Not sure I want to be a RN anymore after this!

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

I wanted to transfer into Nursing while doing my Pre-PA requirements, but my school's Nursing curriculum is pretty set and strict, so it is hard to move classes around for Pre-PA, even though I am doing it in 5 years instead of 4 years. I talked to the Associate Dean of Nursing yesterday about getting into the Nursing program. I told her I want to be a PA after this, and she kept insisting that NP is the same thing in all aspects!
I talked to the PA school that I want to go to and they said NP/PA are both great in my state and that I should shadow and that neither is "above" the other. However they said that the Anatomy/Physio/Microbiology nursing courses do not fit into the PA reqs. So I told the nursing dean to see if I could get into a higher level Anatomy/Physio/Microbio. She was like, "If you want to do it then I could try but last year I had to stand on my head begging so that I could get one student in there. I don't know why those PA people think nursing courses are not high enough for them, but that's a political thing." She keeps saying, "I dont understand why you want to be a PA, is it your mom wanting this for u?" I told her, NO it is my choice.
I switched a few things around and told her I'd take some summer classes, just so I could get the Pre-PA reqs in also. She called me and yapped at me for 20 minutes about how stupid of an idea this was. She then said that my ACT scores are not that great and most ppl going into Pre-NP/PA have ACT scores of 29 and above. And I would putting myself in a pool with higher ability applicants and might not make it, so why put the effort into getting these Pre-PA classes in. She said she is just giving me a dose of reality!
After I got off the phone with her, I was just in tears. I wanted to be a RN because I respect nurses so much and they have a lot of responsibilities that people don't always see. I could of just got a BS in Bio or Psych and go on to PA school, but I wanted a BSN in which I could do something I like.
I also want to become a PA because I feel that it is right for me, esp. in the speciality I want. But now I don't know if this path is right for me because she makes me feel like I'm not smart enough or that it is too challenging and difficult for me.
Sorry this is just me ranting and letting my frustrations out. Now I am so confused even more on what to do.

Good luck to you. Whatever you decide should be what's best for you. Remember, you're 19 and have your whole life ahead of you. Keep working on your prereqs and work on your decision in the meantime.

jmgrn65, RN · Jun 9, 2006

PA and NP are different, NP work under thier own liscense they don't have to work under a Doctor, NP just need a Physcian that they are able to collaborate with, but they can set up thier own practice or work with a physcian, PA's have to work under a physcian. Just do research there is plenty out there.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jun 9, 2006

I wanted to transfer into Nursing while doing my Pre-PA requirements, but my school's Nursing curriculum is pretty set and strict, so it is hard to move classes around for Pre-PA, even though I am doing it in 5 years instead of 4 years. I talked to the Associate Dean of Nursing yesterday about getting into the Nursing program. I told her I want to be a PA after this, and she kept insisting that NP is the same thing in all aspects!
I talked to the PA school that I want to go to and they said NP/PA are both great in my state and that I should shadow and that neither is "above" the other. However they said that the Anatomy/Physio/Microbiology nursing courses do not fit into the PA reqs. So I told the nursing dean to see if I could get into a higher level Anatomy/Physio/Microbio. She was like, "If you want to do it then I could try but last year I had to stand on my head begging so that I could get one student in there. I don't know why those PA people think nursing courses are not high enough for them, but that's a political thing." She keeps saying, "I dont understand why you want to be a PA, is it your mom wanting this for u?" I told her, NO it is my choice.
I switched a few things around and told her I'd take some summer classes, just so I could get the Pre-PA reqs in also. She called me and yapped at me for 20 minutes about how stupid of an idea this was. She then said that my ACT scores are not that great and most ppl going into Pre-NP/PA have ACT scores of 29 and above. And I would putting myself in a pool with higher ability applicants and might not make it, so why put the effort into getting these Pre-PA classes in. She said she is just giving me a dose of reality!
After I got off the phone with her, I was just in tears. I wanted to be a RN because I respect nurses so much and they have a lot of responsibilities that people don't always see. I could of just got a BS in Bio or Psych and go on to PA school, but I wanted a BSN in which I could do something I like.
I also want to become a PA because I feel that it is right for me, esp. in the speciality I want. But now I don't know if this path is right for me because she makes me feel like I'm not smart enough or that it is too challenging and difficult for me.
Sorry this is just me ranting and letting my frustrations out. Now I am so confused even more on what to do.

Wanting to be a PA and an RN is like wanting to be an MD and a chiropractor.

