which path to chose

moosicle · May 1, 2008

I just finished my BSN and I am not an NP. However, I don't think the math adds up for a faster NP than PA and if it does, it is marginal.

You still need nursing pre-reqs which I think are about 1.5 years full-time; then, a full-time ADN is another 2 years, then a bridge program 1 year full-time; then, full-time job experience for at least one year for many programs, probably more; then 2-2.5 years NP program full-time. That is 5.5 years before practicing, 2013 or so and longer if you go part-time. However, you may have some of the pre-reqs and your area schools may be shorter but I doubt it actually will save much, if any, time.

core0 · May 1, 2008

I am so confused. I wanted for years to go the PA route but the route seemed too difficult ( three years full time) to complete while raising three kids with a husband that is so- so supportive. I did not pursue the nursing route because honestly- bedside nursing was not something I had any inclination to do. I ended up studying Nuc med Tech which after completing all the science pre-reqs ( same more or less than those for nursing ) took me a little over a 15 months to complete. Now, two years later, I am in a dying field and have not yet been able to find a full time job. I am already in my early 40's and thinking of starting over again. Here are my options: A. take all the prereqs ( would take me a year) and apply to PA school in the fall of 2009 ( which would start in 2010). I then would have to go full time until 2013. My big concern is that I would not be able to work and that would hurt my family in a big way financially. Now I work per diem which is less than ideal but I still have lots of flexability and make about $40K. THe other problem is that I cannot move out of state which limits the programs nearby to only 2 ( cost $45-90K).
2. GO to the community college up the road for my ADN. Start in Jan 2009 in the evening program. THen apply to a bridge program ( I already have a BA) to transition into a Masters program. My job is pretty flexible and I have lots of free time during the day to study so I could still work while going to school. THe big reservation I have is that I really do not want to do hospital nursing ( even though I work in a hospital now and love it) I can't see myself doing that. an outpatient clinic, OR or same day surgery would be fine. Eventually though, I want to be a mid level provider.
My heart says to go the PA route but my head is telling me it would be easier on my family to go the nursing route. If kids were not in the picture, I would go the PA route without hesitation.
Thanks for your advice
Monica

From my perspective there are two issues. The nuc med tech will make you stand out somewhat from a PA standpoint, but PA school is still competitive. You mention that you are limited to in state programs, but depending on where you live in New Jersey, you may be within driving/train distance not only of several programs in Pennsylvania but also several programs in New York. If these programs are available there are several that are 25-27 months in length which shortens the time to practice a little. While most programs discourage working, you may be able to pick up some PRN weekend shifts that would help financially. Bottom line on PA school is to expect to rack up some student loan debt not only for school but also living expenses.

The other issue is availability of nursing classes. I'm not sure what the situation there is, but around here 2-3 year wait lists are the norm for ADN programs. Option B may not be much of an option if it takes 3 years to get into school.

The final issue that you have already encountered in your current profession is what is the local job market? Presumably you want to continue in the area. The Northeast in particular has a reputation for being a tough job market. It would help to see what type of providers are being hired in the area and what the employers are looking for. It wouldn't help to go through PA school and find out the local employers are only hiring NPs. Similarly going to NP school and finding out the employers only hire PAs would limit your job opportunity.

David Carpenter, PA-C

undecided · May 2, 2008

I actually have all my nursing pre-req's. I am a couple classes short for the PA prereqs .

THere are a couple bridge programs which are like a class or two for RNs who have a bachelors in another field.

David- I have been all over the map looking at programs in PA and NY. I am in northern NJ halfway between NYC and PA. the closest program in PA would be at least a 2-2.5 hr drive away. NYC- well that could be feasible but then I have to take the train into NYC which would cost alot of $$$ and take about 1-1.5 hours. If I could do my clinicals in NJ , then that could be a possiblity . I am just not willing to commute more than 1.5 hours.

I think I could get in a few PA programs . My science GPA is 4.0 and my overall is 3.6

I have at least 2000 hours of patient care experience.

As far as the ADN program, I am pretty confident I can get in for the winter 09 semester.

I will check out the job market. I actually see a PA who treats me for my thyroid . I really like her- more than the doctor. My children's pediatrician employs two NP as does my husband's doctor's office. I know there are a few PA's in the ER at the hospital.

