cut my losses?

[ilovestewie]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

hey everyone, this is my first post on SDN and ive heard a lot about it so take it easy on me. ;-) I just want to hear as many opinions as I can....

i JUST finished my 1st year of a 3 year PA program and I am having some real second thoughts. For multiple reasons, Ill get into them if you want (and ask) I am beginning to feel like I have made the wrong decision. My question to you guys is. Do I cut my losses, drop PA school, and finish my med school pre reqs (1 year) or finish my PA program and worry about DO school later? I would love to be able to finish my pre med pre reqs at the same time as PA school but I highly doubt I could do that and maintain a good GPA (PA school is pretty tough). If I finish PA school that sets me back at least 2-3 years... sigh... needless to say I am a little stressed and just want to hear as much about what everyone thinks as possible.

p.s. I dont think i will be UNHAPPY as a PA but I do think i would be happier as a DO.

 

[mj1878]

What brought about this change of heart?

There was a thread about the PA-to-physician switch, and the advice was divided. Some seemed to think that ADCOMs frowned upon people switching professions(upgrading), and some seemed to think it wouldn't matter.

To me, it's sounding like you want someone to tell you to quit now and start the prereqs. If you think that you're going to be miserable for 2 more years in PA school, then you should get out. Don't waste your time or the time of the program that's investing a lot in you. However, if you think that once clinicals begin you might be happier then it might be to your advantage to stick it out. It's hard during didactic to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's that way for medical students too. Who knows? Once you're in the clinicals you might change your mind about being a DO. Either way, it's not a decision you should make lightly. You're looking at probably 2 years before you start medical school (even if you start prereqs next semester), then 8 more years. Finishing two more years of PA and finding out you'd rather be a practicing PA making money than a starving medical student might be worth it. Good luck to you.

 

[Shodddy18]

I think that you should do whatever you want. I dont know much about PA school but I imagine it is just as hard as med school... so just passing all your classes says a lot... you dont have to ace everything. If you ditch PA school and finnish your prereqs you stand a good shot at getting in... (since PA is supposed to be just as competitive as med school). If you do finnish PA school and practice for a few years, that would set you miles ahead of other applicants and all but guarantee you a spot. So I guess either way works.

Good luck!

 

[ksmtkiss]

Dido, to that. I think the biggest question u have to ask urself is why u are having doubts about being a PA? If those reasons are strong enough to start your education all over (for the most part) because you'll be learning essentailly the same thing in the first few years at medical school as PA school-then go for it. But keep in mind u just set yourself back a few years and quite a few grand.

 

[scpod]

Do I cut my losses, drop PA school, and finish my med school pre reqs (1 year) or finish my PA program and worry about DO school later?

I'm not an admissions committee, but if I was...I think that I would frown on you quitting your program after a year. I would wonder whether or not you would quit DO school after a year as well. Become a PA, work for a few years, and go to DO school later if you still feel like it then. I have a friend who is an orthopaedic surgeon (and a DO). He was a PA for 9 years first.

 

[ilovestewie]

You guys bring up great points and I appreciate the responses. My reasoning is that I am feeling pretty ill prepared to practice medicine (i understand that is normal and Im only in my 1st of 3 years), i feel that as a PA i wont have enough input as to how long I spend with my patients and how they are treated, it is VERY difficult to be part of a profession that is so often misunderstood (we "assist physicians") which is not true, I guess some of it is simply regularly ol' PA school blues. I also feel like I would like to spend more time on pathophysiology and understanding the diseases. As it is we have to go over everything so quickly that it is hard to gain a GOOD and DEEP understanding of the conditions. however, like some have said, once I am in clinicals maybe I will be able to develop that understanding more. Then, there is always the $$ issue. It is kind of annoying to think that I will be a PA, seeing the same patients as the Doc and HIM getting paid for it. At best the compensation I have seen for PAs is good but unfair. It is painful to think that as a production "bonus" I would get 10% of the money I BROUGHT IN for the practice.. ya know?

