannot get a MSN without getting a BSN and you must be an RN for either.

What do you want to do in life. How old are you. What are your family and financial responsibilities? DON't borrow any money. MY oldest has over $100,000 in student loans(& like a fool, I co-g=signed for one) The answering maching has messages on it now for his lack of payment. He finally got a job in L.A. making about $15/hr.

I would have to consider the MBA. With the MBA, you could use your nursing experience. You would open your fields of employment. A BSN is probably more costly and as far as most hospitals/nursing homes go, a nurse is a nurse, is a nurse, is a nurse.

Good luck in your decision.

Blueblaze

Have you completed your MSN yet? I have a B.S. in management and an associates in business, and another associates in supervision. I am currently an LPN. What is your perspective on me either: 1) Getting a AS in nursing
2) Completing an MBA, or 3) Getting a B.S. in nursing? The LPN position I have now is very stressful, no breaks, and 5 minute lunches. I have 50 residents and 1 or 2 aides. All I have worked is LTC. Is hospital nursing just as bad?

Maxs · Feb 7, 2005

Blueblaze, I am a prospective nursing student, I have been reading your posts throughout this thread. First of all: you are not very consistent with the information you are providing. For example, you mentioned your son's student loans three times and they all ranged from $60k, $70k and $100k + last (very significant units there). I can truly see there are a lot of emotions in here and these loans are the lowest in intrest as you may know. So an escalade from 60-100 would take some time, unless your paying 40% intrest per month. You need to start having positive feelings towards some of the things. You know my parents are importers and exporters, supply a lot of warehouses with goods as well as their own warehouses. When I said I wanted to major in nursing all financial support was cut from me. They took my business (job) away and etc. So basically they didn't wan't me to major in anything but business (or what they wanted/ and marry the woman they think is best for me). I was making a lot more than an NP would be making working for them at the age of 17-20 years. One thing I realized is that, everything is not about money, money, money. The best things are free, if you become an NP regardless of how much money it may cost you at school just remember you're the one who portrayed and had the potential to learn such thing and that's free and untaxed. I've been working as a CNA for almost 2 years now My job now couldn't even pay for my old cars payments so I got rid of it and got another one that I can afford. The Best Part of all is that I AM HAPPIER and that's something money CAN'T BUY. If you've never seen money (been rich) you'll never know this; sure you can buy glamourous things instantly but what about love and the things that are priceles (you know these things do exist in real life, it's not only in fairy tales). Everything is not about money, if you wan't to do something do it because it's your passion and stop worrying about money so you can actually accomplish your mission. Helper, do what you wan't to do because it's your passion, and not because some highly biased, unrecognized study mixed with observer biases tells you what you should actually do.

Maxs · Feb 7, 2005

Thanks for your message, JustamaleRN, I was thinking along those same lines. I really hope I get into Depaul's program for this fall. If I don't get in, I may go to COD but I was waitlisted there so I don't know if I will be able to get in for this fall. Nursing has become so competitive these days.
I have fairly decent stats. My GPA is 3.45 and my GREs total 1030 with 5.0 on writing. My undergrad is in psych and soc and I was pre-med. I spent 5 years in college. I just finished A&P and I will start micro in a few weeks. What do you think my chances are of getting?

Honestly these people don't know you the only thing they know about you is your application and hopefully they read your well decorated personal statement. Other than that they look for the following science courses: Microbiology, A&P I & II, CHM I & II, OrganicCHM I Organic II with BioCHM, Calc (optional), Physics (optional). in order to be admitted I believe not only do you have to have these courses completed but also posses highly on the grades you get on them. Honestly when you say they wan't some 21 year old guys, I believe your the one who is descriminating or biased. Just a thought. I do not believe age is that big of a factor, they use a formula to determine who is in and who is out. The formula goes like this: Experience + Personal statemnet + Race + GPA + GRE + SCIENCE GPA + etc = admission ( you get the point right). I am 22 year old and I am offended by your 21 year old statement.

blueblaze · Feb 8, 2005

Maxs, You sound very empathtic and quite observant. Both are needed in nursing. As far as my son's student loans go. He lied to his mother and me. He borrowed over $100,000. I only found this out recently. I thought I co-signed a student loan for 2500-3,000. Sally Mae is frequently calling to make the payment on a $7,000 loan I had co-signed for. If it had not been my son, oh well!. I will most likely be responsible and have to pay for the $7,000 Sallie May Student loan. He trys to keep up the payments. It's difficult on what he makes. He's not happy nor am I(about this). Oh Well!

My wife, the NP, got fired 3 weeks ago(they let 8 NPs go). Her employer called her 3 days later and ask her to come back. Today, she got word that the Bank has forclosed on the company and now she has worked 3 weeks without a paycheck and will be filing for unemployement. Before this employer and now, she will be working for a PRN agency as an RN. $40/hr is good money for the few shifts she works. It will help. No, it's not what she wants, but!

My education. I wanted to go to college(nursing). My dad thought college was foolish. All of his friends sons were in Viet Nam and his son was a nursing major. Not a manly thing to do. I paid for most of my college and got my BSN. In most cases, in you really want to be a nurse, get your BSN. You will never regret it. With a BS degree, they're many more options for employment. You are correct, money isn't everything(unless you owe someone else). You make your own happiness.

You've got a great attitude and I wish you well.

Blueblaze

Blueblaze, I am a prospective nursing student, I have been reading your posts throughout this thread. First of all: you are not very consistent with the information you are providing. For example, you mentioned your son's student loans three times and they all ranged from $60k, $70k and $100k + last (very significant units there). I can truly see there are a lot of emotions in here and these loans are the lowest in intrest as you may know. So an escalade from 60-100 would take some time, unless your paying 40% intrest per month. You need to start having positive feelings towards some of the things. You know my parents are importers and exporters, supply a lot of warehouses with goods as well as their own warehouses. When I said I wanted to major in nursing all financial support was cut from me. They took my business (job) away and etc. So basically they didn't wan't me to major in anything but business (or what they wanted/ and marry the woman they think is best for me). I was making a lot more than an NP would be making working for them at the age of 17-20 years. One thing I realized is that, everything is not about money, money, money. The best things are free, if you become an NP regardless of how much money it may cost you at school just remember you're the one who portrayed and had the potential to learn such thing and that's free and untaxed. I've been working as a CNA for almost 2 years now My job now couldn't even pay for my old cars payments so I got rid of it and got another one that I can afford. The Best Part of all is that I AM HAPPIER and that's something money CAN'T BUY. If you've never seen money (been rich) you'll never know this; sure you can buy glamourous things instantly but what about love and the things that are priceles (you know these things do exist in real life, it's not only in fairy tales). Everything is not about money, if you wan't to do something do it because it's your passion and stop worrying about money so you can actually accomplish your mission. Helper, do what you wan't to do because it's your passion, and not because some highly biased, unrecognized study mixed with observer biases tells you what you should actually do.