Thanks, I am working on prereq's for the RN program( just about five more classes now). I want to go further, maybe one of the two I am asking about or a physical therapy doctor??
2007-10-27 08:12:49 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Health Care
how much schooling for a nurse practitioner? more than a masters degree?
2007-10-27 08:20:40 · update #1
You are working on pre-reqs for an Associate's or a Bachelor's? I'm guessing the Associate's right?
To be a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physicians assistant (PA), you will need a Bachelor's degree first (although there are a few Bachelor's programs for PA left). If you want to continue on with the nursing route, you would get your BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), then apply to a Master's program for Nurse Practioners. Otherwise, you can get a Bachelor's in any area (though a healthcare or biological area seems to be the preference) and apply to a PA program. In a way, I suggest the PA program moreso, because as I was informed, you are taught from the medical model rather than the nursing model, and that might help you more when working directly under as physician.
So basically, both of those programs are Master's programs that require you to have a BA/BS first, and many time, some direct care experience.
Physical Therapy now requires a Master's degree, as well, I believe. I think this took effect this year (2007). So again, need a BA/BS first.
Back to the NP and PA routes....both programs are generally two years in length. They make around the same amount of money, though I think PAs might make a bit more most times. The duties are very similiar as well. You will be examining and diagnosing.
Check out this forum thread to see what some people have said about it:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=34637
Also type "nurse practioner physicians assistant" into the search questions box here on Answers, and plenty of stuff will come up.
There is another career in nursing you can go into....Nurse Midwife, where you get an advanced degree and make more money. Plus, I think it's a rewarding choice.
Good luck : )
2007-10-27 09:22:21 · answer #1 · answered by Miss.Understanding 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A nurse practioner is a person with a nursing degree who has additional training education in specific area and is able to treat patients under the guidence of a doctorl....
A physicians assistant is a person trained to assist a a doctor in treating patients. Some are able to treat patients... depends upon training. \
I would think a nurse practioner would recieve the higher wage.....
2007-10-27 15:17:17 · answer #2 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An assistant is exactly what it sounds like. She/he takes BP, temp, weight and records what the Dr says. A NP is almost just like a Doctor. I see a NP when I'm needing medical care. They can write Rx's and care for you just like a doctor can. You just have to have checkups with an MD once a year to continue seeing the NP.
NP's work right under a regular MD.
2007-10-27 18:10:44 · answer #3 · answered by futuredestination_unknown 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A nurse paracticioner is somebody working towards obtaining his/her nursing degree. (RN or LVN) a physician's asst. is a person that takes live signs, (Temp. pulse, etc) does paperwork, etc.
2007-10-27 15:48:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
in a nutshell the are pretty much the same
2007-10-27 16:42:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