LVN to RN to PA? Possible?

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2005

I would think that getting an RN first if you know you want to become a PA would be the wrong track. I'm sure many of your science classes would easily transfer to a PA program, but I would think it would make more sense to just enter a PA program directly.

Isn't it a 4-year degree program?

ETA: Guess I'm wrong! According to one PA school, the prerequisite is simply 60 semester credit hours from another institution. I would think that an ADN would fit the bill.

But could you actually go into private practice as a PA? Don't you have to be working under the auspices of an MD?

Oops, wrong again! Farther down on the page, it says you must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university prior to matriculation.

So I imagine a BSN could be ONE way of going about it. You could also get a pre-med degree, also. In fact, I'd think that might actually be better, because the medical model of healthcare and the nursing model are often very different.

opeth84 · Mar 16, 2005

I would think that getting an RN first if you know you want to become a PA would be the wrong track. I'm sure many of your science classes would easily transfer to a PA program, but I would think it would make more sense to just enter a PA program directly.
Isn't it a 4-year degree program?
ETA: Guess I'm wrong! According to one PA school, the prerequisite is simply 60 semester credit hours from another institution. I would think that an ADN would fit the bill.
But could you actually go into private practice as a PA? Don't you have to be working under the auspices of an MD?
Oops, wrong again! Farther down on the page, it says you must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university prior to matriculation.
So I imagine a BSN could be ONE way of going about it. You could also get a pre-med degree, also. In fact, I'd think that might actually be better, because the medical model of healthcare and the nursing model are often very different.

Thanks for the info. I have done some research and my ortho buddy said to just go the PA route also. But it is a matter of living while I am in school. I was hoping to step into nursing for clinical experience and a paycheck to put me through school and then into a PA program.

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2005

So are you thinking of getting into a BSN program, and then work as an RN while you complete the coursework for a PA program?

That would seem doable. Although you should probably find out whether you're legally allowed take over an MD's practice and work on your own as a PA, or if you actually need to work FOR an MD (even if it's just on paper).

ManyRN2B · Mar 17, 2005

You would waste time if you went LVN RN to PA. Just go for your PA. Another option is get your RN then go become a NP. NP's are higher than PA as far as education and experience.

Tiffany

RN Grad 05/05

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 17, 2005

You would waste time if you went LVN RN to PA. Just go for your PA. Another option is get your RN then go become a NP. NP's are higher than PA as far as education and experience.
Tiffany
RN Grad 05/05

Are you sure about that? Both are Master's level degrees, and both have the same level of legal independence (ability to prescribe, ability to be a primary healthcare provider).

suzanne4, RN · Mar 17, 2005

A Nurse Practitioner can have their own practice and work under their own license. You see this quite often in midwifery, as well as medicine, and especially in rural areas. A Physician's Assistant, though they have a Certification, remember that their title is PA-C., works under the license of a physician. They cannot have their own office, nor can they take over an office for a retiring physician.

They can get surgical privileges as an assistant, but not as the surgeon of record.

There are still some differences between the two. In some states, a nurse practitioner can actually admit theirr own patients, physician assistants usually need to admit under a physician, though they may be following them exclusively. But, also remember that each state can set its own rule and regulations, so best bet would be to check with the state where you plan on working..................

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Mar 17, 2005

Are you sure about that? Both are Master's level degrees, and both have the same level of legal independence (ability to prescribe, ability to be a primary healthcare provider).

As far as I know a PA has to work under a physician. NPs don't.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 17, 2005

A nurse has a license, a physican's assistant has a certification, but not a license.

ManyRN2B · Mar 18, 2005

Another big difference is NP have wayyyy more clinical experience and education. There are 2 PA programs in Maryland that are 2 yr associate degree programs. So not all PA's have a Masters. In DC, George Washington Univ has a PA program that is a Bachelors. I have never seen a PA program with a Masters, of course I didn't look at that hard. I know when I had thought about being a PA, 10 yrs ago, this is the information I found.

I guess saying "Higher" wasn't the right wording. :specs:

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 18, 2005

Another big difference is NP have wayyyy more clinical experience and education. There are 2 PA programs in Maryland that are 2 yr associate degree programs. So not all PA's have a Masters. In DC, George Washington Univ has a PA program that is a Bachelors. I have never seen a PA program with a Masters, of course I didn't look at that hard. I know when I had thought about being a PA, 10 yrs ago, this is the information I found.
I guess saying "Higher" wasn't the right wording.

Sorry, I was just looking at the school in Glendale, AZ. I noticed that a baccalaureate degree is a prerequisite and that it's considered a Master's program, so I ASSumed all of them were like that. My bad!

ManyRN2B · Mar 18, 2005

Klone,

That's okay. It's different in each state.