awilliamsesu Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I graduated with my bachelor of science degree in biology in May 2013. While in undergrad, I worked as a patient care tech, volunteered as an EMT and shadowed a PA. I know, for sure, that I want to be a PA. No doubt about it. I've been working toward this goal since 2008. My cumulative GPA, sadly, was a 2.90. Enough to get me one interview, but not enough to get me into PA school. I had a horrible time trying to manage working, volunteering and taking 16-18 credit course loads every semester, including summers. I did decent in my pre-requisite courses (mostly Bs), but my grades in classes such as physics, pre-calculus, biochemistry and cell biology could use a lot of improvement. I also bombed some classes during my freshman year (geology and sociology, which I already retook). My predicament: I was accepted into a well-respected 15 month accelerated BSN program that starts next May. I put a deposit down to hold my seat. I've worked as a tech so I'm somewhat familiar with nursing and how it is a very different field from PA. I know I could get my FNP after nursing school, but I'm drawn to the medical model over the nursing model for many reasons. I've done a lot of research and feel as though I'd be more prepared to practice as a PA right out of school, than an NP right out of school (even with RN experience). I know for sure that I do not want a career as a bedside nurse. I strive to learn so much more and be able to help patients in capacities that an RN can't. So my question is, what is better? Should I attend the BSN program, rock it and get a good cumulative GPA to show I can handle the intensity of an accelerated BSN? Work as an RN for a year while retaking a few classes, then apply to PA school? Would schools look down on me for going the nursing route first? Would it give me an advantage? Or, should I skip the whole nursing route and just go back to school full-time for a few semesters to all of the classes I got less than a B in, shadow a few more PAs and get a 4.0 post-bacc GPA? I'm starting to lose sleep over this and I'd really appreciate some advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 25, 2013 Moderator Share Posted November 25, 2013 do the nursing program, rock the grades, work a year or 2 as a nurse then reapply to pa school. no one will think less of you for doing it and lots of folks will respect the experience you bring to the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awilliamsesu Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 EMEDPA, I greatly appreciate your input. I've heard that a lot of schools will question "Why do you want to go from RN to PA?" But I don't see it like that. I've always had PA in my heart so I don't feel like it's making a switch. What area would provide me with the best experience for PA school? Would a year in the ER as an RN be best? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 25, 2013 Moderator Share Posted November 25, 2013 any program that asks why you got experience before applying is one best avoided. the traditional route to pa school is one based on lots of hce. what area do you want to work in as a pa? that is the area you should work in as an rn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awilliamsesu Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 I'm really leaning toward family medicine, women's health or sleep medicine/pulmonary medicine, but I'm sure I won't truly know which area I'd like to work in until I'm doing my rotations. I know it's rare to find jobs at a doctor's office as a new RN, but would that be more beneficial than a hospital job if that's where I'd like to end up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 25, 2013 Moderator Share Posted November 25, 2013 if you want to be in a hospital as a pa get a hospital based rn job. if you want pulmonology aim for a critical care/icu rn job. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted November 25, 2013 Administrator Share Posted November 25, 2013 Plus, if you get your BSN, you always have the option to do an NP program instead. You will have options that no other pre-PA really does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awilliamsesu Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 Rev Ronin, I would enjoy the idea of having both PA and NP fields open to me, but I'm really worried that NPs aren't as prepared as PAs. I know NP programs have a lot of "fluff" classes, and that worries me a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 25, 2013 Moderator Share Posted November 25, 2013 Rev Ronin, I would enjoy the idea of having both PA and NP fields open to me, but I'm really worried that NPs aren't as prepared as PAs. I know NP programs have a lot of "fluff" classes, and that worries me a lot. those are reasonable concerns.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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