2bobbidurr Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Hello need advice currently a junior in college recently transferred to a different school and changing majors. My main focus is my GPA in order to get into PA school my first try. My GPA isn't too great right now thats the reason why I'm mainly focused not that. Currently my GPA is a 3.0. My major was biology and i stuck in between changing my major to B.S in public health or either BSN. Currently I would have to wait to get accepted into the entry level BSN program at UTA which is only 15 months online which is why I'm considering this option and that I can have a job once i graduate if i don't get accepted my try for PA school. Another reason I pick B.S in public health is because I can easily get a higher GPA with that degree. Just need advice on which route I should take...??? And I currently have 500 HCE doing Patient Care Tech/ Medical Assistant work & 20 hours shadowing a PA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2bobbidurr Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 I was also thinking about with my major public health or bsn minor in Spanish that way i can stand out more when applying to schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACrankset Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 In the research that I have done for the programs I applied too, the major really doesn't matter to many schools. A Bachelors is a bachelors to them provided you have the required classes completed. My advice is to go with the degree that you will enjoy the most, a BSN will potentially give you the opportunity to gain much better experience than an PH degree will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaffertyDaniel Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 BSN fa show. Will give you a great job to do for a year post-undergrad where you're getting great hands on experience and it will pay well compared to other things you could be doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petunia Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 BSN will help you have more knowledge when going into PA school... plus many of the programs I applied to consider prereqs as well as the number of science hours completed. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted September 14, 2016 Moderator Share Posted September 14, 2016 Never regretted my decision to get my BSN. It's served me pretty well. Made PA school easier and my critical care experience has been viewed positively on any application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA-C-to-be Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 BSN, I work with tons of nurses and if you have the intention of going into healthcare, you'll get really great exposure as a nurse/nursing student. I know a lot of new BSN grads working in really cool specialties so if you work as a nurse before PA school you'll pretty much have your pick of what area of medicine you want to work in (EVERYONE needs nurses). It'll also open a lot of doors for networking/future references for your application. Just make sure you're not missing out on pre-reqs you'll need for PA school, I'd say that may be the only caveat: that not all nursing degrees will give you your upper level chemistries/biologies that a lot of PA schools ask for these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDB10701 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 I am currently enrolled in the UTA BSN program in the lower division courses, upper division nursing courses will start for me next Fall. This was my second cycle applying to PA schools, and right now my thinking is that if I am not accepted in to any programs this cycle then I will finish the BSN program and pursue nurse practitioner. Initially I thought that nursing would help me become competitive to apply to PA schools, but I have a lot of student loans and this is something that really weighed my decision. I will also say that the AP BSN program is rather competitive to get in to, so keep that in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHU-CH Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 A major switch should not be a big deal (I did one myself). Just be sure to have a rational reason to explain the switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2bobbidurr Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 thanks for the response! I will do the BSN/ minor in Spanish then PA school! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croooz Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 BS in PH is pure BS. You can get the MPH easily without the BS-PH. There are quite a number of programs that offer PA-MPH if that's what you want. I would definitely recommend the BSN as well. Just the smarter choice all around. You can even get into a PH position and have them pay for your MPH if you'd like. The minor in Spanish will also help tremendously. Although being Cuban I am bias. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2bobbidurr Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 Thats what I was thinking also every position for PH seems like they want more than just a bachelors, and I just need something for a backup plan if I don't get in the first time for PA school Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croooz Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 Get the BSN. It gives you more options. You could then also join the Uniformed Services to include the US Public Health Service. There are plenty of options for BSN RNs and if you don't get into PA school you can use the experience of the RN to strengthen your application. I think the BSN is win/win all around. I wish I had gone that route 20 years ago when it was recommended to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.