Medic looking at PA path

Started by Gatewayhoward
Physicians and veterinarians: Turn your expertise into action! Explore CDC’s Epidemiology Elective Program and Epidemic Intelligence Service today.
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
G

Gatewayhoward

Senior Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I'm a paramedic who's just began to major in biology to get into med school. Sounds crazy but I had a dream that told me to research the PA path before I completely write it off. Can anyone summarize the process to become a PA, and I know what the job entails but could someone elaborate on it?
 
With your background, you are the perfect candidate for PA school. PAs are licensed to practice medicine under the "supervision" of a doctor. That does not mean he/she is over your shoulder, it's more of a collaborative effort. I would direct you to the best PA website out there: www.physicianassistant.net. ER PAs can make a lot (100K plus). The process is through CASPA....you submit letters of rec, a personal statement, transcripts, details of your medical experiences, grades, etc. I believe you can start the application process every May. It's a very competitive process, much like med school, and sometimes actually harder given the small class sizes. But, your previous medical experience is a big plus. Please go to the PA website b/c you will learn so much!

Jenny
PA-S
 
Gatewayhoward said:
I'm a paramedic who's just began to major in biology to get into med school. Sounds crazy but I had a dream that told me to research the PA path before I completely write it off. Can anyone summarize the process to become a PA, and I know what the job entails but could someone elaborate on it?
Click to expand...

That's the path I took. You have the medical background. Get a bachelors degree - any topic - but health related is best and you will need the obligatory chem series (gag), bio, and A/P. Applying has mostly beome centralized like med schools, where you will submit one application, pay fees, and apply to the schools you want. Keep your GPA up there (I had a 3.4). I went back to school with 4 kids - so I chose PA instead of MD due to time constraints (I didn't expect my wife to rasie our kids alone while I went to school) and I knew after a 20 year medic career (I am really not that old though...late 30's)
.... but I also believe God likes to talk to us in dreams...it's about the only time we are not distracted and He can get a word in.

Good luck
PA-C, MPAS, LP
 
You must log in or register to reply here.