I agree that psyche NPs seem to have a corner in the market compared to psyche NPs. But if the OP has premed undergrad prerequisites, and has a bachelors already (and indicated by the fact that they are considering a post Bach degree), then PA school is the rapid route. Probably not the route with the most reward for the reasons we both mentioned.
My friend has a sibling that is a psyche PA working for wages slightly lower than even a typical PA makes in family practice here. My friend was shocked to hear how much a psych Np in the area makes (typically at least $40k more per year than my friends sibling). That’s what independence does for a provider. Psych Nps can run their own practices, become true partners with physicians (not merely employees), be employed as stand alone employees by therapist practice groups and psychologists, have their own admitting privileges to facilities and hospitals, negotiate with telepsyche companies to deliver care to other independent NP states. PAs have to have a signed agreement with a physician and operate under their oversight in order to see even one patient. Without that relationship, PAs cannot practice. It’s ironic and unfortunate given their good training. But that’s how it is. In states like Virginia, that kind of relationship is also required of NPs, until that state gets the laws changed (which might not happen for a long time). And a physician isn’t going to allow a PA to function under his or her umbrella without some kind of financial incentive. Additionally, a physician is going to have a vested interest in reigning in a PA due to the fact that they can be named in any malpractice lawsuit if the PA that they supervise makes is sued. And a lawyer will want to sue the physician because they are perceived as having deeper pockets, and insurance that covers more liability. That’s one reason why Np liability insurance is around $1,000- 2,000 annually, and PA malpractice liability insurance is around $6000 or more. NPs get sued considerably less than do PAs and physicians, which isn’t a quality of care issue as much as a fact that lawyers go where the gold is, and suing a PA/MD pair offers a richer target.
Being independent does not mean that NPs can demand certain privelages from hospitals or insurance companies though. A hospital can decide that as part of their contract agreement with NPs that they be willing to be closely supervised by a physician. Insurance companies can also decide in many places that they wont reimburse for the services you provide. And a physician can tell you that they aren’t interested in being a partner in practice with you, but rather hire you as an employee. However, in an independent practice state, as an Np, you are in the position to negotiate better, and also tout the benefits that come from employing an independent NP instead of a supervised PA.
