MD v Nurse Practitioner (bachelor's, doctorate, degree, cost)

[happeemommee]

HI ya'll,

I was wondering if anyone can compare the advantages / disadvantages of both career tracks. I was going to school to be a Nurse Practitioner, ( and eventually a Doctorate ) but started thinking if I'm going to go to school that long, maybe I should just go to med school.One advantage of going the NP route would be, I could work as a RN while finishing the rest of my schooling. Anyone think of anything else?



Thanks!
M

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by happeemommee

HI ya'll,

I was wondering if anyone can compare the advantages / disadvantages of both career tracks. I was going to school to be a Nurse Practitioner, ( and eventually a Doctorate ) but started thinking if I'm going to go to school that long, maybe I should just go to med school.One advantage of going the NP route would be, I could work as a RN while finishing the rest of my schooling. Anyone think of anything else?
Thanks!
M

It all depends on why you wish to be an APRN or MD as they are NOT the same profession. Once you examine your goals, the choice will be clear. The process is yours to work through.

[happeemommee]

I want to be a medical provider in a rural area and provide medical care to those of all ages, maybe even deliver babies if the need was there. I realize this is my path to figure out, but was just asking if anyone had any opinions since I am not currently working in either profession. I know there are dfifferences, but wasn't real sure which would be the best to help me fulfill my long tern goals. So that's why I posted the question and would still like the opinions of others out there who may have some information / knowledge on this subject.

Thanks!
M

[PurpleLove08]

I would go for the nurse practitioner. I think the malpractice insurance is lower and you have less schooling, IMO.

Since you'll be in a rural area, you may not have as many patients and seeing as you'll probably be in a lot of debt...it may not be wise to have your own practice in a rural area. There is always a chance that you'll have less patients than you need to keep the lights on, etc.

I remember reading something about a lot of doctors wanting to leave the profession...especially family doctors, which is what it sounds like you would want to be.
Back when I wanted to be an NP, I was always researching different things about it and I am pretty sure I read NP's are more satisfied with their careers than MDs.

I wish you the best!

[pitt_transplant]

Some hospitals will pay for you to go to school for nursing. The job market is hot for nursing. There is a "crisis" need for nurses as a whole generation of them if set to retire and the baby boob generation is set to need more health care. You have your whole life so do not rush it. Being a nurse first will always make you a better doctor. I would go with the nurse option because its cheaper, doesn't trap you with a large amt of school debt (if at any at all if a hospital pays for you), still has a massive amount of flexibility to what you can do with the degree, your schedule is more flexible.

And just think about if you might actually hate it. Throwing away 2-4(6-8) years on a nurse's degree or a 10-12 on a doctor's degree....

Neither are easy jobs and if you are not sure I would go with the one that asks less from you until you are sure.

[TracySam]

You need to check the laws/regs in your state on the requirements and privileges of advance practice nurses and/or nurse practitioners.

Some states have Certified Nurse Midwives who do almost exactly what a gynecologist does, even prescribe.

Here in NJ, Advance Practice Nurses can prescribe psychiatric meds and treat many of our folks with serious mental illness. And they get paid extremely well for it.

Also, find someone who is already doing the work you'd like to be doing, and get their first hand input.

[happeemommee]

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

I would go for the nurse practitioner. I think the malpractice insurance is lower and you have less schooling, IMO.

Since you'll be in a rural area, you may not have as many patients and seeing as you'll probably be in a lot of debt...it may not be wise to have your own practice in a rural area. There is always a chance that you'll have less patients than you need to keep the lights on, etc.

I remember reading something about a lot of doctors wanting to leave the profession...especially family doctors, which is what it sounds like you would want to be.
Back when I wanted to be an NP, I was always researching different things about it and I am pretty sure I read NP's are more satisfied with their careers than MDs.

I wish you the best!

Thanks! And yes! That malpractice insurance scares me, I know it's astronomical! I didn't realize that a lot of family doc's weren't happy in their field. May I ask why you decided not to become an NP?

I really would like to treat the whole person and not just the disease and symptoms, if that makes sense. I would really like to practice on a much more holistic level than a lot of doc's out there.

[happeemommee]

Originally Posted by TracySam

You need to check the laws/regs in your state on the requirements and privileges of advance practice nurses and/or nurse practitioners.

Some states have Certified Nurse Midwives who do almost exactly what a gynecologist does, even prescribe.

Here in NJ, Advance Practice Nurses can prescribe psychiatric meds and treat many of our folks with serious mental illness. And they get paid extremely well for it.

Also, find someone who is already doing the work you'd like to be doing, and get their first hand input.

Thanks Tracy. I would definitely want to practice in a state where I could prescribe meds and actually thought about becoming a Certified Professional Midwife as well as a FNP. Just not sure it's plausible.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by happeemommee

Thanks Tracy. I would definitely want to practice in a state where I could prescribe meds and actually thought about becoming a Certified Professional Midwife as well as a FNP. Just not sure it's plausible.

It is very possible. I looked up many nurse practitioner programs and a lot of them let you combine different things.
I would look into Vanderbilt and Emory. Of course there are others but those are the ones that come to mind after a somewhat long day at work...

Originally Posted by happeemommee

Thanks! And yes! That malpractice insurance scares me, I know it's astronomical! I didn't realize that a lot of family doc's weren't happy in their field. May I ask why you decided not to become an NP?

I really would like to treat the whole person and not just the disease and symptoms, if that makes sense. I would really like to practice on a much more holistic level than a lot of doc's out there.

I figured out nursing was not my true passion. I like the idea of being a nurse and/or a NP but...I'd much rather leave that up to those who really love the job.

If you want to practice things on a holistic level, I'd definitley become an NP, it seems like you have more auntonomy and a lot more insurance companies are looking to NPs to perform things doctors perform but at a lower cost. Of course NPs do make great money (especially the nurse anesthetists), don't get me wrong.

There is another forum www.allnurses.com and I know they have an NP subsection.

[Katiana]

They are two different careers. You need to look at the pros and cons of each. I would not count on going to med school after getting an NP. It would simply take up too much time. Med school is four years, plus at least three years of residency. This is after getting a bachelor's degree from college. NPs are usually master's level prepared nurses. You need to make a decision which route to take.