At A Crossroads - Mature Student Entering Healthcare - RN, NP, or Paramedic
Hello everyone. Before we start, yes I know what this subreddits opinion will likely be, but just the same I feel I should hear everything that will be in the comments out in full instead of relying on my assumptions. For context, I'm a mature student in Canada at a crossroads. For a long time I've wanted to work in healthcare, and have finally made the decision at 33 (after a solid career as a programmer, and many weekends over two years volunteering as a medical first responder) to return to school. I have two options.
One is going to a two year paramedic program at a local college. It's a well regarded program, and, at least at the minor level that I've experienced working at (which is to say I fully understand that my volunteering is a lower level of care/scope compared to true paramedic work), I enjoy the moment to moment pace, the detail oriented nature of the work, and the privilege of being trusted to help in dire circumstances. The amount of independence while still being under the overall direction/guidance of a physician that paramedics work with also appeals to me.
Two is returning to university and becoming a nurse. I would likely lean towards critical care environments, namely ED/ICU. As mentioned I am capable of working well within fast paced, detail oriented, and hectic environments. The execution of complex care plans, and being able to be there for patients in a longer term capacity than as a paramedic, all appeal to me.
As mentioned I like how paramedics tend to operate with some degree of independence while still being under the guidance/direction of a physician. Looking into it, I was very heavily considering going the NP route after attaining at minimum three years of experience in critical care environments so I could contribute in a more direct way to patient care. To be frank, this subreddit (and looking into it some more) has pumped the breaks there. My ideal work environment is operating with a degree of independence under a doctor's guidance, but if that entails putting patients at risk because of middling standards in certifications and education, then that's not something I'm willing to do. It's a privilege to be in a position of trust in healthcare, and I worry that in pursuing this I'd be listening to my ego over my brain, but just the same I can't fully discount that there might be environments where an NP, when properly utilized, can have a positive impact for patients. Not to replace a doctor (because they're not doctors) but to supplement them.
In any case, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think there's any use case for NPs in an environment like critical care that doesn't compromise patient care? Are there any angles I haven't considered? Should I pack it all in and become a hobby farmer? For what it's worth, because of the state of Canadian medical education, I won't be able to pursue either PA or MD programs. Thanks for your time (and reading this novel).