FAQs Nursing and Nursing Practitioner
What is the difference between an RN and a BSN?
A registered nurse (RN) credential can be obtained in two basic routes: attend a vocational/community college to earn a two-year associates degree that prepares the student to take the RN exam (coursework and clinical training) OR attend a 4 year college to earn a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) (includes didactic and clinical training, also prepares the student to take the RN exam). So an RN may or may not have a BSN credential.
Why should I look for an accelerated program that helps me earn a BSN (and the RN credential)?
You must have an RN credential to work as a registered nurse. The BSN credential is necessary for moving on to more specialized and advanced training in the following types of careers: nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist.
Do I need to take the GRE to apply to accelerated nursing programs?
Generally, a GRE score is not necessary for application to accelerated BSN programs. Programs that combine the BSN with nurse practitioner training, for example, may require you to take the GRE.
What can I do during the summer to strengthen my application to accelerated nursing programs?
Hands-on clinical experience is not required, but is certainly valuable. You could train to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), phlebotomist, or EMT during the summer following your first year of college. Then you would be able to work each of the following summers/academic breaks. Of these options, a CNA is most in demand and easiest to find a job close to your home.
What is the difference between nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA)?
- Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner careers are more similar than they are different.
- Both PAs and NPs have short, intensive training programs.
- Both are required to accumulate numerous clinical hours prior to their training program.
- Both can prescribe medications and practice medicine in all 50 states.
- Both PAs and NPs make a similar salary and have similar employment opportunities.
So what are some of the differences between NP and PA?
Training model: Physician Assistants are trained with the medical model, similar to medical school with basic sciences and then clinical rotations where disease is discussed in the context of pathophysiology. Nurse Practitioner training follows the nursing model, which concentrates on skills and individual cases.
Autonomy: Physician Assistants are required to have a relationship with a supervising physician. The degree of supervision involved in this relationship varies greatly from monthly case discussions and chart review, to direct supervision. Nurse Practitioners are not supervised and can establish their own independent practices.
Clinical focus: Physician Assistants are trained to be generalists. While they can specialize in varying fields, they are also required to maintain their general knowledge and use it to enhance patient care. This makes it much easier for Physician Assistants to change specialties. Nurse Practitioners are certified in a particular field, and must limit their practice to that particular field.
Prior clinical experience: Nurse Practitioners all have previous clinical experience as RNs and BSNs, however Physician Assistants may have clinical experience in a wide variety of roles including EMT, CNA, medical assistant and others, prior to applying to PA school.
Where can I find more information about nursing careers?
More information about nursing careers and the credentialing process can be found by visiting the websites of the organizations listed below:
- American Academy of Nursing
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- American Nurses Association
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
Are there any special considerations for international students interested in applying to nursing programs?
Though US medical schools typically accept very few international students, the same trend is not necessarily the case for nursing programs. Most nursing programs provide specific instructions on their websites for international students who would like to apply.