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RN vs PA Dilemma!!!! Please help!!


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Hey all,

 

I have for the past 3 years or so, been going back and forth between becoming an RN, then CRNA or going to PA school. I have all my prereqs done finally and now its decision time! I have been working as a Flight Paramedic for the past 4 years and a ground medic for about 5 years before that. My gpa is around a 3.4. I know i'd have a great shot at getting into the RCC program, I'm just nervous to make the wrong decision. RN's have soo many more opportunities available to them vs PA's. However, I really do not want to be a bedside nurse. I want to treat patients as a mid-level practitioner. I was hoping that some of you may be able to shed some of your personal opinions on the subject? Also, I am a Married father of 2 with a mortgage and other big boy bills... Does anyone know if student loans would cover mortgage/car payments? I know that the program is more than full time, leaving me no time for work. PLEASE HELP!! thanks!!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I would have to disagree with the more opportunities assumption. I graduated from nursing school in 2010 and looked for work for 4 months. I was lucky and found work at a dermatology clinic. Most RN positions require at least a year of experience at a hospital. The economy has complicated things. Fewer nurses are retiring and hospitals are cutting back on funding for new grad programs. Sometimes 500-600 people apply for 15 new grad positions. One local hospital requires a 3 year commitment for the new grad program. Things will change, but its hard to tell how soon. Nursing is great, but I always knew I wanted to be a PA. Most people think it would be easier to just go on to be a NP, but it requires additional school and work experience beyond my RN degree. The same goes for a CRNA. You would need at least a years experience working in the ICU as an RN before you can apply for CRNA school. As an RN you may end up working nights to start out, while most PA positions are 9-5. Just my 2 cents.

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I had planned on applying to RCC PA program as well as RN programs locally here in San Diego. PA's definitely make more money and work better hours ( assuming you work in a clinic setting ), but there are a lot more opportunities out there for RN's.

 

I would not make such monumental decision based on "making more money and work better hours". I have been working healthcare for 3 decades, and in that time I have seen many, many people regretting basing a career change decision partly on salary or work schedule.

 

You can find many PA's working night shift while RN's work days; within the same city you will often find RN's working nights while some PA's work days. As far as the pay, it's based on experience and landing the right position. IMHO what truly matters is UNDERSTANDING the differences between the 2 professions, and find YOUR true calling. That can only be determined by what your purpose and abilities are to care for others. Good luck.

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  • 1 month later...

Apples to oranges, the only thing in common between the two is both treat patients. Do you want to write orders, make pt management decisions, order and interpret labs, go through a much more hour intensive program with more time away from family, missed holidays, especially during your clerkship year (PA) or do you want to carry out orders, physically administer the drugs, work 12 hour shifts usually 3 shifts/week alternating with 4shifts every other week, be at bedside with the same patients during the entire shift, usually have little pt management decision making. Do you want to be a clinician or not?

 

P.S RN school is 2 years on traditional college track, i.e no intercessions, nursing students get holidays off as far as I can tell as there were zero students around for the past 2 weeks. PA school is 2 years all year around, i/e fall,winter,spring,summer. During clerkship year you are not guaranteed days off, unless its mandated by law. You will work Christmas, new years, Easter, whatever unless you're rotating through a clinic that is closed on those days, in which case you might be thrown into inpatient duty. Don't make the mistake thinking RN and PA are similar, the training is different as are the job duties.

 

I think both are great jobs, you can't really screw up by choosing either unless you go into it thinking its something it isnt

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  • 3 months later...

I am in the same spot as you with two boys wife and bills. I saved enough money to cover only 1st year. RCC loans max out at 10K that is why I saved money before school, also if you do the St. Francis program 2nd year you could get up to 40K in loans more than enough for a family with bills. PM if you have further questions. As for mid-level provider NP or PA, just pick one. PA's are taught under medical model NP's are not but the jobs are out there neither one will guarantees you a job that depends on you.....

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I am in the same spot as you with two boys wife and bills. I saved enough money to cover only 1st year. RCC loans max out at 10K that is why I saved money before school, also if you do the St. Francis program 2nd year you could get up to 40K in loans more than enough for a family with bills. PM if you have further questions. As for mid-level provider NP or PA, just pick one. PA's are taught under medical model NP's are not but the jobs are out there neither one will guarantees you a job that depends on you.....

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I am in the same spot as you with two boys wife and bills. I saved enough money to cover only 1st year. RCC loans max out at 10K that is why I saved money before school, also if you do the St. Francis program 2nd year you could get up to 40K in loans more than enough for a family with bills. PM if you have further questions. As for mid-level provider NP or PA, just pick one. PA's are taught under medical model NP's are not but the jobs are out there neither one will guarantees you a job that depends on you.....

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