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Anyone here ever seen a situation where a PA-C became an NP? I'm not talking about the dual PA/NP program, but rather actually switching from one to the other? Are there any programs specifically for this, or ways to do it online?

 

Appreciate any information. Thanks!

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Anyone here ever seen a situation where a PA-C became an NP? I'm not talking about the dual PA/NP program, but rather actually switching from one to the other? Are there any programs specifically for this, or ways to do it online?

 

Appreciate any information. Thanks!

  • Moderator

I would do this in a heart beat - but as a non nurse would have to go get my LPN - RN then NP and this is just too much school

 

would love to see a program to allow PA-C with MS do a year or two of course work via internet to get an NP license..... search other threads and there is prior discussions and Contrarian has more experience

  • Moderator

I would do this in a heart beat - but as a non nurse would have to go get my LPN - RN then NP and this is just too much school

 

would love to see a program to allow PA-C with MS do a year or two of course work via internet to get an NP license..... search other threads and there is prior discussions and Contrarian has more experience

I don't know of any programs that would abridge this scenario, but I'm sure it happens to some extent. Especially on those states/regions where the "odds" are stacked against the PA in going into a primary care arena - peds, FP, etc. I've talked with many RNs who want to further their education and are deciding between PA vs NP. For my area at least, I tell them to stick with NP if some sort of primary care is your goal, but may want to consider PA for any desire in surgery, ER, etc. Not saying that field is better than the other, or NPs are better than PAs in primary care of vice versa. Just what I have noticed in my region - NPs seem to migrate to Peds, FP while the PAs migrate to surg, cardio, IR, ER. Not sure why, but may be hiring habits of physicians (this is not a NP independent state). This trend is what I've personally noticed as well. I worked for a CRO (clinical research organization) in the Carolinas and have been to 100s of doctor and medical clinics from Carolinas to Ga, FL, MS and West to some parts of Texas. The usual trend when I visited Peds and FP was mainly FP with some PAs mixed in. Neurosurgery, cardio, CT surgery, general surgery, ortho was chock full of PAs.

I don't know of any programs that would abridge this scenario, but I'm sure it happens to some extent. Especially on those states/regions where the "odds" are stacked against the PA in going into a primary care arena - peds, FP, etc. I've talked with many RNs who want to further their education and are deciding between PA vs NP. For my area at least, I tell them to stick with NP if some sort of primary care is your goal, but may want to consider PA for any desire in surgery, ER, etc. Not saying that field is better than the other, or NPs are better than PAs in primary care of vice versa. Just what I have noticed in my region - NPs seem to migrate to Peds, FP while the PAs migrate to surg, cardio, IR, ER. Not sure why, but may be hiring habits of physicians (this is not a NP independent state). This trend is what I've personally noticed as well. I worked for a CRO (clinical research organization) in the Carolinas and have been to 100s of doctor and medical clinics from Carolinas to Ga, FL, MS and West to some parts of Texas. The usual trend when I visited Peds and FP was mainly FP with some PAs mixed in. Neurosurgery, cardio, CT surgery, general surgery, ortho was chock full of PAs.

Yes...

 

A PA can register with Excelsior college:

 

Admission Requirements for Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

Our nursing degree programs are specifically designed to serve individuals with significant experience in clinically oriented health care disciplines. Admission to the associate degree in nursing programs is not open to international students. Admission is open to prospective students in the following categories:

  • Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses
  • Paramedics
  • Certain classifications of Military Corpsmen
  • Respiratory Therapists, Respiratory Technicians, Respiratory Care Practitioners
  • Physicians trained and/or licensed outside of the United States
  • Physicians or Physician's Assistants trained and/or licensed in the United States
  • Licensed, Certified or Registered Midwives
  • Students who have successfully completed at least 50% of the clinical nursing credit hours with a minimum grade of C in an associate, baccalaureate, or RN diploma nursing program within 5 years of completing their last nursing course

 

Once the PA is admitted they take the 6-8 multiple guess written exams that can be taken at almost any testing center:

 

The Nursing Theory exams serve as the primary method of documenting the required theoretical knowledge in the program’s nursing component. They assess essential knowledge of medical, surgical, maternity, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing as integrated with knowledge related to growth and development, nutrition and pharmacology, ethical and legal issues, and arts and sciences.

The following nursing theory exams must be passed before taking the FCCA and CPNE:

  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety
  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences*
  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Chronicity
  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Reproductive Health
  • Health Differences Across the Life Span 1
  • Health Differences Across the Life Span 2
  • Health Differences Across the Life Span 3
  • Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse Role

 

Then schedule the FCCA clinical exam:

 

To be eligible for the FCCA you will need to complete all Nursing Theory exams and be within 10 General Education credits of completing your degree. The FCCA is graded as Pass/Fail and is worth four credits when passed.

This computer-generated (or delivered), simulated clinical assessment provides a means for students to demonstrate competencies related to the following three essential elements of nursing practice:

  • Head-to-toe assessment and nursing process
  • Managing multiple patients
  • Participating in interdisciplinary health care teams

You may register and take the sections in any order.

 

Finally, you register and take the CPNE to get the nursing degree.

