PA to NP

PAGuest · Feb 4, 2011

Oh, one more thing. I am currently making ~$130k per annum. It would not be feasible for me to quit working in order to do the full-time school thing...

canchaser, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2011

If u r looking to go to np school. I've found university of southern Indiana at Evansville. They require a bsn and have postmasters classes. It's very cheap $320 per credit hour. All online and no campus visits required. Have full and part time options so u wouldn't have to quit work. http://www.usi.edu/health/acadprog/nursing/rnmsn/default.asp

I've put the rn to man web page up So u can check it out.

PAGuest · Feb 6, 2011

If u r looking to go to np school. I've found university of southern Indiana at Evansville. They require a bsn and have postmasters classes. It's very cheap $320 per credit hour. All online and no campus visits required. Have full and part time options so u wouldn't have to quit work. http://www.usi.edu/health/acadprog/nursing/rnmsn/default.asp
I've put the rn to man web page up So u can check it out.

BSN? As in bachelors of science in nursing? I have no nursing backgorund or training if that is what you mean by BSN.

canchaser, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2011

Yes it's a bachelors in nursing. Many schools have accelerated programs which can be done in about a year and half since u have a bachelors already. Maybe the dnp would be an idea. I don't know of any school that does pa to np.

coast2coast · Feb 6, 2011

Hi,
I completed a search and found tons on PA vs NP but none on PA to NP. I love being a PA and feel I received excellent training. However, I'm interested in the possibility of gaining more freedom by becoming a PA/NP. I have NO nursing background though. Can anyone lend any guidance? Thank you in advance.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/issues/aug02.htm This is a list of accelerated MSN programs.

Try searching for direct-entry MSN or second-degree nursing programs, rather than PA to NP (which I have never heard of). Since you already have a bachelor's, you could complete an NP program in 1-3 years depending on the program. Typically, these award you an MSN or a BSN+MSN, and you become an RN along the way as well.

I *think* there is a combined FNP/PA program in the UC system ? Not sure about this. It might be worth finding out, perhaps there would be a way for you to complete a post-master's type of program since you already have the PA. Really not sure.

Oh, one more thing. I am currently making ~$130k per annum. It would not be feasible for me to quit working in order to do the full-time school thing...

Many second-degree programs are full-time, very fast-paced, and you are advised not to work at all while completing them. Some are more amenable to part-time work after the first (full-time) year of study.

You should also be aware that, if you keep your $130k/year job, you are not going to qualify for any federal loan program. Meaning that you either pay out of pocket or take out private loans. Some of these programs charge more than $1000/credit hour, although some are cheaper than that.

Lastly, why exactly do you want to do this? I have a hard time imagining what the NP certification is going to add to whatever job you are doing now. It's a lot of time and money to put into something that probably won't change the way you practice or how much money you make. Just curious.

YCawley · Mar 1, 2011

I am sure you have more independence as an NP than as a PA. I am a self-employed RN First Assistant, going through an on-line NP program. When it comes to clinicals, I've just coompleted a Pediatric clinical by being there on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday morning. I work on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesdays, or whenever I can find work. Mondays and Tuesdays are the busiest days anywhere so it's a good day to not be in clinical (you're in the way!), and a good day to work. Not easy, very stressful, but only for one year!

The hardest part is finding approved clinical sites to do your rotations!

Good luck!

Yvonne Cawley

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2011

Hi,
I completed a search and found tons on PA vs NP but none on PA to NP. I love being a PA and feel I received excellent training. However, I'm interested in the possibility of gaining more freedom by becoming a PA/NP. I have NO nursing background though. Can anyone lend any guidance? Thank you in advance.

It depends on where you live. In my state, you'd have no more freedom as an NP than you would as a PA. Both require physician oversight and some form of chart review.