Physician Assistant vs. Registered Nurse?

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Sep 13, 2016

Hello,

It seems to me you need to re-evaluate why you want to pursue a professional position within the healthcare field. A physician assistant and a registered nurse (at ADN & BSN levels) perform different tasks. If your approach is solely based on what you can finish first, then you are looking at the wrong business. Either position will require you to continually take courses to refresh your skills and/or learn new practices based on the latest evidence based research findings.

Research the scope of practice of each track and meditate on what attracts you the most. Talk to professionals who already have reached those goals... have a conversation about their experiences and the things they like the most and least. It is best to talk to several people to get a better idea of what would lie ahead for you.

I do not know how old you are, but I decided to start nursing school at 40 y/o. Graduated with an ADN at 43 (2013) and BSN last December at 46. I was in Accounting before and was unhappy with my career life; so I meditated and thought I would go for Med school. I quickly found out it wasn't for me. So I meditated some more and went for nursing. I'm glad I did because I am loving bedside nursing. I feel as though I am making a difference in people's lives. But that is me.

PA is a higher level of care and greater responsibilities. They assess, diagnose, and prescribe orders for treatment and in many cases RXs (with physician approval).

An RN can go beyond the BSN into roles similar to PAs. There are a few tracks available (Acute care, Primary care, Family, Psych), including a doctoral degree (DNP). But let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet (though it's good to know).

Do your research first (the scope of practice), then allow yourself to go into deeper decisions.

Time is going to go by no matter what you do. You can rush your decision, but I don't recommend it. Make steady moves. Build a solid foundation for yourself. It is not a competition against everyone around you. It's about achieving the best you can be, at the right pace, through the right path FOR YOU. That is show you will be able to maximize the impact you will make on people's lives.

Best wishes!

BrendanO, MSN, RN · Sep 13, 2016

What do you think the differences between being an RN and being a PA are?

Why is it an either-or choice? Go get your RN (since that's the faster track from where you are) and work in healthcare for a couple of years. If you love it, continue into advanced practice nursing or go to PA school (or medical school, if you want).

I investigated both RN/APRN and PA programs, and one reason I picked nursing is the opportunity for APRNs to practice independently (in some states), which PAs can't do anywhere. I also prefer the nursing approach to patient care over the medical model, as a general philosophy.

jj224 · Sep 18, 2016

Skip nursing and become a PA.