I am a current Stanford PA student. Stanford is not a BS program, it is a certificate program-if you are an RN, you are awarded both PA and FNP certificates. If you have a BS or BA, you have the option of earning an MPH. Classes are not at a community college, they are at Stanford School of Medicine. Most of the lectures are provided by Stanford professors, alumni, etc.
The program is 15 months long, and stresses primary care. You arrange your own preceptors, clinical rotations, etc.-this can be very difficult as there are 3 medical schools, 3 pa schools, and 4 nurse practitioner programs in the Bay area, with students all vying for rotation space in the local hospitals and clinics. As far as job offers, I think virtually everyone in my class has had at least one job offer. This program has a very high pass rate for the national certification exam. This program is very intense and requires absolute attention/dedication for 15 months. If you are not absolutely driven, you will not succeed here.
To the original poster, I'm curious as to what state allows "anesthesia techs" to intubate and start central lines. I know RT's that rarely get to intubate.
Anyway, choosing a PA program should not be a knee jerk reaction. They are all different, have different requirements, different philosophies, different expectations. My best advice would be to thoroughly research each program that you are interested in. Talk to the admissions people, talk to current students, visit the campus, really think about what you want out of a program. Once you've decided on a school then go all out to meet their entrance requirements. PEACE!