RN to PA

[RNPA93]

Has anyone ever thought about doing a PA program or is anyone doing a PA program? This is what I really want to do and I even moved two hours to the town where the school is to do this. Im still in the process of RN to BSN as a bachelors degree is necessary to do the program but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice or if they could share their experience? Thank you!

[Jules A, MSN]

- I swear if I hear one more physical therapist who insist on being called doctor my head will literally explode (so I carry tape and killing wrap on me at all times). The snipes about the DNP degree sound a bit like jealous NPs who refuse to move beyond the MSN.

But this is exactly the same thing imo. As for moving beyond the masters I would gladly do it if and when there is more money involved and the effort will significantly benefit my clinical practice or option 3 maybe I will just do it so I can post on a daily basis about the waste of time.

[RegularNurse]

I think it is more about calling a spade a spade.

The rampant credentialism in nursing is not a good thing, and its never gonna stop because there is money to be made.

Why do people get a BSN...Magnet

Who controls Magnet...the ANCC

Who controls many certifications...the ANCC

Who supplies BSNs...four year schools

Its a cycle. Four year nursing schools need the ANCC and magnet to support their business models. The ANCC needs magnet to convince hospitals into forcing experienced nurses to get BSNs----at the four year schools.

[RescueNinjaKy]

Hmm, what about in terms of switching specialities. I mean with a PA, isn't it quite easier going from outpatient clinic to inpatient hospital care. I've heard that certain hospitals are now requiring an acnp specialization for those that want to work in patient and will no longer be accepting FNPs. Of course I think they grandfathered in current existing fnps. Don't know how wide spread this is, heck it might be another rumor like the phasing out adns crap that's been going on for years.

[Jules A, MSN]

I think it is more about calling a spade a spade.

The rampant credentialism in nursing is not a good thing, and its never gonna stop because there is money to be made.

Why do people get a BSN...Magnet

Who controls Magnet...the ANCC

Who controls many certifications...the ANCC

Who supplies BSNs...four year schools

Its a cycle. Four year nursing schools need the ANCC and magnet to support their business models. The ANCC needs magnet to convince hospitals into forcing experienced nurses to get BSNs----at the four year schools.

While I can't wager a guess on the ANCCs involvement what I can say is I agree 100% that the rampant credentialing of anyone who can pay tuition is detrimental to our profession. And the Magnet thing yeah whole nother topic but whoever came up with that schtick is a marketing genius and nurses bought it hook, line and sinker. The hospitals love it because it costs them nothing and in return they get a troop of self righteous nurses who at least momentarily think they have some power and are willing to take on additional work in the context of unpaid committees and silly poster projects.

[Aromatic]

i know mayo requires people to get a bsn after some time, probably one of the only hospitals worth actually getting another degree for in order to work there. they seem to pay good at least the nursing staff.

[Jules A, MSN]

i know mayo requires people to get a bsn after some time, probably one of the only hospitals worth actually getting another degree for in order to work there. they seem to pay good at least the nursing staff.

I heard that and was impressed because in my area the biggies pay squat in exchange for their fine name on your resume, lol. Plus they have a brilliant psychiatrist there who I absolutely adore, if only the winters weren't so cold!

[JellyDonut]

But this is exactly the same thing imo. As for moving beyond the masters I would gladly do it if and when there is more money involved and the effort will significantly benefit my clinical practice or option 3 maybe I will just do it so I can post on a daily basis about the waste of time.

I started as an ADN nurse and thought "why get a BSN" I was a nurse and why did I need to know more about care planning.

Years passed and I caved and became a BSN. Then all my co-workers were going for MSN degrees and I thought why bother, but again I caved and got a MSN in education. And later a masters in health administration...

These degrees did squat for me. Still ended up working for directors with ADNs and BSNs and I thought Heck I will become a NP, so I went back to school and now work with more autonomy and with a nice group of physicians .

