I listened to the most recent podcast on APPs and taking the place of primary care physicians. I do think physicians have much more intensive training and just more training in general. The one thing that bothered me was NP training. One of the biggest differences between NPs and PAs is clinical experience. To become an NP you must first have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and be a licensed RN. Nursing school can be fairly intense, and while you still don’t have the education of a physician, you learn a different side of medicine…. Direct patient care. Most NP programs require 1-2 yrs experience as a nurse in direct patient care. And most NP students get their masters degree while still working as an RN.
While I do agree that an NPs education is not as extensive as a physician’s education, I do think NPs can add to patient care. I have been an NP for 16 years. I have added to patient care by filling the gaps of patient education, improving communication with specialists and so much more.
After being an NP for 16 years, I fell like I am still proving myself as a clinician. I feel like I am in a state of permanent or perpetual Residency program.
I think it is important for physicians and APPs to work together to provide patient care that is comprehensive, especially with a large aging population, meeting productivity requirements and more and more insurance requirements/hoops.
