Contemplating going back to school to become a physician assistant. Seems like most RNs take the NP route, but PA would be cheaper for me and might allow me to work in the OR. From what I understand NPs aren't in the OR. I'm under the impression that PAs can get hands on training in new depts, whereas NPs need to go back to school fir another certification.
I feel like I can't do much as an RN b/c I hated med surg while in school. Most of it was b/c I found it so overwhelming and my brain could not keep up. I became a psych RN and like some parts of it, but get tired of dealing w/ the same people for 12+ hrs. I know ther are other areas in nursing, but the way the market is right now no one wants to cross train you into another dept and I only have 2 years RN experience. Nursing is harder and more grueling than I originally thought. Plus I have an anxiety problem and get flustered worrying I might do something wrong and hurt someone.
So any info about RNs turned PA would be appreciated.
Nursing is harder and more grueling than I originally thought. Plus I have an anxiety problem and get flustered worrying I might do something wrong and hurt someone.
You feel this way about nursing, and so you want to go into a harder and more grueling profession, where you make more decisions, at a higher level, with a higher risk of "hurting someone"? I'm not getting this ...
You feel this way about nursing, and so you want to go into a harder and more grueling profession, where you make more decisions, at a higher level, with a higher risk of "hurting someone"? I'm not getting this ...
Ditto.......gut reaction for you is don't do it. PAs are under more pressure than nurses by a longshot. Your more like an MD for example of you are working in an ED or trauma center. In some cases you will be the first person that assess a patient and orders meds.
Alot of people look at jobs like CRNA, NP, PA and just see the $...I know a person who did MD Anesthesiology and regretted it later. The responsibility is like that of an air traffic controller...you hold life in the palm of your hands.:redbeathe
Thanks for everyone's input. The PA program would be cheaper ($8,000 ) vs NP ($36,000). It's a certificate w/ bridge to Masters degree. ( I have 2 bachelors degrees already). I was primarily interested in OR or family practice. Didn't really plan to head ER route. So I was thinking I would have less stress in these jobs. ( saw PA assist surgeon and as long as your trained well should be okay). I like the idea of having mysteries to solve in what is going on w/ a patient, but of the ambulatory situation rather than acute care.
I realize the program is very competive as I was thinking of being a PA long before I became a RN. (started college pre-med). I've talked to some students in the program who explained that as a county employee ( which I am) you get pushed to the top of the list of applicants b/c it's a county based community college and they assume you'll continue to serve the underserved communities as a PA. I have all my prereqs do except Physics( yuck! Never thought I could handle the class). I'm not just looking at the $$ PAs make b/c nurses w/ alot of exp can make as much as PA (and wouldn't have to take on more student loan debt). Just would like to find a job I'd enjoy as nursing just doesn't feel like the best fit for me.
Thanks again for the information everyone had provided!
elkpark
14,633 Posts
You feel this way about nursing, and so you want to go into a harder and more grueling profession, where you make more decisions, at a higher level, with a higher risk of "hurting someone"? I'm not getting this ...