 

 

The CPNE is a 2 1/2 day clinical exercise taken in a general hospital. It tests a students ability to competently administer nursing care. It includes a maximum of 2 nursing simulation laboratories, 3 adult patient care situations and 2 child care patient situations.

 

CPNE test sites:

  • Midwestern Performance Assessment Center (MPAC) –Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin test sites
  • Northern Performance Assessment Center (NPAC) – New York and Pennsylvania test sites
  • Southern Performance Assessment Center (SPAC) – Georgia test sites

 

The shortest time I've seen this happen from start to finish (1st test to CPNE date) was 9 months, but the delay was in the CPNE schedualing because the person had completed the other 8 tests in 45 days

If passed ... this person can then sit for the NCLEX and if passed will be a RN.

(warning- not all states accept the excelsior RN degree for licensing without ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

 

The Cost/Tuition is here

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Once the RN is secured, the rest is simply online RN-->MSN courses.

 

Keep in mind that most/all NP specialties that could translate into independent clinical practice require clinicals and some in-class work, but most of the programs offer very part-time evening... weekend... or quarterly weeklong seminar courses to accomplish this.

 

YMMV

 

Contrarian

Yes...

 

A PA can register with Excelsior college:

 

Admission Requirements for Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

Our nursing degree programs are specifically designed to serve individuals with significant experience in clinically oriented health care disciplines. Admission to the associate degree in nursing programs is not open to international students. Admission is open to prospective students in the following categories:

  • Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses
  • Paramedics
  • Certain classifications of Military Corpsmen
  • Respiratory Therapists, Respiratory Technicians, Respiratory Care Practitioners
  • Physicians trained and/or licensed outside of the United States
  • Physicians or Physician's Assistants trained and/or licensed in the United States
  • Licensed, Certified or Registered Midwives
  • Students who have successfully completed at least 50% of the clinical nursing credit hours with a minimum grade of C in an associate, baccalaureate, or RN diploma nursing program within 5 years of completing their last nursing course

 

Once the PA is admitted they take the 6-8 multiple guess written exams that can be taken at almost any testing center:

 

The Nursing Theory exams serve as the primary method of documenting the required theoretical knowledge in the program’s nursing component. They assess essential knowledge of medical, surgical, maternity, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing as integrated with knowledge related to growth and development, nutrition and pharmacology, ethical and legal issues, and arts and sciences.

The following nursing theory exams must be passed before taking the FCCA and CPNE:

  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety
  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences*
  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Chronicity
  • Essentials of Nursing Care: Reproductive Health
  • Health Differences Across the Life Span 1
  • Health Differences Across the Life Span 2
  • Health Differences Across the Life Span 3
  • Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse Role

 

Then schedule the FCCA clinical exam:

 

To be eligible for the FCCA you will need to complete all Nursing Theory exams and be within 10 General Education credits of completing your degree. The FCCA is graded as Pass/Fail and is worth four credits when passed.

This computer-generated (or delivered), simulated clinical assessment provides a means for students to demonstrate competencies related to the following three essential elements of nursing practice:

  • Head-to-toe assessment and nursing process
  • Managing multiple patients
  • Participating in interdisciplinary health care teams

You may register and take the sections in any order.

 

Finally, you register and take the CPNE to get the nursing degree.

 

 

The CPNE is a 2 1/2 day clinical exercise taken in a general hospital. It tests a students ability to competently administer nursing care. It includes a maximum of 2 nursing simulation laboratories, 3 adult patient care situations and 2 child care patient situations.

 

CPNE test sites:

  • Midwestern Performance Assessment Center (MPAC) –Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin test sites
  • Northern Performance Assessment Center (NPAC) – New York and Pennsylvania test sites
  • Southern Performance Assessment Center (SPAC) – Georgia test sites

 

The shortest time I've seen this happen from start to finish (1st test to CPNE date) was 9 months, but the delay was in the CPNE schedualing because the person had completed the other 8 tests in 45 days

If passed ... this person can then sit for the NCLEX and if passed will be a RN.

(warning- not all states accept the excelsior RN degree for licensing without ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

 

The Cost/Tuition is here

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Once the RN is secured, the rest is simply online RN-->MSN courses.

 

Keep in mind that most/all NP specialties that could translate into independent clinical practice require clinicals and some in-class work, but most of the programs offer very part-time evening... weekend... or quarterly weeklong seminar courses to accomplish this.

 

YMMV

 

Contrarian

Yes...

 

A PA can register with Excelsior college:

 

 

 

Once the PA is admitted they take the 6-8 multiple guess written exams and schedule the 2 clinical exams (FCCA & CPNE) to get the nursing degree. The written exams can be taken at almost any testing center. (The shortest time I've seen this happen in was 9 months, but the delay was in the CPNE schedualing because the person had completed the other 8 tests in 45 days)

 

If passed ... this person can then sit for the NCLEX and if passed will be a RN. (warning- not all states accept the excelsior RN degree for licensing without ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

 

The Cost/Tuition is here

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Once the RN is secured, the rest is simply online RN-->MSN courses.