They're entirely different things - which I understand is very hard to grasp when you're only 19. You need to shadow a nurse for a day (although, nursing has a 1000 different expressions - and then spend a day with a PA. Nurses are often more generalists while PA's usually work in one spedific area - ER, ortho, etc. I hope that this will help you get to your goal- whatever it is - on a less redundant path.

smk1, LPN · Jun 9, 2006

I wanted to transfer into Nursing while doing my Pre-PA requirements, but my school's Nursing curriculum is pretty set and strict, so it is hard to move classes around for Pre-PA, even though I am doing it in 5 years instead of 4 years. I talked to the Associate Dean of Nursing yesterday about getting into the Nursing program. I told her I want to be a PA after this, and she kept insisting that NP is the same thing in all aspects!
I talked to the PA school that I want to go to and they said NP/PA are both great in my state and that I should shadow and that neither is "above" the other. However they said that the Anatomy/Physio/Microbiology nursing courses do not fit into the PA reqs. So I told the nursing dean to see if I could get into a higher level Anatomy/Physio/Microbio. She was like, "If you want to do it then I could try but last year I had to stand on my head begging so that I could get one student in there. I don't know why those PA people think nursing courses are not high enough for them, but that's a political thing." She keeps saying, "I dont understand why you want to be a PA, is it your mom wanting this for u?" I told her, NO it is my choice.
I switched a few things around and told her I'd take some summer classes, just so I could get the Pre-PA reqs in also. She called me and yapped at me for 20 minutes about how stupid of an idea this was. She then said that my ACT scores are not that great and most ppl going into Pre-NP/PA have ACT scores of 29 and above. And I would putting myself in a pool with higher ability applicants and might not make it, so why put the effort into getting these Pre-PA classes in. She said she is just giving me a dose of reality!
After I got off the phone with her, I was just in tears. I wanted to be a RN because I respect nurses so much and they have a lot of responsibilities that people don't always see. I could of just got a BS in Bio or Psych and go on to PA school, but I wanted a BSN in which I could do something I like.
I also want to become a PA because I feel that it is right for me, esp. in the speciality I want. But now I don't know if this path is right for me because she makes me feel like I'm not smart enough or that it is too challenging and difficult for me.
Sorry this is just me ranting and letting my frustrations out. Now I am so confused even more on what to do.

you havew to be in charge of your own learning. if you want to be an R.N. then P.A. then go for it and find a way to make it happen. The nursing department is not going to have any interest in helping you go to P.A. school. you are going to have to work that out for yourself. You know if you are smart enough, dedicated enough and motivated enough to go the distance. Don't let them determine your future for you.

2stush4u · Jun 9, 2006

I wanted to transfer into Nursing while doing my Pre-PA requirements, but my school's Nursing curriculum is pretty set and strict, so it is hard to move classes around for Pre-PA, even though I am doing it in 5 years instead of 4 years. I talked to the Associate Dean of Nursing yesterday about getting into the Nursing program. I told her I want to be a PA after this, and she kept insisting that NP is the same thing in all aspects!
I talked to the PA school that I want to go to and they said NP/PA are both great in my state and that I should shadow and that neither is "above" the other. However they said that the Anatomy/Physio/Microbiology nursing courses do not fit into the PA reqs. So I told the nursing dean to see if I could get into a higher level Anatomy/Physio/Microbio. She was like, "If you want to do it then I could try but last year I had to stand on my head begging so that I could get one student in there. I don't know why those PA people think nursing courses are not high enough for them, but that's a political thing." She keeps saying, "I dont understand why you want to be a PA, is it your mom wanting this for u?" I told her, NO it is my choice.
I switched a few things around and told her I'd take some summer classes, just so I could get the Pre-PA reqs in also. She called me and yapped at me for 20 minutes about how stupid of an idea this was. She then said that my ACT scores are not that great and most ppl going into Pre-NP/PA have ACT scores of 29 and above. And I would putting myself in a pool with higher ability applicants and might not make it, so why put the effort into getting these Pre-PA classes in. She said she is just giving me a dose of reality!
After I got off the phone with her, I was just in tears. I wanted to be a RN because I respect nurses so much and they have a lot of responsibilities that people don't always see. I could of just got a BS in Bio or Psych and go on to PA school, but I wanted a BSN in which I could do something I like.
I also want to become a PA because I feel that it is right for me, esp. in the speciality I want. But now I don't know if this path is right for me because she makes me feel like I'm not smart enough or that it is too challenging and difficult for me.
Sorry this is just me ranting and letting my frustrations out. Now I am so confused even more on what to do.

I know you are very confused and discouraged, but like everyone has said..you are still very young. Continue to take your pre reqs. I know someone that graduated as a LPN and continued taking her pre reqs and graduated 2 yrs ago as a PA. There is a WIDE variety of fields that you can work in as a RN..and you can go as high as having your Phd. Do some research and see which field would better suit what YOU want to do. Don't letter anyone discourage you or choice for you. Good Luck!!!!!

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jun 9, 2006

Wanting to be a PA and an RN is like wanting to be an MD and a chiropractor.
They're entirely different things - which I understand is very hard to grasp when you're only 19. You need to shadow a nurse for a day (although, nursing has a 1000 different expressions - and then spend a day with a PA. Nurses are often more generalists while PA's usually work in one specific area - ER, ortho, etc. I hope that this will help you get to your goal- whatever it is - on a less redundant path.

A PA is a physician assistant and many of them work in family practices where they will be doing a wide range of things. A NP is a nurse practitioner, they also work in family practices. PA are above RNs. I do not believe this would be hard for some one "only 19" to grasp. I would be offended.

