wih02906

Hi, I'm looking into becoming a mid-level practitioner (NP or PA). Can a NP or PA provide emotional support to patients? How so? For example, are they able to take time to spend with patients who are going through a rough round of chemo, or take time to reassure/inform patients who are worried about an upcoming surgery? Other? I'm an undergrad (& my major isn't nursing) so any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance! :)

Hmm... how to explain this. There are actually a bunch of reasons. 1. As of yet, I don't have the required patience care experience to even apply to a PA program. Most PA programs require x amount of patient care experience to apply (even programs that allow high school students to apply to a bachelor's PA program or a combined bs/ms PA program require that high school students have this experience). I (I'm a high school student btw) don't have this experience. I plan on utilizing my bachelor's degree to land a job that will give me this experience. 2. A BSN is my first choice for a baccalaureate degree. Although there are a few bachelor's PA programs there are few and far between (I only know of the following ones out of all of New England & the Mid-Atlantic: Howard U (DC), Hofstra U (NY), Long Island U-Brooklyn (NY), St. John's U (NY), Pennsylvania College of Technology (PA), and Jefferson College of Health Sciences (VA)) . Furthermore, getting a PA bachelor's isn't the best decision career-wise. It's harder to get a job as as a PA with a bachelor's than with a master's. Considering this it would make more sense for me to major in something other than Physician assistance. Out out of the other healthcare/medical majors (respiratory therapy, Emergency Health or Emergency Medical Services-which generally qualifies you to become paramedic after becoming certified, nursing, etc.) nursing is my favorite. 3. I'm not only becoming an RN as a "stepping stone" I plan on working as a RN for a number of years before attending a PA program @ LJR2010: Although they're certainly different in the educational models they use (as you mentioned), FNPs and PAs usually compete for the same jobs from what I've seen. And, thanks everybody for the responses! Much appreciated

the association of perioperative registered nurses (aorn) is the professional organization for perioperative and operating room nurses. it lists programs too, follow the link to find ones in your state: http://www.aorn.org/applications/coursedirectorylisting/coursedirectorylisting.asp?bystate=[state]%3d%27fl%27&byprogram=1%3d1&byinstitution=1%3d1&bymode=1%3d1&submit=search *note:* there may be other organizations that i'm not aware of which list programs such as there is both the nln and ccne for rn program the american association of plastic surgical nurses (aspsn) is the professional organization for, you guessed it, plastic surgical nurses. i'm not positive but i don't think you have to attend an education program to become certified for this. you just have to pass a test (eligibility for the tests includes at least 50% of practicing hours spent in plastic surgery in 2 years out of the last 5).

The material is probably the same, however the layout/format may be different (different pictures, new margins) that may affect what page number things are on. This could become a problem if the prof refers to page numbers, but this probably won't happen. As mentioned before check w. the proff if you can end up finding his email.

So some nursing (BSN) programs I'm looking at want me to talk about my future career goals. At this point I actually want to become a PA (but not a NP, please don't turn this thread into trying to convince me to become a NP over PA. Just know that I will keep the NP option open but I'm really leaning towards PA) someday after practicing as a RN for some years. However, will it hinder my admissions chances to say that I want to become a PA someday? Or is it okay to write it? If it's not in my best interests to write that I want to become PA should I simply ignore the fact that I ever want to get my master's or is there some umbrella both PA and NP fall under such as "advanced practice health provider" (or something along those lines) that I can put down??? Thanks so much.

Supposing I had an ADN and a BS in Biology and wanted to become an NP...what colleges/universities could I apply to (without having to go through a looong bridge program...I'm okay with short bridge programs )? -For example, at Case Western Reserve University if you have an ADN/dimploma in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor's degree they'll consider admitting you directly to the MSN program if you submit a portfolio and it gets approved. http://fpb.case.edu/MSN/entry.shtm -For example, at Virginia Commonwealth University I would only have to take two more classes than those w/ a BSN (not too bad from what I've seen). http://www.nursing.vcu.edu/students/documents/NONBSNwebw.pdf The program can be anywhere in the US. I'm willing to relocate. Thanks.

mbarn08 had a mba before going back to community college. maybe mbarn08 wouldn't mind answering some questions for you?

From what I've heard it's difficult to get a psych position with "only" a bachelors degree (especially if it's a BA). Might be different in your area though. If I was in your position I would go w/ the cheapest program (as long as they're comparable).

The link didn't work because there was a period placed at the end of the sentence which became part of the link; making it an incorrect link ;-) Thanks for the comparison! The only thing I have to add to the thread at this point is that Medicine Sans Frontieres/Doctors without Borders doesn't recruit Physician Assistans (unless it's for a coordinator level position), but it does recruit (at least some types of) advanced practice nurses. Don't read into this at all! Just know that if you wanted to volunteer w/ Doctors w/out Borders at some point you wouldn't really be able to as a PA

I'm sorry, I interpreted something incorrectly. I apologize. Allow me to correct myself: All students who want to obtain their MSN must first take the NCLEX-RN. However, not all direct-entry MSN programs grant another bachelor's degree. Sooo, you'll have a RN license but not a BSN (or ADN). To check my interpretation visit : http://www.bc.edu/schools/son/programs/masters/masters-entry.html. It says "During the first full-time 11 months of study, students complete all requirements to become registered nurses; students will not receive another bachelor's degree, but will progress to the master's degree."

If you want to stop at getting a RN license: I would advise you to consider ADN programs at community colleges. I hate to say it, but you're right, second degree BSN programs are incredibly competitive. And yet there is a bonus to going to a community college over any place that offers a second degree BSN-the PRICE. Community colleges can be very reasonably priced especially when considered w/ some of the second degree BSN programs. Furthermore, I'm assuming you're on the east coast if you attend an ivy league school. If so, consider diploma RN programs. Some are as short as 2 years. If you want to go onto to get your MSN: there are many direct entry Master degree programs for people who hold a non-nursing degree. It's not much different than a typical MSN program, just a year longer to cover the basics that you would need to know. It's important to note that not all direct entry MSN programs allow you to sit for the NCLEX-RN though. So after all that you still not be a RN (however, that won't really matter if you're applying for a NP position) hope that all made sense!

As you probably already know be prepared to work for a little bit as a RN before applying to PA school (in order to get the patient contact hours that most PA programs require). Best wishes.

Any and all info is greatly appreciated. My vague (and probably incorrect ) understanding was the following: To teach CNA: LPN or "higher" degree (now, I also thought medical assistant couldn't teach CNA classes because they weren't taught under the nursing model. I may be mistaken. Please excuse my ignorance. Thanks) To teach LPN: BSN preferred (but might be able to teach with ADN) To teach medical assistants: BSN preferred (but might be able to teach with ADN) To teach RN (associate level): MSN preferred. To teach RN (bachelor level): MSN required. To teach MSN: PhD required. Thanks.

i was considering attending: abington memorial hospital's dixon school of nursing danville regional medical center, school of health professions: nursing program riverside health system, riverside school of health careers: school of professional nursing

The program can be anywhere in the US and can be a ASN/ADN program, hospital diploma based program or BSN program. Thanks a bunch! P.S. And of course, I know how this recession is hurting job placements for nurses...