physician's assistant

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

From what I found (fairly quickly, so not thoroughly) there are only two colleges in Indiana with PA programs:

http://www.stfrancis.edu/conah/pa/

http://www.butler.edu/cophs/?pg=2077&parentID=2041

Hopefully these links will help you out. Bear in mind that (as far as I can ascertain, at least) a PA requires a master's degree.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

If becoming a PA is your goal, you'd save time by skipping the LPN and RN. PAs are a part of the medical model, not the nursing model.

Earn a BS degree in biology, then use this degree as a prerequisite to enter a PA program.

jazzygirl · Oct 23, 2008

thank you both for the replies. Ok, I get kind of confused when it comes to some things. Hypathetically speaking, if I wanted to go to Butler college for the PA course, should I get my bachelor's degree in biology first? That way if I apply at Butler, I can say "hey, here's my degree in biology". Right? Or did you mean biology is a course I should take during the p.a. course?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

thank you both for the replies. Ok, I get kind of confused when it comes to some things. Hypathetically speaking, if I wanted to go to Butler college for the PA course, should I get my bachelor's degree in biology first? That way if I apply at Butler, I can say "hey, here's my degree in biology". Right? Or did you mean biology is a course I should take during the p.a. course?

Do you understand that most PA programs result in a masters degree? A prerequisite to getting into most masters degree programs involves having a BA or BS degree first. You'll usually need a BS degree in biology or some other challenging science major before applying to a PA program. Simply taking 1 biology class to get admitted into a masters-level program will not cut it. You'll need a degree.

It is important for you to place telephone calls to the PA programs that interest you to see what their requirements and prerequisites are.

jazzygirl · Oct 23, 2008

Yes, I do understand that. The P.A. course at Butler University is 5 years.. I know that results in a master's degree. And I never meant one class..I knew what you meant when you said B.S. degree..it's a degree..not one class. All I was asking was if I needed it before I applied for a P.a. course or during..which you already answered that I'd probably need it first.

And I have contacted the school to ask some of my questions. That's one step I always do.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 23, 2008

Do you understand that most PA programs result in a masters degree? A prerequisite to getting into most masters degree programs involves having a BA or BS degree first. You'll usually need a BS degree in biology or some other challenging science major before applying to a PA program. Simply taking 1 biology class to get admitted into a masters-level program will not cut it. You'll need a degree.
It is important for you to place telephone calls to the PA programs that interest you to see what their requirements and prerequisites are.

My friend just graduated from UC Davis. She does not have a masters; she only needed her AS to apply, plus the pre-reqs she graduated with a certificate, not a masters or even a bachelors. She takes her exam next month to get her license/credentials.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

My friend just graduated from UC Davis. She does not have a masters; she only needed her AS to apply, plus the pre-reqs she graduated with a certificate, not a masters or even a bachelors. She takes her exam next month to get her license/credentials.

My original post stated that most PA programs result in a masters degree. I'm aware that not all PA programs are masters-level.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2008

Bottom line is no....do not become a nurse because that will only distract you from your goal. Probably 99.9999% of practicing PAs were never nurses and are doing just fine.

Follow the path to become a PA and skip nursing.

Good luck!!!