Deciding between RN vs PA vs MD

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This is sort of an adendum to my previous thread. I've gotten a lot of new suggestions and I have a new set of questions that I think warrants a new thread. Here's the previous if you want to flip through it:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/so-end-my-pre-med-career-i-m-thinking-switching-nursing-342952.html

Cliffs: I'm a soon-to-be graduated Human Biology major with previous pre-med intentions but I've changed my mind for various reasons (primarily lifestyle... as in, I like to sleep and have a life, salary isn't that important.) I had my mind set on an accelerated RN program, but lots of allnurses.com'ers are trying to turn me on to PA school so I figured I'd give that a look.

So here I am now... PA school doesn't really appeal to me that much. It's longer, more expensive, and in the end the salary isn't much better and you're still working under someone's supervision. Plus there isn't much room to branch out in your career. Nursing on the other hand... I could complete the program in 16 months for $18,000, it's a job I'd love doing, and there's tons of options to specialize. I'm most strongly considering doing CRNA, if that matters. I think over 10 years if you take cost and reimbursement into cosideration, CRNA and PA work out to be pretty much the same amount of money, but the big benefit of the RN is I'll be making full salary at 24-25 years old and I can work 3 days a week and get out there and live a little. :chuckle

So I think the only issue is that if I do nursing, the last 5 years of college have been a complete waste. I'll have a degree in human biology that won't mean anything because I won't be doing anything with it and maybe that's why everyone's telling me to do PA school. Anyway, what are your thoughts?

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Just an FYI CRNA make a whole lot more than a PA...PA and NP make pretty much the same 65-80K CRNA makes 130-150 depending on the area...Good luck in ur career decision...Personally I'm partial to RN and NP..more options in my opinion..

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Do you think you would enjoy nursing? Becoming a CRNA doesn't happen overnight. This is something that only yourself can decide with more research.

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Specializes in Mixed Level-1 ICU.

Sorry, duplicate entry

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Only you know what is best for you...

But, you're asking for opinions, so I'll tell you what I'm doing. I have a B.S. in education and about a year ago I decided that I wanted to be a P.A. I began looking into programs and saw that the prereq's would take me about 2 yrs...even going through the summers...I think they're the same as medical school.

So after talking to some RN friends, I looked into nursing. I found that nurse practioners do essentially the same job as PA's. The pre-req's for an accelerated BSN program were fewer by far and I was able to apply to an ABSN program, get accepted, and I'll be starting an 11 month program in January.

I too have done some research into CRNA and that may be something I'd be interested in...I figure that by going this route I can either remain an RN, go to NP school (and hopefully get some tuition help from the hospital I work for), or go to CRNA school. There are just so many different directions you can go with nursing. Teaching interests me as well (not surprising since my 1st degree is education).

I am really happy with my decision so far...of course I haven't started the ABSN program just yet...but the more research I do, the happier I am that I decided on this path.

Best of luck to you in making your decisions!

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Specializes in Mixed Level-1 ICU.

Here's the part that's confusing.

You say," ...it's a job I'd love doing," yet I am assuming you have never been an RN.

If you love the job, it will be fine.

But, how can you love a job you have yet to perform?

Nursing is changing fast, more and more responsibilities and tasks added all the time. Computer programs that are designed not to help streamline your care but help billing and inventory. Nursing is often an afterthought.

Nursing remains a struggle. Excellent nursing is, at time, impossible to achieve. Mediocre nursing will always be easy.

The culture of nursing has yet to change significantly. Nurses are still considered cost burdens and management will forever attempt to micromanage your practice...almost always to the detriment of the patient.

And with this financial crisis, who knows what changes they will mandate.

Still, three days working, good.

Salary...ok, in relation to some other blue collar jobs...but small considering the true responsibilities the professional nurse undertakes

Bottom line; If you love people and are confident and headstrong enough to say,

"No, that's not a priority"

"This assignment is not safe and I'm making it known to those who count"

"I'm going home because my shift is over and I'm not responsible for staffing the unit"

.........You may retain your sanity and thrive.

Sure, the aforementioned is a generalization but, sadly, there's too much truth in it.

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Eh, I have a history degree I never used either and the $30,000 in loans that came with it. I'm definitely not alone either. In the grand scheme of things it won't matter. Yes, I hate that loan payment but I don't regret my first degree or the knowledge I earned with it. I just changed my focus and couldn't be happier. Do what you think you'll love, first 5 years be damned.

Just my two cents. :)

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Your education will never have been a waste. Whether you go to nursing school or PA school, having that background will a great boon to you. It will make school easier and you will probably be better nurse for better understanding the human body. If you go on for your Master's (especially CRNA, which relies so heavily on chem and biochem! This is the speciality that's most similiar to medical training), having that background will be a HUGE asset.

