eplaza Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Hello everyone, as I stated in my topic header. I'm 32 and and would like to start rolling my goal towards being a PA. I know I should start to talk to a counselor. Many of you have gone through the per-requisites. What courses do I need to take and is there any suggestions you may have for me? Wish me luck!!!!! Thank you for your support! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatChecko Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 The best place to start, beyond exploring the profession, is the website of the PA programs in your area. They will all list prereqs and other requirements. Every school has slightly different requirements, so find the schools you like and figure out a plan on how to meet their requirements. Unfortunately, the inconsistency between schools can be maddening, but a part of the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAS2014 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 eplaza: I'm 32 and was just admitted to PA school, so congratulations on your choice of career! I started taking prerequisites almost two years ago (my bachelor's degree is in psychology). I have had to take General Biology I & II (with labs), Anatomy & Physiology (with labs), General Chemistry I & II (with labs), Medical Terminology, Organic Chemistry I with lab, Biochemistry, Microbiology with lab, and Genetics. I also took a Healthcare Careers class, just for good measure. I recommend looking into your local universities for a post-baccalaureate premedical program. I took half of my classes through such a program, and half at a community college (for cost reasons). Also look at the prerequisite requirements for schools that you are interested in. Some require the GRE, some the MCAT, and some none at all. Some also require a certain number of hours of paid healthcare experience, volunteering and/or shadowing. Good luck to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Thank you everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 Would it be wise to take the LPN program or an EMT then PA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timon Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 I was 31 when I started on my path to become a PA. Below is a link as to how I approached it and what steps i took. My undergrad degree was in communications. Post #9 http://www.physicianassistantforum.com/forums/showthread.php/34848-Burnout-Tips-on-Dealing-With-It Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 Thank you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BARONEUS Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Would it be wise to take the LPN program or an EMT then PA? Yes. Paid direct patient care will be much more competitive than volunteering or shadowing. Also, admissions committees like the word "nurse" in any sense of the word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saldanamoreno Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 I am 36 years old and applying this year to a cluster of PA programs and I hope I have everything I need to not only be competitive but to be accepted into at least one of the eight programs I applied too. I just wanted to say good luck to you, good luck to us both. I sometimes find myself so cognizant of the fact that I am in my late 30's. I am trying not to see it as a negative but rather as the positive that it really is. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timon Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Don't let age discourage you. About a little over 1/3rd of my class (60 stundents) is near or over 30 years old. Of that maybe 12 are in their mid to late 30's, we got a few near or over 40 and a couple that are between 50-60 years old. The rest being mid to late 20's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 4, 2013 Moderator Share Posted July 4, 2013 Don't let age discourage you. About a little over 1/3rd of my class (60 stundents) is near or over 30 years old. Of that maybe 12 are in their mid to late 30's, we got a few near or over 40 and a couple that are between 50-60 years old. The rest being mid to late 20's. avg age in my class was 35. at 27 I was one of the younger students. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staplemyfoot Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 There are some grandmothers in my class, your almost the same age as one of there sons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 You've been given good advice. If this is what you want to do then: quote " There is no try, only do." unquote. Just saying. Good luck in your future PA endeavors. LesH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 I WISH I knew that I wanted to be a PA at 32! I started prereqs at 51 and went back at 58. You can do it. Good luck! BTW, my story is at http://www.amazon.com/dp/1479372099/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 Thank you so much for your advice and encouragements! It is very much appreciated!!The best of luck to you folks as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 UGlong, your book is on its way to my mailbox!! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 Correction: UGolong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 I am 36 years old and applying this year to a cluster of PA programs and I hope I have everything I need to not only be competitive but to be accepted into at least one of the eight programs I applied too. I just wanted to say good luck to you, good luck to us both. I sometimes find myself so cognizant of the fact that I am in my late 30's. I am trying not to see it as a negative but rather as the positive that it really is. What do you think? Positive affirmation is always a great thing! I also wish you the best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 My Path: *Get Phlebotomy Certificate *Get Health care Experience, work on networking for references for PA program application. While getting income. * Complete Bachelors Degree in Biology for pre-rec. * Apply for PA Program. Is this a good plan? Does anyone have a better suggestion? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoTheEvolution Posted July 7, 2013 Share Posted July 7, 2013 would be 39 here when I start if I get accepted somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 7, 2013 Author Share Posted July 7, 2013 Are you doing your pre-rec right now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eplaza Posted July 7, 2013 Author Share Posted July 7, 2013 would be 39 here when I start if I get accepted somewhere. Good luck!!! Please keep me posted on your journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoTheEvolution Posted July 7, 2013 Share Posted July 7, 2013 I'm done with all pre-reqs. CASPA app is turned in. Working on grad apps now. My journey began in July 2009 when I decided to give up journalism for good after 15 years, got my first healthcare job in 2010. Here I am, hopefully a nice applicant to some programs. You can do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAS2014 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 eplaza: I would go the nursing route (CNA, LPN, etc.) or phlebotomy versus EMT. I trained as an EMT-B, but had the HARDEST time finding a job. Perhaps it depends on where you live, but where I live there were very few positions available, and the ones that were paid $10/hour or less. With a mortgage and such, that was impossible to do. But, there were tons of CNA jobs. The training and clinicals for the EMT-B were great experience, and luckily the school I was accepted to took that training under consideration and admitted me without the paid experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAtoB Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 job prospects and length of education were the biggest reasons why I chose not to become an EMT as well. Heard jobs are very hard to get in my region because so many people want to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.