NP vs PA for me personally?

[Penguins In Guam]

So I'm currently a second semester sophomore guy at a CC. As of now, I plan on transferring to a university next semester and major in Kinesiology. I then plan on continuing to a physician assistant program.

But I'm wondering if it would be better to go to be an NP instead.

I had a little hiccup in my grades last semester. I had three different medical problems pop up along with an emotional issue. I didn't fail anything but I did manage to get a C in gen chem (and French, but who cares. I don't even know how actually). I managed to grab a B in my human anatomy and physiology course. Not the best, but considering the class has a 50% fail rate, I'm okay.

I'm just questioning my chances now. I have an A in the rest of my prereqs for my preferred PA program. As of now, I have no medical experience beyond volunteering as an ER host at a local trauma 1 center. I sort of plan on getting my EMT-B this summer and obtaining some kind of job with that.

I wondering if I should just get my BSN instead. There's a few universities around that offer it and that way I could live with my parents and save money (kinda relying on loans for the most part). Though this is also a con seeing as how, well blah. Then after a bit of experience I could apply to the more available NP programs. I've heard it's a bit easier to to get in since you've already had the experience of nursing and the fact there are more programs.

The only thing is, I might be a semester behind if I do a nursing major. But this is nothing compared to if I don't get into a PA program since I'll just do an accelerated BSN (which is like 1.5 years?).

The whole autonomy thing doesn't matter since I'm mostly interested in ER medicine. I do like the idea that PAs are more fluid and can move though specialties a little easier (though I read this might be changing?).

Any opinions? Thanks if you actually read all of that.

[BellaRoseRN]

My husband is a PA-C and I think that there is a big difference between the training of a NP and a PA-C. From what I have seen, not only can you be more flexible because PA schools don't make you chose a track of focus, you also get a more intense education. My husband did not work while attending PA school because it was very, very rigorous! Hardly anyone in his program worked. My advice is that if you are interested in the medicine and feel like you would have loved to be a doctor, then PA is for you. I'm not knocking NP's by any means, I am a nurse! I would rather have a new PA take care of me at the ER than a new NP is all. Good luck!

[austin14]

It depends on what you want to do. I have a friend that is a PA and works with NPs that pretty much do the same role as her, but this is not always the case. I chose NP over PA because I can get a job after nursing school and work my way through NP school. My GPA is not horrible, but I think I would have had a hard time getting in. PA school is also mainly a masters degree now so you would have to have your BSN. Another reason I didn't choose to go for PA is I didn't have any patient care experience and a lot of the PA programs I looked into required a lot of hours in order to apply. PAs also have to retake their exam every 7 years in order to keep their license, NPs dont. On the other hand I have another friend who is in PA school right now and loves it but it is very hard and take into consideration that you wouldn't be able to work. Whatever you do good luck!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Although NPs and PAs may be used similarly in the workplace it's their educational preparation that sets them apart. The difference is very distinct.

There aren't many PA programs out there so getting accepted to a PA program is statistically harder simply because there are less seats to fill. The NP programs versus the PA program in Arkansas are much easier to get into. Usually you can work during NP school as well so if you have to have an income that's probably a better option for you. I don't like gambling. If I did I'd have applied to PA school.

One advantage for the PAs is it seems that they're recruited prior to graduation. For the NPs it seems like they search out a job just like any other person would.