If I become an RN and then become a PA could i still work as an RN

[bayleyf]

I am studying to become an STNA now and I was studying my options. If I become an RN and later become a PA can I still get a job as an RN or is that title gone once I become a PA

[caronbell]

As long as you maintain active, valid licenses you would be able to practice under either one.

(Of course check with the licensing bodies in your state)

I was an OT in my former life; now am an RN. Could technically still practice as an OT if I wanted to if I wanted to spend the hundreds of dollars on continuing ed and paying the state for licensing fees and the national boards for THEIR registration fees.

[elkpark]

As long as you maintain an active, valid license as an RN, you are able to. However, be aware that, in that scenario, your employer will limit you to the RN scope of practice and job description, but, if anything at work goes pear-shaped enough to end up in court, the courts will hold you to the standards and scope of practice of your highest level of education and licensure, which would be your PA license. That's the conflict and risk with working below your highest level of licensure.

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

Do you know about nurse practitioners, NPs?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Nope - whole different thing with NP because both are under "nursing" discipline. Once you go there (higher qualifications), you can't "go back" to regular practice because you'll be professionally accountable to the highest standard of your licensure/education no matter what your job title. So, if a licensed NP accepts a job as a lowly staff nurse, his employer may limit the things he's allowed to do on the job, but his BON would require him to still apply all of his higher-level knowledge. It would be a nightmare for the nurse & employer.

Just imagine .... not only having more knowledge than your supervisor, but being professionally accountable for countermanding your boss' orders because of your scope of practice. Same situation if a licensed nurse takes a job as a CNA ----------------- Nope Nope Nope

[RNperdiem, RN]

Sounds like a lot of student loans to repay with the 2 degrees.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Why would you even want to?

It doesn't make sense to go to school for those 2 very different degrees, let alone try to practice as both.

[Boomer MS, RN]

Nope - whole different thing with NP because both are under "nursing" discipline. Once you go there (higher qualifications), you can't "go back" to regular practice because you'll be professionally accountable to the highest standard of your licensure/education no matter what your job title. So, if a licensed NP accepts a job as a lowly staff nurse, his employer may limit the things he's allowed to do on the job, but his BON would require him to still apply all of his higher-level knowledge. It would be a nightmare for the nurse & employer.

Just imagine .... not only having more knowledge than your supervisor, but being professionally accountable for countermanding your boss' orders because of your scope of practice. Same situation if a licensed nurse takes a job as a CNA ----------------- Nope Nope Nope

Again, anecdotal information here: My daughter is an ACNP and functions in that role on one of the floors in a major Level I trauma center. Then she has a second job as a staff RN in the same facility's ED. The only restriction was that she could not work as an NP in the ED on some shifts and as a staff nurse in the ED on other shifts. So she works in different departments. I do also know several other NPs who also work as RNs, just not in the same department. They like it. Of course I'm talking about RNs here. So it's very possible with regard to RNs. The OP was asking about practicing as an RN and and a PA. That I don't know.

[anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Why would you want to? lol

[Boomer MS, RN]

Why would you want to? lol

Obviously some people want to. "To each his own", said the man as he kissed his pig.

[HopefullNurse17]

Obviously some people want to. "To each his own", said the man as he kissed his pig.

I had the same question, why would you want to step down a lower paying job once you put in the work of becoming a P.A., never heard of one situation where this happened.