help! anyone know anything about PAs?

AlphaDogma · Jun 4, 2009

Here in the Dallas Fort Worth region there are schools/universities that accept students with bsn's to a PA program. I looked at it personally versus NP, I personally think I will go for the NP because I reviewed the course descriptions and layouts of how these schools have their programs set up and I would have to go to school full time and I would not be able to work, as on the other hand I would be able to work as an RN to save up money to get my NP, or you could save up money to live off of for two and half years plus tuition or student loans if you wanted to become a PA. Whatever it takes to get you by. I do feel NP's have a more broad range or area that they can specialize in, plus the two also make close to the same salary, which I believe it all depends on your specialty. It really is more of a personal preference in my opinion. The only difference is that PA's are governed by MD's and NP's are governed by Board of Nursing. Either one you choose is a great option.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 5, 2009

Here is a thread that may be of interest in the NP forum:

Differences (Educative/Clinical) between NP & PA

nurse1219 · Jun 5, 2009

thank you,... i live in philadelphia i dont know of any that directly take BSN graduates....

core0 · Jun 5, 2009

I'm unsure if i want to go on to become a PA. Does anyone know or is familiar with the process? That is, after becoming an RN? It seems there are still a few courses which would need to be completed. Does anyone know the process from BSN to PA? I'm very confused and would appreciate anyone who has any information on this topic!!! THANK YOU

Depending on your BSN program you will need a few courses to get into PA school. Generally PA schools will require a year of A&P, and a year of chemistry at the minimum. Organic or biochemistry, statistics, genetics are also common requirements. Every program will be a little bit different.

The only program that was specifically for BSNs was the North Dakota program, but they have now opened it up for non-nurses:

http://www.med.und.nodak.edu/physicianassistant/

For more information on the PA education process you can start here:

http://www.aapa.org/education-and-certification/physician-assistant-programs

This site list programs by state:

http://www.arc-pa.org/Acc_Programs/acc_programs.html

There is also a more in depth available here which costs $35:

http://www.paeaonline.org/index.php?ht=d/sp/i/25515/pid/25515

The PA forum is similar to allnurses for PAs. You can find it here:

http://www.physicianassistantforum.com/forums/

(using the search function first is appreciated)

David Carpenter, PA-C