Scope of Work: NNP vs. Neonatologist

[Laurenb]

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Just started college, after a little (8 year) break 🙂 and two boys later...
The original idea was to go for NNP- I'd put in my nursing school application in Nov. of this year
however, the more I look into it, I begin to think I want to be a neonatologist but the time commitment involved is scarey, so I'm applying to nursing school as a 'safety net'
I can't stop thinking about med school- and would I regret not going for it?
nurses are awesome! I have lots in my family, but I think I'm better suited as MD- meaning that I really enjoy knowing the internal functioning and chemical processes- I want to know all the why's behide the actions
what scares me is I'll be 29 when I apply to med school- does that put me at a disadvantage?
can anyone explain the difference between NNP and Neonatologist?
P.S. If I choose to go the nursing school I will not have time to complete all of the pre med science classes
Thanks!
Lauren

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Just started college, after a little (8 year) break 🙂 and two boys later...
The original idea was to go for NNP- I'd put in my nursing school application in Nov. of this year
however, the more I look into it, I begin to think I want to be a neonatologist but the time commitment involved is scarey, so I'm applying to nursing school as a 'safety net'
I can't stop thinking about med school- and would I regret not going for it?
nurses are awesome! I have lots in my family, but I think I'm better suited as MD- meaning that I really enjoy knowing the internal functioning and chemical processes- I want to know all the why's behide the actions
what scares me is I'll be 29 when I apply to med school- does that put me at a disadvantage?
can anyone explain the difference between NNP and Neonatologist?
P.S. If I choose to go the nursing school I will not have time to complete all of the pre med science classes
Thanks!
Lauren

Dear Lauren: This issue is discussed on the private neonatology forum. Please send a request to join and you'll find the discussions there. In brief, the NNP role varies between NICU settings. Typically, they work in a similar role to residents and hospitalists in that they see patients each day, develop a plan of care and then review and follow that care plan with the neonatologist. In addition, in many places, NNPs cover the delivery room, transport babies between hospitals and do procedures in the NICU.

Both are great jobs. Most NNPs will have worked as a neonatal nurse for a couple of years before starting their NNP training.

In terms of your specific concerns, NNPs do learn physiology and pathology, although not in the same depth as the neonatologists. And 29 isn't too old to start medical school. 😀

F/U as far as my input to the neo forum.

 

[TexasRose]

Just started college, after a little (8 year) break 🙂 and two boys later...
The original idea was to go for NNP- I'd put in my nursing school application in Nov. of this year
however, the more I look into it, I begin to think I want to be a neonatologist but the time commitment involved is scarey, so I'm applying to nursing school as a 'safety net'
I can't stop thinking about med school- and would I regret not going for it?
nurses are awesome! I have lots in my family, but I think I'm better suited as MD- meaning that I really enjoy knowing the internal functioning and chemical processes- I want to know all the why's behide the actions
what scares me is I'll be 29 when I apply to med school- does that put me at a disadvantage?
can anyone explain the difference between NNP and Neonatologist?
P.S. If I choose to go the nursing school I will not have time to complete all of the pre med science classes
Thanks!
Lauren

Wow, lots of questions. 🙂

Can someone else answer the scope of NNP vs Neonatologist questions?

I'm a 4th year med student, started in my mid 30's, with kids. Being 29 is not a big problem. The bigger issues for you will be your undergraduate GPA and your MCAT score. I highly recommend checking out the Nontraditional applicant forum and threads on sdn. There's lots of information there about being a "nontraditional" applicant to med school. There's also some useful stuff about being a mom in med school there and on the mentoring forum (see the med student lifestyle thread). Additionally, there's the MomMD website if you're interested.

🙂

 

[Laurenb]

Thank you for the replies
I did just send over a request to join the neonatologist forum
-Lauren