Exercise Science Major to PA School??

[chung2509]

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Hi, I'm currently a Exercise Science Major set to graduate next year in spring 2009. I am somewhat interested in applying to PA. IS it possible? I looked at some of the course requirements in which I may be missing some. Also, I noticed I will need volunteer hours and clinicals. My major requires me to do clinicals next spring. Are those clinical hours allowed to fill in my requirement even though they may be slightly different? Any help is appreciated, thanks

 

[primadonna22274]

Sure it's possible. There are always a few exercise science majors in every PA class. (I think there were 3 in mine...of 18.)
You will need all the prereqs. You will have some of these with your major but any that you don't you'll have to take.
Your clinical hours for your major will most likely NOT count towards patient care hours.
Volunteering...some programs like it, some require it, some don't care.
You will generally be a much more competitive applicant if you work for a year doing whatever it is that exercise science majors do in a direct patient care role.
Good luck...hopefully someone else will chime in here.
Lisa PA-C

 

[chung2509]

thanks for the response, has anyone been in these shoes before? any help is greatly appreciated. Would some schools still accept you even though you may be missing some classes and allow you to take these classes at their school? also, perhaps i may orient my required clinicals' for my major towards patient care?

Basically, I would not want to take a year off to take care of these things. My best case scenario would be to go to PA school right after I graduate in spring 2009.

 

[deleted6669]

thanks for the response, has anyone been in these shoes before? any help is greatly appreciated. Would some schools still accept you even though you may be missing some classes and allow you to take these classes at their school? also, perhaps i may orient my required clinicals' for my major towards patient care?

Basically, I would not want to take a year off to take care of these things. My best case scenario would be to go to PA school right after I graduate in spring 2009.

most places don't count clinical time in a training program.
bottom line:you need to work for a yr or attend a less reputable program.
pa programs want folks with prior medical experience- it's the heart of the profession and the founding concept. there are programs that will take you without it...I wouldn't attend one....

 

[chung2509]

I see, thanks for the reply. Also, I was wondering, Does it matter what PA school you came out of? The degree and license is all the same in the end isn't it? Yes, I understand I would need a basis of medical experience but I don't really have the time for it. Thanks for the help.

most places don't count clinical time in a training program.
bottom line:you need to work for a yr or attend a less reputable program.
pa programs want folks with prior medical experience- it's the heart of the profession and the founding concept. there are programs that will take you without it...I wouldn't attend one....

 

[KNC]

Not trying to be harsh....but what do you mean when you say that you do not have the time? Any time that you put into direct patient care for your own career advancement, to me, is time well spent...

 

[chung2509]

Not trying to be harsh....but what do you mean when you say that you do not have the time? Any time that you put into direct patient care for your own career advancement, to me, is time well spent...

I completely agree, I would just like to start having a income asap if you know what I mean and the only way I can do that is to get a PA degree as soon as possible.

 

[RAMPA]

I completely agree, I would just like to start having a income asap if you know what I mean and the only way I can do that is to get a PA degree as soon as possible.

😕😕😕

can't you work at a cardiac rehab and make some $$$ as an exercise physiologist? i think you just need ACLS and your degree.

how much do you know about your own degree and career opportunities?

sorry to be harsh, but it seems you know very little about EP and even less about the PA field.

Before making such a big decision, why not take some time to read about the profession?

(and no, most programs will not allow you to start the program with pre-reqs lacking, and you certainly won't have spare time in PA school to be taking gen bio/chem, etc)

 

[deleted6669]

Yes, I understand I would need a basis of medical experience but I don't really have the time for it. QUOTE]

then most adcoms probably won't take the time to interview you....I know I wouldn't and I have served on several adcoms for various pa programs....
dude, the profession involves prior medical training and experience. that's what being a pa is about. if you don't want to get experience go to the program for inexperienced young applicants, MEDICAL SCHOOL.

 

[lapelirroja]

Pre-reqs need to be done way before matriculating. Some require them to be completed before you submit your application, some say just make sure they're through before orientation. But this is a hardcore educational choice, it seems like you're taking a half-ass approach to it. Some people lament the prior medical experience requirement but some have half-decent excuses that are better than "not wanting to", for example not wanting to take a paycut for a position when they have a family to feed/clothe/house. Excuses or not, they typically don't get you very far in the admissions process.

