Quick question (and please excuse my ignorance):
Why do some mid level providers want to go on to be a physician while others think that they already are physicians?
Aside from education requirements and length of time per program what is the difference between an NP/PA and a physician???
Knowledge. The NP/PA’s I know who have gone on to become physicians all realize after a week of med school that the depth and breadth of their education pails in comparison to MD/DO school. That knowledge or lack thereof limits the midlevel to being midlevels.
Why do some move to be physicians? Because they want to know more. Some also want to be ultimately responsible but every midlevel I know does so because they want to have the depth and breadth of a med school education. Ultimately being the “boss” is just par for the course.
- Julio Cesar Said:
Why do some mid level providers want to go on to be a physician
And because in some facilities that I have worked in the midlevels find themselves with the workload and responsibility of a physician, without the commeasurate compensation. Not that it's about the money, but still . . .
I quit my job to go to school and make a PA application. After about 6 months working up close with PA's and visiting with both I knew that I would never be satisfied unless I made the med school application.
Edit:
To clarify, for me personally, it's not about the money, I just would not be happy not being "the guy" if that makes sense. As a paramedic I worked without immediate supervision and got the full range of pt acuity. In my neck of the woods there are PA's doing the same thing, but why not go to school 2 more years, have a bit more autonomy, education and ability to care for your pt's. And mathmatically, the compensation makes up for the extra two years of med school and the wage differences for 3 years of residency.
FWIW and YMMV
Chris