7 answers
Zahra
Student
Dublin, California
3
Questions
Asked
751 views
How can I decide whether becoming a registered nurse, CRNA, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant would be the best career path for me? What are the biggest differences I should consider??
I'm a junior in high school and I've narrowed down my career/major options, but I'm still undecided and am in need of advice.
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7 answers
Godfrey Magawe
Clinical officer nephrology
164
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Godfrey’s Answer
Great inquiry
First you need to excell in science subjects in you senior grades to enable you secure a medical college to persue the medical cours6ypu want.thats mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics.
Then decide which course exactly you wanna persue be it nursing,physician assistant.
Assuming you got the prerequisites requirements you can do the application and then get the admission letter to persu the course.
Again you need a guide to know what to expect in the career path including training which included interaction with patients and cadervour too and get emotional preparation incase you can handle such emotional pressure.
You need to also know the training duration, internship and placement, licence registration requirements and job search.
I hope the advice may help on your inquiry.wish you all the best in the medical career path.thanks
First you need to excell in science subjects in you senior grades to enable you secure a medical college to persue the medical cours6ypu want.thats mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics.
Then decide which course exactly you wanna persue be it nursing,physician assistant.
Assuming you got the prerequisites requirements you can do the application and then get the admission letter to persu the course.
Again you need a guide to know what to expect in the career path including training which included interaction with patients and cadervour too and get emotional preparation incase you can handle such emotional pressure.
You need to also know the training duration, internship and placement, licence registration requirements and job search.
I hope the advice may help on your inquiry.wish you all the best in the medical career path.thanks
Olatoyosi Akinrotimi, MPH MMS PA-C
Physician Associate
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Olatoyosi’s Answer
One thing I wish I had understood in high school is that you don’t have to make this entire decision right now. Sometimes your career isn’t a decision you make all at once; it’s a decision you arrive at after getting enough exposure to know what actually fits you.
At your stage, I would focus less on choosing the final title and more on building a roadmap that keeps your options open while giving you real healthcare experience.
For example, you could consider becoming a CNA or medical assistant while you’re still in high school or shortly after graduating, depending on the programs available to you. That gives you an opportunity to work directly with patients, make some money, and — most importantly — find out whether you actually enjoy patient care. That experience can also be valuable later if you decide to apply to PA school, particularly because many PA programs value or require hands-on patient-care experience.
Then in college, you can continue completing the science courses that overlap among these healthcare pathways — biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, etc. At the same time, work in healthcare, shadow different professionals, volunteer, participate in research if you have the opportunity, and learn what each profession actually looks like day to day.
The biggest distinction I would understand is that these aren’t four completely separate choices.
RN → NP or CRNA is the nursing pathway.
You become a registered nurse first. If you discover that you love nursing, you can work as an RN and later pursue advanced practice. You could eventually become an NP, or, if anesthesia and critical care interest you, pursue CRNA training. CRNA is not something you go directly into from high school; becoming an RN and obtaining appropriate critical-care nursing experience are parts of that journey.
PA is a different pathway.
You generally complete a bachelor’s degree along with PA-school prerequisites and then attend PA school. Unlike the nursing pathway, you don’t have to become an RN first. PA education follows the medical model and prepares you as a generalist, which can make moving between medical specialties relatively flexible.
So I would ask yourself questions like: Do I want nursing itself to be my foundation? Would I be happy working as an RN even if I never became an NP or CRNA? Does ICU nursing and anesthesia genuinely interest me? Or am I more attracted to diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and having the flexibility to practice in different medical specialties? Those questions will eventually help distinguish nursing/NP/CRNA from PA.
And don’t underestimate shadowing. Shadow an RN. Shadow an NP. Shadow a PA. If possible, eventually observe a CRNA. Ask them what they love about their careers, what they dislike, what their schedules are like, how much schooling and debt they took on, and whether they would choose the same profession again.
Most importantly, you are allowed to pivot.
You could become a CNA, go to college and ultimately become a PA.
You could become a CNA, realize you love nursing, become an RN, and later become an NP.
