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Is it a good idea for me to get a degree in nursing even though i do not plan on becoming a nurse?

My intention is to do something more specialize like physician assistant

nursing healthcare
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Rose’s Answer

From what I've observed, individuals aiming for Physician Assistant (PA) school often choose the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pathway over becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). This is primarily because PA schools value students with hands-on medical experience, and the journey to becoming an RN can be lengthy and costly. Those who opt for nursing often settle there, without advancing to PA school. On the other hand, becoming a CNA or EMT is more cost-effective and offers diverse healthcare experience. While I would generally recommend the CNA or EMT route, pursuing nursing is also an option if that's your preference.
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Maria’s Answer

Absolutely, pursuing your nursing degree is a fantastic idea, even if you don't see yourself in a conventional nursing role. Nowadays, the nursing field has grown to include telehealth, collaborating with insurance firms to establish the need for medical procedures, serving as an educator in schools, and even working in the legal sector as an expert and nurse case manager for insurance companies and employers.

Your nursing degree will be a lifelong asset, a valuable tool that you'll utilize throughout your career. So go ahead, chase that dream and make a difference in the world of healthcare!
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Hannah,

Unraveling the Puzzle of Precis

The decision to chase a nursing degree with a long-term vision of becoming a physician assistant (PA) is a multifaceted one. A nursing degree can certainly lay a robust groundwork in healthcare and patient care, but it might not be the quickest or most straightforward route to becoming a PA. Let's delve into the pros and cons of this choice, along with some other avenues you could explore.

Pros of a Nursing Degree for Future PAs
Healthcare Groundwork: A nursing degree can equip you with a firm understanding of healthcare, including anatomy, physiology, and patient care, which can be advantageous when aiming for a PA career.
Practical Experience: Nursing offers first-hand experience with patients in diverse healthcare environments, which can be an asset for PAs.
Insight into Nursing: Grasping the nursing viewpoint can enable PAs to work more effectively with the nursing team and deliver more holistic patient care.
Cons of a Nursing Degree for Future PAs
Extra Time and Expense: Chasing a nursing degree might demand more time and financial resources compared to directly entering a PA program.
Potential Overlap: Some of the subjects in a nursing degree might overlap or not be directly relevant to a PA program.
Narrow Focus on PA Role: A nursing degree does not specifically concentrate on the duties and obligations of a PA, which could disadvantage aspiring PAs when applying to PA programs.
Other Routes for Future PAs
Direct Entry PA Programs: Some colleges provide direct entry PA programs that let students skip the prerequisite bachelor’s degree and move straight from high school into a PA program.
Bachelor’s Degree in a Relevant Field: Earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like biology, chemistry, or health sciences, can lay a strong foundation for a PA career without the potential overlaps of a nursing degree.
Postbaccalaureate Programs: For those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a different field, postbaccalaureate programs offer a chance to fulfill prerequisites for PA programs while possibly gaining more healthcare experience.
In Conclusion

While earning a nursing degree before embarking on a PA career has its advantages, it might not be the most direct or efficient route for every aspiring PA. Take into account your personal goals, resources at hand, and preferred timeline before deciding on this educational journey. Open dialogue with academic advisors and potential programs can guide you to choose the best path for your unique circumstances.

Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Hannah !

It's great that you are exploring medical careers and that you intend to become a Physician Assistant. In that case, I would say that it would sort of be counter-productive to go through schooling to be a nurse as there are colleges for Physician Assistant so that's what you should start exploring.

I would advise the Physician Assistant program. As a P.A., you would do all the things that a medical doctor does. It takes a little over 6 years to be a Physician Assistant whereas it is 12 years to be a medical doctor. I know many P.A. students and they are extremely similar to doctors. Some physician assistant programs train the students to treat patients with minor illnesses as well as serious illnesses. They learn it all. P.A.s work as support under a medical doctor, but you'd have your own patients. I think you'd be better prepared as a P.A. if you get that training and not training as a nurse. I say that because you stated that your goal is indeed to be a P.A.

Keep in mind that you are not an "assistant" as a P.A., you would be a professional part of a medical team that is educated on the same things, assigned to your own patients. It's almost like being a medical doctor but not having the internship/residency process. As you progress in your career, your skills will greatly advance by attending conferences, trainings, etc. You may learn how to do more procedures or more about certain subjects that could be helpful to your practice. You'll always be able to advance your skills and expertise.

Read more about the programs and decide which college would best suit you and your professional goals. I hope that this was helpful and I wish you all the best !

Michelle recommends the following next steps:

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCHOOLS/COLLEGES IN FLORIDA https://www.thepaplatform.com/pa-schools-in-florida
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAMS AT COLLEGES IN FLORIDA https://www.paschoolfinder.com/loc/florida/
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Giavanna’s Answer

Becoming a Physician Assistant is a flexible journey, as you can choose any major in your undergraduate studies, provided you complete the necessary pre-requisite classes for PA school. So, go ahead and select a field that sparks your curiosity. For instance, I pursued a bachelor's degree in Nutrition before heading to PA school. If you're feeling uncertain about whether nursing is the right choice for you, don't worry. It could be beneficial to spend some time observing a nurse, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant in action. This will give you a clear picture of the differences between these roles. Remember, as a nurse, you have the potential to become a nurse practitioner, a role that shares similarities with a physician assistant, but also has its unique aspects. So, start by exploring each profession through shadowing, and you'll soon have a clearer vision of your future path.
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Jeremy’s Answer

Have you ever considered embarking on a journey to become a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)? This could open up the opportunity for you to work as a nurse practitioner, a role that's quite similar to a Physician's Assistant (PA, or PA-C). Interestingly, in certain states, nurse practitioners enjoy more independence and require less supervision from a physician compared to a PA. Another exciting path you could take is becoming a Nurse Anesthetist, who performs duties akin to anesthesiologists during surgeries.

To sum it up, if you find yourself drawn to the healthcare profession, nursing could be a rewarding choice. With a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), you can start practicing as a nurse, or even further your studies to become a nurse practitioner. The journey to becoming a DNP would typically require about six years of education after high school. A BSN is a four-year degree, and it takes an additional two years of specialized training and clinical rotations to earn your doctorate. However, depending on various factors, it might take a bit longer. Best of luck on your journey!

Jeremy recommends the following next steps:

Look into the differences in your area between how a PA and an NP practice. How much physician oversight is needed? What restrictions on prescriptive authority exist, etc. ?
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Martin’s Answer

That's a great question, and it's not an easy one to answer. If you're not considering a career in nursing, whether it's bedside or otherwise, you might wonder why you should specialize in this field. Indeed, the skills you gain from a nursing degree can be valuable in many different careers. However, the time and effort required to earn this degree might not be beneficial for you in the long run.

It's often best to pursue a degree in a field you're truly passionate about. This way, studying feels more like a natural process rather than a chore. Plus, your education will directly support your chosen career path. Think of your degree as the foundation of your future career. So, it's important to choose a direction that aligns with your interests and aspirations.
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Where's’s Answer

Well heck to the no it isn't a good idea. Life is too short to pursue things that do not interest you as the world is abundant in things that do. Figure out what makes you happy and do what it takes to get there the fastest.
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