PA-C thinking of an APRN degree

reebokHCFR, MSN, EMT-P, APRN, NP · Aug 18, 2013

I think you would shoot yourself if you had to go through nursing school. if you want to be independent that bad, look into lecom's pa to do.

Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway (APAP) : LECOM

zmansc, ASN, RN · Aug 18, 2013

I know of several PA-C who are 'independent' in that they have their own practice and have "hired" an MD to be their collaborating physician. This person get's a small monthly check to agree to basically be on call for when they want to run a case by them, and if they do have to run a case by the MD, then there is a fixed fee for that. Other than that, in their state they do not have a requirement for chart reviews, signing, blah, blah, blah.

I would concur with the previous poster that going to RN school would be painful for you, and you would probably find it less painful (in time, money, and agony) to find another route for your independence.

allnurses Guide · Aug 18, 2013

I just had this very same conversation with the PA at my practice. She has 15 years of experience, would like to be fully independent in another 10. We both agreed that taking on 75k in loans combined with the fact it would be very difficult to go from PCP back to pre-RN clinicals makes going from PA to NP a difficult to stomach option.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 19, 2013

lkgarn: As I see it, your worst case is that you have to go through RN school first and then you'll have to go through NP school. I doubt they'd allow you to dual-license from your original education for PA-C because you took that coursework at least 15 years ago. While I work full-time, it wouldn't have been possible for me to do that if I worked a "traditional" 9-5 job. I'd highly recommend not working and going to RN school if you attend an ABSN program. Then you'll spend roughly 2 years in NP school (and you already know how rigorous that'll be) and it'll be about as tough as PA school was for you. This will all simply come from not being able to use your PA school time and PA cert to dual-license you as PA and NP.

Now if you're able to find a PA to NP bridge course that takes you all the way through RN and then NP, you might be on to something. Just be aware that you may have to radically alter your work schedule to accommodate didactic and clinical schedules. I don't know if any such animal exists...

Now then, there may be a direct-entry MSN program that results in you achieving RN and NP all in one single program, but again, you'll likely have to adjust your work schedule to accommodate the didactic and clinical schedule necessary to earn the RN and NP. It certainly won't be easy, but I doubt it'll be really any tougher academically than when you went through PA school.

Then again, it's possible that you might be able to challenge NP after getting RN licensed, simply by being/remaining current as a PA. I hope you're able to find a definitive answer to that!

Interesting topic!

lkgarn · Aug 19, 2013

Thank you all for the replies.

I am very frustrated at this point in my career and the thought of going back to school is not being taken lightly. If the LECOM program was available locally, it would be the way to go. However, I am in KY and have two elderly parents that I am helping along with an even more elderly grandmother. Leaving KY to go to school in NY would not be feasible at this time in my life.

The direct-entry is something that I am looking into. Yes, the idea of having to go ADN/BSN/MSN/APRN would be painful.

I love being a PA - but - in reality - the AAPA and their leadership are sorely lacking. Combined with us being under the regulations of the medical boards we are really at a disadvantage compared to the NP's and their support from the Board of Nursing.

Here in KY - the KBML takes every chance it can to keep PA's in their place with the rules and regulations. We have been told by the local legislators that we need to join forces with the KY BON in order to get anything done. It is very sad considering that KY is sorely lacking in providers.

If anyone wants to come up with a direct-entry program for PA's to bridge to NP's - it would be very popular. I know many PA's locally that would jump at the chance to bridge. And just think - the BON would have another 80K PA-NP's to support them even further :)

PatMac10,RN, RN · Aug 22, 2013

OP,

I'm guessing going to finish medical school isn't an option or desire at this point huh? However it's bares thinking about.

Anyway, look at Excelsior. It is my understanding they have a distance Program to become an ADN-RN if you are an experienced and licensed PA, Paramedic, Foreign Educated MD, or LPN. Maybe after you get through that you can do one of those Bridge programs for RNs with a Bachelors or Masters in another field????

Warning though. Excelsior is said to be on the more pricey side. Idk for sure, never attended their myself. I hope everything works out for you though.

Maybe something's will change in the future and you can have more independence.

http://www.excelsior.edu/programs/nursing/nursing-associate-degree

lkgarn · Aug 22, 2013

If I were even 10 years younger, I would consider medical school. But I am in my mid 40's and the thought of four-plus years of school/residency, significant debt accumulation and not being able to work is daunting. I am hoping that I can find some sort of a bridge program where I can still work at least part time.

myelin · Aug 22, 2013

Consider Excelsior, however, double check that your state recognizes it (many do not) and that the NP program you wish to attend will also accept an Excelsior grad. Best of luck to you. I was torn between NP and PA (as well as MD/DO) for a while, and ultimately chose the NP route over PA for the very reasons you name. I'm sorry for your difficulties.

Jenngirl34RN · Aug 27, 2013

Vanderbuilt has an accelerated MSN/FNP route for people holding Bachelor degrees in other fields. They do distance learning, but do require some trips to the campus. I don't know all the details, but here is the website: Pre-Specialty Entry | Master of Science in Nursing | Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

Annaiya, NP · Aug 30, 2013

There are also accelerated BSN programs that are only 12 months long. With your background, I think the BSN part of your education would be very easy. It would take a while to get used to NCLEX style questions, but I would think there would be very little new content for you. This would make working while going to school a lot easier. However, accommodating your clinical schedule might be difficult still. I don't think it's too hard to find 5 semester NP programs, and again, you likely wouldn't have to study as much as some of the other students. You might not be able to work full-time through it all, but part-time for sure. I went to UAB for my MSN. Tuition isn't too bad, and the online format makes it a lot easier to work around a full-time schedule. I had no trouble doing the program and working 3 12's a week. The MSN part is much more flexible than the BSN part.

Also, my BSN program exempted students from the research class if they had taken a medical research class before. You might want to contact some schools and see if they would allow you to test out of some of the classes. Research and pharmacology are both ones that I would think you wouldn't need at the BSN level. They may even allow you out of Assessment too, since you would already know all of that content. (Plus you retake all of these in your MSN program.) If you could skip some of the classes it would really help in terms of working full-time. Good luck figuring all of this out. We'd love to have you join us:)

Steth502 · May 3, 2017

Any news of a potential PA-C to APRN bridge? I am also an experienced certified PA looking to become an APRN for many of the same reasons that the OP mentioned. Is there a program that anyone knows of that offers some type of bridge coursework for experienced, certified, licensed providers with a Master's Degree and to become an APRN?