PA vs NP and Recommended Texts for the Latter

[ChronicSG]

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!

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

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

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/practioners/mlp_by_state.pdf

The DEA can call them what they want...the AANP would disagree.

[QuietRiot]

Well, naturally that's Biased. But of course the AANP would disagree and the fact that the AANP has to address it just further proves my point, that NPs are considered Mid-levels, despite the disapproval of the AANP.

The Federal Gov. (the agency granting certain prescriptive authority) considers them mid-levels, certain states (the agencies granting the licenses) even refer to them as mid levels in their bylaws and formal legislative announcement, and by pure definition they also fit into that category. Furthermore a lot of the insurance companies (the agencies that reimburse for the care provided) considered NPs mid-level providers.

So at this point, Mid-level is what it is.

[ChronicSG]

What quiet riot says is very true though, at the end of the day, NPs have more autonomy because of the lobbying power nurses have when compared to the PA profession. At the end of the day though, I don't care what I'm labeled as, mid-level or otherwise. I should practice the way I see fit and continually research even after the day I graduate and become an expert in my trade, whether PA or NP. But I wasn't trying to make this a discussion about autonomy, at the end of the day, I won't allow my pride to get in the way of good patient outcomes and will ask a physician or whoever has the most expertise when needed. Even the best MDs/DOs do this...

Anyways... What this post was originally about was recommendations for good textbooks or resources that would better prepare me for NP school for that level of physio, patho, and pharm. I appreciate all of your insight however. Thank you

[BostonFNP, APRN]

So at this point, Mid-level is what it is.

Sure. I will be a mid level even though I provide the same care and I am held to the same outcomes as my physician colleague.

What does that imply about your level as a student nursing assistant?

That's why many NPs are against the term as it implies even worse of our nursing and aide colleagues.

Sent from my iPhone.

[QuietRiot]

Sure. I will be a mid level even though I provide the same care and I am held to the same outcomes as my physician colleague.

Yes according to the Federal Gov, several major insurance carriers, pure definition, and several state BON, NPs are mid level practitioners. This is not something to debate, as this is not my personal opinion. However, it is the opinion of several major governing bodies that impact/control your profession. So you may want to take up your quarrels with them.

What does that imply about your level as a student nursing assistant? (Tea in china? ........I'll respond anyways)

"Student nursing assistant", would be a student in a nursing assistant (CNA) program correct? Well I completed my CNA program :) However my level is still that of a student, novice, beginner, etc..as so indicated by the words "student" in the title.

Or maybe you were referring to my profile on this forum? If so, The "levels" are chosen from a pre-populated list when you setup your profile. And the one that best describes me is pre-nursing student.

That's why many NPs are against the term as it implies even worse of our nursing and aide colleagues.

And how is that? The word "student" in the title tells you the person is just that....a student...someone who is still in the process of learning or meeting the basic requirements to gain entry into the profession.