You could become an RN, discover that you love the ICU and anesthesia, gain critical-care experience, and eventually pursue CRNA school.
You could even start college thinking you’re going in one direction and realize through your experiences that another profession fits you much better.
None of that means you made a bad decision. That’s what the experiences along the way are supposed to teach you.
If I were a junior in high school again, I wouldn’t put pressure on myself to answer, “What healthcare professional am I going to be?” I would ask, “What can I do over the next 2–3 years that will help me figure that out while still moving forward?”
Get healthcare experience. Protect your GPA. Take the prerequisite sciences. Shadow people. Volunteer. Ask questions. Keep track of the prerequisites for programs you may eventually want to apply to. And pay attention to what parts of healthcare you genuinely enjoy.
By the time you actually need to choose, you’ll be making the decision based on experience rather than trying to predict at 16 or 17 what your 25-year-old self will want.
You don’t need the whole career figured out yet. You just need to make your next few decisions wisely enough to keep the doors open.
At your stage, I would focus less on choosing the final title and more on building a roadmap that keeps your options open while giving you real healthcare experience.
For example, you could consider becoming a CNA or medical assistant while you’re still in high school or shortly after graduating, depending on the programs available to you. That gives you an opportunity to work directly with patients, make some money, and — most importantly — find out whether you actually enjoy patient care. That experience can also be valuable later if you decide to apply to PA school, particularly because many PA programs value or require hands-on patient-care experience.
Then in college, you can continue completing the science courses that overlap among these healthcare pathways — biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, etc. At the same time, work in healthcare, shadow different professionals, volunteer, participate in research if you have the opportunity, and learn what each profession actually looks like day to day.
The biggest distinction I would understand is that these aren’t four completely separate choices.
RN → NP or CRNA is the nursing pathway.
You become a registered nurse first. If you discover that you love nursing, you can work as an RN and later pursue advanced practice. You could eventually become an NP, or, if anesthesia and critical care interest you, pursue CRNA training. CRNA is not something you go directly into from high school; becoming an RN and obtaining appropriate critical-care nursing experience are parts of that journey.
PA is a different pathway.
You generally complete a bachelor’s degree along with PA-school prerequisites and then attend PA school. Unlike the nursing pathway, you don’t have to become an RN first. PA education follows the medical model and prepares you as a generalist, which can make moving between medical specialties relatively flexible.
So I would ask yourself questions like: Do I want nursing itself to be my foundation? Would I be happy working as an RN even if I never became an NP or CRNA? Does ICU nursing and anesthesia genuinely interest me? Or am I more attracted to diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and having the flexibility to practice in different medical specialties? Those questions will eventually help distinguish nursing/NP/CRNA from PA.
And don’t underestimate shadowing. Shadow an RN. Shadow an NP. Shadow a PA. If possible, eventually observe a CRNA. Ask them what they love about their careers, what they dislike, what their schedules are like, how much schooling and debt they took on, and whether they would choose the same profession again.
Most importantly, you are allowed to pivot.
You could become a CNA, go to college and ultimately become a PA.
You could become a CNA, realize you love nursing, become an RN, and later become an NP.
You could become an RN, discover that you love the ICU and anesthesia, gain critical-care experience, and eventually pursue CRNA school.
You could even start college thinking you’re going in one direction and realize through your experiences that another profession fits you much better.
None of that means you made a bad decision. That’s what the experiences along the way are supposed to teach you.
If I were a junior in high school again, I wouldn’t put pressure on myself to answer, “What healthcare professional am I going to be?” I would ask, “What can I do over the next 2–3 years that will help me figure that out while still moving forward?”
Get healthcare experience. Protect your GPA. Take the prerequisite sciences. Shadow people. Volunteer. Ask questions. Keep track of the prerequisites for programs you may eventually want to apply to. And pay attention to what parts of healthcare you genuinely enjoy.
By the time you actually need to choose, you’ll be making the decision based on experience rather than trying to predict at 16 or 17 what your 25-year-old self will want.
