Which to choose?

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Hey all,

I want to be either a PA or Nurse Practitioner. I have a 3.2 GPA and still have a few science prerequisites to take.

I can't decide whether I should purse Accelerated BSN to MSN

OR

PA School.

I'm going to apply to both PA school and accelerated BSN for this coming year but wondering if people who have completed either/or can tell me the pros and cons. (i.e. cost, time spent, etc.)

Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Do you want to follow the medical model or nursing model?

Do you want to be a physician's assistant or be your own entity?

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I really want to be best prepared to be an excellent practitioner. Whether that be following the nursing model or the medical model.

I would like the option of being more of my own entity although I hear that both are able to practice relatively independently. I know many people say that NP's are more autonomous though. So that could be incorrect?

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
I really want to be best prepared to be an excellent practitioner. Whether that be following the nursing model or the medical model.

I would like the option of being more of my own entity although I hear that both are able to practice relatively independently. I know many people say that NP's are more autonomous though. So that could be incorrect?

I haven't heard of PA's practicing independently but maybe I'm just clueless but I know that NPs have the capability of practicing completely independent. PA's generally work in hospitals amongst other health professionals. NPs can work in practically any setting whether it be their own office, a hospital, another practitioner's office, etc. NPs seem to have more specialty choices as well.

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Yeah, that's good to know. I would like to work on a hospital to gain experience, but long term I see myself working in an outpatient clinic/wellness center.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Unfortunately your GPA may prevent you from being accepted even in a traditional BSN. ABSN & ME NP are extremely competitive. I taught in a traditional BSN for ten years, while the minimum GPA was 3.0, many times all 48 students that were accepted had 3.5 or above. However you should check with the schools your are hoping to get in to. Some grad schools require the GRE of the Millers (MAT) for admission. I read some of your other posts and yes, since you are not sure if RN is a good fit, it might be better if you get your RN before taking on NP.

Why do you want to be a NP?

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I'm not 100% confident I would want to continue to be an NP after becoming an RN. I just want to option of that. I didn't do as well in my undergraduate as I would've liked, but some of the schools minimum GPA is as low as 2.5 or 2.75

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Again, while the minimum is 2.5 or 2.75, you will not get in if others that apply have much higher GPAs.

As I pointed out, the school I taught at, the minimum was 3.0 but many semesters, the people being accepted every semester all had 3.5 or higher, so those with the 3.0 never got in. Since there was no waiting list, those that did not get in had to re-apply and compete with the new applicant pool each semester.

Also many NP schools can be similar in accepting students. The school I attended only accepted ten students per year.

Since you are unsure, concentrate on getting in to Rn program.

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Yeah, I understand it's competitive. I know it's worth it enough for me to try either way.

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