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Can an RN go on to become a Physician's Assistant?

Is there a class I can look into finding that will take me from an RN to a PA? I have done some searching online and can't find anything like that. If there is something like that, how long does it take?

Update:

From what I understand, a Physician's Assistant and a Nurse Practioner are different things altogether, although similar. Isn't that correct?

2 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Getting a masters as a nurse practitioner allows you to be a nurse practitioner NOT a physician assistant (note spelling). Regardless of what you are (nurse. med tech, respiratory tech, EMT etc) to be a PA you have to go through a PA training program ( which is 2 years, those that give a master's are the best) and take the NCCPA exam, pass and take the state licensing requirements to be a certified, licensed PA. Like medical school, you have to do the entire program, you can not "opt" out of any portion, or get "credit" for any part.

    You are correct, PAs & NPs have overlap but are different.

    The national organization for pa's is: aapa.org; each state has a state chapter as well which can tell you what schools are in your state, your state's license requirements, etc--all you ever wanted to know.

    Good luck (many of my other answers are about a PA as well)

    Source(s): ER PA, MS
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Getting a Masters degree as a Nurse Practitioner can enable you to be a PA

    http://www.aapa.org/pgmlist.php3

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