vb315 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi All, I am currently in my first semester of didactic year (suffering through midterms), and so far things are going well! I'm doing well in my classes, and I am enjoying it. In undergrad, I founded my university's Pre-PA Society, for students interested in the profession. With that said, during my spring break, I am going to speak at one of the Pre-PA meetings at my undergrad regarding what it's like being a PA student, as well as how the application process and interviews work. With that in mind, could you share some information that you would have liked to know before you applied to or started PA school? For instance, what is something that you've found out while in practice, or in school, that you would have liked to know back when, that you think would be beneficial for me to share? Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katera Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Save every dime for the first 10 years and plan an exit from medicine before it ravages your mind and body. Sorry, but that's what I would go back and tell my younger self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBanner Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Pre-PAs need to be aware a few things: 1. This is a working profession. By that I mean our value in the system is to see patients for a lower cost than physicians. For the most part there is no seat at the lofty academic table for PAs, few business or consulting opportunities, and a fairly uniform pay ceiling. You advance in your fund of knowledge and experience level, but not so much professionally. 2. There are still plenty of job opportunities for PAs, but the competition is getting stiffer due to market saturation with new grads. Many of the "good" jobs are taken by experienced PAs, and what's left for the new grad are meat-grinder type jobs that have high turnover. 3. The whole NP vs PA thing is overblown, despite what our vocal dissenter says here. Yes, they have independence in quite a few states, and there is preferential hiring in some markets. But this alone is not a reason to avoid the profession. PAs, especially experienced PAs, are viable. 4. Burnout is a real thing and seeing patients all day everyday is not quite as cool as you imagined it as a student. Dont get me wrong, it is nice when you can help someone and use your skills to make important decisions, but it's not like you're part of House's team solving zebra cases all day. Lots of demands you never foresaw and administrative pressures can chip away at you. 5. Dont expect a smooth transition to working life right out of school. Many practices can and will take advantage of you, giving you unreasonable workloads with little guidance. Employers promise big and deliver small. The reality is practices are businesses and they need providers to turnover patients and make money, without making anyone else's workday more difficult. The above is for people who have already committed to the PA path. For someone who is on the fence? I would say don't do it. It's too stressful and there is too much responsibility to do this because it sounds like a "good job". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyndhurst Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Anybody in high school thinking of being a PA needs to have a really good reason for not at least trying MD/DO first. Going the nursing route is another great option that should be fully explored. Basically dont just jump on PA because Forbes or US News tells you it is a good way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SedRate Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Basically dont just jump on PA because Forbes or US News tells you it is a good way to go. Agreed. Pre-PAs, do your homework on what the PA career is really like. It is a very large time, energy, money, and social commitment. For the right person, it can be a great career. Try other things first and get some actual healthcare experience. Not only will it make you a better provider but it will make the learning curve just a little less steep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vb315 Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 Thank you all so much for the detailed responses! It can be hard at times, as a naive student, to have the foresight to see into the real logistics and daily work-life of a practicing PA. I will definitely advise the students to really consider what it is that they want from the profession. Again, thanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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