Comparing an PA to an RN to an MD and a Chiropractor is a bad comparison, maybe you are the one that does not grasp the concept. I work with both NPs and PAs and they do essentially the same thing. They are license under different boards. And though NP have more free range, they typically do the same things medically for their patients. A NP is a nurse that has gone on, got her masters. A PA is some one that has skipped the nursing part and is also working with patients as the NP works (a PA does have to have many hours of medical experience. Many work as Medical Assistants while doing their pre-req's)

To the OP. You are young, I would suggest doing the nursing thing to see if you like it and then if you do, go on and get your NP. If you were older I would suggest the PA route.

HelloKitty123 · Jun 9, 2006

Hi all, yes I am young, but I have been doing some research on the differences btw. NPs and PAs. That is why I keep pushing to get my Pre-PA reqs but the Dean of Nursing keeps pushing me to the NP side. It seemed like she was more willing to help me if I wanted to do NP, but when I said "no I want to be a PA" she was more reluctant. My intention was to become a RN first bc it is a great field and one that I admire, yet to also keep my options open. Say I don't get into PA school, I could go on to NP or CRNA etc.

Thank you all for your comments, it made me feel better and not so discouraged.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 9, 2006

I plan to get either my NP or my PA after my BSN as well. Right now you need to just concentrate on getting your BSN....getting into the nursing program should be your #1 goal right now IMO.

IN order to be competitive for the PA program your going to want some experience as an RN (that is my plan--I want to make myself as competitive as possible when it comes time to apply to NP or PA school), so while your working as an RN for a year or two you can be taking your PA pre-reqs at the same time (and the hospital your working for will probably help pay for them). You will also be able to get some good required references during your time as an RN from PA's you will be working with.

It will also give you a better idea of the differences between a PA and a NP. I'm trying to go into it with my eyes open as far as NPs and PAs go and which one I want to pursue.

Good luck and stay away from people like your advisor who is trying to make you feel bad about what you want for your future...maybe she is just jealous. It's one thing to be realistic (about grades, etc) but another thing to plain make someone feel stupid.

sweet tooth · Jun 9, 2006

I agree w/ Marilynmom. A BSN plus experience will provide you the marketability to enter a PA program. I think you should research several PA programs. You may find they are more interested in a degree + experience than prePa classes. Also talk to some PA's . And I don't know of any advisors that will tell you to dream big. Hang in there.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2006

i'm sorry to hear that you're hitting a brick wall with the dean of nursing. you gotta get a tough skin. there are many success stories in the world of people who were told they were doomed to fail only to become multi-millionaires and leaders in their fields because they were sure their way was the way to success. somehow, you have to find strength within you to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. i think the dean of nursing is a lost cause. i have a suggestion for you, however.

old trick of pre-med students that you need to know. . .when they want to get into classes that have waiting lists what they do is just show up for the class on the first day(s) and keep bugging the prof for permission to add the class. keep showing up and taking notes as if you are a registered student until the prof absolutely refuses to add you to the class and the time to add the class is expired. bet you'll get into your upper division anatomy and micro that way. you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. there are always students that are registered for classes that never show up. i saw pre-med students being very aggressive about doing this. i saw pre-med students who slipped around pre-req requirements to get into advanced classes in math and chemistry by doing this and then study their butts off to make up for what they didn't know since they hadn't had the pre-req class. they literally wrote their own rules. people like this make successes of themselves in the world because they figure out how to make the rules work for them.

just a note though. . .there is a lot of competition among the students in the upper division classes for the health sciences. if the profs grade on a curve you really have to perform well. don't be surprised to find that a good many of the pre-med people are straight a students that blow the grades off the charts at every test or who monopolize the prof's time and move class discussions in their favor. they need gpas of 4.0 to get into med school.

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm - job outlook and description of rn includes nurse practitioners

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm - job outlook and description of pa

my experience in the working world, and others should confirm or deny this, is that pas most often are hired to work in emergency rooms. i'm sure they work elsewhere, but this is primarily where i have seen them employed. didn't know if you were aware of this.

sddlnscp · Jun 9, 2006

First and foremost, don't ever let anybody discourage you from following your dreams. Not that it will always be easy, but stand up for yourself and keep going, even when you feel as if you can't anymore.

Here's a thought for you though. Check out this website: http://fnppa.ucdavis.edu/index.htm It is a program that is a NP/PA track and depending on your background, you get one or the other, however the way I understand it is the track is basically the same for either one. Just a thought for you. And something else to check out when you're researching it all. :)

If you want to be an RN and then go for the PA, then do it. Of course the Dean of Nursing is wanting to push NP on you, that is what they do. Don't let it discourage you. Just remember that whatever you chose to take, ultimately it is your choice - don't let them muscle you into something you don't really want. I know it can be a struggle, but follow your heart - you are the one working for and paying for your education, so make sure you get what you want out of it. Best of luck to you - I am rooting for you!!!