You don’t need the whole career figured out yet. You just need to make your next few decisions wisely enough to keep the doors open.
Hwal Lee
Health science researcher, adjunct instructor, primary care internal medicine PA
300
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Zahra,
The best career choice for you depends on what is important to you. It seems like you are leaning towards a career in healthcare or specifically nursing or medicine. I'm a primary care internal medicine PA, and would be glad to answer any specific questions you have.
In the meantime, let me share a blog created and maintained by a fellow PA that is incredibly comprehensive and helpful for pre-PA students:
https://doseofpa.blogspot.com/?m=1
Hwal
The best career choice for you depends on what is important to you. It seems like you are leaning towards a career in healthcare or specifically nursing or medicine. I'm a primary care internal medicine PA, and would be glad to answer any specific questions you have.
In the meantime, let me share a blog created and maintained by a fellow PA that is incredibly comprehensive and helpful for pre-PA students:
https://doseofpa.blogspot.com/?m=1
Hwal
Hi Hwal, can you give more insight into being a PA based on your experience?
Sharyn Grose, Admin
Joseph Melchi
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
12
Answers
Dublin, Ohio
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
It is highly advisable to reach out and shadow someone from these professions prior to committing yourself, but a lot boils down to educational pathway: for registered nurse, NP, and CRNA you start in the same place, nursing school. You can complete a nursing program with an associates degree but those programs are somewhat less common, and if you wish to further your education you will need a bachelor degree anyways, so I recommend attending a four year program that grants a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. During nursing clinicals you will do a variety of rotations which may give you a better understanding of what areas of nursing you wish to pursue. Following nursing school, you may work for a period as a nurse (for CRNA you MUST work at least a year as a nurse prior to applying for CRNA school) and then go back to school for 2-3 years for NP (masters or doctorate) or 3 years (CRNA). PA is a completely different path where you will complete your bachelor’s first (typically a science type major) and often are on a premed path prior to PA graduate school (2 years typically). A PA would be better placed than I do give you details of their profession, but in many respects NPs and PAs can do similar jobs and can have similar incomes (many are primary care but both also can work in the hospital environment and even in surgery). As far as time to completing education:
Registered nurse: 2.5-4 years
Nurse practitioner: 6-7 years
PA: 6 years
CRNA: 8 years
All these professions make good income but in general, the more education you receive the higher potential income. I’d rate incomes in this order RN
Registered nurse: 2.5-4 years
Nurse practitioner: 6-7 years
PA: 6 years
CRNA: 8 years
All these professions make good income but in general, the more education you receive the higher potential income. I’d rate incomes in this order RN
Vanessa Mandal
Medical Director
35
Answers
Rocklin
Updated
Vanessa’s Answer
The classes you enjoy and the extracurricular activities you pursue can provide valuable clues about areas you may want to explore more deeply. For me, I was especially drawn to organic chemistry and, more specifically, biochemistry. That interest led me to major in Chemistry and minor in Biology in college.
While in college, I spent time working in my anatomy professor's laboratory. Those experiences sparked conversations about the physiology of the human body and awakened a growing interest in medicine. Looking back, a fascination with biochemistry, pharmacology, and the effects of medications on the body became a consistent thread throughout my career.
That curiosity guided my decision to pursue Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Geriatrics. More than two decades later, it inspired me to earn a master's degree at UCSF, where my capstone project focused on reducing inappropriate benzodiazepine use in older adults. This same passion shaped my teaching of home health nurses and contributed to my being honored as Physician of the Year in 2016 by the California Association for Health Services at Home.
My advice is simple: pay attention to what sparks your curiosity, what brings you joy, and what makes you want to learn more. These interests are often clues to your unique gifts. Seek out opportunities that allow you to explore your innate talents and aptitude. Do also venture into areas outside your comfort zone as this promotes growth. You do not have to have your entire future figured out today. Instead, follow your curiosity, stay open to new experiences, and trust that the path will become clearer as you mature and learn.