It sounds like you want to have options (say you get your RN... you can go on for CRNA, or you could decide you want to be a Pediatric NP or a Nurse Midwife or a LOT of other things! Even after you specialize, you can always go back for a post-master's specialization in another area. For me, this kind of flexibility was very important).

However, if getting a lot sleep and not having to study ALL the time is important to you, an ABSN program won't be what you're looking for. These programs are VERY intense and most students do nothing but study, eat, and sleep (usually less than they'd like!). The drop-out rates are high and the physical and emotional stress is significant. However, they're over in 12-18 months. I decided to do a 2-year diploma program program instead of the ABSN route (I have a bachelor's degree too), and will just take a couple of bridge courses when I go for my MSN. This could be an option if you want a less intense course of study (also, if you got an associate's in nursing, you'd save a lot of money and could still go on for your MSN). Just an idea.

From what I've heard, CRNA is also very rigorous, and require several years of additional study. So basically, going the RN/CRNA route wouldn't be EASIER than PA, but I do believe that nursing gives greater opportunities for specialization and continuing education.

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The thing that I find so appealing about nursing is that there is always more room to advance your education. Once you're a PA, you're always a PA. You sort of hit a glass ceiling and there is no room for career advancement (unless of course you decide to go to med school, and you already said that you are not interested in this). However, with nursing there are so many options. You can become an NP, CRNA, PhD, DNP, etc. There are so many areas in which you can specialize. Nursing is very flexible and versatile.

Also, I don't think that your degree was a waste. First of all, no education is ever a waste. And besides, it will look good on your resume. With that being said, perhaps you should try finding a direct entry BSN or MSN program since it sounds like you already have a lot of the core science pre-reqs already under your belt. Your degree is beneficial because it allows you to get into the nursing field at a much higher level than you otherwise would.

Bottom line: the decision is ultimately up to you. If you have the desire in your heart to pursue a certain career, don't let anyone stand in your way. Best of luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

I agree with what everyone has said. Maybe you could shadow a nurse and see what their day is like? 83studentnurse is right on about the ABSN programs. I'm in semester one of four of my program, and every day is at least a 12 hour day (sometimes longer if we have a few tests on the same day), between classes, clinicals, and studying/papers/assignments. No sleeping in because class starts at 8, clinicals at 6:45 in my program. These programs are between 18 and 23 credits per semester. I'm taking patho and pharm together right now, along with skills and assessment and three other classes. It's tough, but I think it'll definitely be worth it. I love what I'm learning and am excited to become a nurse! Good luck with your decision!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ED.

Your first degree isn't a waste by any stretch. You have learned how to learn (no small accomplishment) and you know what it takes to succeed at something. Both of those will carry you in ways you may not realize right now. Follow your dreams on this and you'll come out better for it. All of your experiences in life are helping to make you who you are. Whatever you decide will be greatly enhanced by ALL of your previous experiences. Best of luck!

Jim

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This is sort of an adendum to my previous thread. I've gotten a lot of new suggestions and I have a new set of questions that I think warrants a new thread. Here's the previous if you want to flip through it:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/so-end-my-pre-med-career-i-m-thinking-switching-nursing-342952.html

Cliffs: I'm a soon-to-be graduated Human Biology major with previous pre-med intentions but I've changed my mind for various reasons (primarily lifestyle... as in, I like to sleep and have a life, salary isn't that important.) I had my mind set on an accelerated RN program, but lots of allnurses.com'ers are trying to turn me on to PA school so I figured I'd give that a look.

So here I am now... PA school doesn't really appeal to me that much. It's longer, more expensive, and in the end the salary isn't much better and you're still working under someone's supervision. Plus there isn't much room to branch out in your career. Nursing on the other hand... I could complete the program in 16 months for $18,000, it's a job I'd love doing, and there's tons of options to specialize. I'm most strongly considering doing CRNA, if that matters. I think over 10 years if you take cost and reimbursement into cosideration, CRNA and PA work out to be pretty much the same amount of money, but the big benefit of the RN is I'll be making full salary at 24-25 years old and I can work 3 days a week and get out there and live a little. :chuckle

So I think the only issue is that if I do nursing, the last 5 years of college have been a complete waste. I'll have a degree in human biology that won't mean anything because I won't be doing anything with it and maybe that's why everyone's telling me to do PA school. Anyway, what are your thoughts?

Yep, I was right. Cliques even exist here on Allnurses.com. Whenever I post thinking out loud about doubts, uncertainties and pay I get bashed. Yet here you do it and no one winks an eye. What a shame.

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