Going back to School - RN, NP, or PA?

queserasera, RN · Apr 6, 2013

All of these paths seem to have their own excellent benefits. The best advice I can give (because it really let me see all these options) is to shadow someone in the profession. I thought I wanted to go to med school until I shadowed a few different doctors, I then shadowed an NP and a few different RN's. After I knew the nursing model of healthcare was for me. See what fits your personality and your goals for how much autonomy you have, how many hours you put in, what your focus in healthcare can be. Good luck to you in whatever path you choose!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Apr 6, 2013

Depends on your GPA from your first degree. If you have well over a 3.0 from first degree and all the pre-req for PA school then go that route. Otherwise ABSN then 1-2 yrs working before MSN (NP).

meeep, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2013

There are also direct entry NP programs for people with a previous bachelor.

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2013

I have a BS in Biology (pre-med degree in other words). Upon graduation, I was unable to get into any of the medical schools I applied to. I entered the workforce as a fitter and dispenser of hearing instruments. After working in the hearing healthcare field for 5 years, I decided that I needed a change of career (a whole other story). I looked into PA school first. My GPA was not good enough to get into any of the PA programs I applied to either. (3.25). I researched and decided upon nursing. I was also unable to get into a direct entry MSN program also. I decided to go for it anyways and I am currently in a traditional BSN program. I am more than halfway through my 3rd semester and will graduate May 2014. I eventually want to pursue an MSN. People criticized me for going for a 2nd bachelors as opposed to a masters, but I am happy. I don't think I would have been ready for a direct entry MSN without getting my BSN first, even with a BS in bio. Keep your options open. I think, where you live, your GPA, and your available options for school are all major factors in your choice. Research wisely. An NP and a PA are (sort of) similar, but there are very distinct differences. If you are able to get into a PA school (since your already have a BA, it may be a shorter path.. but there may be prereqs you need to take prior to). Also depends on if you want to go into the nursing field (LVN/LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN, NP, PhD in nursing) vs another branch of healthcare ( PA, MD, etc). Best of luck!

MatieB · Apr 6, 2013

Thanks everyone! Great advice! Since my previous degree was in professional photography/film making I was much more interested in being an "artist" than getting stellar grades in school... of course I had no idea I would want to go back to school for a second degree ether at that time. Anyways, I graduated with a 2.6 :unsure: which I know is not to my advantage. Sounds like doing a ABSN or even just a traditional BSN might be best for me. What I do have to my advantage is that I have over 2,000 hours volunteering in hyperbaric medicine and major wound care, plus 2 summers interning for a ENT private practice (This was before becoming a professional photographer). Also I have access to some excellent letters from PA's and MD's that are friends of mine. Thanks again for the great advice!

Fireman767 · Apr 6, 2013

Just to mention, ABSN programs also require a 3.0, but most look for a 3.5. And the masters programs will seek the same. Even the second degree BSN students (non ABSN) usually look for a competitive 3.X. I am in the same condition as you, got my B.S. in Healthcare admin, thousands of years as an EMT, sadly i was told by most ABSN programs that my 2.8 wasn't competitive, and my experience couldnt compensate for it. Most colleges told me to take classes till i had a 3.0 (which is quite a few classes). I went the ADN route and with finagling classes i'll be completing my ADN and BSN at the same time, for just the cost of the ADN.

Id apply for the ABSN programs, but also look at ADN and apply to a few of them., sadly your gpa isn't meeting the requirements of most ABSN programs.

iPink, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2013

I am a career changer as well. I got my B.A. several years ago and was working in Research for a while. The economy hit and was laid off. I did some research and decided becoming an NP was a better route for me. I was not interested in getting a masters in a field I had no experience in so I had to weigh the pros and cons between the ADN or BSN. I had spoken to nurse managers and other nurses (RNs & LPNs) to help me decide. Come to find out in my area, the ADNs were not getting hired because the hospitals are only interested in hiring BSNs. The current ADNs in the hospitals were being forced to go back for the BSN or face being fired. With that information I decided to go for the BSN. Luckily, in my first degree I had above a 3.0 and was accepted into the only ABSN program I applied for. I graduated last year and now I'm a nurse, working in progressive care. I plan to do a BSN-to-DNP since a few universities in my area have gotten rid of their Masters program and offers the bridge to DNP. Do I plan to apply with only 1 year of nursing experience? Not in the least. I would be applying with other nurses who had 5+ years of experience. I want to learn to be come a good nurse first before becoming a great NP.

There are online ABSNs that accept applicants with under 3.0, but there are very few of them. You may have to do the ADN route (not sure), but research your area about hires of ADNs. There are still plenty of states that will hire ADNs without requiring them to obtain the BSN in 2 years.

One big reason why I prefer to become an NP vs. a PA is the autonomy. I researched that certain states allow NPs to work without a Physician, however PAs will need to work with one. With healthcare changing, NPs will be greatly needed.

Good luck!

MatieB · Apr 8, 2013

Thanks again everyone... Well a little discouraged to find out my GPA from my previous degree won't cut it but such is life. What about my high school transcripts? Would they look at those at all? I graduated high school with a 3.7GPA and all honors classes! Also I'm pretty sure I will need to take a fair amount of prerequisites to get into a nursing program anyways. If I'm very competitive in those classes that will raise my GPA but by how much... hmmm. Fireman767 you said you went the ADN route but you were able to take other classes at the same time that allowed you to graduate with a BSN as well? Can you elaborate on that? Sounds like something I might want to do!

Fireman767 · Apr 9, 2013

Well my last degree was based heavily on the nursing BSN courses, so i found an ADN program that allowed me to take BSN classes while taking ADN courses. Mind you I transferred in about 5 classes of the BSN into the program, so it works out that I only need about 6 more classes, spread over the next year of ADN classes. Your degree of photography wont get you as far as my degree in healthcare management did because those fields have nothing in common. But all your electives are done, so you would only need 1 additional year to complete your BSN (so a total of 3 years for your BSN). Worth a look, but let me know what are you are in, I have a few colleges in my area that allow it.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 9, 2013

Instead of focusing on the "quickest route", define exactly what you want to be. There's a big difference between being an RN and being a PA. My plan is to go to PA school after I complete my BSN. There are many pre-reqs for PA school that are not required for BSN or NP (depending on the program). Most PA programs also require a certain number of paid health care experience (HCE) hours.

Because you have a non-science background, you'll have to work hard to make your application competitive for PA school. You'll also have a lot of science to take before you can be considered. Take a look at the programs in your area and see what the requirements are.

PAs go to med school. NPs are trained in nursing school. PAs do everything a doctor does (prescribe meds, diagnose, etc.) but must work under the supervision of a physician. NPs can practice independently, but are more limited in their scope of practice (depending on state law).

So, you really need to define what your ultimate goal is and that will show you what is the best path to take.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 9, 2013

In my case, I did not have the grades to get into PA school. I also was not very likely a candidate for any of the entry-level masters programs or an ABSN program. So I did what any relatively decently intelligent person with a bachelor of science degree would do: I looked at my options and quickly determines that an ADN program was the best option for me. Once I completed the ADN program, I can then go to an RN – BSN upgrade course and it would only take about six classes for me to complete the upgrade. After that, I should be decently prepared for entrance into any graduate-level nursing program of my choice.

The end result is that when I'm all done with my schooling, I should be ready to go for NP or a combined NP/PA program. Should I choose a combined program, I would probably, in all likelihood, take the extra coursework to become a PA as well.

I commend you for your willingness to look at all of your options and find out what exactly they are. If you did not take that step, you might find yourself going down the wrong path right to a dead-end.