[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”font-style:italic;”]In our [hen-ui-link href=”/ask-a-nurse/”]Ask a Nurse[/hen-ui-link] series, experienced nurses provide an insider look at the nursing profession by answering your questions about nursing careers, degrees, and resources.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Question: My daughter is graduating next year and wants to become a PA. Would it make sense for her to complete an RN program first or go right into a PA program?[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Great question! [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn//”]Becoming a registered nurse[/hen-ui-link] (RN) or physician assistant (PA) are both great career paths. These roles are:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Among the fastest-growing professions[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some of the most trusted healthcare providers[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Rewarding[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Cost-efficient[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs and PAs work in similar settings but have different responsibilities. RNs become [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//np-vs-physician-assistant/”]nurse practitioners (NPs)[/hen-ui-link] after practicing as a RN for several years. They then complete a master’s degree in nursing (MSN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As an NP, you will have similar responsibilities as a PA. These responsibilities include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare promotion and prevention[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prescribing medication[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Care coordination[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Managing chronic diseases and conditions[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are four questions I would first have your daughter think about when choosing a nursing school or a PA program:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What is her current academic situation?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What are the costs?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What is the length of time it takes to complete the degree?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What are her future career goals?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Deciding Careers Depends on Your Current Academic Situation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Is your daughter academically prepared to apply for an RN or a PA program? The acceptance rate is very competitive. Only [hen-ui-link href=”https://paeaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/imported-files/Applicant-and-Matriculant-Data-from-CASPA.pdf” target=”_blank”]20% of applicants[/hen-ui-link] are accepted into a PA program. Nursing school is also highly competitive. Both pathways require:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A passion for healthcare[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A passion for caring for patients[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hands-on patient care experience either working as a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/medical-assistant/how-to-become//”]medical assistant[/hen-ui-link] or paramedic[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A higher-than-average GPA[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A background in the natural sciences[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If your daughter has a few or all of these qualities, including a resume, strong recommendation letters, and a personal essay, she has a good chance of getting accepted.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If not, she can always increase her chances by working or volunteering as a patient care worker, retaking certain science classes to increase her GPA, or concentrating on taking natural science classes, such as biology or chemistry, her senior year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Program Cost Should Be a Consideration[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A student can enter an RN program right out of high school. A two-year program can get you an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ADN) or a four-year program can get you a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor’s in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on your state, the cost of completing an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link] program or a BSN program varies. Things to consider when it comes to cost:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online vs. in-person vs. hybrid classes[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]State or city school vs. private school[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]Scholarship[/hen-ui-link] and grant options[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Tuition reimbursement[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Financial aid[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One thing to note, many hospitals only hire nurses with a BSN. To become an NP, you must have a BSN. It’s important to consider the cost in the long run, depending on which nursing track you choose.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A PA program is a master’s level program. You must have your bachelor’s degree before applying to PA school. There are only 254 accredited PA schools in the United States.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The cost varies by state and whether you are a resident or nonresident. The average cost of a 27-month PA program is about $50,000, with costs continually rising.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Long Does it Take to Complete These Programs?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If your daughter wants to take her time completing her degree, then good for her! She should take all the time she needs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN programs do not have specific patient experience requirements, but it can boost your chances of getting accepted.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Are Your Future Career Goals?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When making the decision to either go to nursing school or PA school, your daughter should think about her future career goals. What kind of setting does she want to work in? Does she eventually want to open her own practice or business? Does she like the idea of always being a member of a physician-led team?[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Here are some key similarities and differences between NPs and PAs:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Similarities:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs and PAs have similar responsibilities, such as preventative care, assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prescription privileges[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Work with collaborating physicians[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Work in hospital settings, private doctors’ offices, clinics, and speciality offices[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Differences:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After a certain amount of hours, NPs can work autonomously without the supervision of a collaborating physician in 12 states and Washington, D.C.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PAs must always work with a collaborating physician[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NP’s median salary is $117,670[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PA’s median salary is $115,390[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs are educated in the nursing model[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PAs are educated in the medical model[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As a nurse, you have the option of pursuing different master’s-leveled career paths. RNs can become:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-educator/”]Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/”]Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/clinical-nurse-specialist/”]Clinical Nurse Specialists[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-midwife/”]Nurse Midwives[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-anesthetist/”]Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Both RN and PA Career Options Are Valuable[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whichever path your daughter decides, there is a great need for both PAs and nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the PA profession to increase 31% from 2019-2029, with registered nursing jobs increasing by 7% during the same time period. Both of these jobs are growing at a faster rate than other professions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For both career options, make sure she’s in great academic standing with a high GPA and taking science courses. She should start volunteering or working in a hospital setting. This can show she is serious and passionate about a career in healthcare.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When it comes to her future goals, allow her to take some time to think about where she wants to be in her career 5-10 years from now. This will help her decide which path to take.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Written by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Joelle Y. Jean, RN, FNP-BC” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/c_fill,h_300,w_300,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/e_grayscale/v1624389609/NurseJournal.org/Headshots/T029AV3QX-U023CN6J725-f8be079e4258-512.jpg” img-alt=”Joelle Y. Jean, RN, FNP-BC” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Joelle Jean has been a nurse for over 10 years and family nurse practitioner for over three years. She has a background in pediatric emergency room, labor and delivery, and primary care medicine. Today, she is a senior nurse writer for NurseJournal. She lives in New York with her husband, two boys, and cat, Zuzu.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34334,34354,44364,34439″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /]