Going from RN to PA

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I if go to school to be an RN and take all the pre req. classes for a PA, can I go to med school to be a PA?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I if go to school to be an RN and take all the pre req. classes for a PA, can I go to med school to be a PA?

Why not be a NP? You do not go to medical school to become a PA, you go to PA school for that.

Most programs and their prerequisites in the US for PA School on this website:

https://portal.caspaonline.org

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I if go to school to be an RN and take all the pre req. classes for a PA can I go to med school to be a PA?[/quote']

Do some googling.

You don't need to be an RN for PA school. PA school is not med school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Basically I wanted to get my RN so that I'd have some kind of degree to be able to work at least part time while working on becoming a PA, the PA program I'm looking into is at a med school. I debated being a NP but I like the prospective of a PA bett

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Basically I wanted to get my RN so that I'd have some kind of degree to be able to work at least part time while working on becoming a PA the PA program I'm looking into is at a med school. I debated being a NP but I like the prospective of a PA bett[/quote']

Curious, what do you like better about PA?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I eventually wanted to be a surgical PA, and I can't do that if I'm a NP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

Something to consider when going to PA school is that sometimes PA and NP programs are combined. The differences end up being that you'd take a couple more classes or have some more clinical experiences as a PA than an NP. If you get into one of those combined programs, you might consider meeting all the requirements for both programs... that way you could get dual-certified/licensed as an NP and a PA with little (overall) extra effort.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I eventually wanted to be a surgical PA and I can't do that if I'm a NP.[/quote']

NPs can be first assist the same as PAs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Something to consider when going to PA school is that sometimes PA and NP programs are combined. The differences end up being that you'd take a couple more classes or have some more clinical experiences as a PA than an NP. If you get into one of those combined programs you might consider meeting all the requirements for both programs... that way you could get dual-certified/licensed as an NP and a PA with little (overall) extra effort.[/quote']

What school has a combined PA and NP program? They are entirely different models.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.
I eventually wanted to be a surgical PA, and I can't do that if I'm a NP.

where did you get that info?

I have been through similar debates and decided that NP is better. In any case your plan is not totally flawed. Most PA programs require a minimum Bachelors degree and 1 year direct patient care experience in order to apply. Another alternative I got from a PA school is to do a short EMT program, the EMT work will meet the work experience and get a health sciences bachelors degree should cover most of your PA prerequisites.

cited from University of Florida

School Requirements » School of Physician Assistant Studies » College of Medicine » University of Florida

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.
What school has a combined PA and NP program? They are entirely different models.

UC Davis...

http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/fnppa/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Wow one actually exists. A masters degree granted on completion but the program is a certificate program for PA. Looks like 2012 was the final class and the curriculum is changing starting 2013.

I'm not quite sure what the benefit is outside additional clinical experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment