New Media Medicine Forums - Medical News

Medical School, Physicians Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner??

Posted: 27 Mar 2013 03:37 PM PDT

Hi All,

I noticed that there are a few nurses posting in this forum and was hoping for some advice (from anyone).

I'm 23 and have just qualified and started working as a nurse (1st class BSc hons), I was considering applying for GEP courses as gaining a degree seems to have opened up a lot more opportunities for me. However, I have just spent three years living off a student budget and I find the idea of a further 4 years (minimum) of this somewhat demotivating.

I have also considered the route of Nurse Practitioner, which would require me to gain 2years post reg experience, then an MSc in Advanced Practice. I would ideally liek to work in a GPs surgery if I chose this route.

Recently I have been informed of the new 'Physicians Assistant' role, which is a 2 year PGDip, by someone working in this role. They are working in a GPs surgery, along with other GPs and do similar assessments although they need a GP to sign the prescriptions. There are only 4 universities currently running this course and the role is yet to be regulated etc. However, it is a popular career in the US (in the top 5 recommended careers). In all threads/blogs I have read regarding this position, it has been discussed very negatively by medical students and doctors, so I'm really unsure.

I'm more of a team-player than a leader, so the thought of always having to be supervised by a physician is actually a comfort to me, as I will always have someone to go to for advice etc. I also want to start a family in my late twenties and would ideally like to work part-time when that time comes, which also discourages me from medicine.

I just wondered if anyone else has been considering these options, or has any advice. I'm really considering the PA course but there's such negativity surrounding it, but then again there used to be negativity regarding Nurse Practitioners, so who knows!!

Proportion of graduates on 5 year?

Posted: 27 Mar 2013 07:36 AM PDT

I was wondering if anyone had any information on the amount of graduates or older students who are on the 5 year course at southampton? I have a friend starting there in september who isn't able to find much info by googling, and I know most people on here are very helpful so I thought I'd ask. Thanks all!