Forgot to add - my dd is currently a bio major and is considering becoming a PA. I would say that if you don’t go the direct PA program route, one of the science majors will probably help pave the way for applying later on down the road.
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Which is why it seems odd that primary care specialties in medicine are among the lowest in pay and prestige among medical specialties, when primary care physicians need to have enough knowledge about anything that a patient may come in with in order to point the patient in the right direction as far as medical decisions go.
But where I am, it seems that primary care is still mainly MDs and DOs (not NPs).
My daughter shadowed pediatric orthopedic surgeons at a teaching hospital, and also had the opportunity to talk with the PAs. The PAs told her that their role was to bring the patient (and parent) in, do a case history, a physical exam, and come up with a possible diagnosis. Following this…the patient would be brought to the MD, who would review the PA notes, confirm the PAs diagnosis, and come up with a treatment plan. The MD was responsible for the treatment plan, which was very complex.
The MDs and PAs seemed to work very well together, and my daughter felt that there was a mutual respect between the two. One PA told my D that he was “frustrated” by the PA job, and that he wanted to do more. This career is highly specialized- some PAs might not be happy with the limitations.
My D also shadowed a pediatrician, where she also had the chance to shadow the NP.
Very often, the pediatrician is the first place parents bring their kids if they suspect developmental delays, speech, autism, etc. Parents also come to the pediatrician when their kids have eating disorders, anxiety, behavioral concerns, etc. Pediatricians (not developmental pediatricians) are not necessarily more knowledgeable in these areas than NPs. It really depends. And of course…MDs have training that others do not have.
I think it’s helpful to shadow MDs, PAs, and NPs in a variety of medical practices (if permitted), and to also have an idea as to how long you will be in school.
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At the hospital where I currently work (teaching hospital), the med students and residents shadow PA’s and NP’s, in addition to MD’s and DO’s. A lot can be learned from each entity.
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Edited as requested (post was flagged)……apparently someone got their feathers ruffled when I was trying to defend that nurses have a high level of training, as do NP’s, based upon their education and clinical experiences, which is relevant to those considering a career in this field. You are insulting NP’s and PA’s if you don’t think they can diagnose a PE vs pneumonia or appendicitis from a GI virus.
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Beyond the 6 week rotation in pediatrics in medical school, pediatricians have 3 years of intensive pediatrics training at about 80 hours/week (used to be 100 hrs/wk). That means the equivalent of six years of 40 hr/wk full time training solely in pediatrics, all after 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school, the last two years of which are also done at 80 hours a week of clinical training. They have weekly outpatient clinic training, and months of training in child development, child psychiatry, eating disorders (often dual covered in both gastroenterology and psychiatry), plus many, many other areas, inpatient and outpatient. They are FAR more knowledgeable than are NPs in any aspect of pediatrics that you could imagine. But patients and parents don’t have any way of knowing this - only the pediatrician knows this (and the NP who is starting out and quickly comes to realize this).
No one is downplaying the knowledge and training of a physician. No need to attempt to discredit the training and knowledge of NP’s. I think that would be a little off-topic from the OP. Each entity has their place in healthcare and most work in a symbiotic relationship to provide the best care to their patients. Please stop trying to make this another physician vs mid-level provider debate.
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There are professionals in every area of healthcare with years and years of knowledge and clinical expertise.
As noted above, nobody is downplaying the training obtained by physicians.
Thanks once again to all who have given input re. educational pathways to NP and PA, and who have described various roles.
Since she is our fourth kid this process is not entirely new…but your comments have been very helpful. I have a much clearer understanding of what these routes could mean for us, in terms of geography, finances, and future grad studies.
As I noted my husband works with MDs, PAs, a Psych NP, a Family NP and a Ped NP. It’s all about achieving the right teamwork at each of the three community clinics, which treat different populations and use different staffing combinations.
Next step is D interviewing a PA, the Ped NP and the Family NP (clinic manager). I would love to see her as any of those roles, or another she hasn’t even discovered yet. Maybe she will apply for a summer internship.
I have learned the hard way from the first three kids that the moment will come when I have to back off as a parent. We’re not there yet, but that time will arrive. Her first decision will lead the way to all those others that follow…
In the meantime I want to be able to help her consider probable outcomes and consequences (e.g., debt, or how choosing one option closes the door to another). Your posts have been illuminating. Thank you.
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Best wishes to her! I am sure whichever path she chooses, she will find success and enjoy being a part of a wonderful profession.!
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