Reactions to being a NP

Nursing Students NP Students

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This is more of a semi-rant about the various reactions I've received since I got into the NP program. If I am in the wrong section of this forums, I apologize and please move my thread accordingly.

When I tell people that I am in the NP program, most of their reactions center around "oh you're going to be earning a LOT!", "you'll always have job security" and "you're like a GOLD!" And though I don't disagree with all that, every time people say that about me and my future career, I feel like it cheapens my purpose for becoming a NP. I cringed when a family friend said to me "oh when you graduate, you can buy a Hermes purse every month!" I was like "Really?!?"

I know that sounds cheesy but their comments make me uncomfortable that most people see in me is money. Ever since I started the program and I noticed all these reactions, I rely more on my parents (who are retired doctors) for support because they encourage me to focus on my patients and my studies.

Then, one of my younger sister's friends who is a RN wants to be a NP and apply in my school. Now, I know him well enough to say that this is the LAZIEST NURSE EVER and he only wants to be a NP for the money and only for the money. Even my dad, a retired surgeon, objected to it because my dad knew that this guy is really lazy. Meeting NP-applicants like him make me sad (there's no other way to describe it).

Maybe I'm overreacting, etc etc but I have been feeling this way for a while since I started in the program and I find myself limiting my interactions to people who understand where I am coming from. I don't know if that makes sense. For example, one of my friends got accepted in UCLA and he wouldn't stop talking about how much he's going to make when he graduates. That is literally all he talks about! So I stop talking to him. It just gets on my nerves.

Anyway, that is all. It's just a semi-rant. Thanks for listening/reading.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I don't know what kind of PA programs your state has, but I think in most you have to have a bachelor's and it's heavy on science requirements (1 year bio, 1 year gen chem, 1-2 semesters organic, science major A&P, etc). Most of the programs near me are 3 years graduate programs.

*** Yes I know. However there are also associates degree PA programs based in community colleges.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

PA programs are masters level here. I have never heard of nor seen an associates PA program.

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
PA programs are masters level here. I have never heard of nor seen an associates PA program.

There were and still are (as far as I know) certificate PA programs, though they are in the vast minority.

Specializes in Emergency.

Associates PA programs still exist, although they are few and far between. When I was researching PA vs NP, all of the associates PA programs I looked into wanted ALOT of experience, typically paramedic or military medic experience, 10+ years, kind of thing. They also had a required list of classes that mirrored that of a good biological sciences major. The implication that the average joe off the street can walk into an "associates PA program" and in two years go from no experience/education to being a provider is very misleading to say the least.

Specializes in Geriatrics/family medicine.

good to know that thanks, I have a bsn trying for np program if not then pa program is my next choice

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
PA programs are masters level here. I have never heard of nor seen an associates PA program.

*** I am sure there won't be much longer. Back when I first became a nurse nearly all the PAs I knew were either associates degree or certificate grads. Now they are mostly masters programs yet their pay hasn't increased when inflation is factored in.

The PAs who work in our hospital work for a number for a number of years to reach the same pay that new grad RNs start out at, although the top end of their pay scale is quite a bit higher than the top end of nurses pay. About 30% higher.

With the advent of the 3 year medical school, and the pre-reqs being pretty much the same, I wonder why so many choose the masters PA programs at all. I suppose there are not enough seats available for everybody who wants to attend in the three year MD programs.

Here are some associates degree PA programs. There are some others as well. I think they will all be gone in the near future.

Physician Assistant Program

SJVC | Career College & Technical Training School in California - Earn Your Physician Assistant Degree at SJVC in Visalia, California

Primary Care Associate Program - Stanford University School of Medicine

City Colleges of Chicago - Physician Assistant Associate in Applied Science

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
The implication that the average joe off the street can walk into an "associates PA program" and in two years go from no experience/education to being a provider is very misleading to say the least.

*** It certainly is! (It's the masters programs where a person with no experienced, but just about any bachelors degree & pre-reqs) can walk in off the street and be a provider in two years. I haven't seen anyone implicate that here. Also, while the associates degree PA programs do have a high experience requirement, 10 years is quite and exaggeration. Usually more like 3,000 hours. About a year and a half of full time work.

Wow, a lot of rather harsh pre-set opinions here. Remember, if someone wants to enter the NP program; they are going to hit the ground running and those who can keep the pace, pass the exams, and write the papers will prove to all the haters that he/she can make it. So why judge just because the ugh-GRE isn't required. Seriously? The GRE is a glorified SAT. We should all be able to write, spell, and do basic math by now. Personally, I have met quite a few nurses, fresh out of their BSN and in a NP program that understand physical assessment, pathophysiology and pharm better that some nurses with years of experience. So, please don't pre judge. The format of the education will be the ultimate test as well as the final board exam. Enough said.

Love your post!

In my country to become a NP you must have held a bachelors in nursing or 3-5 years. Work in your chosen specialty in an advanced practice level for a few years. Hold graduate diplomas/certificates in your chosen specialty before you can study a masters program in nurse practitioner.

All up it would take an RN about 7-8 years to become a nurse practitioner straight out of university.

I like it this way.

I was thinking the same thing trauma!! I'm just starting the NP program and three of my now former coworkers graduated from the program in May,..they aren't making much more than an experienced nurse!!! Of course the hours are better and the work is different,...but the pay is not that great!

Don't forget autonomy, which is a huge part of my job. I have a level of autonomy as an NP that I could only dream of as an RN. That, in itself, is worth a lot to me.

OMG I get those kind of reactions too, and I've only just finished my RN BSN. It annoys me so much and it greatly offends me because money was NEVER the reason I chose nursing as a career. I also want to go to grad school and make the best contribution to the nursing field that I can, as it is one of the most noble professions and anyone who limits the benefits of nursing to a "pay check" should be shunned. It really does hurt my feelings and at the same time motives me more to be a better nurse, not just some hospital employee!!

I too feel like every RN I talk too wants to go back and become an NP. The schools are saturating the market and will bring the NP salary to that of an experienced RN.I have friends that completed NP programs and with their student loan payments are actually making less than they were as an RN with less student loan payments.Every graduate nurse is going for NP and every LVN or LPN wants to go for NP. Who will be left to be at the bedside!!I am in belief for advancement ,however the same thing happened to the lawyers ,they saturated their market and now some lawyers make the same as a starting out RN.I truly have not meet an RN that state,s they are not going back for their NP.This is concerning because not every nurse was made to be a provider.The schools are making it easier with online versions, no RN experience, no GRE,s and part-time ,piece meal programs!!They make it so every nurse can get in to a program.You do not see this in medical school.The NP programs need to up their game,take only the best and take experienced RN's that have actually worked for a few years!!If not we will have poor NP's that will hurt people and this will destroy the NP's scope and all they have worked for!!

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