To PA or not to PA...

Published

Hello all! I will be graduating this May as a pre-physical therapy major and now feel that it is not for me. I want to be more involved in the various levels of healthcare and have opportunity to practice medicine. I also feel that I would enjoy being an RN for some time. I am yong, 22, and think that being a nurse would be great for me in my twenties, but I know I do not want to pursue it forever. I would eventually like to become a mid-level practitoner and I like PA just because you don't have to pick a specialty. However, many nurses I have spoke with have discouraged me from pursueing a second degree BSN and have encouraged me to just try to get into PA school just to save time and money. But I kind of think I would enjoy doing the nursing thing for a little bit. Plus, if the PA thing fell through, nursing seems to offer lots of options including NP, management, education, etc. It also seems that although many RNs are stressed by their work (understandably so) that most NPs are truly happy with their decisions and many PAs feel held down and regret not going on to med. school (which I have never desired). Perhaps since NPs had to start as Rns they had something to look forward to? Oh what to do :(! Any thoughts are appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

first thing i would do is look and see how many PA jobs are actually out there and what the forcasted need for PA's are. Nursing is such a great field as it has many opportunities for advancement. You dont have to be a bedside nurse. You can get many advanced degrees and teach, mgmt etc. skys the limit but ultimately its up to you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is exactly how I feel and I tend to change my mind a lot so I feel it is best to go into a career that offers room for growth. I live in Ohio and I am told it is pretty unfriendly towards PAs, but I do see jobs posted all the time. My mom is an RN and she feels that she actually works with PAs more often. I know I can just apply to both an accelerated BSN program and PA program just to see what happens but I'd have to wait until March 2011 to apply to PA school (just the way it falls) when I could have started the BSN program that past January. I also have limited health care experience (I plan on going to an ER to volunteer and telling them I want to be involved in as much as possible) but I am nervous that would not be enough for PA school. Going to nursing school would give me the experience as well as allow me to fulfill my desire to have a more intimate role in my patients' care. BUT, I also feel that PA would be kinda cool...and could save me some money and time if I started right away. just looking for as much input as possible to make an informed decision :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, Acute Psychiatry.

PA's take residency with residents if you're specialized. The dozen or so I know work like dogs so the docs can golf.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
PA's take residency with residents if you're specialized. The dozen or so I know work like dogs so the docs can golf.

Castlegates, I'm not sure I know what you mean by that..would you mind elaborating?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I went through this same debate while choosing colleges, and to be honest, I got observe in a local hospital with a class. A big part of my decision to pursue nursing was that I noticed nurses seem to interact with and work with the patients on a unique level. Another reason is that Nursing is so incredibly versatile. Just browse the forums here. The 'doctor' my family goes to is an NP, and is damn good. I'd say see whats out there, trust me, you'll be overwhelmed. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg 1 year, ER 5 years.

I say do nursing because there are SO many options available once you get your RN. you can do hospitals, nursing homes, or home health. you can do management, recruiting, legal nursing, nursing informatics....the list goes on and on. Nursing is one of the most flexible degrees out there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

Nurse Practitioners are independant practitioners. Physician Assistants are dependant practioners. Nursing offers so many opportunities at the bedside and beyond. Physician Assistants are more limited.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nurse Practitioners are independant practitioners. Physician Assistants are dependant practioners. Nursing offers so many opportunities at the bedside and beyond. Physician Assistants are more limited.

What exactly is the difference between a dependent and independent practitioner?

To the OP practice is going to be dependent on the state and local environment. The dependent nature of the PA scope of practice means that a PA can practice in any area of medicine that the supervising physician can practice in. PAs have virtually unlimited lateral mobility in changing jobs including the ability to move back and forth between medicine and surgery. Depending on the state the independent nature of an NP license means that the NP is limited to areas of advanced practice nursing they are trained in.

The other thing to consider is that PA school is very competitive. Depending on the area you may or may not be competitive without prior health care experience. Nursing is considered good health care experience, however, the pre-requisites for nursing will generally not fulfill PA program pre-requisites. Nursing school is also very competitive depending on your area and if you peruse the board here jobs are not guaranteed. There are no easy answers.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

Nurse Practitioners do NOT have to ask "Daddy's Permission" they just do what they know is best for the patient. PA's need to run the plan past their physician first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nurse Practitioners do NOT have to ask "Daddy's Permission" they just do what they know is best for the patient. PA's need to run the plan past their physician first.

Really? Can you show me a state practice act that requires this? PAs work under general supervision. The same type of supervision that NPs work under in states which require supervisory agreements. My requirement is that the physician be available by some means of communication. For your information my father is not a physician and I haven't needed his permission for anything for many years:cool:.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion