Possible for transition to PA program?

[tobie]

was curious if anyone had been thinking about this. Graduated 13 years ago. is there online (or other) PA programs that would accept someone like me?

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[beautifulrobot]

I never seriously thought about PA school because I would feel that going from PharmD to PA is essentially a demotion (not meant to demean PAs, just from an income potential or potential for increase in responsibilities, going from PharmD to PA seems like it would be a regression). Also, the things I find frustrating about being a pharmacist would carry over to being a PA (but to each their own).

Anyway, from my understanding, you would have to apply and complete the program just like any other applicant. Your pharmacy experience could help make your application stand out in a good way (depending on how you frame it), and likely help you meet some or all of the clinical experience requirements for admission to a PA school, but that's about it. It wouldn't provide any short cuts in the application or shorten the amount of schooling you need to do. If you don't have a bachelor's degree (got your PharmD without ever getting a bachelor's), you may have trouble meeting the admissions requirements, and will likely have to get a waiver from the school (and not all schools will grant you a waiver, some will require that you have a bachelor's degree no matter what). You also will have to take the MCAT or GRE.

PA school is competitive and the schooling itself is a lot of effort and money. If you want to become a PA just so you can provide primary care under the supervision of a physician, you might have an easier time moving to New Mexico and become a certified pharmacist clinician: New Mexico Pharmacists Association - Pharmacist

 

[pharmacy_sucks]

What if PA job market becomes saturated a few years later? where do you want to switch next lol?

 

[tobie]

since about 2008/2010 the job market has been super down and getting worse. pharmacies closing, reduced hours, etc... i am in a smaller town/rural area and even here things are super bad. 2 huge cities 2.5 hours away; even the job market there is pretty much non-existent. unless they close/reduce graduates or change reimbursement rates (GET RID OF PBMs), i fear we will all be looking for a part time something. I have learned that money isn't everything and would rather have security than anything (which ironic enough is why i chose pharmacy back in 2002).

 

[firework]

What if PA job market becomes saturated a few years later? where do you want to switch next lol?

Nursing

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

What if PA job market becomes saturated a few years later? where do you want to switch next lol?

I was told that it will not be saturated at least for the next 20 years. Even then, it's not going to be an over saturation like us. Just regular saturation where one goes out, one goes in. PA's job growth prediction is 30% in the next decade. Its ranked top 3 jobs in the nation and top 2 in health care.

Apparently, most PAs don't report their real hours worked or paid hours. Not sure why or how this would work but I was told most make more than what google says. If you could find a program that fits you, I would jump ship asap.

Only issue PAs are having is competition with NPs, but even then, I am told that it only bolster both professions. Nurses are known for getting $#!t done apparently and they're gaining momentum in being supervised less compared to PAs. Still, both professions are much better off than pharmacy and depending on what specialty and state, PAs could be a lucrative job. I hear surgery, ER, derm are the best field for PAs.

 

[firework]

I was told that it will not be saturated at least for the next 20 years. Even then, it's not going to be an over saturation like us. Just regular saturation where one goes out, one goes in. PA's job growth prediction is 30% in the next decade. Its ranked top 3 jobs in the nation and top 2 in health care.

Apparently, most PAs don't report their real hours worked or paid hours. Not sure why or how this would work but I was told most make more than what google says. If you could find a program that fits you, I would jump ship asap.

Only issue PAs are having is competition with NPs, but even then, I am told that it only bolster both professions. Nurses are known for getting $#!t done apparently and they're gaining momentum in being supervised less compared to PAs. Still, both professions are much better off than pharmacy and depending on what specialty and state, PAs could be a lucrative job. I hear surgery, ER, derm are the best field for PAs.

This all sounds very familiar.

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

This all sounds very familiar.

Difference is, insurance companies cannot control PAs as much as they control pharmacists. Secondly, they can't open schools as fast as pharmacy schools can since it would have to be attached to a med school.

 

[Hedgehog32]

To the OP, Yale has an online PA program (I believe it's the only one of its kind in the US):

Yale Physician Assistant Online Program

August 9, 2024 ACCREDITATION STATUS: ARC-PA has accepted the voluntary withdrawal of the Yale Physician Assistant Online Program from the ARC-PA accreditation

paonline.yale.edu

I have also considered applying to PA programs. The ER PAs at the hospital I used to work as a pharmacy intern at work for a contracting company called Team Health, and I was told that they're always looking to hire new PAs (in my city, at least) at a starting salary of $75/hour. That doesn't include benefits, OT, or shift differential for working nights/weekends/holidays. Of course, I've been told that they have to deal with some nasty stuff.

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

To the OP, Yale has an online PA program (I believe it's the only one of its kind in the US):

Yale Physician Assistant Online Program

August 9, 2024 ACCREDITATION STATUS: ARC-PA has accepted the voluntary withdrawal of the Yale Physician Assistant Online Program from the ARC-PA accreditation

paonline.yale.edu

I have also considered applying to PA programs. The ER PAs at the hospital I used to work as a pharmacy intern at work for a contracting company called Team Health, and I was told that they're always looking to hire new PAs (in my city, at least) at a starting salary of $75/hour. That doesn't include benefits, OT, or shift differential for working nights/weekends/holidays. Of course, I've been told that they have to deal with some nasty stuff.

ARC-PA Physician Assistant Programs: Online and Accredited

Do you want a career in the medical field supporting doctors and patients? Read on to learn about ARC-PA Physician Assistant Programs.

www.geteducated.com

Yale, despite being the best school in the world, is not ranked very high haha. There are other online programs. Duke apparently is the best PA program if you wanna shoot for the best.

 

[Hedgehog32]

ARC-PA Physician Assistant Programs: Online and Accredited

Do you want a career in the medical field supporting doctors and patients? Read on to learn about ARC-PA Physician Assistant Programs.

www.geteducated.com

Yale, despite being the best school in the world, is not ranked very high haha. There are other online programs. Duke apparently is the best PA program if you wanna shoot for the best.

Actually, I could be wrong about this, but I believe the other online PA programs on that list are intended to serve as "bridge" programs for PAs who have already been practicing for a while and would like to earn a formal master's degree. AFAIK, the only entry-level online PA program is Yale's.