Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA) Programs for Military Vets

On August 8th 2011, Bob Blumm of the American College of Clinicians (ACC) sent out a public statement regarding medical personnel returning home from combat duty wishing to further their education to join the allied health professional work force. Many of these war veterans are facing a rough economy and tough job market when they return and are seeking employment as civillians.

"Very few realize that many of the allied health professionals they encounter in medical offices and healthcare institutions, from medical assistants to phlebotomy technicians and physician assistants to nurse practioners, have learned their skill while serving in the Armed Forces and have a strong military background."

It served as a reminder that the ACC did in fact publish a white paper to honor and make a special pathway for those who served in the miltary and upon returning to the USA desire to further their education and become either nurse practitioners (NP) or physician assistants (PA).  ACC feels strongly that those who have given a part of their lives to serving in a time of war deserve special consideration when applying to programs of advanced practice clinicians. The college asks all PA and NP programs to look favorably on these veterans if they apply to their training programs.

"ACC serves nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) as an advocate for the professions scope of practice. The following is a joint effort of the executive committee 2-3 years ago demonstrating what we feel would best serve both professions as a thank you for a job well done.”

In another white paper published just one day later, Lisa P. Shock, MHS, PA-C President/CEO of Utilization Solutions in Healthcare, Inc. emphazises the value physician assistants (PAs) add to the medical office as a business. In the paper she explains: 

"As healthcare reform is implemented, the expansion of healthcare industries will require an emphasis on cost containment. Here are five ways a PA can make your business more profitable."

Physicians and healthcare institutions are expected to employ more PAs to provide primary care and to assist with medical and surgical procedures because PAs are cost-effective and productive members of the healthcare team.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is expected to grow 27 percent from 2006 to 2016. According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, median income for physician assistants in full-time clinical practice was $80,356 in 2006; median income for first-year graduates was $69,517. Income varies by specialty, practice setting, geographical location, and years of experience.