Should I become a physical therapist or a physician assistant or a nurse to start?!
Question: Should I become a physical therapist or a physician assistant or a nurse to start.?
Hi guys.
I am a little torn. I have my B.A. in English and have been taking perquisites to get into the health-care industry. My number one choice was to work hard and become a physician assistant (P.A.). I have been contacting numerous schools and have my plans all mapped out, but I have not been able to shadow a P.A. yet! However, I am working as a Physical Therapist (P.T.) Aid and also am becoming an EMT-Basic. These are simply the baby steps, but I need to have something of a solid choice so I take my next college courses accordingly. I know all about becoming a P.A. but have never worked with one. I was thinking that it will be so competitive to get into a school that I'd realistically be an ideal candidate with enough health care experience by the 2010 application period...
So I wouldn't be in school till 2011 for the P.A. program. And that is okay...but...Then I wondered what about nursing or becoming a PT.?Health Question & Answer
I am a little torn. I have my B.A. in English and have been taking perquisites to get into the health-care industry. My number one choice was to work hard and become a physician assistant (P.A.). I have been contacting numerous schools and have my plans all mapped out, but I have not been able to shadow a P.A. yet! However, I am working as a Physical Therapist (P.T.) Aid and also am becoming an EMT-Basic. These are simply the baby steps, but I need to have something of a solid choice so I take my next college courses accordingly. I know all about becoming a P.A. but have never worked with one. I was thinking that it will be so competitive to get into a school that I'd realistically be an ideal candidate with enough health care experience by the 2010 application period...
So I wouldn't be in school till 2011 for the P.A. program. And that is okay...but...Then I wondered what about nursing or becoming a PT.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
I have a B.A. in Human Ecology and pursued a degree in a nursing program. This program was a clinical doctorate degree like a podiatrist. I left the program as an RN and moved to different state and completed an MSN to become a nurse practiitioner which is very similar to a PA.
If you want to assess pt and diagnose them like a physcian practices, you will not be satisfied being an EMT. I love the variety of choices you have as a PA or NP. Don't be satisfied with something less if your ultimate goal is to take care ot the "total" person. Get some hands on medical experience, even as an EMT as a beginning.Health Question & Answer
If you want to assess pt and diagnose them like a physcian practices, you will not be satisfied being an EMT. I love the variety of choices you have as a PA or NP. Don't be satisfied with something less if your ultimate goal is to take care ot the "total" person. Get some hands on medical experience, even as an EMT as a beginning.Health Question & Answer
Your best bet would probably to go to school to be an RN. After that, you will be able to further your career by taking courses to be a Nurse Practitioner. The main difference between a Nurse Practitioner and the PA is that the Nurse Practitioner can prescribe meds but PA needs to be supervised by a Physician. Best wishes!Health Question & Answer
I was first going to be a nurse, but then i found out that PAs make more money and the courses required are easier. PAs also make about 10,000 more dollars a year than PTs.Health Question & Answer
McDonaldsHealth Question & Answer
PT is also a graduate level degree with competitive entrance. Entry requirements usually require at least a 3.0 science GPA, but 3.5 is really preferred. Courses required usually a year each of bio, chem, physics as well as anatomy and physiology, statistics, calc/trig and several psych courses.
Entrance into nursing school is usually less strict and can still be accomplished with an associates degree.
Someone made an excellent point that is a good track to transition from nursing to a nurse practicioner. It would allow you to work while continuing your education. Health Question & Answer
Entrance into nursing school is usually less strict and can still be accomplished with an associates degree.
Someone made an excellent point that is a good track to transition from nursing to a nurse practicioner. It would allow you to work while continuing your education. Health Question & Answer