While in college, I spent time working in my anatomy professor's laboratory. Those experiences sparked conversations about the physiology of the human body and awakened a growing interest in medicine. Looking back, a fascination with biochemistry, pharmacology, and the effects of medications on the body became a consistent thread throughout my career.
That curiosity guided my decision to pursue Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Geriatrics. More than two decades later, it inspired me to earn a master's degree at UCSF, where my capstone project focused on reducing inappropriate benzodiazepine use in older adults. This same passion shaped my teaching of home health nurses and contributed to my being honored as Physician of the Year in 2016 by the California Association for Health Services at Home.
My advice is simple: pay attention to what sparks your curiosity, what brings you joy, and what makes you want to learn more. These interests are often clues to your unique gifts. Seek out opportunities that allow you to explore your innate talents and aptitude. Do also venture into areas outside your comfort zone as this promotes growth. You do not have to have your entire future figured out today. Instead, follow your curiosity, stay open to new experiences, and trust that the path will become clearer as you mature and learn.
Behn F
Instructional Design/Ed and Career Counseling
9
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Behn’s Answer
I would seriously consider nursing as a pathway, if you want a career with strong long-term demand without the pain of AI. You can start with college nursing (BSN or ABSN), become an **RN**, becoming an RN is a huge commitment. You can start with some premed degrees in sciences and then do an ABSN program. After becoming an RN then spend at least two or three years actually working with patients before deciding whether you want to continue into an **MSN or DNP Nurse Practitioner program**.
That experience matters because it helps you discover what population you enjoy working with, such as women’s health, pediatrics, family practice, mental health, or another specialty.
In California, Nurse Practitioners are winners; they can eventually qualify for greater practice independence. A women’s health NP pathway could eventually lead you to your own clinic.
I have developed a few NP programs for universities and have seen students develop passion after a semester or two, even though the workload is a lot.
I also like this pathway because you do not need to rush. Nursing school and the first few years of practice can be demanding. Build your career gradually, protect time for sleep, exercise, relationships, and recovery, and avoid feeling that you have to complete every credential as quickly as possible.
If you start after high school and progress steadily, becoming an NP while you are still in your twenties is certainly possible. It can also become a very well-paid profession. You have plenty of time right now. I would start by shadowing a nurse or NP if possible and ask yourself whether you actually enjoy being around patients and solving health problems with them. If the answer is yes, this could be a very strong pathway to investigate.
That experience matters because it helps you discover what population you enjoy working with, such as women’s health, pediatrics, family practice, mental health, or another specialty.
In California, Nurse Practitioners are winners; they can eventually qualify for greater practice independence. A women’s health NP pathway could eventually lead you to your own clinic.
I have developed a few NP programs for universities and have seen students develop passion after a semester or two, even though the workload is a lot.
I also like this pathway because you do not need to rush. Nursing school and the first few years of practice can be demanding. Build your career gradually, protect time for sleep, exercise, relationships, and recovery, and avoid feeling that you have to complete every credential as quickly as possible.
If you start after high school and progress steadily, becoming an NP while you are still in your twenties is certainly possible. It can also become a very well-paid profession. You have plenty of time right now. I would start by shadowing a nurse or NP if possible and ask yourself whether you actually enjoy being around patients and solving health problems with them. If the answer is yes, this could be a very strong pathway to investigate.
Sarah Sweeney
Medical Assistant and Counselors Agency Affiliate
3
Answers
Oak Harbor, Washington
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi there! I am proud of you for your career choices. There are many different fields to choose from and it appears you have narrowed it down. Even so, it is hard to decide which of these four would be the best career path for you . I will break each one down for you.
