can anyone here clarify on how to go PA route?

[AcousticDoc]

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I've been searching the net on how to become a PA and I'm getting the impression that one has to have worked in a health related field (nursing, EMT, Paramedic) for several year before they can apply for a PA program? I'm very confused.

 

[every1blowz]

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[AcousticDoc]

I know that when I went to school to become a medical assistant, one of the very first things our instructors told us was that if we ever wanted to take a step up on the ladder, we should NOT to become nurses of any kind, but instead PAs. Apperantly, hospitals would much rather hire MAs who can basically do most of what nurses can, for a much smaller salary. I don't know how true that is, as I've obviously decided to go the Doctor route.

The program I completed was a year-long (1320 hours), including the three month externship. At some places it's shorter. I know that you need to work in the field as an MA for 5 years, and then you can apply to PA school. Obviously there is a faster way, but I don't know what that is. I realize I wasn't of too much help though, sorry.

It's all good. I ask because I'm only 19 and I want to know what I should be doing right now to prepare for a PA career. 😕

 

[kenmc3]

Essentially there is no difference between applying to a PA program or to medical school. You need to take all the pre-professional courses, and the GRE (instead of MCAT). PA programs don’t require you to be a nurse, EMT etc. But these are valid ways of gaining healthcare experience, similar to what you need for medical school. This can also be accomplished through shadowing or volunteering. Chances are that more EMTs and nurses are becoming PAs rather than MDs because it is easier and less work. Which is why you may think that you need to be a nurse or EMT to become a PA.

 

[ZappBrannigan]

Essentially there is no difference between applying to a PA program or to medical school. You need to take all the pre-professional courses, and the GRE (instead of MCAT). PA programs don’t require you to be a nurse, EMT etc. But these are valid ways of gaining healthcare experience, similar to what you need for medical school. This can also be accomplished through shadowing or volunteering. Chances are that more EMTs and nurses are becoming PAs rather than MDs because it is easier and less work. Which is why you may think that you need to be a nurse or EMT to become a PA.

Many schools are strict on what qualifies as patient care and volunteering does not count. For example, the University of Washington Medex program required about 1000 hours of paid direct clinical care.

 

[AcousticDoc]

Many schools are strict on what qualifies as patient care and volunteering does not count. For example, the University of Washington Medex program required about 1000 hours of paid direct clinical care.

oh...that's a bummer. So there is no way to apply to PA programs straight from college?

 

[sunUCB]

you can apply to some school straight - it just depends on the school, so you should research the schools you'd be interested in. you can find a list of accredited schools at www.aapa.org/pgmlist.php3

oh...that's a bummer. So there is no way to apply to PA programs straight from college?

 

[afr0dite01]

My undergrad school has a PA program, my original reason for going there. They require some sort of experience. However, it could be shadowing PA's, volunteering, EMT....almost anything. Its much easier if you go through as an undergrad because you only need 500 hours, but you really need to keep your grades up. It's a fairly new program but it is a great program,with high scoring students. My friend is actually graduating this year from undergrad and coming here next year so it is possible to come right from undergrad. She did work as a nurses aid for two summers and per diem during the year. So check out DeSales Unviersity and maybe they can help you out.

 

[Mr. Freeze]

The PA program in OK (I say the, there may be more than one...) is a master's program, so you apply just like if you were going to grad school for basket-weaving. But it seems like the required courses were more prescribed than applying to med school, as far as the leeway among what specific sciences you need. I met the requirements for med school, but not PA school. I thought that was kinda goofy, but wasn't my goal anyway. I don't think they specifically require patient care experience, because I know several late bloomers who said, "You know, my job sucks. What's a PA?" And they love it. But if you aren't at least knowledgable enough to know if you like or dislike something, spending the time and money to do it could end up a waste. Get some health-care experience, and you can be sure...

 

[AcousticDoc]

The PA program in OK (I say the, there may be more than one...) is a master's program, so you apply just like if you were going to grad school for basket-weaving. But it seems like the required courses were more prescribed than applying to med school, as far as the leeway among what specific sciences you need. I met the requirements for med school, but not PA school. I thought that was kinda goofy, but wasn't my goal anyway. I don't think they specifically require patient care experience, because I know several late bloomers who said, "You know, my job sucks. What's a PA?" And they love it. But if you aren't at least knowledgable enough to know if you like or dislike something, spending the time and money to do it could end up a waste. Get some health-care experience, and you can be sure...

thanks for the reply. I hope doing volunteer work at a free clinic counts 😎

 

[PineappleGirl]

Northeastern's PA program requires 2,000 hours of "direct patient care experience", making it basically impossible to get into the program right out of college, unless, perhaps you worked part-time for a couple years while in school. Also, they are strict about what they consider "direct patient care experience".

http://bouve.dev.neu.edu/programs/physassist/pre.php

 

[medstyle]

i fooled around with some girl from Duke's PA program, i think she went straight from college. She was pretty dumb, so it can't be that hard. goodluck.

she definately went to duke pa, her email address confirmed it.

 

[AcousticDoc]

i fooled around with some girl from Duke's PA program, i think she went straight from college. She was pretty dumb, so it can't be that hard.

ROFL. I won't worry about this again till I've taken most of my science courses. I inquired about the PA position because I was told by a doctor that being a MD sucks because it means having no life and having little pay due to student loans, malpractice and etc...do you guys feel the same way?