Then that inner voice said go back and get your DNP. I looked into it and decided NOPE I wanted a PhD and went back to school once again - against all bits of common sense. Now I am almost at the very end of the PhD journey and in my head I am scared that once I defend my thesis some desire for torture will make me go back for something else...I have no clue what, but it always seems to happen....these bits of paper are not providing me with a higher salary or more esteem, but yet I keep going. This a not so bright girl who was just happy to be an ADN has somehow kept going and I cannot explain it!!!

Bottom line yes it all is a waste of time, but why not get an education cause isn't everything in life just a giant effen waste of time?

[Jules A, MSN]

I started as an ADN nurse and thought "why get a BSN" I was a nurse and why did I need to know more about care planning.

Years passed and I caved and became a BSN. Then all my co-workers were going for MSN degrees and I thought why bother, but again I caved and got a MSN in education. And later a masters in health administration...

These degrees did squat for me. Still ended up working for directors with ADNs and BSNs and I thought Heck I will become a NP, so I went back to school and now work with more autonomy and with a nice group of physicians .

Then that inner voice said go back and get your DNP. I looked into it and decided NOPE I wanted a PhD and went back to school once again - against all bits of common sense. Now I am almost at the very end of the PhD journey and in my head I am scared that once I defend my thesis some desire for torture will make me go back for something else...I have no clue what, but it always seems to happen....these bits of paper are not providing me with a higher salary or more esteem, but yet I keep going. This a not so bright girl who was just happy to be an ADN has somehow kept going and I cannot explain it!!!

Bottom line yes it all is a waste of time, but why not get an education cause isn't everything in life just a giant effen waste of time?

Hi Jelly (always wanted to say that, great name!)

I think you sound like a very bright girl and it speaks volumes about your insight that you not only have awareness of the self esteem components in play but are willing to discuss it. FWIW I think the PhD is the better choice if someone is actually doing it for a working knowledge and teaching opportunities.

And yeah tot agree getting an education is a better allocation of your time and money than many other things however there are other things I'm sure you could have done with the extra $50,000 +- that you have spent going past your BSN such as home improvements, travel, charity etc. that wouldn't have been a waste of time.

Among my complaints with this nursing goal of "getting a seat at the table" is rather sad as if we can call ourselves Dr. and subsequently force MDs to value our contributions. I also believe this push to the "terminal degree" is only valid until they come up with a post doc cert. The whole terminal degree thing imo is largely driven by money for the schools and accrediting bodies. The peer pressure component and feeling that employrs are getting over on nurses due to our collective low self esteem really bothers me.

[Buyer beware, BSN]

I don't have any first hand experience but work with a PA who was a RN. They work as a hospitalist, are very good and seem to fit in better with physicians than many of the local NPs.

OP,

I believe your onto something here. A lot of nurses erroneously believe that since they are a BSN it is a necessary progression to stay in the nursing tract.

But I believe nursing has let its NP students down in the areas of access to comprehensive training.

Each year that goes by I see a diminution of the overall preparedness of the NP to be qualified to take care of patients.

Nursing likes to see itself as separate from medicine but I can't help but believe that this boarders on a delusionary form of mental illness.

Again I used to think it was wise to stay with nursing if already an RN but time and experience has taught me otherwise.

[offlabel]

You are much better off going from RN to NP. A nurse practitioner will always be a better degree. PA's will never operate independent of physicians in any state.... ever. NP's, on the other hand, have independent practice in many states now, and will gain ground in others. NP's can do everything a PA can do, but with more autonomy.

"Autonomy" is in the eye of the beholder. Sure, the PA running the critical access ER an hour away from the mother ship is practicing under a physician, but that physician is at the mother ship and is consulted just like the PA would consult a surgeon or cardiologist. PA's are trained in the medical model, not the nursing model which makes every single minute of their training applicable to clinical practice.

I think the absolute most solid pathway to advanced practice for nurses is BSN to clinical practice for at least 2 years to PA school.

[Jules A, MSN]

I think the absolute most solid pathway to advanced practice for nurses is BSN to clinical practice for at least 2 years to PA school.

Now that would be a powerhouse.

[offlabel]

Now that would be a powerhouse.

It's how it's done in anesthesia. Not fool proof, but, by and large, it works.