Guest guest Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 Just wondering if anyone has worked as an RD and then decided to become a PA? Any thoughts on school, length of time it took, etc. Thanks, Coppola, MS RD LDN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 You know, I never understood the responsibility of PA. and why, as an individual, why would I seek his/her services instead of " the real thing " . Yes, hospitals might prefer that b/c they pay less, but why the public would want that? Not trying to get the wind from under your wings, but think again. Did you see the list of " best paying jobs " ? a surgeon makes only 182K. Shameful for his/her responsibility and years of studying....so much responsibility, so little money! (don't get me wrong, I'll take 180K any time of the day, but we don't have that much of responsibility in our hands)http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/Besta\ ndWorstPayingJobs.aspx<http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/Mon\ eyInYour20s/BestandWorstPayingJobs.aspx> at any case - good luck on your path. I think Boston University have some program for that. I got something in the mail a while ago, and I don't think I kept it. Truly yours, from the bottom of my heart, good luck. physician assistant Just wondering if anyone has worked as an RD and then decided to become a PA? Any thoughts on school, length of time it took, etc. Thanks, Coppola, MS RD LDN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 Merav, I work closely with Nurse Practitioners, and I believe it's the same profession with a different title? I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong. With few exceptions, all the NPs I've worked with for the last not-so-few years are excellent and provide a much needed service. What I find most beneficial to the patient and to me professionally is that their nursing background brings a more personal and nurturing touch. In my setting they are just as good as having the physician since they're an extension of the physician and work under their supervision. Lately a few RDs have told me their goal is to become NPs. I've not asked them about their goals and why they believe this is going to be beneficial to them. Now that the topic is brought up I will ask. physician assistant Just wondering if anyone has worked as an RD and then decided to become a PA? Any thoughts on school, length of time it took, etc. Thanks, Coppola, MS RD LDN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 The University of New England in Biddeford, Maine has a 24 month full time program. Go to www.une.edu for information. You are awarded a Master's degree once all requirements met. Cece Ohmart, R.D., L.D. Director of Nutrition Services Maine Coast Memorial Hospital 50 Union Street Ellsworth, Maine 04605 physician assistant Just wondering if anyone has worked as an RD and then decided to become a PA? Any thoughts on school, length of time it took, etc. Thanks, Coppola, MS RD LDN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 , I know some of the distinctions have to do with who can prescribe what. I worked in a setting with an NP who could prescribe everything but narcotics. And I have also worked with PA's who assisted in surgeries. I also know NP's can get continuing ed as a nurse, PA's have a little bit different standard. It seems to me that PA's can work stand-alone, whereas most NP's I have seen work in a physician's office and are supervised. It's probably best to ask the certification boards for both professions what the differences are between specialties. Regards, Monika M. Woolsey, MS, RD http://www.afterthediet.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Years ago I was set to enter a PA program, but opted to pursue a nutrition degree instead. The decision was based on financial reasons - I was able to support myself while in graduate school with teaching assistanceships and waitressing. Many times I have wished I had followed through with the PA. PA's in this area (New Hampshire) have good autonomy. Many PA's in clinics have their own patient panels. Sometimes PA's and NP's (nurse practitioners) are interchanable, sometimes jobs openings are specifc to one or the other. I think NP's may make more money. Therefore, another option to consider are nurse practitioner programs for non nurses (the RN will be built into the program). Mass General had such a program way back when. I have no idea what's available in that regard these days. Good luck. Ann Ann Merritt Maplewood of Cheshire County physician assistant Just wondering if anyone has worked as an RD and then decided to become a PA? Any thoughts on school, length of time it took, etc. Thanks, Coppola, MS RD LDN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 I had often heard that you could get a PA in 2 years. . . Amazing. . .and then you get to order labs, write prescriptions, see patients unsupervised by an MD, bill insurance. . . at least in some states. Why bother to become an MD (unless you didn't want to kill somebody for lack of education?). Jan Patenaude In a message dated 6/13/2006 6:19:28 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, cohmart@... writes: The University of New England in Biddeford, Maine has a 24 month full time program. Go to www.une.edu for information. You are awarded a Master's degree once all requirements met. Cece Ohmart, R.D., L.D. Director of Nutrition Services Maine Coast Memorial Hospital 50 Union Street Ellsworth, Maine 04605 ----- Original Message ----- From: Merav Levi- To: rd-usa Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 11:18 PM Subject: Re: physician assistant You know, I never understood the responsibility of PA. and why, as an individual, why would I seek his/her services instead of " the real thing " . Yes, hospitals might prefer that b/c they pay less, but why the public would want that? Not trying to get the wind from under your wings, but think again. Did you see the list of " best paying jobs " ? a surgeon makes only 182K. Shameful for his/her responsibility and years of studying....so much responsibility, so little money! (don't get me wrong, I'll take 180K any time of the day, but we don't have that much of responsibility in our hands)http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/Besta\ ndWorstPayingJobs.aspx <http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/BestandW orstPayingJobs.aspx> at any case - good luck on your path. I think Boston University have some program for that. I got something in the mail a while ago, and I don't think I kept it. Truly yours, from the bottom of my heart, good luck. physician assistant Just wondering if anyone has worked as an RD and then decided to become a PA? Any thoughts on school, length of time it took, etc. Thanks, Coppola, MS RD LDN [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 I went to a clinic for a check-up and was seen by a PA who was also an RD. She said it took her about 2 years and she enjoyed her new work. (She had made the change when she was about 40 I think she said.) She encouraged me to consider it! Holly Moler-Krohne RD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 Actually the opposite is true in most states. PAs cannot set up stand alone practices. They work supervised by an MD (can be supervision from another location -- not on site). Whereas in some states Nurse practitioners can set up stand alone practices but still must be affiliated with an MD for some supervision. I know PAs must get Cont Ed every 2 years and take their recertification exam every 5 years. I know this because my husband has been a PA since 1976 and is scheduled to take his exam again this fall. He actually started as an Army Medic, then Army LPN, challenged RN boards and passed (and got out of the Army), turned down med school because of a growing family, and went through the 1st PA class at Univ of Kentucky. They are both great " physician extenders. " I am familiar with a number of RDs who have become PAs, not any RDs who went on to become NPs. Many PA programs like the RD applicants because of our strong basic science background. Years ago I decided to get my masters and turn down a position in a PA program. Regrets, only occasionally. Giles Walters, MMSc, RD, LD, FADA Consulting Dietitian Augusta, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 I have been considering the PA program also. They make a lot more money and have more job openings. The only problem is that it is very hard to be admitted due to the long waiting list in most colleges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 I plan to start the prerequisites this fall so that I will be more competitive---wish I had done so earlier. Damaris. > > I went to a clinic for a check-up and was seen by a PA who was also an RD. > She said it took her about 2 years and she enjoyed her new work. (She had > made the change when she was about 40 I think she said.) She encouraged me > to consider it! > Holly Moler-Krohne RD > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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