ethaner63 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Hello, This had me up last night ruminating so I thought I would listen to some outside opinions: I currently plan on applying to PA schools in the next CASPA cycle. I have a 4 year degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and about 3250 patient care hours; 2000 from an acute psych ward (Fairfax) and almost 1250 from Overlake Medical Center (as an imaging assistant). Both of these jobs count as HCE so I'm all good there. I also know that I can handle the course material and clinicals. I'm wondering if I'm currently too young to be pursuing PA school at 23 y/o.My main worries are about lacking life experience and making a careless mistake that negatively impacts one of my patients. How well does PA school prepare you to be calling the shots with patient care? I've worked with plenty of patients but there is a massive difference between following orders and giving them out. I worry that coming from a non-traditional background will limit my insight towards medical problems. How much is expected of a new PA fresh out of school? Most of my shadowing time has been with experienced providers but it would be nice to observe someone at work during their first year or so. The other option that is currently open to me is a quick 2 year Rad Tech program (which would more than pay the bills) to enhance my healthcare knowledge/experience and then maybe work for another few years before applying to PA school (at around 27 y/o). Thank you! Ethan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylhann9 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Hello, This had me up last night ruminating so I thought I would listen to some outside opinions: I currently plan on applying to PA schools in the next CASPA cycle. I have a 4 year degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and about 3250 patient care hours; 2000 from an acute psych ward (Fairfax) and almost 1250 from Overlake Medical Center (as an imaging assistant). Both of these jobs count as HCE so I'm all good there. I also know that I can handle the course material and clinicals. I'm wondering if I'm currently too young to be pursuing PA school at 23 y/o. My main worries are about lacking life experience and making a careless mistake that negatively impacts one of my patients. How well does PA school prepare you to be calling the shots with patient care? I've worked with plenty of patients but there is a massive difference between following orders and giving them out. I worry that coming from a non-traditional background will limit my insight towards medical problems. How much is expected of a new PA fresh out of school? Most of my shadowing time has been with experienced providers but it would be nice to observe someone at work during their first year or so. The other option that is currently open to me is a quick 2 year Rad Tech program (which would more than pay the bills) to enhance my healthcare knowledge/experience and then maybe work for another few years before applying to PA school (at around 27 y/o). Thank you! Ethan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylhann9 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 If being a PA Is your passion and calling, go for it now. If you are accepted, you are going to learn how to call the shots and feel confident about it. Also the sooner you graduate, the sooner you can start making good money and start building your future, and paying off student loans. That's how I see it, but I'm 26. Either you are going to be an experienced PA by the time you are 27, or just barely starting your career path. You decide. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyNameWasUsed Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Accredited PA schools prepare people of all ages and varying backgrounds to make those "life or death" decisions every day. The question you should ask is if you want to go to PA school now or later. I say just go to PA school if that's what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMtoPA Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 PA school will teach you what you need to know to be a successful PA. Sure, more HCE wouldn't hurt, but no amount of prior HCE will fully prepare you for the breadth of issues you will face as a PA. That's what PA school is for and, trust me, no matter what your background is, you will be learning a fair amount on the fly during your first years in clinical practice. Think about it - you could be a full-fledged paramedic in a major metropolitan area and acquire a ton of useful knowledge and experience that would benefit you as a PA, but it's not going to do much to prepare you for much of the garden-variety stuff you're going to see - abnormal uterine bleeding, reading chest x-rays, managing chronic disease, etc. Or you could be a respiratory therapist for many years and have no exposure to common orthopedic injuries, etc. The reality is that there is no one ideal background or path to becoming a PA, and a good PA education should (and will) prepare you to begin seeing patients of all stripes, so long as you're committed to life-long learning and honing your craft as you go. My $0.02, from someone with pretty solid pre-PA HCE. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Nope, you are not too young. Maturity does not have a minimum age :). I'll be 24 if I get into PA school this cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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