Nyc327

Thank you I'll look into the paramedic option in my area.

It's a huge investment and also that's a good point, I think it would definitely interfere with my financial aid especially once I transfer to a University. I was reading online about volunteer opportunities in hospitals but I'm not sure if that is something offered to someone with zero experience in the medical field. I've also tried applying to entry level positions in the hospital recently to at least get some sort of foot in the door.

A helpful thing you pointed out is that I would have the 4 plus years of experience if I was to obtain the LPN certification. I didnt realize how much hands on experience I would have by the time I apply. Thank you for that.

Thank you for your response. I was thinking LPN is definitely a good idea mainly for the experience but I am mostly concerned about the cost. 26k and I will be in school full time 9am-3pm for a year. The cost and time frame concerned me but from what I've researched about the vocational school is that credits can be transferred to my degree. I have to double check on that though Bc some credits will not transfer.

Thank you for your response. I am definitely interested in majoring in one of the sciences. I am leaning towards biology since I'll get a lot of the prereqs out of the way without spending more money if I was majoring in something such as English, which is a huge concern for me since I am currently ineligiable for financial aid. Also, I am in the NJ area and looking to attend community college first since it is cheaper and then transfer to Rutgers University.

Thank you for your response. I am more interested in the diagnosis aspect of the PA route and finding the right treatment. You are right about the time frame definitely but my main concern was basically all of the PA programs in my area require hands on training in the medical field and unfortunately it isn't easy to get a position without any certification, which is why I was curious about the LPN route. It is also a pricey route. 26k to be exact for a 1-year program in my area.

I am new here and I've been wanting to comment for a while! This website is so helpful! I am currently dying to go back to school but I am a bit lost. I haven't been enrolled in school in over 6 years and when I was last enrolled, I only did one semester. 6 years later, I am ready to get the show on the road and do my absolute best. My issue today is that I am unsure of what route to go down. I am 25 and currently working at a lab doing entry level work, no education needed. I miss working with customers, as I was always in customer service positions in every job I've had prior. I have been doing research for a few months now and I have come to fall in love with the medical field, particularly nursing and physician assistant programs. My question is, if I go to a vocational school for practical nursing now, and graduate in a year, would it be ideal to get back into college to work my way towards a degree as a PA? I know how long it will take and everything. I am asking Bc I know to get into the PA school of my interest, I would need patient/doctor hands on hours (I know I worded this poorly). How many of you started as an LPN and transitioned to a PA? Would it be smarter for me to skip the LPN route and go straight into my bachelors instead? I hope my questions aren't all over the place. I tried my best to break it down as least as possible. Thank you so much in advance.