However, I have developed a good relationship with a couple physicians who have expressed desire in hiring me when I graduate (one EM, one HIV/FP). I do think that I might be able to find a situation with one of them that could be fair and as autonomous as I desire. Like I said, I just want to hear some pros and cons because I know I may just be experiencing (the blues.) Ya'll's responses have been very helpful and respectful and I appreciate that greatly. :-D

 

[scpod]

Another way to look at it:

2 years from today you could...

a) Be making money while working as a PA and gaining tons of clinical experience.

b) Have finished a year of pre-reqs and a year of the application process...but still waiting on an acceptance that may or may not come and getting ready to go $200,000 more into debt if it does.

 

[doclm]

hey everyone, this is my first post on SDN and ive heard a lot about it so take it easy on me. ;-) I just want to hear as many opinions as I can....

i JUST finished my 1st year of a 3 year PA program and I am having some real second thoughts. For multiple reasons, Ill get into them if you want (and ask) I am beginning to feel like I have made the wrong decision. My question to you guys is. Do I cut my losses, drop PA school, and finish my med school pre reqs (1 year) or finish my PA program and worry about DO school later? I would love to be able to finish my pre med pre reqs at the same time as PA school but I highly doubt I could do that and maintain a good GPA (PA school is pretty tough). If I finish PA school that sets me back at least 2-3 years... sigh... needless to say I am a little stressed and just want to hear as much about what everyone thinks as possible.

p.s. I dont think i will be UNHAPPY as a PA but I do think i would be happier as a DO.

Why would you be happier as a DO?

Is there a specific specialty area of medicine that you desire, or do you want to just be a Doctor?

You really need to weigh the pros and cons of each profession. Are you the type of person that wants a lifestyle outside of work or do you really love medicine this much? Have you had a lot of experience shadowing in a medical field? Is the primary reason $$$ or does being a PA not feel like the right fit for you? Each person is different in what they want out of life.

For Example, after working in the medical field for a while I have determined what I do and don't want out of medicine and my life. I used to be gun ho on ER med and surgery. However, once you see how each doctor is speciailized in what they can and cannot do, you have to determine what you want out of this field. I thought ER was exciting for about two weeks, however I could not see myself doing this work forever. Trust me, after seeing so many people seriously injuryed and in pain I was not excited when I had the opportunity to see a patient in the ER. Also, the surgery that I have seen was really great, however the surgeons stand on their feet all day long and do surgery constantly. Many docs are on-call every weekend where they at least get paged for something EVERY DAY THEY HAVE OFF. Also they work very long hours, 60-80 hours a week. I talked to many docs that wished they would have gone down a different path, while some love what they do. I guess its all about what you desire to get out of medicine.

 

[ilovestewie]

I was an EMT-CT and opthalmic tech for two years before PA school. I worked an average of 65-70 hours a week. SO I have been exposed to the fields. As far as what specialty. I want to do IM, FP, or an IM subspecialty. Although, I am not TOTALLY against being in EM because I like the ammount of procedures and variability in patient population. Again, thanks for the comments guys. It is also refreshing to not see this turn into PA bashing or anything like that.

 

[bkpa2med]

i was a pre pa major before i went to bio for premed. personally i have to ask you what took you so long to figure this out? i figured it out while shadowing pa's and before even applying to med school. adcoms may take that point of view, you just never know.

good luck though with your decision

 

[Megalofyia]

I would talk to a couple of admissions directors at some of the schools your interested in; shoot them an email and see what they suggest. (Then take what they say with a grain of salt 😉 )

It's not like if your trying to drop out of the PA program because your bored and a new interest has appeared in your life.

You have a valid argument. If you finish PA school just too complete it instead of applying DO earlier you'll be that much behind finishing school and that much more in debt.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Why does he need a valid argument? There's nothing to argue.


Its whether or not the schools feel that his motivation is valid. If it were me on the adcom this would certainly be something that I frowned upon.

Its no different than 1) trying to inter-transfer between DO schools or 2) trying to transfer from a DO to an MD school.

Neither of which happen easily, or often......but with that said, it does happen.

