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.

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

A PA wrote me a prescription this morning.

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.

this. And graduate school to become an NP now costs $150k+. It's a terrible investment if you're talking income.

NPs generally max out around $150k and many make 90k. That's after spending $150k for schooling beyond a bachelors.

It's a flexible career but it's not a money maker. Hard to live off those salaries (becomes a homeowner, etc) in an area like the DMV unless you're married to another income.

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.

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

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

PAs can't write prescriptions and NPs can.

We discussed this as a possible route for our DD, but she wanted to do pre-med and loves biology. While I think the chances of her actually getting into and finishing med school is limited, I do think that pivoting to PA is a better option over NP because at least she gave the MD route a shot. I believe NP requires that you get RN license first and she didn't want to go that route at all.

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.

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.

Physician's ssistant is also a great route!

It’s a good balance job for women. The upfront investment is less brutal and you can easily stay home with young kids for a few years then go back to work without a problem.

Physician is an excellent career, but it consumes you for the peak family building years.

parents never stop promoting prestige as the route to happiness. for their kids, notionally, but for themselves, vicariously.

So doctor is 'better' than nurse practitioner.

There has always been a dearth of nurses. If more students choose this pathway, USA will bring fewer nurses from abroad

Article on WSJ https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/nurse-practitioner-is-now-the-hottest-job-in-healthcare-a98e0bc8

NP seems like a great career, not sure why it's not as talked about as pre-med especially esp given many weed out of the latter by end of freshman year.