Exploring Career Paths: Medical School vs. Nurse Practitioner

Question
Hello Charles,
I have always thought that I would go to medical school.  I will be graduating from college in May with almost all of my premedical requirements done.  However, my grades haven't been the best in my science courses, so I have applied to a program that will allow me to take extra science courses before I apply to medical school.  I have just been thinking that maybe medical school is not right for me, and that I may have more flexibility as a nurse practicioner or  a PA.  Have you ever considered going to medical school?  What is the difference between a nurse practicioner and a PA?
Thanks,
Crystal

Answer
Hi Crystal,
I've been a PA for 29 years and have no desire to become a doctor. I'm quite happy with my current situation. I do all that a doctor does and enjoy the same benefits and responsibilities. I do not have all the headaches a doctor does however and that is worth its weight in gold.
A PA trains in a medical school environment hence gets thee focus that doctors get. A NP is a nurse first (and you'd have to go to nursing school first before becoming a NP) and as such, approaches things from that perspective. There is nothing wrong with that but a PA, in my opinion, has better training, more in depth training and is expected in many cases to function as a doctor would. My boss refers to me as his chief resident (a high form of praise actually). NP's can practice independently and PA's by design, function under "supervision" of a physician. That is a very ambiguous term that is as flexible as needed by the degree of confidence and trust established with the doc you work with.
I would not think of PA or NP school as a second or lesser choice than going to Med. school. You really need to do what you want to not what you feel you will have to contingent on your grades. The PA profession is prideful and doesn't think of itself as  second class. Let me refer you to the AAPA web site for more info: <www.aapa.org>