Nurse Practitioner Programs
68% (Source: U.S. News & World Report)
Committing to a career in medicine early is a proactive step that can significantly enhance your chances of acceptance into a healthcare training program. One key to gaining acceptance is laying the groundwork early. By starting now, you can focus on building a strong application, gaining relevant experience, and preparing for the competitive nature of these programs. At Accepted Into Medicine (AIM), we are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the application process with expert advice and support to help you achieve your medical career goals.
The Path to Becoming a Medical Doctor (MD)
The Path to Becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Basic Educational Requirements: A bachelor's degree, including prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus.
Entrance Exam: Achieve a strong score on the MCAT
Medical School: 4 years of medical school training to gain foundational knowledge in various areas of medicine.
Medical School: 4 years of medical school training, similar to MDs, but with additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). OMM is a hands-on approach that involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions related to muscles, bones, and joints.
Residency: After completing medical school, MDs enter a residency program specializing in a specific area of medicine. The residency program typically lasts 3-7 years, depending on the specialty.
Residency: After completing medical school, DOs complete a residency program, similar to MDs, but often with a focus on holistic and preventive care.
What’s the Difference Between an MD and a DO?: MDs and DOs are trained to work in the same fields of medicine, including primary care, surgery, and other specialties. The key difference lies in the additional education DOs receive in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). DOs are trained to take a holistic approach to healthcare, considering the whole person—including lifestyle, environment, and social determinants of health—alongside traditional medical practices.
The Path to Becoming Physician Assistant (PA)
The Path to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Basic Educational Requirements: A bachelor's degree, including the required prerequisite courses.
Basic Educational Requirements: Become a registered nurse (RN.) Pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Earn a bachelor’s degree.
Entrance Exam: Achieve a strong score on the GRE. (Most PA programs require this exam.)
Entrance Exam: None
PA Program: 2 to 3 years of specialized education in a physician assistant program, depending on the program's structure. This includes clinical training and coursework in medical knowledge, diagnostics, and patient care. Earn a Master’s in Physician Assistant studies.
NP Program: Obtain advanced patient care, diagnosis, and treatment education. This typically leads to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)degree.
What’s the Difference Between a PA and an NP? Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced care practitioners (ACPs) trained to perform physical exams, diagnose and treat patients, and prescribe medication. However, there are key differences:
NPs have full practice authority in 28 states, which means they can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications independently, without physician supervision. During their training, they typically specialize in a particular field, such as family medicine, pediatrics, adult medicine, women’s health, or psychiatry, among others.
PAs, on the other hand, work under the supervision of physicians. They receive broad, general medical training, which allows them to practice across various fields, including emergency medicine, surgery, dermatology, cardiology, pediatrics, women’s health, and more. PAs can start in one field of medicine and transition into other specialties without having to return to school, offering flexibility throughout their careers.
