What would

HappyNurse2005, RN · Mar 15, 2006

One of the PA's in a local cardiology practice was a RN first. I'm not close enough with her to ask how she thinks it affects her care now, but she's really good to work with. Nice to the nurses, doesn't just ignore you like some doc's.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Mar 15, 2006

First of all...you are doing this for yourself and your goals and interests, so why be so concerned about others? When it comes down to the bottom line, it is you you need to care for, and if that means you are leaning towards PA...go for it! My best friend is PA and I couldn't be more thrilled for him!!!!!!

Second...PA is awesome! Having the nursing experience will only amplify an already awesome profession! I have played with the idea myself! My best friend is having so much fun, really helping where he feels his individuality serves best, and doesn't see nurses as a step down...just a different facet of medical...so we are all along a horizontal line to him (and me too!).

Also...nurses benifit from having a PA know about our roles! You will have insight into what Nurses do and do not do and that will save from future conflicts between the two! You will remember how many patients a nurse has, what they do all day, and what they are allowed to do and not...so you will be able to order things with this in mind! I love it! (sure beats the heck out of 'teaching' PA's and MD's about what we do and don't do...and that their patient isn't my only one!).

Good luck on whatever you choose!

1Tulip · Mar 15, 2006

Let me sound a contrarian note here. First though, understand that I'm a nurse married to an MD. One daughter is graduating from med school this May, the other is an RN working in our ER. I'm only saying that to indicate I'm not a bigot. Having said that...

Think about the titles you're throwing around here. "Physician's Assistant" vs. Nurse Practitioner. Assistant vs. Practitioner. By their very name and definition, PA's are in dependent roles and will never be anything else. Compare that to Nurse Practitioner. This title is more expansive. And, in fact, the roles NP's are taking on are getting more and more diverse. In addition, there is on the horizon the practice doctorate in nursing. I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't think the PA hierarchy will ever be completely independent in defining their own practice or expanding their curricula. It seems to me, they are pretty much stuck and committed to being always subservient to MD's.

Yes, I understand that most NP's work under the direction of MD's. What I'm saying is that in the ANP, it's NURSES controlling their educational programs, and scope of practice. If I were young, looking at a lifetime career I'd want to make choices that allow for growth and advancement. There is just more happening in the NP "theater" if you will.

Just a thought.

nathu · Mar 16, 2006

Hi, I'm not sure where you are located but the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks offers a PA program specifically for nurses and the only prereq is that you have 2 years of nursing. There is also a school in Florida with the same requirements, designed also for nurses. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of that school, I only know it is in Florida. The University of Washington is also geared towards nurses and requires 2 years experience along with a minimum b- in anatomy/physiology along with one science course(any science, any level) and 2 english courses.

Jesskanurse · Mar 16, 2006

Let me sound a contrarian note here. First though, understand that I'm a nurse married to an MD. One daughter is graduating from med school this May, the other is an RN working in our ER. I'm only saying that to indicate I'm not a bigot. Having said that...
Think about the titles you're throwing around here. "Physician's Assistant" vs. Nurse Practitioner. Assistant vs. Practitioner. By their very name and definition, PA's are in dependent roles and will never be anything else. Compare that to Nurse Practitioner. This title is more expansive. And, in fact, the roles NP's are taking on are getting more and more diverse. In addition, there is on the horizon the practice doctorate in nursing. I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't think the PA hierarchy will ever be completely independent in defining their own practice or expanding their curricula. It seems to me, they are pretty much stuck and committed to being always subservient to MD's.
Yes, I understand that most NP's work under the direction of MD's. What I'm saying is that in the ANP, it's NURSES controlling their educational programs, and scope of practice. If I were young, looking at a lifetime career I'd want to make choices that allow for growth and advancement. There is just more happening in the NP "theater" if you will.
Just a thought.

Thank you for your input, but just for the record (and I'm not 'defending' one side or the other') it is 'Physician Assistant,' not 'Physician's Assistant.' When reading a PA forum, it seems that one of their main concerns is that Nurses and the rest of the public seem to be misinformed on what a PA actually is, and I'm actually starting to believe that myself. Either way, I the feeling I'm getting is that PAs can practice a more medical model whereas NPs will always adopt their own 'Nursing Model.' I see this as the main difference... can someone else expand on this?

labcat01, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

Not to go off topic from the OP but can someone explain to me what the difference between the medical model and the nursing model is? I tried to google it but didn't get anything good. Please PM me if you don't want to post.

Thanks!

clara76 · Mar 16, 2006

I could be wrong, but I think that in general, the medical model tends to be more geared to diagnosis and curing/treating. The nursing model in my view considers the whole person, and gets more involved with various aspects of the patients life, their home situation, their familiy dynamics, the patients view of being healthy and helping them to achieve the best life/health possible for them. Also, I believe the nursing model involves more patient education. I could be wrong on this, but I tend to view it this way. I know I have some literature on this, I'll try to dig it up in the next day or so.

clara76 · Mar 16, 2006

I have worked with both PA's and NP's. Both are great. Most of the PA's I have worked with have been RN's first. I feel they seem to blend both models fairly well and practice more holistic medicine. I have also worked with NP's and they do seem to have a more autonomous practice. There are differences such as who can prescribe meds, etc. but that might just be in Pennsylvania. Either route you choose, it sounds like you have a true desire to provide excellant care. Good luck to you!

zacarias, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2006

I'm a registered nurse, know NPs, and have a best friend who was in a PA program. The bottom line is that NPs and PAs are mid-level practitioners!! A lot of employers/physician groups will just put in the classifieds that they want NP OR PA.

Yes traditionally PAs are under the medical model and NPs are under the nursing, but that is almost a theoretical concept. NPs order X-rays, prescribe meds, even suture. That is all medical my friend. People will say, oh NPs bring nursing in by teaching patients about their health, disease state, identifying risk factors, and preventive measures. The thing is, PAs should be doing the same thing!