Best way to get clinical experience for PA program?

[salley]

What do you recommend in terms of clinical experience to be competitive in a PA program? I see that most only accept 5 to 10 percent of the people that apply. Do you think it would be better to be a nurse or a medical assistant? I know the curriculum for nurses is more extensive, but medical assistants actually work with PAs. What are your thoughts? Thanks!

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[nixonshead]

RN's and MA's work with PA's. MA's usually work outpatient, and RN's in an outpatient setting are declining. It is not worth going to nursing school with plans for PA school. Get your EMT-B, MA would be okay too. Both will get you interacting with patients. Still.... shadow shadow shadow. PA's, MD's, DO's, NP's, all of them. Different specialties too. You never know what you might see that will catch your interest, or deter you. You want to figure out now if you like sick people. Nothing wrong with it if you dont, but you could find out now and do something else!

PS RN's are great, but PA programs will ask why you dont become an NP, and you will need a good answer

 

[deleted6669]

paramedic, rn, rt, lpn, medical asst, emt are all good experience for pa school.

 

[benny32311]

Shadowing is a good way if you can find a PA to take you. A lot of schools seem to like this as you get a chance to see what a PA does. I had school ask specifically if I had spent time with PAs getting to see what they did versus working with doctors, etc.

 

[deleted6669]

Shadowing is a good way if you can find a PA to take you. A lot of schools seem to like this as you get a chance to see what a PA does. I had school ask specifically if I had spent time with PAs getting to see what they did versus working with doctors, etc.

shadowing is fine but it isn't a substitute for paid hce.

 

[Denatured]

As a person who went from RN to PA, it is a very wise choice. RN gives you great HCE, good pay, and more options. Other than taking longer for those who are in a hurry, I see no down side.

 

[benny32311]

shadowing is fine but it isn't a substitute for paid hce.

I would agree, but it's better than nothing.

 

[deleted6669]

I would agree, but it's better than nothing.

it's better than nothing won't get you into a pa program.

 

[salley]

Thanks for your replies. Right now I am trying to decide whether I should be a nurse or a medical assistant. It would only take me an extra year to get my RN, since I have finished all my prereqs but I think I would enjoy being a medical assistant more. However, I don't want to be a medical assistant instead of a nurse if the PA program favors nurses more...

 

[primadonna22274]

Good programs weight various levels of HCE depending on level of responsibility. RN gets a much higher weight (2-3x as much!) as an MA.
Keep this in mind....

 

[Groovepie]

I think it's pretty funny how people view nurses..."oh, I'll just go be a nurse to get some HCE..." While I know nursing school is not a rigorous as PA school, it is no cakewalk and the job of being a nurse is extremely demanding physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I work harder than most of the docs, PA's and NP's that I work with on a daily basis. If someone is already a nurse and wants to be a PA, thats's fine. But would never ever recommend becoming a nurse to gain experience for PA school. If you want an easier and shorter way to gaining good HCE, go join your local volunteer fire dept. and get your EMT. I was an EMT prior to becoming a nurse an it provided a little foundation that was helpful in nursing school. It will do the same for PA school. I believe EMT courses are still <200 hrs while nursing school is 2 years if you already have all th pre-req's squared away. Just my .02

 

[benny32311]

it's better than nothing won't get you into a pa program.

Hhhmmm... I'm in one with a great rep and max accreditation ( 7 year ARC-PA) with only "shadowing" as clinical experience. All my other experience is in a lab...

 

[Groovepie]

All other things being equal, I doubt someone with just shadowing experience would get in over someone with direct patient care like RN, RT, paramedic etc...Also, schools weigh things differently. Some look more at academics while others place higher value on quality HCE, while still others maintain a balance.