RN vs LPN vs PA...?

I currently have a BA in Psych and am working in a hospital, considering Nursing school. What is the difference in education, pay and practice/opportunity for an RN (Registered Nurse), LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse) and PA (Physician's Assistant)? Are there any other paths to consider (along these lines)?

RN-typically 2 years ( I am sure some of your credits will transfer to any nursing program) - 50-65, 000/year. You can work almost anywhere as an RN-hospitals, nursing homes, military, community nursing. A lot of management opportunities for RNs. This is what I recommend.

LPN only 1 year schooling, can do anything that an RN can do except adm. certain meds by certain routes (this is complicated) also LPNs cannot sign off on certain Medicare documents (RNs can). LPNs are a dime a dozen and are really being phased out of Hospitals (use RNs) Physician offices (use MAs), and many nursing homes are turning to RNs as well. 27-33,000/year.

MAs-1 year, many similar classes as an LPN but also take billing and coding. Pay is about 9/hour here and basically they work only in dr.offices.

PA's I have no idea.

Whichever path you choose, the good news is there is an abundance of career opportunities in nursing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites that nursing is the largest of all heath care occupations, with 2.4 million jobs.

The number of students in nursing has increased dramatically because of demand and stable employment. And it will continue to rise. In May 2004, the average salary of registered nurses was $52,330, according to the BLS.

That being said, LPN is the quickest route to getting into the nursing profession. It requires only completing an LPN program (often done in a year or less, and there are aboug 1200 state-approved programs nationwide); the average salary was $33,970 in May 2004.

Next up is RN, but how much schooling you pursue is up to you. You can become an with an associate degree and after you pass the state board exam. To get more skills and become more marketable to employers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is usually suggested to students.

As for PA, programs last two years or more, and you must pass a national exam to practice. You will then work under the supervision of a medical doctor. Median annual earnings of physician assistants were $69,410 in May 2004.

For more about the specifics of becoming a nurse, what the job is really like, and to find school programs, check out CollegeSurfing.com's nursing articles: http://healthcare.collegesurfing.com/con...

Best of luck!