Nurse Practitioner Is Now the Hottest Job in Healthcare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been an NP for 14 years. The market has become oversaturated. There are too many pay to play online-mostly programs that churn out subpar practitioners that are ill prepared for the job. I have heard multiple times that we are headed toward an APP (NP/PA) surplus and a physician deficit.

It was an awesome opportunity for me in 2012 but not sure I'd recommend for my kids. Also I have a masters degree and the entry degree for most NP programs is now a doctorate (DNP) which is more time and money.

Not sure what healthcare path I would advise my children btw. Nursing is physically and emotionally draining. Pharmacy seems most likely to be AI replaced. Physician maybe but it is a huge time and money commitment.

I’m a nurse (RN) and I agree with all of the above. Way too many online diploma mills churning out NPs who have no business being advanced practitioners. Seriously. I have co-workers graduating NP programs who I wouldn’t trust to take care of a chia pet. Many are having a hard time finding jobs after or figure they make same amount of money as an RN with some overtime. PA schools prepare folks much better in terms of pathophysiology and pharm. I think it used to be a great career choice but it’s losing its legitimacy among healthcare providers because of the lowering of standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PAs can't write prescriptions and NPs can.

CRNAs, too, that's another excellent nursing career path.

Um

No it is not.

Difficult and burn out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PAs can't write prescriptions and NPs can.

CRNAs, too, that's another excellent nursing career path.

Um

No it is not.

Difficult and burn out

This is most jobs. CRNAs are well-compensated. It is a great option for people who can't or don't want to get into med school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was considering PA school, my doctor said “Larla, just know that $”!t flows downhill.” For any mid-level practitioner, the MD who supervises can be great or hellish. Bear that in mind.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been an NP for 14 years. The market has become oversaturated. There are too many pay to play online-mostly programs that churn out subpar practitioners that are ill prepared for the job. I have heard multiple times that we are headed toward an APP (NP/PA) surplus and a physician deficit.

It was an awesome opportunity for me in 2012 but not sure I'd recommend for my kids. Also I have a masters degree and the entry degree for most NP programs is now a doctorate (DNP) which is more time and money.

Not sure what healthcare path I would advise my children btw. Nursing is physically and emotionally draining. Pharmacy seems most likely to be AI replaced. Physician maybe but it is a huge time and money commitment.

People going in underestimate that.

Also, interesting the number of kids who declare pre-med as a major, or some thing along the sciences and come to a complete shock when taking those classes in college

[Anonymous]

In northern VA at least I've seen some NP's go full-time into the medical spa (i.e. as injectors) industry. Maybe that's some of the potential appeal for newcomers to the field?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been an NP for 14 years. The market has become oversaturated. There are too many pay to play online-mostly programs that churn out subpar practitioners that are ill prepared for the job. I have heard multiple times that we are headed toward an APP (NP/PA) surplus and a physician deficit.

It was an awesome opportunity for me in 2012 but not sure I'd recommend for my kids. Also I have a masters degree and the entry degree for most NP programs is now a doctorate (DNP) which is more time and money.

Not sure what healthcare path I would advise my children btw. Nursing is physically and emotionally draining. Pharmacy seems most likely to be AI replaced. Physician maybe but it is a huge time and money commitment.

I’m a nurse (RN) and I agree with all of the above. Way too many online diploma mills churning out NPs who have no business being advanced practitioners. Seriously. I have co-workers graduating NP programs who I wouldn’t trust to take care of a chia pet. Many are having a hard time finding jobs after or figure they make same amount of money as an RN with some overtime. PA schools prepare folks much better in terms of pathophysiology and pharm. I think it used to be a great career choice but it’s losing its legitimacy among healthcare providers because of the lowering of standards.

My spouse is a physician who has worked with many PAs and NPs over the years and complains about NPs all the time. Says PAs are much better prepared.

[Anonymous]

Flight Nurse.

$120,000 and up.

They only work 8 days a month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PAs can't write prescriptions and NPs can.

A PA wrote me a prescription this morning.

Same...a few weeks ago.

[Anonymous]

Nurses like becoming NPs because it pays better and they have more freedom (can prescribe meds).

I have had good and bad experiences with NPs. In theory they improve the system by handling cases that might be too simple or straightforward for a doctor. And they do generally get to spend more time with patients, making them a good option for a PCP (PCN?) where not being rushed can be helpful.

