Hello Everyone!I know that this is a complex question, but I was wondering if you guys would tell me the benefits and disadvantages of being an R.N vs. P.A. vs. being a nurse practitioner. I haven't been able to find very good info. on what being a P.A or N.P. entails, other than extra schooling. I was wondering if you think that the extra schooling is worth it?
RNDreamer 1,237 Posts Specializes in acute care. May 22, 2007 Any extra schooling is worth it if it means achieving your goal..my goal is to be a nurse, so going back to school for another 3 years of my life will be worth it..I also plan to go back and study to become either an NP or CRNA..either path I choose will be worth the extra schooling...
EricJRN, MSN, RN 1 Article; 6,682 Posts Has 17 years experience. May 22, 2007 There are exceptions, but in general, you need to be an RN with experience as a nurse and a BSN in order to apply for NP programs. You also generally need a four-year degree for acceptance to PA school - some people earn the BSN and make the NP/PA decision later.
GilaRRT 1 Article; 1,905 Posts May 23, 2007 Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are considered mid level practitioners. They typically have the ability to formulate a diagnosis, order tests, and prescribe treatments within their scope of practice. A NP is an RN who has the ability to apply the nursing process at a very advanced level. I would have a very hard time comparing an RN to a NP, because a NP is in fact an RN.
