SedRate Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Hello, everyone. I haven't posted much since joining a few years ago, so here I am finally posting something. I went into PA school with EM and surgery as my initial areas of interest. I haven't had my EM rotation yet, but my cardiothoracic surgery rotation has made me even more interested in becoming a surgical PA. I have received compliments from my preceptor (MD) and his PA regarding my ability and attitude, and they have urged me to pursue surgery. Maybe I just have a good surgery rotation, but I love the peri-op environment and being in the OR, and I feel alive when performing in the OR. I had this similar feeling when scrubbing in on hysterectomies and c-sections during my ob/gyn rotation and when observing ortho surgeries prior to school. This says something, right? I would like to ask for any advice on which surgical areas would lend to valuable surgical experience as a student -- not only to help me decide whether or not to pursue surgery, but also for more experience when applying for surgical jobs. I am leaning toward plastic/reconstructive, trauma, general, urology, hand, ortho, and liver transplant surgery. I'd consider doing another CTS rotation, but I figured I should get experience elsewhere while I can. Also, I have two electives. I am thinking about doing both in surgical areas, but I'm leaving the second open for now in case EM turns out to be just as fulfilling. Any advice is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 2, 2014 Moderator Share Posted February 2, 2014 consider doing a general surgery postrad residency after pa schol. these are paid positions which expose you to all the different subspecialties, pay a salary for a year, and give you some incredible experience to put on your CV. norwalk and montefiore are the oldest/best known programs but their are other fine programs out there as well. see www.appap.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SedRate Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 consider doing a general surgery postrad residency after pa schol. these are paid positions which expose you to all the different subspecialties, pay a salary for a year, and give you some incredible experience to put on your CV. norwalk and montefiore are the oldest/best known programs but their are other fine programs out there as well. see www.appap.org Thanks for the info. I will be doing a residency if a "good" job doesn't present itself. Any suggestions on which surgical area would be beneficial to take now as a student? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 2, 2014 Moderator Share Posted February 2, 2014 general is always good for broad exposure. with your interest in em also consider trauma surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SedRate Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 Good to know. Thanks for your suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT_UAB_PA Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 General Surgery is definitely the best first step. If you want something more intense, CV surgery. CV pays well too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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