Registered Nurse (RN)What they do: Provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor vital signs, and coordinate patient care plans alongside doctors and physicians. Education path: Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), then pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Total time: 2 to 4 years. Autonomy & Work Environment: Work under the direction of physicians and higher-level providers in hospitals, clinics, and schools.Best for: People who want to enter the healthcare field quickly with a versatile, hands-on patient care role.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)What they do: An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who examines patients, diagnoses illnesses, orders tests, and prescribes medications. They focus on patient education, wellness, and chronic disease management. Education path: Must first become an RN (usually with a BSN), gain bedside experience, and complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specific population focus (e.g., family, pediatrics). Total time: 6 to 8 years (including RN background). Autonomy & Work Environment: High autonomy; many states allow NPs to practice and prescribe independently without physician supervision. Best for: RNs who want greater diagnostic responsibilities, long-term patient relationships, and high practice independence.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)What they do: Specialize exclusively in administering anesthesia for surgeries, trauma care, and pain management. They manage a patient's vital life functions while unconscious.Education path: Must be a licensed RN with a BSN, complete a minimum of 1 year (averaging 3 years) of intense critical care/ICU experience, and graduate from an accredited nurse anesthesia doctoral program. Total time: ~7 to 8 years.Autonomy & Work Environment: High autonomy in operating rooms and surgical centers, working intensely with one patient at a time. They are among the highest-paid nursing professionals.Best for: ICU nurses who thrive in high-stress, technical environments and want a specialized, lucrative career.
Physician Assistant (PA)What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat patients, assist in surgery, and prescribe medications. They are trained in the generalist medical model, similar to physicians.Education path: Complete an undergraduate degree with science prerequisites, gain hundreds of hours of hands-on healthcare experience (as a paramedic, medical assistant, etc.), and graduate from a 2- to 3-year master's PA program. Total time: ~6 to 7 years.Autonomy & Work Environment: Practice medicine collaboratively with physicians. While they have high clinical autonomy, their practice framework is historically tied to physician collaboration rather than total legal independence. PAs can easily switch medical specialties without going back to school.Best for: Non-nurses who want a broad medical-model education and the flexibility to move across different surgical and medical specialties.
I know this is a lot of information but you are making a very important decision . I hope this helps you.
Registered Nurse (RN)What they do: Provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor vital signs, and coordinate patient care plans alongside doctors and physicians. Education path: Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), then pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Total time: 2 to 4 years. Autonomy & Work Environment: Work under the direction of physicians and higher-level providers in hospitals, clinics, and schools.Best for: People who want to enter the healthcare field quickly with a versatile, hands-on patient care role.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)What they do: An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who examines patients, diagnoses illnesses, orders tests, and prescribes medications. They focus on patient education, wellness, and chronic disease management. Education path: Must first become an RN (usually with a BSN), gain bedside experience, and complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specific population focus (e.g., family, pediatrics). Total time: 6 to 8 years (including RN background). Autonomy & Work Environment: High autonomy; many states allow NPs to practice and prescribe independently without physician supervision. Best for: RNs who want greater diagnostic responsibilities, long-term patient relationships, and high practice independence.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)What they do: Specialize exclusively in administering anesthesia for surgeries, trauma care, and pain management. They manage a patient's vital life functions while unconscious.Education path: Must be a licensed RN with a BSN, complete a minimum of 1 year (averaging 3 years) of intense critical care/ICU experience, and graduate from an accredited nurse anesthesia doctoral program. Total time: ~7 to 8 years.Autonomy & Work Environment: High autonomy in operating rooms and surgical centers, working intensely with one patient at a time. They are among the highest-paid nursing professionals.Best for: ICU nurses who thrive in high-stress, technical environments and want a specialized, lucrative career.
Physician Assistant (PA)What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat patients, assist in surgery, and prescribe medications. They are trained in the generalist medical model, similar to physicians.Education path: Complete an undergraduate degree with science prerequisites, gain hundreds of hours of hands-on healthcare experience (as a paramedic, medical assistant, etc.), and graduate from a 2- to 3-year master's PA program. Total time: ~6 to 7 years.Autonomy & Work Environment: Practice medicine collaboratively with physicians. While they have high clinical autonomy, their practice framework is historically tied to physician collaboration rather than total legal independence. PAs can easily switch medical specialties without going back to school.Best for: Non-nurses who want a broad medical-model education and the flexibility to move across different surgical and medical specialties.
I know this is a lot of information but you are making a very important decision . I hope this helps you.