Hello everyone, I'm a BSN student that is about to graduate their program. I am posting this because over the past months of researching my options, I have a couple of questions. I wanted to do PA because I felt that many NP programs I looked into looked very weak in terms of medical sciences and contain much "fluff" i.e management and research. I also feel that although I understand basic physiological/ pathological concepts, it is not enough to then go into clinical medicine which entails diagnosing and treatment. Furthermore, I like the fact that PA covered a whole spectrum of medical practices while NPs become highly specialized into one population.
I was leaning towards PA, but after much consideration, it would take me 2 years of pre-reqs on top of the added costs of post-grad per credit fees. Furthermore, PA looks like it's much more expensive in comparison. Although I admire their education, I have concluded that the best route would be to educate myself before matriculation into NP school and gain some bedside experience. I also don't mind paying the community back in bedside exp, haha! My question is if some of the NPs here would recommend using difficult texts such as Guyton and Hall Physio and Robbins Pathology; some of the more renown texts used by med schools. Also, if you can, could you please recommend some pharmacological texts used by your programs, or others you preferred. Thank you for reading this and I look forward to some input!
I totally understand. Don't get me wrong, I don't look down upon NPs as many that I know are outstanding in their clinical practice, I just never really appreciated their curriculum.
Thank you for the recommendations! I understand where your coming from. I also respect the NPs that I know because of their competence in their clinical practice, I just don't like the curriculum. I'll look into these resources. THANKS!
You also can't discount that they go over 2000 clinical hours either geared towards medicine. That's why I don't want to bash. However after reading all of the posts, it is true that no one is ever ready coming out of school and that the best clinicians will continually learn! I'm gonna buckle down and strengthen my physio, patho, and pharm before NP school. I appreciate the insight and thank you!
Oh and I totally LOVE nursing and my RN background as I think it gives me more insight into what patients may be up against. So I am NOT trying to downplay the nursing model! Just wish as NP some of the classes could have went more into the science of diseases, meds, treatments, etc.
Thank you for the recommendations! I understand where your coming from. I also respect the NPs that I know because of their competence in their clinical practice, I just don't like the curriculum. I'll look into these resources. THANKS!
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
You also can't discount that they go over 2000 clinical hours either geared towards medicine. That's why I don't want to bash. However after reading all of the posts, it is true that no one is ever ready coming out of school and that the best clinicians will continually learn! I'm gonna buckle down and strengthen my physio, patho, and pharm before NP school. I appreciate the insight and thank you!
Which is nothing compared to the hours many NPs have!
And while you may not be impressed by curriculum...doesn't mean a PA is more prepared or better educated. It's interesting when NPs are preferred at some places. Maybe your preferred curriculum doesn't create a better provider.
Plus...I have to tell you that all the poor care I've received has always been from a PA. I'm at a point where we don't accept care from them. I've had way too many of them have no clue. If it was just one or two I could ignore it but it's more than that in different settings. I now refuse care from PAs. I just can't play the game anymore.
I don't bash PAs even tough they won't provide care for my family. But when people question curriculums I like to point out that the curriculum preference doesn't always mean better education and guidance and ability to practice...sometimes own presence is jaded by being tired of some stuff.
I'm sure there is a clinic out there that prefers PA's over NPs and I know for a fact there are some not so good NPs. With that being said,If you feel a PA's curriculum is better then for it. Go for the program that best fits your needs!
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
I'm sure there is a clinic out there that prefers PA's over NPs and I know for a fact there are some not so good NPs. With that being said,If you feel a PA's curriculum is better then for it. Go for the program that best fits your needs!
I'm sure but not liking the NP curriculum because you are tired of nursing courses isn't always the best option when the PA curriculum is going to have crap courses too.
But also keep in mind which one has autonomy and which doesn't...do you want to be the MD sidekick? The chances of PAs having full practice autonomy like NPs is minimal...not that they are even educated to be able to have full autonomy.
I don't think their autonomy is due to their education level at all (as in compares to NPs). Autonomy (as it pertains to mid levels) is political! They (PAs) don't fight for autonomy like the nursing profession does and that's b/c they don't want to ruffle the feathers of the AMA. Whereas the nursing profession couldn't care less, and will stand up to the AMA and push for autonomy.
As far as "crap courses" that's totally subjective. What's crap to you and I may be just want the OP is looking for.
"Sidekick"? Lol, Both NPs and PA's are considered mid levels and in some states PA's have more autonomy than NPs.. but I will agree that its mostly NPs having more. However, please note that NPs don't have the autonomy that they do b/c they have a more superior education...They do however have a more superior lobbying force!
Again if the OP thinks the PA program is best then that's what she should go for.
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
I don't think their autonomy is due to their education level at all (as in compares to NPs). Autonomy (as it pertains to mid levels) is political! They (PAs) don't fight for autonomy like the nursing profession does and that's b/c they don't want to ruffle the feathers of the AMA. Whereas the nursing profession couldn't care less, and will stand up to the AMA and push for autonomy.
As far as "crap courses" that's totally subjective. What's crap to you and I may be just want the OP is looking for.
"Sidekick"? Lol, Both NPs and PA's are considered mid levels and in some states PA's have more autonomy than NPs.. but I will agree that its mostly NPs having more. However, please note that NPs don't have the autonomy that they do b/c they have a more superior education...They do however have a more superior lobbying force!
Again if the OP thinks the PA program is best then that's what she should go for.
Curious which state gives a PA more autonomy....
PAs would have no hope winning even if they fought...they are controlled by the docs. NPs...the docs try to control but don't have control.
Definition: Mid-level practitioners, more commonly referred to as advanced practice clinicians are health care providers who have received less training and have a more restricted scope of practice than physicians
And according to the DEA:
Mid-Level Practitioners Authorization by State
Pursuant to Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1300.01(b28), the term mid-level practitioner means an individual
practitioner, other than a physician, dentist, veterinarian, or podiatrist, who is licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted by the
United States or the jurisdiction in which he/she practices, to dispense a controlled substance in the course of professional practice.
Examples of mid-level practitioners include, but are not limited to, health care providers such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives,
nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants who are authorized to dispense controlled substances by the
PAs would have no hope winning even if they fought...they are controlled by the docs. NPs...the docs try to control but don't have control.
But, not too long ago they were saying NPs would never have the autonomy that they have? So that may not be true.
However,since the PA profession does not fight or make very frutile attempts to demand autonomy we can't judge what would happened if they did...as that's just speculation.
ChronicSG
63 Posts
I totally understand. Don't get me wrong, I don't look down upon NPs as many that I know are outstanding in their clinical practice, I just never really appreciated their curriculum.