Miss Mab · May 2, 2008

I am so confused. I wanted for years to go the PA route but the route seemed too difficult ( three years full time) to complete while raising three kids with a husband that is so- so supportive. I did not pursue the nursing route because honestly- bedside nursing was not something I had any inclination to do. I ended up studying Nuc med Tech which after completing all the science pre-reqs ( same more or less than those for nursing ) took me a little over a 15 months to complete. Now, two years later, I am in a dying field and have not yet been able to find a full time job. I am already in my early 40's and thinking of starting over again. Here are my options: A. take all the prereqs ( would take me a year) and apply to PA school in the fall of 2009 ( which would start in 2010). I then would have to go full time until 2013. My big concern is that I would not be able to work and that would hurt my family in a big way financially. Now I work per diem which is less than ideal but I still have lots of flexability and make about $40K. THe other problem is that I cannot move out of state which limits the programs nearby to only 2 ( cost $45-90K).
2. GO to the community college up the road for my ADN. Start in Jan 2009 in the evening program. THen apply to a bridge program ( I already have a BA) to transition into a Masters program. My job is pretty flexible and I have lots of free time during the day to study so I could still work while going to school. THe big reservation I have is that I really do not want to do hospital nursing ( even though I work in a hospital now and love it) I can't see myself doing that. an outpatient clinic, OR or same day surgery would be fine. Eventually though, I want to be a mid level provider.
My heart says to go the PA route but my head is telling me it would be easier on my family to go the nursing route. If kids were not in the picture, I would go the PA route without hesitation.
Thanks for your advice
Monica

Now I'm a little confused!

And like you also undecided on my next career step so I do empathize :)

I'm confused though if you only have a couple of PA pre-reqs left why you would not try to complete them this summer(in academia's abundance of crazy hour'd summer sessions) or even this fall and have just those in progress while you apply to PA school(if it's allowed, otherwise summer) THIS fall for a fall 2009 start? Looking at it that way you would complete the PA program only about 9 months after your ADN projected end date.

This is assuming the program is a typical 2 year'ish one, but then I see you mentioned 3 years fulltime? Is this something NJ schools are doing? I would still assume that even at that length the overall time-frame to completion would be if not sooner than the whole ADN-bridge-NP, certainly close to equal. I guess I'm just unclear why you would need to wait another year and a half almost to even apply?

All that said of course, money is a big issue and only you can make that call. I think Coreo is right on about still being able to do SOME per diem work, though. Also, given the apply this fall scenario, perhaps you could work a little extra during your interim year to decrease the burden? The children issue is difficult too. Plenty of others(PA/NP/docs) have done it. I just don't see any inordinate amount of extra family time if the alternate scenario is consecutive nursing progression to NP. Or maybe the intent is to take it slowly?

I don't know, just seems like your heart is on PA. Why struggle with another route that just doesn't feel like you? Nothing is better for kids than a happy and contented role model.

My random input.

Good luck!

undecided · May 2, 2008

There are two NJ schools and both are three years including summers. In my field, the jobs are very, very scarce- there are no per diem weekend jobs. The best I can do is that I am doing right now- work a few days a week here and there. If I go the PA route- I would lose an income of $40K a year so it would cost me $120,000 vs continuing to work and going to school at night and then part time for nursing. THat is the big issue.

I still need Bio 1 and 2 , Chem 2 and organic chem. I will have to check out the summer schedule to see if they offer evening courses. Usually, they cram those summer courses into some crazy weekday schedule. Conceivably , I guess I could take bio 1 and chem 2 summer term and the other two in the fall. I am hoping to meet with the director of the PA program at UMDNJ to see where I stand.

I guess I am just scared of floor nursing. I read so many horror stories. One of my best friends is a nurse but she works in L& D very part time so she loves it.

Still SO confused.

Monica

amzyRN · May 5, 2008

I think you should choose the program of study that most interests you. I did a second degree program in nursing and there are things I like about nursing, but other things I don't like. I think for graduate school, I want to go into more depth with the science aspect of health care. I may be wrong but it seems like NP programs may not go into the kind of depth a PA program would encompass, which is more similar to med school. My point is that I went in a direction that you should try to go with your heart and what you are passionate about.