what do you think?

[coconut7]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I attended a DO school 2 years ago, did HORRIBLE, was in the bottom 10% and was asked to leave. I then decided to apply to the caribbean.

Except now i think going PA would be the better option since i feel that the best case scenario from the caribbean is matching into Primary Care. I shadowed a PCP and did not like it. I enjoyed derm and surgery when i shadowed as a premed and i would never have the chance to do that as a PCP.

Good decision?

 

[Textbookversion]

Yeah, better choice. Although PA schools are pretty competitive. They have direct entry NP programs that get you to a similar place too, should look into those.

 

[Endolphins]

PA or NP is a better choice now. The downside to PA is that you might have to gather 1000 hours of patient care hours as a CNA or something, and you may have to take pre-reqs for either program. Still a quicker and cheaper option, though.
If I were you I would start pre-reqs ASAP and apply to PA, RN/NP accelerated programs, or even RN accelerated programs in the meantime.

 

[umean2tellme]

I would add that although PAs do have the option of working in different specialties/settings, it's not like they're actually going to do any surgery or anything. Yeah you can be a surgery PA but you're still just doing scut work and writing H&Ps all day. There is nothing wrong with that, but it's something to think about if you had your heart set on being a surgeon or some other non-primary care specialist.

 

[Textbookversion]

I would add that although PAs do have the option of working in different specialties/settings, it's not like they're actually going to do any surgery or anything. Yeah you can be a surgery PA but you're still just doing scut work and writing H&Ps all day. There is nothing wrong with that, but it's something to think about if you had your heart set on being a surgeon or some other non-primary care specialist.

They do cut, you are misinformed. They do things like harvest veins for CABG.

 

[coconut7]

they definitely do a LOT of surgery, when i shadowed docs, i thought the PAs were other surgeons at first. Anyone know of any schools that would take a look at me? I contacted a few, and they told me to apply, but i'm not sure if they will even look at me seriously because i was dismissed.

Most other med schools would have given me a chance to retake first year, i missed passing two classes by 3% and 1%, there were 2 other courses that i was all set to finish requirements for at the end of the summer. Before any of that happened, i was dismissed with 4 Fs. it was so shocking because people that had done WAY worse than me were given a second chance. And i sure as hell dont deserve 4 Fs!!!!!!!!

Just finished having a mini breakdown, back to applications again, boy has this been a living hell 🙁

 

[umean2tellme]

They do cut, you are misinformed. They do things like harvest veins for CABG.

I know they do some things in the OR, but they are not surgeons. My point is that if the OP goes into it thinking being a surgical PA will be just about the same as being an actual surgeon he/she may feel dissatisfied. The level of responsibility and autonomy are different. And again I don't find anything wrong with that. I've worked with many great PAs on both surgical and non-surgical services. It's just something to think about.

 

[survivordo]

I know they do some things in the OR, but they are not surgeons. My point is that if the OP goes into it thinking being a surgical PA will be just about the same as being an actual surgeon he/she may feel dissatisfied. The level of responsibility and autonomy are different. And again I don't find anything wrong with that. I've worked with many great PAs on both surgical and non-surgical services. It's just something to think about.

The surgical PA's duties certainly vary by practice environment. At the worst they are scutmonkeys who are essentially there to do H&Ps, Write notes and discharge patients. In other settings they are trusted first assists. Regardless, you aren't going to get out of it without being the one doing the lion's share of paperwork. Still, a good career move for the OP considering his other options.

Survivor DO

 

[coconut7]

I'm a she and thanks! I definitely don't think i will be a surgeon, i just always liked watching. Same with derm and ER. All of these opportunities would be highly unlikely if i went through the caribbean. I also want to be good at what I do. For me the caribbean was just becoming sketchier and sketchier the more i read up on it. I know SGU might have been a good option, but that amount of debt (300K) does not make sense for primary care, esp b/c im really not all that into primary care.

I know i asked this before, but does anyone know of school that would look at me based on my screwed up history?