Hi everyone!
I've been a registered dietitian for about 1.5 years, working inpatient at a large pediatric academic hospital. I work closely with attendings, fellows, residents, and medical students via rounds. However, over the past 6 months or so, I've become very dissatisfied with my job and have been thinking about going back to PA school. I would love to be involved in taking care of the whole patient rather than just one specific subsystem. While this may be specific to the hospital where I work, I also feel undervalued and would love it if I could take a larger role in patient care. I'm wondering if there are any other RDs out there who transitioned to the PA profession and what that was like. I would want to work in pediatric acute or critical care (primary care isn't for me). Insight into any of the following is appreciated!
- Any RDs --> PAs; what was the transition like, did you feel prepared?
- I would likely move to a different city for PA school. I would move solo and it's likely that I wouldn't know anyone (maybe 1 or 2 people) wherever I move. Kind of worried about loneliness since I know PA school is so busy, so any insight into this concern is appreciated!
- How did you go about choosing a school? If I want to do pediatric acute or critical care, are there any programs that are best suited to this?
- How long was the application process? (including open house, researching programs, taking the GRE) What was your timeline for applying?
- What is financial aid like for PA programs?
Also considering a MSN (clinical nurse leader since my BS is in dietetics) vs. finding another job and going for a MHA while working, possibly followed by a DrPH or PhD in public health (still exploring if this would be a career I would enjoy).
Thanks so much!
I've been a registered dietitian for about 1.5 years, working inpatient at a large pediatric academic hospital. I work closely with attendings, fellows, residents, and medical students via rounds. However, over the past 6 months or so, I've become very dissatisfied with my job and have been thinking about going back to PA school. I would love to be involved in taking care of the whole patient rather than just one specific subsystem. While this may be specific to the hospital where I work, I also feel undervalued and would love it if I could take a larger role in patient care. I'm wondering if there are any other RDs out there who transitioned to the PA profession and what that was like. I would want to work in pediatric acute or critical care (primary care isn't for me). Insight into any of the following is appreciated!
- Any RDs --> PAs; what was the transition like, did you feel prepared?
- I would likely move to a different city for PA school. I would move solo and it's likely that I wouldn't know anyone (maybe 1 or 2 people) wherever I move. Kind of worried about loneliness since I know PA school is so busy, so any insight into this concern is appreciated!
- How did you go about choosing a school? If I want to do pediatric acute or critical care, are there any programs that are best suited to this?
- How long was the application process? (including open house, researching programs, taking the GRE) What was your timeline for applying?
- What is financial aid like for PA programs?
Also considering a MSN (clinical nurse leader since my BS is in dietetics) vs. finding another job and going for a MHA while working, possibly followed by a DrPH or PhD in public health (still exploring if this would be a career I would enjoy).
Thanks so much!