However I have had very negative experiences with NP specialists. I do not feel the training fir their specialty is sufficient and they can have unearned confidence, especially in diagnosis. I've had a gyn NP miss major symptoms, for instance.

There is a reason medical training for fir doctors is as long as it is. It's inconvenient, for them and fir patients, because it leads to doctor shortages. But I'm not convinced replacing a bunch of MD roles with NPs is going to solve things, especially with the current fairly low requirements for training and school to get specialized NP licenses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PAs can't write prescriptions and NPs can.

A PA wrote me a prescription this morning.

Same...a few weeks ago.

The urgent care near me only has PAs. No MDs, no NPs. They prescribe meds, diagnose, etc.

Tho to be honest I don't trust them at all and I only go there when I know exactly what my issue is and what I need (usually because I've had it before). I would not trust them with a novel issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, because many places use them interchangeably with physicians and pay them a lot less. This is a knock on our horrendous healthcare system, not NPs.

This is true. And the office bills more as if you’re seeing the MD, because in most states the MD must theoretically sign off on the plan of care determined by the NP.

I decided not to go the NP route when I saw how overworked they are in most clinical settings. Whether that’s a CVS or a MedSTAR Hospital.

I make only $15,000 less a year as a seasoned RN because their pay band is getting compressed as the NP cohort grows exponentially. Not worth the increased stress and liability.

What liability? The whole reason MD's supervise is because they're liable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been an NP for 14 years. The market has become oversaturated. There are too many pay to play online-mostly programs that churn out subpar practitioners that are ill prepared for the job. I have heard multiple times that we are headed toward an APP (NP/PA) surplus and a physician deficit.

It was an awesome opportunity for me in 2012 but not sure I'd recommend for my kids. Also I have a masters degree and the entry degree for most NP programs is now a doctorate (DNP) which is more time and money.

Not sure what healthcare path I would advise my children btw. Nursing is physically and emotionally draining. Pharmacy seems most likely to be AI replaced. Physician maybe but it is a huge time and money commitment.

I’m a nurse (RN) and I agree with all of the above. Way too many online diploma mills churning out NPs who have no business being advanced practitioners. Seriously. I have co-workers graduating NP programs who I wouldn’t trust to take care of a chia pet. Many are having a hard time finding jobs after or figure they make same amount of money as an RN with some overtime. PA schools prepare folks much better in terms of pathophysiology and pharm. I think it used to be a great career choice but it’s losing its legitimacy among healthcare providers because of the lowering of standards.

My spouse is a physician who has worked with many PAs and NPs over the years and complains about NPs all the time. Says PAs are much better prepared.

Well if they aren't paid more, why would they choose the PA route over the NP route?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PAs can't write prescriptions and NPs can.

A PA wrote me a prescription this morning.

Same...a few weeks ago.

The urgent care near me only has PAs. No MDs, no NPs. They prescribe meds, diagnose, etc.

Tho to be honest I don't trust them at all and I only go there when I know exactly what my issue is and what I need (usually because I've had it before). I would not trust them with a novel issue.

Sure of course. I think most PAs usually handle very simple issues and follow-ups. I recently had an intake appointment for my colonoscopy with a PA. I haven't even met the MD yet...will meet him on the day of the procedure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been an NP for 14 years. The market has become oversaturated. There are too many pay to play online-mostly programs that churn out subpar practitioners that are ill prepared for the job. I have heard multiple times that we are headed toward an APP (NP/PA) surplus and a physician deficit.

It was an awesome opportunity for me in 2012 but not sure I'd recommend for my kids. Also I have a masters degree and the entry degree for most NP programs is now a doctorate (DNP) which is more time and money.

Not sure what healthcare path I would advise my children btw. Nursing is physically and emotionally draining. Pharmacy seems most likely to be AI replaced. Physician maybe but it is a huge time and money commitment.

I’m a nurse (RN) and I agree with all of the above. Way too many online diploma mills churning out NPs who have no business being advanced practitioners. Seriously. I have co-workers graduating NP programs who I wouldn’t trust to take care of a chia pet. Many are having a hard time finding jobs after or figure they make same amount of money as an RN with some overtime. PA schools prepare folks much better in terms of pathophysiology and pharm. I think it used to be a great career choice but it’s losing its legitimacy among healthcare providers because of the lowering of standards.

My spouse is a physician who has worked with many PAs and NPs over the years and complains about NPs all the time. Says PAs are much better prepared.

Well if they aren't paid more, why would they choose the PA route over the NP route?

Because PAs are better trained.