 

Keep in mind that most/all NP specialties that could translate into independent clinical practice require clinicals and some in-class work, but most of the programs offer very part-time evening... weekend... or quarterly weeklong seminar courses to accomplish this.

 

YMMV

 

Contrarian

 

Thanks. This post was very helpful. Illinois has an additional requirement for RN licensing I don't understand, but I will email them for clarification.

Yes...

 

A PA can register with Excelsior college:

 

 

 

Once the PA is admitted they take the 6-8 multiple guess written exams and schedule the 2 clinical exams (FCCA & CPNE) to get the nursing degree. The written exams can be taken at almost any testing center. (The shortest time I've seen this happen in was 9 months, but the delay was in the CPNE schedualing because the person had completed the other 8 tests in 45 days)

 

If passed ... this person can then sit for the NCLEX and if passed will be a RN. (warning- not all states accept the excelsior RN degree for licensing without ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

 

The Cost/Tuition is here

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Once the RN is secured, the rest is simply online RN-->MSN courses.

 

Keep in mind that most/all NP specialties that could translate into independent clinical practice require clinicals and some in-class work, but most of the programs offer very part-time evening... weekend... or quarterly weeklong seminar courses to accomplish this.

 

YMMV

 

Contrarian

 

Thanks. This post was very helpful. Illinois has an additional requirement for RN licensing I don't understand, but I will email them for clarification.

... Illinois has an additional requirement for RN licensing I don't understand...

 

Easy... Finish this program, then get RN license in another state and hold for 2 yrs prior to applying for reciprocity in Illinois.

... Illinois has an additional requirement for RN licensing I don't understand...

 

Easy... Finish this program, then get RN license in another state and hold for 2 yrs prior to applying for reciprocity in Illinois.

Easy... Finish this program, then get RN license in another state and hold for 2 yrs prior to applying for reciprocity in Illinois.

 

I understand. For all intents and purposes, it wouldn't slow down progression to NP via an online program (I would assume).

Easy... Finish this program, then get RN license in another state and hold for 2 yrs prior to applying for reciprocity in Illinois.

 

I understand. For all intents and purposes, it wouldn't slow down progression to NP via an online program (I would assume).

Nope... and for safe measure... after getting the RN license in one of the surrounding states (MO, WI, MN, IN, OH, TN, AR), I would take a "On-Call" RN job in that state and never go to work. This way when you apply for Illinois licensure... if/when they ask for a minimum of 2 yrs RN experience, You will be able to legitimately list that On-Call RN job... :wink:

Nope... and for safe measure... after getting the RN license in one of the surrounding states (MO, WI, MN, IN, OH, TN, AR), I would take a "On-Call" RN job in that state and never go to work. This way when you apply for Illinois licensure... if/when they ask for a minimum of 2 yrs RN experience, You will be able to legitimately list that On-Call RN job... :wink:

Can you maybe post why you woud want to go from PA to NP? Or, at least, send me to a link where the discussion has already taken place.

 

Basically, I feel like we are being left behind, due to a combination of things: a rather inept professional association, lackluster enrollment in state professional association (at least, in Illinois), a much more powerful NP lobby, and some ungodly fear of the AMA, who the AAPA seems to want to kiss up to despite their obvious disdain for PAs. I would probably still retain the PA-C (unless it gets ridiculous); I just think that having an NP license may serve me better.

Can you maybe post why you woud want to go from PA to NP? Or, at least, send me to a link where the discussion has already taken place.

 

Basically, I feel like we are being left behind, due to a combination of things: a rather inept professional association, lackluster enrollment in state professional association (at least, in Illinois), a much more powerful NP lobby, and some ungodly fear of the AMA, who the AAPA seems to want to kiss up to despite their obvious disdain for PAs. I would probably still retain the PA-C (unless it gets ridiculous); I just think that having an NP license may serve me better.

Basically, I feel like we are being left behind, due to a combination of things: a rather inept professional association, lackluster enrollment in state professional association (at least, in Illinois), a much more powerful NP lobby, and some ungodly fear of the AMA, who the AAPA seems to want to kiss up to despite their obvious disdain for PAs. I would probably still retain the PA-C (unless it gets ridiculous); I just think that having an NP license may serve me better.

 

To each his own (especially in Illinois), but wasn't there an inept professional association, a powerful NP lobby, and AAPA butt-kissing to AMA prior to your initial decision to become a PA? FWIW, many NPs feel like they are being "left behind" as well, so that isssue will not escape you when u make the cross over.

Basically, I feel like we are being left behind, due to a combination of things: a rather inept professional association, lackluster enrollment in state professional association (at least, in Illinois), a much more powerful NP lobby, and some ungodly fear of the AMA, who the AAPA seems to want to kiss up to despite their obvious disdain for PAs. I would probably still retain the PA-C (unless it gets ridiculous); I just think that having an NP license may serve me better.

 

To each his own (especially in Illinois), but wasn't there an inept professional association, a powerful NP lobby, and AAPA butt-kissing to AMA prior to your initial decision to become a PA? FWIW, many NPs feel like they are being "left behind" as well, so that isssue will not escape you when u make the cross over.

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