RN or PA: What is the odd of being accepted?

Nursing Students General Students

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I completed my prerequisites for the RN program. I don't have a stellar grade but no Cs. However, if I will pursue for the physician assistant program, I still have another shot of earning excellent grades.

How hard is it to get in the RN program when compared to the PA program?

For your note, I know that I will have to earn a four year college in order to be (maybe) accepted.

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I would think the "difficulty" of being accepted would depend on the specific school. Basically, it could vary from school to school, regardless of it's a PA program or nursing program.

Do you want to be a nurse or a PA? Even though they both work in the clinical setting, they play quite different roles. Aim for the career you want, not which program is "easier" to get into. :yes:

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Yep, I think it's a bit odd you are comparing the two based off entrance requirements. Which one do you WANT to be? Very different roles. Have you shadowed a PA or nurse before?

My husband is a PA, and while I considered the career path for myself, I ultimately decided I'm more of a nurse. They both deal with patients, but different opportunities and experiences, etc.

The pre reqs in my experience are quite different for a PA program. Many of them require a GRE, 1000+ hours of paid/unpaid experience, and different pre reqs (this varies GREATLY by program). My husband actually took A&P in PA school, and it was slightly different than the A&P I took. I'm not even sure mine would directly transfer. He also had heavier chemistry requirements.

I would sit back and seriously consider what kind of provider you want to be. These are very different jobs.

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Specializes in ER.

Well, there is really no way to know for sure. I would say PA school is harder because there are more nursing schools in general. In my city alone, we have about 12 direct-entry RN programs and at least 16 LPN programs. We only have 1 PA program and 1 medical school. If you don't get into an RN program, some go to an LPN and then go complete the LPN to RN program. We have a dozen RN routes such as diploma, traditional ADN, traditional BSN, MSN direct-entry, accelerated BSN, LPN to RN, paramedic to RN, and so on. My friend failed out of the traditional RN program and now he just graduated from the LPN to RN program.

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Thank you for taking an effort to answer my questions. You're all correct. I also researched the difference between RN and PA's roles in healthcare field. I prefer the nursing. For now, I'm waiting patiently working as a caregiver/CNA. If I get chosen either LVN or RN program, I may start Aug/Sept. 2017.

I have no idea. My grades in humanities/non-science are making me nuts. I wish, I could turn the clock back to earn an A.:no:. I do have excellent grades in sciences and maths. However, the schools in my radius look for the cumulative GPA.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

PA schools are extremely competitive. Much more so than any nursing school. You can find a nursing school that'll let you in if you have a checkbook.

If your goal is to enter nursing to become an NP, PA school would theoretically be shorter. However it may take a few tries to get in since it's so competitive.

All PA programs are intense and produce great providers. The good NP schools are the same. The crappy ones... Not so much..

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