 

[ilovestewie]

I dont understand why I would have to prove my dedication. I want to practice medicine. I am currently very successful at learning to practice medicine. I want to learn more, chances are I will be sucessful. I love medicine. I am not worried about getting in, i know I can get in. I am concerned about what is right for me. (not trying to be cocky). I have thought this through extensively and it shows when I talk to adcoms at medical schools.

Also, it took me coming to PA school to realize all of this because sometimes you just dont know better until you've been there done that. Of course, I havent COMPLETELY been there done that yet which is why I am battling with what i want to do. I am going to visit my local DO school on wednsday to speak to an admission's counselor. I am going to be honest a straight forward and present the things I have thought through and that have been brought up in this thread. If they feel I am not a good candidate for their school then the decision is made for me. Boy would that be nice. lol

 

[Dr JPH]

I made this decision about 5 years ago. I didnt complete PA school but rather I left the undergraduate portion of the program when I realized it wasnt what I wanted.

You dont need to prove yourself to anyone or make an argument to back up your reasoning.

If you feel that becoming a physician is the right path for you to take, then do it and dont look back.

I never bought the argument that "well, I can do 85% of what a doctor can do and thats good enough for me".

I made some enemies when I made my decision. Certain people felt as if I was abandoning them. Well, many of those same people have since contacted me saying they wish they had done the same.

PM me if you have any further questions or want more of my opinions.

 

[Krazykritter]

ilovestewie,

From what I gathered from your posts it seems to me like a major problem for you is that you are questioning your preparedness to practice. Let me reassure you...After your first TWO years of DO school you will still not be ready to practice medicine. The first two years are to give you the basic science knowledge and some clinical to pass Step I. Most everyone will agree that as a medical student you learn your real medicine on the wards.

If that is your main concern, I would stay stick w/ the PA program. You will be taught what you need to know to practice medicine in your rotations and the extra reading you do when you find cases that you don't know much about.

Good luck w/ your decision.

 

[CatsandCradles]

ilovestewie,

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=202203

If you haven't done so already, check out this bridge program. I haven't read al of it, but it might be of interest to you.

 

[clc8503]

hey everyone, this is my first post on SDN and ive heard a lot about it so take it easy on me. ;-) I just want to hear as many opinions as I can....

i JUST finished my 1st year of a 3 year PA program and I am having some real second thoughts. For multiple reasons, Ill get into them if you want (and ask) I am beginning to feel like I have made the wrong decision. My question to you guys is. Do I cut my losses, drop PA school, and finish my med school pre reqs (1 year) or finish my PA program and worry about DO school later? I would love to be able to finish my pre med pre reqs at the same time as PA school but I highly doubt I could do that and maintain a good GPA (PA school is pretty tough). If I finish PA school that sets me back at least 2-3 years... sigh... needless to say I am a little stressed and just want to hear as much about what everyone thinks as possible.

p.s. I dont think i will be UNHAPPY as a PA but I do think i would be happier as a DO.

You should really just do whatever you want since this is your life we're talking about. However, I would finish the PA program because admissions to PA school is competative and you're already in! There are no guarantees when it comes ADCOMS accepting you. I would finish the PA program and then pursue medicine. However, if you do happen to get rejected from medical school, you still have PA as a backup. You could then just work as a PA for a year and reapply with more medical experience under your belt. I think that if you dropped the program ADCOMS would probally see this as an unwillingness to commit to a medical program, or they may simply think that you just don't know what you want to do with your life. I think dropping the program would raise some red flags (or not). That being said, PA school would probally be the best pre-med training one could recieve. PAs are often performing so well that some people have questioned the family practicioners role in medicine, because it's so routine. They learn a general overview of medicine, to the point that they recognize most illnesses or defects and refer all the tricky cases to speacialists. PAs are very effective. I've seen a few in practice that I have mistaken for physicians. Who says you have to go straight for the MD/DO. An MD/DO like any doctoral degree, does not have to be knocked out all at once. Just think about it and take the pros and cons into consideration. You'll make the right choice. Once again, this is just what I would do. -Best of luck