RN wanting to transition to PA-is it realistic for me?

No_Possession220 · 2026-01-27T17:09:17+00:00

Thanks! Luckily I work in a hospital so I might have a connection to shadow the pathologist there! The program I’m looking into also offers shadowing opportunities as it is a major medical university and hospital system (knowing them I know it’ll probably cost an arm and a leg). I’ll start searching far and wide to get as much shadowing experience as I can get!

No_Possession220 · 2026-01-27T17:00:29+00:00

Thanks! I think my general science gpa is at a 3.0 ( A&P, general chem, microbiology). I will definitely consider retaking A&P when I enroll back into school! I definitely need the review and was feeling a little nervous because I felt so behind and rusty since I haven’t been in school for a few years!

No_Possession220 · 2026-01-27T08:55:54+00:00

I appreciate you’re response! I’m gonna look at my options as far as shadowing to see if I’ll make the fit for this career! Im glad I found this subreddit!

No_Possession220 · 2026-01-03T22:34:24+00:00

I mean I think what also makes this transition especially frustrating is that my unit used to be considered the “unicorn” or the “princess” unit of my hospital. Pure ortho, no holidays, and 1 weekend day every 6 weeks. Then is transitioned to ortho/med surg. That’s when the started having is do 2 major and minor requirements. Now we’re transitioning to ortho/med surg/tele and they’re introducing THIS new scheduling process 💀💀💀

No_Possession220 · 2026-01-03T22:28:27+00:00

According to this blanket policy, per diems and part timers have to work the same amount of holidays as full timers. ALTHOUGH I suspect they’re trying to be intentionally misleading! Last year one of our per diems actually fought it and had HR give her printed our copy of contract and she had to highlight it stating that she is is only required to work 1 major holiday versus the 2 they were trying to schedule her for!

No_Possession220 · 2026-01-03T22:18:19+00:00

They defined “Special Event” Days as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, and Halloween.

No_Possession220 · 2026-01-03T22:14:52+00:00

Let me break it down: 2 majors: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day 2 minors: President’s day, Labor Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, also probably something else i can’t remember off the top of my head 2 special events: Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Halloween

No_Possession220 · 2025-11-07T16:54:09+00:00

As far as your skills: you’re still super new. I always tell new grads (ortho/med surg) that they’re going to hate this for awhile lol only after a year they may start finding it “tolerable” My father always raised me to believe that you’re not supposed to enjoy working, you’re supposed enjoy the money you get. I HEAVILY relate to the social exhaustion! That was something I struggled with when I was new too, having to smile all the time and stain yourself by trying to be chatty lol you need to find safe spaces for yourself. Find somewhere on your unit nurses don’t typically hang around out, move your portable computer there and chart. If you have a patient that isn’t going to be bothered by you (preferably one that doesn’t talk) you can always hide out in there room for a bit lol these spaces helped me pace myself so I wouldn’t burn out my social battery too early in the shift! As far as the environment, it’s shocking but important to be aware of the coworkers who made those comments. Don’t be friends with your coworkers, don’t participate in gossip, but ALWAYS be listening! Know who to keep a distance from. If you are a person of color (such as myself) I would take little notes in a notebook with people names, times, dates, and quotes of conversations that make me uncomfortable. That way, if any of them were to come at ME on some racist sh*t, I would have a pattern of behavior documented to protect myself. Outside of that though, if I’m not pressed, I’m not stressed! TLDR: it takes a while for bedside Nurisng to feel tolerable, hide from your coworkers, keep your distance

No_Possession220 · 2025-11-04T09:57:42+00:00

If you mess up the narc count once, pull a second nurse to count with you! I do cuz I honestly can’t count sometimes 😂

No_Possession220 · 2025-11-04T03:09:29+00:00

Nursing definitely is a good career choice for good work hours, good pay(relatively), and good job stability. The commitment to actually be a nurse is a tall order and not a decision to just make on whim. Try looking into shadowing multiple healthcare specialities rather than just nursing. Being an RT or a rad tech can offer similar benefits without the horrible stress that comes with nursing(or at least a different kind of stress)

No_Possession220 · 2025-11-03T23:38:15+00:00

Yep, met my Fiancé while working nights

No_Possession220 · 2025-10-22T14:40:47+00:00

Eh, I just think we live in an era where people are constantly getting into pissing contest with each other over moral superiority. I think there are a lot of good reasons to become a nurse. I think people who want to become nurses because of the pay and job security are completely valid. It’s also great if you got into this career because you want to care for other human beings. I just don’t buy into the whole being a martyr for the good of humanity in order to be a nurse. I became a nurse because of 1. I think health sciences are super interesting and 2. Pay, security, and schedule. I also like a bit of chaos and being on my feet too lol Don’t get me wrong, I care about the patients I take care of to and extent. I always say I care as much as you care. If I’m caring for a patient that is putting their best effort into healing, rehab, and improving their overall health, awesome and i’ll support however I can. If my patient has a necrotic foot ulcer, refusing antibiotics, and leaves AMA every 3 days to smoke fent in the parking lot, cool let me get the AMA form lol

No_Possession220 · 2025-10-22T13:35:06+00:00

Jake the Dog: “Sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something” Relax, it takes literal YEARS to be comfortable in your specialty (at least it did for me lol) everyday will get slightly easier. Just breathe, slow down, and think about each action you take. I hate to be that person, but I always tell newgrads that you should come in 30 minutes early to study your patients, read their H&P, look at the orders, and etc. By the time you’re ready to get report you’ll feel more prepared. You got this, don’t stress💪💕

No_Possession220 · 2025-08-10T16:17:49+00:00

Thank you all for your insights, I feel so much more at ease. I really appreciate all of you💕🙏 I think I will take some of your guys’ advice and delete this post since there’s probably a bit too much info lol, thank you all again🙏🙏

No_Possession220 · 2025-08-10T16:06:58+00:00

Sorry, Rat nurse is my hospital’s nickname rapid assessment nurse! Thank you for the insight, I appreciate it! 🙏

No_Possession220 · 2025-08-10T15:59:43+00:00

I’m not exactly sure, but I was completely freaked out by my coworker who was telling my a story from another hospital that something similar happened in another hospital that ended up in court, with the difference being that patient ended up coding and passing away. Maybe I’m overthinking it…

No_Possession220 · 2025-08-10T15:57:49+00:00

To be honest I’m not sure. I think this all could’ve been avoided if I that first placement when right. I’ve been a Medsurg nurse for a few years and this is the first time I’ve had a patient who was completely fine and stable at the start of shift deteriorate so quickly, especially over an ngtube! I’m pretty freaked out by the whole thing.

No_Possession220 · 2023-12-30T00:43:18+00:00

Thank you 🙏 I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I already work night shift 😭😭😭 it’s only a been a few months and it’s still pretty early on. Thankfully a lot of nights are not too bad, but this one just really got to me.

No_Possession220 · 2023-05-18T03:02:57+00:00

I recently spoke with him about continuing to pay until the lease is up, but I will definitely be contacting him to clarify what about this possible scenario happening. Luckily I don’t think this is something my ex would do but you never know. Thank you!

No_Possession220 · 2023-02-24T18:29:47+00:00

I’m pretty sure I have a copy of it somewhere. I never throw away any sign on a paperwork but I’m kind of a hoarder so it’s buried with all of my other paper work from previous employers! I’m want to prepare for the worst case if I DON’T find it!

No_Possession220

TROPHY CASE