To train as a physician associate?

[Teaandcorrie]

I did an undergraduate degree in biology then an msc then trained as a nurse. I’ve worked as a nurse for 4 years and I would like to train as a physician associate, aibu?

No YANBU. This is definitely going to be the future of the NHS, given the shortfall in junior doctors and the restrictions on hours worked under the junior doctor contact. Good luck

This has come up before.

If your a nurse the ACP role is much better defined, and there are secondment opportunities. It is essentially the same position, with less risk.

And yes good luck! I really want to do it too but I've young children and just can't commit to it at the moment.

Why would you be unreasonable in doing this?!

Could you do advanced clinical practitioner training? Far more career options. At the moment PA's seem to be stuck on band 7, with little career progression and are not classed as autonomous practitioners and can't prescribe. Some of that may change with regulation via the Royal College of Physicians, but that makes me feel uncomfortable as they aren't a regulatory body for doctors, so why should they be for PA's, it should be with HCPC in my opinion. Nurse ACPs can prescribe, are mostly 8a's and above, and have more progression opportunities.

My family think I would be holiday so thought I’d ask here, sorry

No, that’s fair enough! I couldn’t see from your post why it was an AIBU though.

Why don’t they want you to do it?

No why would you want to get stuck at that band when you can advance higher as a nurse should you wish to in the future. Like the other post stated. Do your prescribing and become an AP.

Be a nurse practitioner. There's more scope for advancement and you have clear roles. Plus you don't need to go to to uni and stop work.

A lot of children's hospitals and wards have specialist nurses on the registrar doctors rota (acting at the level just below a consultant).

No one really knows what PAs do, and they are viewed with more suspicion as a result.

You're already a nurse, advance your skills via further nursing training which will open clinical and managerial roles.

Depends what the employment rates are locally. I got offered a place on a course 2 or 3 years ago and turned it down because I couldn't really see it taking off when there's advanced nurse practitioners who can prescribe and are cheaper to train to that level when already a nurse.

The uni people at the interview promised me by the time I qualified there would be jobs galore. My local trust and ccg still don't employ a single one and I'd be qualified by now so very glad I didn't train.

PA seem to be stuck on band 7 and you've got to go back to uni for 2 years with associated debts. In our community trust an advance prac nurse is band 7 whilst they put you through training and then have options to apply for 8a matron posts. It would seem madness to me to go back to uni for less career advancement but I guess PA is a new role and there mighty be more career advancement in the future? I think it would be an expensive gamble

It’s worth noting that many ACPs have their fees masters fees paid via their employer or health education england, often being paid band 7 during training. Would PA training involve you paying your own fees and getting loans?

I wouldn't, it's be a waste of your time if you're already a nurse. Train to be an advanced nurse practitioner as others have said there is the potential to move higher than band 7. You would also be supported by the nmc. PAs are not registered with a governing body, you will not be in a protected role and whilst that may change in future you have much more potential as a nurse.

Why do you want to be a PA? What do you think it will give you that nursing doesn't?

I don’t understand why you’d want to be an AP when you’re qualified nurse.

Why don’t you do ANP training? Many more opportunities to progress I think.

I agree, ACP is a much better idea. PAs are being touted as the way forward but there's a very long way to go. Before you decide though are you sure you don't just want to do medicine? Much better paid and supported once qualified.

NorthernLurker- you have to pay £9k a year in fees alone to do medicine, plus often loans to live on. Depending on if OP has a degree or diploma in nursing will affect if it’s a 4 or 5 year course, plus about another 6-8 years of junior doctoring to earn what an ACP currently does. ACP training is often paid for, so no debts.

I wouldn’t, I’m an ANP in a GP surgery and getting pay equivalent of 8c, I can’t see a PA having that potential. Do your prescribing and advanced clinical assessment skills,or MSc pathway, definitely a better option (IMO)