Where to start??

I am currently a Registered Nurse with an Associates Degree. I WANT to be a PA, not a NP. Where do I start. Do I get Bachelor of Science and then apply to PA school? Will any of my nursing experience count?

Thanks!

paworld.net/employment.html

aapa.org

best wishes, bill

Jen in Manville, Rhode Island said: I am currently a Registered Nurse with an Associates Degree. I WANT to be a PA, not a NP. Where do I start. Do I get Bachelor of Science and then apply to PA school? Will any of my nursing experience count?

Thanks!

Just curious...why not NP?? I think that as long as you have the prerequisit courses done, and can the meet the requirements for the program you apply to, you should be all set. I am applying to Pa school right now and have a few interviews coming up. What is your opinion on the differences between a PA and NP? Other than the way they are trained, what do you think?

i'm a pharm tech, i have more respect for np's than i do for pa's. they make fewer mistakes and more accurate diagnosis, perhaps due to more onfield vs. school experience

interesting comment...do you think that applies to all...I think someone who is good at there job is so becauase they care ... not because of what they are...no? If I choose to be a NP rather than a PA I believe I would be just as skilled...

rose in Jamaica, New York said: i'm a pharm tech, i have more respect for np's than i do for pa's. they make fewer mistakes and more accurate diagnosis, perhaps due to more onfield vs. school experience

Thats funny because most people who go into programs were already healthcare professions plus they (PA's) receive more clinical training. Perhaps your respect is best reserved for those that do their jobs well and not based on a title. After all, nowadays you dont even have to be a nurse first to get an MSN, plus there are PA's becoming NP's for autonomy and there are NP's becoming PA"s for specialty flexibility.....

I was also a nurse with an Assoc. degree who chose to be a PA because of the training. PA's are trained in the medical model with many required clinical hours. When I went to D'Youville College in Buffalo, the PA BS degree was only 5 credit hrs. less than the NP Master's program and only 160 hrs of clinical was required for the NP's but the PA's needed to complete 50 weeks rotating through surgical and medical specialties. PA's and NP's are mid-level providers, not physicians and have to say I do not agree with the level of autonomy granted to NPs.

Jen in Manville, Rhode Island said: I am currently a Registered Nurse with an Associates Degree. I WANT to be a PA, not a NP. Where do I start. Do I get Bachelor of Science and then apply to PA school? Will any of my nursing experience count?

Thanks!

You should have your transcripts evaluated at the school you're interested in attending. As I've said here before (different person's question) not all PA programs require you to have a degree of any kind. I would think having an Associates Degree you would be well on your way to meeting all the prequisites for PA school. Don't be afraid to shop around, and move if you have to. If you can get into a PA program in a different state and it helps you to graduate faster, you'll be much better off in the long run.

hey jen in RI, just wandering are u in a PA program now? I am in a similar situation and wonder if its better to be a PA or NP although I really want to be a PA. So did it work out for you?