 

[core0]

Yes, I understand I would need a basis of medical experience but I don't really have the time for it. QUOTE]

then most adcoms probably won't take the time to interview you....I know I wouldn't and I have served on several adcoms for various pa programs....
dude, the profession involves prior medical training and experience. that's what being a pa is about. if you don't want to get experience go to the program for inexperienced young applicants, MEDICAL SCHOOL.

This is not a completely correct statement. More than 1/3 of PA students graduate each year from programs that require no prior medical experience. These students pass the PANCE at the same rate as those from HCE programs do. Not having health care experience limits the amount of programs a student can apply to but does not disqualify them. If you are talking about west coast programs then yes you need experience for the most part. However there are a lot of very well respected programs in the northeast that do not require medical experience. There are more than one way to skin the cat that is PA education.

To the OP, I would agree that you should have a better understanding of the PA profession. Shadowing a PA and talking to some programs would help. Also most programs require you to have all pre-reqs done before you apply. A few may allow you to complete one or two between application and start.

David Carpenter, PA-C

 

[chung2509]

I apologize if I seem half-assed, I have only begun researching this profession a couple days ago. Thanks for the replies though.

 

[deleted6669]

More than 1/3 of PA students graduate each year from programs that require no prior medical experience. These students pass the PANCE at the same rate as those from HCE programs do. Not having health care experience limits the amount of programs a student can apply to but does not disqualify them.
David Carpenter, PA-C

while this is true, many programs that don't "require" experience will give applicants extra brownie points for having some. if 2 applicants are identical in every way(gre, gpa, good interview, etc) but one has 2 yrs of health care experience guess who gets the seat.....
yes, change is happening in the profession. more folks without experience are applying. that doesn't mean it's a good thing.....in fact I believe it to be the worst thing to ever happen to the pa profession. only time will tell if it proves our undoing.....

 

[core0]

while this is true, many programs that don't "require" experience will give applicants extra brownie points for having some. if 2 applicants are identical in every way(gre, gpa, good interview, etc) but one has 2 yrs of health care experience guess who gets the seat.....
yes, change is happening in the profession. more folks without experience are applying. that doesn't mean it's a good thing.....in fact I believe it to be the worst thing to ever happen to the pa profession. only time will tell if it proves our undoing.....

I would generally agree that its going to limit the student in terms of programs. I would also agree that I would generally prefer students with HCE over those who don't have any, but neither of us are adcoms. I know of at least one "top ten USN&WR school" that actively discourages students with HCE. I have precepted students from HCE and non HCE programs. There are differences but they seem to be more program specific than HCE or not specific. My only firm and fast rule is that I won't precept MEPN students.

As far as change happening in the profession, statistically that doesn't seem to be the case. Looking at CASPA data (which is limited) the amount of average HCE seems to be approximately the same. What is obvious is that the student profile now looks much different than it did 10 years ago. This is not confined to the PA profession but also applies to medical school or pharmacy school for example.

I would suggest to the OP that you find out if this is what you want to do. You are early enough in your education that you have a number of options including medical school. Shadow some PAs and Physicians to see what they like about their job and what they do. Understand the profession. Take a look around here:
http://www.physicianassistantforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=139

You also have some options for HCE. As an exercise physiology major it should be pretty easy to get athletic trainer certification. Some programs may give you credit for time spent working with athletes. Also CNA and EMT are pretty easy to get even while a full time student. 100-200 hours while not perfect will open up more options. It will also give you a back up if you do not get in on your first try (which happened to 50% of applicants last year). Finally as has been suggested cardiac rehab will be accepted as HCE by some programs.

David Carpenter, PA-C

 

[Sunfire]

At the very least, you could try to get into your local hospital ED as a volunteer. Many programs will count the hours as health-related community service, and it's a good chance to get a glimpse of the work.

 

[foreverLaur]

I found a post-acute center locally that will train me to be an STNA at no cost to me. The website states:
"Altercare provides free training to help you begin your career in health care. If you enjoy working with people, and would like to become a State-Tested Nurse Aide, we will provide the training necessary to become certified."

I applied and two days later they hired me. I have no commitment to them to continue to work there, but I will.

I plan to work there while I finish my degree and continue to work while taking a few extra prerequisite classes.

Yes, it will take longer to go this way, but if PA is ultimately what you want then I think it is totally worth it. If you don't agree, then perhaps the profession is not for you.