Physicians Assisant Question

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jan 31, 2008

Completely different type of job. A PA works under docs. They do the grunt work the docs don't want to do. It can be rewarding tho, don't get me wrong. t really depends upon what you want to accomplish. What are your goals? Do you want independence? Do you want a more advanced set of skills to use on patients? Do you want responsibility?

PA can not work independently. They are under direct physician supervision. A NP is not. A NP has a referring MD she works with.

You can become anything you want to. You should explore many options before deciding what to do next. Either way, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Be sure its what you want.

TiredMD · Jan 31, 2008

Completely different type of job. A PA works under docs. They do the grunt work the docs don't want to do. It can be rewarding tho, don't get me wrong. t really depends upon what you want to accomplish. What are your goals? Do you want independence? Do you want a more advanced set of skills to use on patients? Do you want responsibility?
PA can not work independently. They are under direct physician supervision. A NP is not. A NP has a referring MD she works with.
You can become anything you want to. You should explore many options before deciding what to do next. Either way, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Be sure its what you want.

This is a gross mischaracterization of what a PA does, and your information related to independent practice is incorrect. Practice laws vary greatly by state. I'm sure core0 will be weighing in shortly, so I'll leave that to him.

The OPs question is, I'm assuming, asking if an Associate's degree in nursing is sufficient to meet the educational requirements of PA programs. My understanding is that all PA programs require a Bachelor's degree prior to matriculation. So no.

Miss Mab · Jan 31, 2008

Hmmmm.

Technically, the independent explanation was correct. The PA profession by definition is DEpendent on physician practice. MD supervision must exist in one form or another. NP's can work independent of any physician involvement.

In REALITY, the extent of physician "supervised" PA practice varies greatly. From one PA with one MD right there for oversight----to solo PA's who have an MD review charts once a week or month or whatever.

Also, in the real world, though NP's do not require MD supervison and can indeed open their own practice (variable reimbursement issues aside) the majority of ANP's continue to work in collaborative practices with physicians and other mid-levels rather than strike out solo. This is widely variable to the individual as well, of course.

You do not need a bachelor's degree prior to attending PA school. There are currently certificate, AA, BS and MS PA programs. They all cover the same curriculum and each awards the PA-C when you're done. There's a move towards masters degree PA's (like every other health career) but those other avenues are very much currently in place.

In your position, there are some schools where you can have 60 hours of AA credit and then transfer to a PA school and then after two more years you are awarded a master's. Just like nursing, there are many avenues with differing requirements. It used to be that prior medical experience was needed before acceptance to any PA school. While some still do want this, many other schools are dropping those requirements. You're seeing a lot more straight from HS-JC young people now choosing PA straight away w/out any "real world" experience . I think pasing rates have stayed the same so maybe that experience isn't actually needed.

I have to admit I'm not a fan of being diagnosed and treated by a 21 year old straight from hs-undergrad-now PA. To each his own, though.

To the OP, if PA is where your heart leads ya you absolutely do not need a bachelor's degree first. It's great that you'll be bringing some direct care experience to the table.

Good luck!