MDs and RNPs and PAs...o my

[Jaded03]

Well I don't know why I couldn't search and find this being addressed. So I thought I'd throw it in there. I know a few pre-meds at the end of their acceptance process opted out for alternative routes. I don't really have time to research into these three professions at the moment, their limitations and abilities, etc. However, maybe someone can give insight as to what advantages there are to each? Or maybe more importantly, why medicine 😛 It might give people some depth to their answer at interviews. 🙂

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[Davjc2009]

I really "don't have time" to tell you, sorry.

 

[Jaded03]

I really "don't have time" to tell you, sorry.

Geez, that wasn't necessary. I'll make the post at least a nice starter...

 

[Blade28]

If you do a search there are a TON of threads comparing and contrasting one degree versus another. Unfortunately, most of them degenerate into flame wars.

 

[Jaded03]

RESPONSIBILITY:
* Diagnosing, treating, evaluating and managing non-life-threatening acute and chronic illness and disease (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure)
* Obtaining medical histories and conducting physical examinations
* Ordering, performing, and interpreting basic diagnostic studies (e.g., routine lab tests, bone x-rays, EKGs)
* Prescribing medications (limited), physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments
* Providing primary and specialty care services, health-maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals
* Performing minor surgeries and procedures (with additional training and usually under supervision) (e.g., dermatological biopsies, suturing, casting)
* Counseling and educating patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options

TRAINING:
RN degree
Advanced degree (like a Masters)
Training in diagnosis, etc. of common medical illnesses.

SALARY:
AVERAGE US RNP: 78k

 

[Jaded03]

RESPONSIBILITY:
* Obtain medical histories and perform examinations
* Order treatments
* Diagnose illnesses
* Prescribe medication
* Interpret diagnostic tests
* Refer patients to specialists when appropriate
* First assist in surgery
* May practice in general medicine or any medical or surgical specialty.
* Can change specialties and have the ability to work throughout their career in different medical/surgical specialties.
* Must always work with physician supervision. That supervision can be in person, telecommunication systems or other means deemed reliable.

TRAINING:
Advanced degree specifically in medicine (2-3 years versus 4 years medicine)

SALARY:
Average US PA: 78k

 

[Jaded03]

RESPONSIBILITY:
All the above with no or few restrictions (eg. those reserved for specialists)

TRAINING:
Medical degree (4 year)
Residency (3+ years)

SALARY:
Average US Gen Prac MD: 150k

 

[Jaded03]

I personally don't know how insurance and other factors play in these salaries. So um...yeah. Hope that helps some people for now.

 

[Jaded03]

If you do a search there are a TON of threads comparing and contrasting one degree versus another. Unfortunately, most of them degenerate into flame wars.

Well, I'm sure this is true, but on the first try, I didn't pull up anything. I don't want it to do that personally, but make sure everyone has a full understanding of what each position is and offers. I thought it would be nice to have a comprehensive thread about it, but...if it ends in a debate, I'm sure this thread will die. 😛

 

[foreverLaur]

PM me to talk about it if you want to avoid horrible comments and another war starting.

 

[Blade28]

Well, I'm sure this is true, but on the first try, I didn't pull up anything. I don't want it to do that personally, but make sure everyone has a full understanding of what each position is and offers. I thought it would be nice to have a comprehensive thread about it, but...if it ends in a debate, I'm sure this thread will die. 😛

Just do a search for NP* (minimum 3 characters in search) or PA* - here are recent results...

"PA vs MD i know i know it's probably been done before...":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=429155

"Can I work as a PA?":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=418599

"NP's who have gone on to med school?":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=338365

"NP's getting privileges":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=187485

"Your opinions: The difference between physicians and NP's/PA's":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=18549

"Are MD's happy about PA's and NP's?":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=117966

 

[Meatwad]

I worked with a urologist and he had an NP in his office. Based on her responsibilities, performance, and professionalism, I honestly though she was an MD (until I notice the two little letters NP after her name on her small nametag).

 

[Bacchus]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=429155

 

[BlackSails]

RESPONSIBILITY:
All the above with no or few restrictions (eg. those reserved for specialists)

TRAINING:
Medical degree (4 year)

SALARY:
Average US Gen Prac MD: 150k

This is wrong. Training is 4 years and then 3 more for residency.

 

[foreverLaur]

This is wrong. Training is 4 years and then 3 more for residency.

Also wrong. 3 years is the low end. they can go up to 8+ years when you start adding in fellowships too.

 

[Jaded03]

Also wrong. 3 years is the low end. they can go up to 8+ years when you start adding in fellowships too.

For some reason I just stream-lined it down to the degree. Of course there's residency, etc. No one is really using that anyways and I don't think the SDN-Preallo audience has problems with understanding the MD profession.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Well I don't know why I couldn't search and find this being addressed. So I thought I'd throw it in there. I know a few pre-meds at the end of their acceptance process opted out for alternative routes. I don't really have time to research into these three professions at the moment, their limitations and abilities, etc. However, maybe someone can give insight as to what advantages there are to each? Or maybe more importantly, why medicine 😛 It might give people some depth to their answer at interviews. 🙂

It seems that you posted a ton of information yourself ... take what YOU posted, analyze it, and decide what is best for you.

 

[DeadCactus]

Personally, if I just wanted to perform medicine and help the sick; I would get an RN or PA.

If I wanted to be more involved in the science of medicine and in the leadership/management aspects of health care; I would go with an MD.

Highly simplified, but in the end what my decision boiled down to.

 

[GreenShirt]

This is the question that every pre-med must answer when they decide to go to medical school. MD, PA, NP and others all "help people" and "study science" (the two main reasons why pre-meds say they're interested in science), so why choose one path or another?

From just the clinical perspective (excluding reasearch/management opportunities):

An MD is going to require 7-11 years of jumping through flaming hoops to give you greater scope of practice and a whole of extra liability (yay, malpractice).

PA or NP, 2-4 years of training and you're out there seeing and treating patients. Smaller scope but less liability.

I think it all boils down to what scope of practice you want, the amount of liability you're willing to deal with, and how long you want to sit in school racking up debt.

OP, if you can find some PA, NP or MD to shadow or sit down and have a job talk with you.

 

[BlackSails]

Also wrong. 3 years is the low end. they can go up to 8+ years when you start adding in fellowships too.

Not for a FP, which is what the post was about.