Hi all

[tony1853]

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Hello everyone. I have recently decided, after a lot of thought, to switch careers: from accounting to becoming a PA! I have neve really like accounting, but got into it because my dad was an accountant. I have never had an accounting job for more than 1.5 yrs...I always thought it was the company, the co-workers, the corporate politics, etc., that made me want to leave...but I now realize I just don't want to be an accountant.

I will be registering for the PA program at my local college. It results in a Physician Assistant B.S. I used to be a Biology major, so I have some of the bio courses down, and about 85% of the liberal arts requirements.

I will be starting in September 2005, and figure I've got 2 or 3 semesters to complete that coursework, and then I will apply for acceptance into the hospital component (given at Harlem Hospital Center in Manhattan).

I have registered for an EMT-B course which starts this Tuesday, and ends in June. I will try to work a bit as an EMT prior to September, but I don't know if I will be able to work that much once courses start.

I am nervous about a few things. First, our family finances will get a lot tighter...I have just bailed out on an accounting job paying $70,000 per year because I just couldn't deal with it for another minute. So, we are down to my wife's small salary.

My age was also worrying me...I am very "age conscious" unfortunately! I will be 33 in Feb, so I guess I will be 36 - 37 when I am done with the program.

At any rate, I think it will all be worth it, and my wife is behind me 100% - which is so important.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling life story...just excited to have come to this decision! 😀

T

 

[deleted6669]

Hello everyone. I have recently decided, after a lot of thought, to switch careers: from accounting to becoming a PA! I have neve really like accounting, but got into it because my dad was an accountant. I have never had an accounting job for more than 1.5 yrs...I always thought it was the company, the co-workers, the corporate politics, etc., that made me want to leave...but I now realize I just don't want to be an accountant.

I will be registering for the PA program at my local college. It results in a Physician Assistant B.S. I used to be a Biology major, so I have some of the bio courses down, and about 85% of the liberal arts requirements.

I will be starting in September 2005, and figure I've got 2 or 3 semesters to complete that coursework, and then I will apply for acceptance into the hospital component (given at Harlem Hospital Center in Manhattan).

I have registered for an EMT-B course which starts this Tuesday, and ends in June. I will try to work a bit as an EMT prior to September, but I don't know if I will be able to work that much once courses start.

I am nervous about a few things. First, our family finances will get a lot tighter...I have just bailed out on an accounting job paying $70,000 per year because I just couldn't deal with it for another minute. So, we are down to my wife's small salary.

My age was also worrying me...I am very "age conscious" unfortunately! I will be 33 in Feb, so I guess I will be 36 - 37 when I am done with the program.

At any rate, I think it will all be worth it, and my wife is behind me 100% - which is so important.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling life story...just excited to have come to this decision! 😀

T

WE HAD A 54 YR OLD IN MY ENTERING CLASS AT PA SCHOOL. YOUR AGE IS ACTUALLY PRETTY CLOSE TO AVG AT MANY PROGRAMS.....

 

[Monika]

Congrats Tony!
I'm a clinical year student in PA school right now & am very grateful I decided to make a career change as well. It's challenging at times, but hopefully the change will be well worth it for you as well.

Sounds like you are making some good decisions with the EMT-B. Try to keep your GPA as high as possible & start shadowing a PA (several is even better) in your future if you have not already.

There is a great website to check out at www.physicianassociate.com. Supportive PA community there, check it out sometime.

M 🙂

 

[tony1853]

Thanks to both of you for your replies...I appreciate that you took the time!

I would like to start shadowing a PA...but I called two hospitals here, and nobody knew where to direct me so that I could find out about doing that...any tips??

Congrats Tony!
I'm a clinical year student in PA school right now & am very grateful I decided to make a career change as well. It's challenging at times, but hopefully the change will be well worth it for you as well.

Sounds like you are making some good decisions with the EMT-B. Try to keep your GPA as high as possible & start shadowing a PA (several is even better) in your future if you have not already.

There is a great website to check out at www.physicianassociate.com. Supportive PA community there, check it out sometime.

M 🙂

 

[Monika]

Here is a link to the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants website.

Click on the pre-PA students link & there you will see a link on "shadowing".

🙂 M