RN or PA?

[doxiern40]

I have been considering a career change here lately and am currently taking A and P, and doing well so far. I am just wondering if any of you considered becoming a PA instead of an RN? I am a problem solver by nature, and think my personality which is more of an A type and might be better suited for the PA. Just not sure if I can handle the extra work required to get the degree. I have two kids, and don't want to miss the next 3 or 4 years (would take me a year and a half to knock out pre-reqs and work experience then 2 years of school.)

Thanks for any input!

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

moved to the Nursing Career Advice forum

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

The prereqs for PA school and a bachelor's level RN program are similar. The PA program may require more chemistry. Most PA programs are master's level programs so you'll have to have a bachelor's in something. Good choices would be nursing, respiratory therapy, medical technology, or other biomedical-oriented subjects. Most PA programs also like to have at least 2,000 hours of patient care experience with most people being paramedics, respiratory therapists, nurses, and then a stream of other allied health people. I'd rather be a PA but am in nursing school. PAs are a rarity in Arkansas, and I'm not leaving the state to go to school which I'd likely have to do since there's only one private university in the state with a PA program and a list of applicants longer than most medical schools.

The easier, more family friendly program would be nursing. Hands down.

[doxiern40]

Yes, here in Maryland it's super competitive to get into the PA programs. 500 applicants, 40 students each year at the one I'm looking at, and yes all those requirements to be considered competitive along with a really high GPA. thanks for responding.

[ikarus01]

You could always go the nursing route, then explore the nurse practitioner path.