Intel students' choice: Accelerated BS/MHS PA Program or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing then PA

Student Lounge International Students
1

I’m going to Drexel University as an international student for its accelerated PA program (3+2.25), but due to its requirement of 500 hours of patient contact prior to the program, I’m seriously considering to finish nursing degree, become an RN and make use of OTP year to gain clinical hours then apply to PA program after that one year (which will definitely cost more especially given that Drexel is by no means an affordable college).

If I insist on continuing the accelerated path and end up not getting into Drexel’s PA program for not having enough 500 clinical hours, I might not get any OTP job with my BS Health Science degree, but it is also not clear whether the RN + PA option is completely feasible. So, I really need international students’ opinions on whether I should keep following this accelerated pathway or graduate as an RN first then go to PA program later?

2

Take this question to the International Students Office and to the various academic departments at Drexel. They will be better able to advise you about this.

3

There’s a couple of questions you need answered, and a few additional options to consider as well:

  • Can you complete the 500 clinical hours prior to the deadline to apply for admission to the accelerated PA program at Drexel? I wonder if you might be able to use your two co-op quarters to do that, or if you could accumulate the clinical hours with a volunteer job (allowed on an F-1 visa) on top of your coursework in your first two years at Drexel.
  • Does it make more sense to go the nursing route than the PA route? Advanced Practice Nurses (e.g. Nurse Practitioners or Nurse Anesthetists), RNs with a Master's degree, have a similar income and a comparable scope of practice to Physician Assistants. As an added bonus, it's easier to get an employment-based green card because nursing is a designated shortage occupation.
  • If you finish your Bachelor's first and then apply to a graduate program, whether to become a PA or an APN, would Drexel be the best school for you to attend, or might there be cheaper options?