Nursing or Physician Assistant?

6 posts · started Mar 9, 2007

Manu705 Mar 9, 2007, 6:53 PM
I am currently a sophmore in college and was thinking of doing nursing, but many of my family members and the career counselor at my school told me to look into PA....can someone help me with the advantages and disadvantages of both?? i want to work with patients and make them feel better in a hospital environment. I'm so confused!:39:
cougarnurse Mar 10, 2007, 6:11 AM
Personally, I think would choose the nurse path. Guess being a nurse for 20 years does that to ya. I work LTC, and I see many of the same residents day in and day out. I see the changes from day to day, and know my rezzies pretty well, and notice any changes, thus pass it on to the MD. True, I work alternate weekends, but that is part of MY job description. There are jobs that do not entail weekends, 3 shifts, etc.

This is just a start, of course. Someone else is sure to add to the list. :)

'Cat'
Manu705 Mar 11, 2007, 10:42 PM
thanks for your help! i'm looking more into nursing because its more of having a relationship with the patient rather than just assessing them and leaving. I'm really excited about transferring into the nursing program!
cougarnurse Mar 11, 2007, 10:46 PM
I was thinking the same thing.....the relationship with the patient. Oh, I am sure some doctors and P. A.'s have fairly good relationships w/ the patients, but....

Manu705 Mar 12, 2007, 2:46 AM
yea i know PA's and doctors talk to their patients but i think i would be a better nurse because of my personality. although the reason why im debating so much about nursing is because of the blood and needles. i feel like i might be able to get over that fear though! any tips on how to get over it?