NP vs PA for non-nurse college grad

UVA Grad Nursing · Jul 27, 2010

Dancing:

There are several different pathways for you to become a RN (if that is what you want to do). The role of a RN and that of a PA are different -- I would encourage you to investigate this further and see which direction you want to go. If you decide that you want to pursue nursing, you then have to decide whether you want to become a RN first and then study pursue a NP. If you device to pursue a Direct Entry NP program, then you will need to decide precisely what type of certification program you want. There is no 'generalist' nurse practitioner -- the programs for Pediatric, Family, Geriatric, Adult, Acute Care Adult, Acute Care Pediatric, Neonatal, Womens Health, Oncology, etc are all distinct.

In my state (Virginia), there is one Direct Entry NP program and 7 additional NP programs that enrolls people who are already RNs. The NP graduates who were not originally nurses (direct entry) here have a tougher time getting a NP job fresh out of school. They tend to work in retail clinics (CVS, Walmart), or as entry-level nurses in hospitals -- the same jobs that those with BSNs start with.

Some direct entry NPs here have been hired into non-retail NP positions -- but those tend to be in towns/counties where RNs with experience do not want to work.

Things are different in other parts of the country. But in my state, there are plenty of NPs with experience being produced.

MERCEDES674, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

I agree. You should investigate the different route to becoming an NP. You may want to got the direct entry route that way you can use your BS degree that you have and enter into nursing school that way or you can go the 2 years and become a RN then do a RN to MSN/NP program. I used to want to be a PA but then I decided not to go that route because I wanted to own my own clinic one day and I wanted more independence. I have come in contact with some great PA's and it's a good field. The only thing is they can't have their own clinics and they must have a MD physically present. PA's are expected to work under a MD. I would advise you just to research the different options and decide on what you want in the future.

danceluver · Jul 27, 2010

I agree. You should investigate the different route to becoming an NP. You may want to got the direct entry route that way you can use your BS degree that you have and enter into nursing school that way or you can go the 2 years and become a RN then do a RN to MSN/NP program. I used to want to be a PA but then I decided not to go that route because I wanted to own my own clinic one day and I wanted more independence. I have come in contact with some great PA's and it's a good field. The only thing is they can't have their own clinics and they must have a MD physically present. PA's are expected to work under a MD. I would advise you just to research the different options and decide on what you want in the future.

Thanks for the responses so far. Like Mercedes674, this is also one reason i'd prefer to be an NP over PA and i like the nursing model more, and the because i am not interested in working in a hospital or surgical setting, but more in primary care doctors offices, etc. But my big concern is jobs after graduating without the huge amount if at all RN experience....i have been told RN experience is not all the important for NPs if you want to work in an outpatient setting, but i've also heard otherwise, as UVA pointed out above. Thus I was thinking PA to save myself some worry later down the road if this will still be the situation in a few years....please keep the opinions coming they will be very helpful!