Do RNs make more than PAs in Northern California?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello Everyone,

In California (specifically Northern California) do RNs tend to make more money than PAs?

I was initially considering PA school, but now am also considering nursing school. I have read about PAs who were previously nurses going back to work as RNs because they were paid significantly more in California. Is this true and does anyone have first hand experience with this?

For those of you who are PAs or RNs what are the pros and cons to your job? What do you like and dislike about it?

Finally, how difficult is it to find a job in California starting off as new grad PA vs RN?

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5 hours ago, ml10798 said:

Hello Everyone,

In California (specifically Northern California) do RNs tend to make more money than PAs?

I was initially considering PA school, but now am also considering nursing school. I have read about PAs who were previously nurses going back to work as RNs because they were paid significantly more in California. Is this true and does anyone have first hand experience with this?

For those of you who are PAs or RNs what are the pros and cons to your job? What do you like and dislike about it?

Finally, how difficult is it to find a job in California starting off as new grad PA vs RN?

RN to PA is not unheard of, but most RNs would transition to NP. Are you sure that's not what you're thinking of?

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Highly experienced RN with several specialty certificates and some luck (and some risk, too) can make more than PA or NP almost everywhere in the country, I think.

Only one problem is that one needs at least 10 to 15 years of divercified experience and probably more of studying than PA school to get to that level.

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Choosing to become an RN to make more money than a PA is not the way to go.

They are two different jobs. And there are huge variables- Who makes more, a carpenter or a firefighter? Well, it depends......

I am going to take a guess here that you are young. Shadow both, and pick the one you like.

If your bottom line is money, PA is probably the way to go. But, if you are planning to do something for the next 40 years, it should be something you like doing.

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