Chester Said:

What is the difference between a Physician's Assistant and a Nurse Practitioner?

We Answered:

Generally, they're the same except that NPs are allowed to prescribe and have their own practice whereas PAs aren't. And yes, practitioners make more money (About $11,000 more annually.), and usually take a little more time-- PAs go to 4 years of college (In some cases, as few as two can be accepted, but yes, it's usually a master's.), then 2 of training, then licensing while NPs need a master's and then usually spend a few years as an RN (NP schools prefer experienced nurses.) before going back for NP.

Stacy Said:

How to become a Nurse Practitioner in the UK?

We Answered:

You need to of course first complete your Nurse training; there are two routes, the Diploma or Degree. For the Diploma you need 5 GCSE's at grade A-C, for the Degree you will need to have A levels. The training in the UK is 3 years in duration. If your aim is to be a Nurse Practitioner, I would advise you to do the Degree. Now generally speaking after your initial training you can do another course at Bsc level(it's usually no more than a year long) In advanced practise, or a speciality area or do the actual 'Advanced Nurse Practitioner' Bsc/Msc. If I were you, I'd do the Msc, contact your local University who will advise you of the courses that are on offer.
If you want to be an actual practise Nurse at a Drs Surgery you'll have to generally get a Surgery to take you on, then they will send you away on separate training courses. For example in things like Gyneocology (so you can do smears etc) Asthma and diabetes managment etc. One of the senior partnetrs at my Drs surgery is trying to pursuade me to come and worth for them, but I've chosen to do the Msc in Cardiology, which I am half way through, I quite like the idea or being a practise Nurse...I think I chose the wrong course! But you can still be a practise Nurse without the actual Nurse Practitioner Degree/Msc, but Ideally, nowdays you would need to be working towards it and you would need your basic Nurse training to be at Degree level. This may differ where you live, I live in the South EastI know many surgerys who are taking on newly qualified Nurses (it's cheaper) and then sending them away on training course which enables them to do certain tasks required. If you live in the South East I have the tutor for the advanced practioner course's number if that's of any use?

This is an example of the course they offer for qualifed Nurses at Brighton University. even if this University isn't one you would consider training it, it's nice to have an idea of what's on offer, it has course details included here as well
http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/course.php…

This page is also very helpful and will tell you all you need to know really
http://www.nursepractitioner.org.uk/Docu…

Rodney Said:

What can a Physician's Assistant do that a Nurse Practitioner cannot?

We Answered:

PAs tend to do more skill-based careers than NPs, such as minor trauma, major trauma, OR, ER, orthopedics etc because of the way the medical PA program is set up vrs. the NP programs. The family practice careers tend to be similar between the two. PAs rarely do labor & delivery as that is covered by nurse mid-wives pretty much. It would be easier to decide what fields interest you and then decide what program. However, you are at least 6 years away from that (4 years for a bachelors degree, 2 years working)-so you have a lot of time to explore this. For the PA program, you may need additional pre-med type college classes more than is required for the nursing program.

Felix Said:

What is required to become a nurse practitioner?

We Answered:

To be a nurse practitioner in the US you must attend a university for a master of science in nursing program or a program which is accreditied by a university to confer the degree. Prior to attending the MSN program you need a prerequisite BSN degree. However, some programs have an ADN to MSN program in which the student recieves the BSN enroute to the MSN. Most NP programs also require or prefer that all applicants have 1 or more years of experience in nursing.

There are serveral types of nurse practitioner. The Neonatal NP works with newborn infants and also help in some antenatal education. The Pediatric NP works with children from birth through 16-18 depending on the NP. The Adult NP works with adult patients from 18 through the end of life. The Geriatric NP works with senior adults the beginning age varies but mostly begins around 60 though the end of life. Womens Health NPs work with Female patients on all health issues but primarily those related to reproductive health. Psychiatric/Mental Health NPs work with patients with emotional and psychiatric health issues The Family NP works with patients from the well baby examinations through the end of life, including senior adults, basic psychiatric issues and reproductive issues in females.

Additionally, some of these NPs will later further specialize in other areas through experience and additional education.

Similar areas are Clinical Nurse Specialist (who work in a role similar to an NP, but are generally involved in inpatient care of hospitalized patients) and Midwifes (who work with ante-natal, delivery and post-natal care)

A new development which may change the educational process for NPs in the next few years is the development of the DNP program at many universities. The Doctor of Nurse Practice will be a professional degree program similar to medical, dental, and podiatry schools. After completing a BSN program the student will proceed to the DNP program, and will no longer require the MSN. The DNP will be longer.

Current DNP programs are being tested using NPs who have graduated from MSN programs. Prior to this NPs who advanced their educations received a Ph.D or DNS degree.

Brenda Said:

Pros/Cons of becoming a Physician, Pharmacist, OR Nurse Practitioner?

We Answered:

Doctors make a ton of money buts it competitive to get into medical school. My cousin applied to like 15 medical schools and got into 2 i think and both were pretty far from home. Another didnt get in at all but applied a year a later after doing internship and got in. If u are ready for the work of becoming a doctor go for it. I could never do it.... I am going to school for nursing. I am hoping to become a Nurse Anesthetists. Pharmacists and Nurse practitioners make good money too i heard. Go for pharmacy/pre-med. if u dont get in to medical school you can go for pharmacy.