thinkingcap

Here is a list of the required courses Intro to Business Fund of Computer Science I Intro to Computer Modeling Network Operating System – Desktop Computer Repair and Maintenance Commands & Scripts Computer Fluency CCNA 1: Exploration Professional Certification If those aren't the right sort if classes can you give me an idea what classes would be most most helpful. The actual certificate would be easier to put on a resume than just a collection of classes, but if they are better ones to take I will do that and just mention them in my cover letters.

Hello all! I am just beginning my nursing journey, working on my pre-requs at my local community college. I am interested in many nursing roles, but eventually I see myself moving away from the bedside into either informatics or research (or both). Right now I have the opportunity to complete a certificate of applied science in computer support (essentially the first year of the associates degree) while I finish my pre-requs. It would be some extra time and money but nothing that feels out of reach. However, I wanted to get some input on whether that is the sort of thing that might help kick start an informatics career, or if it is too minimal a degree to really have much impact. Any thoughts would be most welcomed. TIA.

Thank you so much ben-ben-ben. That was just what i was looking for and very helpful. I am leaning towards BSN right now because of geography. There are no PA programs here and with a husband and a baby moving would be difficult. Adding the cost of moving (both financial and otherwise) to the additional time and tuition for PA school makes it less appealing even with the higher starting salary. The point about primary vs accute is interesting. I think that is particualrly true in the western part of thr US (where I live). The PA prorams I've looked at out here seem very focused on primary care, which really isn't my interest. Finding a more acute care focused program might mean an even bigger move and I don't think my family is ready for that.

I am trying to make the same decision, although my Bachelors is in a non health field. I am leaning toward BSN simply because there are no PA programs where I live and I have a husband and a baby which makes moving difficult. If it weren't for my geographic limitations, however, I'd probably pick PA school if for no other reason than the higher earning potential. I've noticed that some PA programs have different focuses, so that might be something to consider. Are you interested in primary care, or do you see yourself working in with critical patients? Personally I really like the idea of being a surgical PA, and as a nurse I would probably pursue OR as well, but I feel like I could really enjoy a lot of different roles in health care which makes it hard to decided.

First of all, read the entire thread before you comment. I have my terms straight, and not I am not asking about NP vs PA. I have a bachelors in a non-nursing field and am considering one of two options, preparing for a BSN or preparing for a PA program. I am asking about bananas because I would like to know if they are just so tasty and nutritious that everyone have one before playing basketball or any other sports for that matter, or if they are only so so and I should just hurry up and get in the game.

I am having a hard time with this attitude. I know that each persons reasons are different, but that is exactly why I want to know other peoples' reasons. I want to hear about all the factors that a might possibly go into such a decision to make sure I am not overlooking any. I don't know any nurses or PAs right now, so I can't ask them what they love about their jobs, or why they choose their particular path, or what they would do differently if they could. I came here to ask. These are valid questions and I am really confused as to why, instead of simply answering them, I am being told over and over that they are the wrong questions. Please try and trust that I know which information is useful to me.

Thank you all so much for your responses. I have thought a lot about the medical model vs the nursing model but I am unsure which would appeal more to me at this point. I enjoy both hard and soft sciences and appreciate a holistic approach to things, but I also have a low tolerance for nonsense. I can't tell if people are exaggerating when they post on here about having to do things like write papers on hand washing in nursing school, but that sounds like a colossal waste of time. I want a serious education. I do have a bachelors already (in environmental studies). The areas that interest me are critical care or OR, although I am trying to remain open to all possibilities this early on. I also have an interest in administration and education. I think that if I go the BSN route I will eventually go on to further my education. One thing I like about the BSN route is that it leaves more doors open for the future, such as CRNA or MSN or PA (which I prefer over NP), but if I'm going to end up as a PA I think it would make far more sense to just do that straight away. I'm 32 so I don't want to waste time. I've downloaded job shadow forms from the local hospitals so I can gain more insight that way. There is a lot to consider but luckily I have plenty of pre-reqs to complete which gives me time to think.

I understand the difference in the scope of practice and that a pa is more equitable to an np than to an rn. However, for me the next step would be either to prepare for my BSN or for PA school. NP would be an option after getting my BSN (as would PA) but it is not an option now so that isn't what I'm asking about. What I am asking is why YOU would rather be an RN than a PA, or vise versa. I am looking for personal experience and preferences like that provided by adpiRN.

What didn't you like?

Thank you for the links. Those discussions were very helpful. I will try and be better about searching first in the future. :)

Thank you for replying. You are right about it being a personal desicion, but I feel that the perspectives of others helps me to make better choices. I am hoping to know why others have made their personal choice so that any factors I am missing can come to light.

I am at the very beginning of my health care career exploration. I am trying to gain more perspective on the pros and cons of becoming either an rn or a pa and would love to hear from you. I know the basic differences but am trying to understand why people in those careers feel more attracted to one or the other. If schooling and salaries were equivalent would you choose to be an rn over being a pa? Why? TIA.

I have been considering a few different programs and there seems to be a fair amount of discrepancy. I understand schools having different GE requirments, but I don't see why the math and science should be different. I mean, you either need biochem or you don't, right? Either college algebra is the best math foundation, or stats is. So why the different requirments? Are other medical fields like this?

Thank you all for your replies. To answer a few questions, no my school does not have a prescribed order and bio is recommended before A&p but not required. I did take bio (and got an A) for my first degree, but that was over ten years ago. I think I will go with option 3 and take Chem first. You have been very helpful.

This is my first post! I've lurked a bit and am so excited to have found this place. I am just starting out with school and am hoping you might have some advice on class scheduling. I have three semesters (spring, fall, spring) to take four science prereqs (A&P 1 & 2, Microbio, and Chem). These are my options: 1) Spring 1: Micro Fall: A&P 1, Chem Spring 2: A&P 2 2) Spring 1: A&P 1 Fall: A&P 2, Chem Spring 2: Micro 3) Spring 1: Chem Fall: A&P 1 Spring 2: A&P 2, Micro I would love to know which you would pick and why. Thanks.