Debating route based on my experience

[sb2203]

Good evening everyone!

I have been scanning this site and I have found tons of great information. Here is where I am at:

I started this medical journey when I rode along on a fire truck when I was 16. I became and EMT and worked on a busy ambulance in AZ for a year or so. I wanted more...I joined the Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman. LOVED it. First few years were on a ship...sick calls, shots, great experience. I then worked in the ER in San Diego. Sutures, IV's, wonderful experience working close with MD's and nurses. My last year was with the Marines at Camp Pendleton. I went through some more good trauma training and then worked with the Division Psych unit. Worked with a lot of Marines who were coming back with PTSD. I decided to get out in 2010 and started school full time, with no real goal. It was a first step outside active duty. I was trying to figure it out. I got my EMT and I am still on the Navy reserves. So, I have continued to acrue hands on patient experience, along with some valuable life experience, like many others out there.

So, I am debating the Nurse/PA route. I am starting at a CC in fall to start taking classes. I have really been researching both. Something is drawing me to PA. I know this topic is talked about all over this site, but I had to throw it out there again for feedback. I am getting married this July to a wonderful Kindergarten teacher who supports me no matter what.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday night!

[malenurse69, MSN, NP]

PA is a lot more science and nose to the grindstone type classes. You will also have to get accepted and finish 2 year graduate program to become a PA. With nursing (If you're going for your BSN which I recommend,) it's 4 years with honestly less stressful classes, more interaction (clinicals), and faster way to make money. You can always advance as a nurse later on if you choose, such as a nurse practitioner who makes just as much as a PA in most cases and has more autonomy. It's really up to you, but in my eyes nursing is much more fluid and diverse, as long as you can handle the nursing perspective on care, as opposed to medicines.

[A&Ox6, MSN, RN]

Malenurse 69, the BSN is a faster way to make money? In this market?

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I, too, am debating between PA or NP once I'm done with my BSN. I could have finished a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science much quicker than getting the BSN and gone straight to PA school, but I didn't want to limit my options. I wanted to do nursing to see if NP would appeal to me more than PA. In between semesters of nursing school, I work on pre-reqs for PA/NP school. After this summer, the only remaining classes I'll need for PA/NP are pathophysiology & biochemistry...yay!

There are pros & cons to each profession. You really have to weigh them vs. what works best for you. So far, I'm leaning towards PA school, just because of the job market in my area. NP school would be less expensive and a lot closer to home (7 minutes away!) but I see 3 times as many job postings for PAs than I do NPs right now. That could change, so I'm trying to keep my options open because I don't want to get pegged into one thing just yet. I still have time to make the decision before I finish my last semester of the BSN.

Yes, it's quicker to finish a BS in another field and go straight to PA. Do what works for you & your local job market.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

You can always advance as a nurse later on if you choose, such as a nurse practitioner who makes just as much as a PA in most cases and has more autonomy.

It depends on the state in which you practice. In some states, there is very little difference other than training (medical model vs. nursing model)

[sb2203]

I appreciate the comments! I have been researching and researching. I can totally see how nursing as so many avenues, and also can get me into the workforce faster. But I also have to get into a nursing program, which I know can be competitive. I think that also depends on where. I am fortunate to have had a lot of great experience up to this point, and I am excited to learn more from people who have a lot more experience. I want to continue to work in Emergency Medicine, would I be able to eventually do that as an NP? Are there many male NP's??

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

It depends on your area. I've only seen PAs in the ER around here. However, my parents live in another state and they get NPs and rarely ever get a PA. It's very regional.

I haven't met any NPs who are male, personally. However, that doesn't mean they don't exist :)

Good luck with your decision. I know how tough it is!

[RookieRoo]

I would go the BSN route first. No matter what you choose next you need a bachelor's first and at least doing this you can be an RN for awhile to make money while you mull your options. After that... be aware that if you apply to PA school, they will ask you why, with an RN, you are not applying to MSN programs instead. As long as you have a good answer for them (ie, are aware of the differences in scope of practice, etc between NP and PA) you should be fine.

[sb2203]

I really appreciate all the responses. I think nursing route is a great option. And eventually NP.. Can't go wrong. I'm gonna start taking classes, work hard and get good grades.

[RunBabyRN]

See if you can job shadow a nurse and a PA. Civilian medicine is so different from military med (former HM here, too), so seeing what they really do and their approach to patient care may help you figure out which plan is right for you. I know that many of the HMs I worked with at my duty station have gone on to be DOs, PAs or RNs/NPs. I'm graduating in May with my BSN and will go back for my CNM eventually.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!

Please investigate nursing programs that are specifically designed to as a bridge for military medics/corpsmen. I am very proud to say that there are several in my state. (Military) but here is one in Maryland also (Military Medic or Corpsman to ADN Transition Program). Check around, I am sure you will find one that works for you.