shadowing during school?

[lsmith21]

Do any PA students do additional shadowing during breaks in their didactic year?

[rev ronin]

What? Why? Why would anyone even want to do that?

 

Either work at your previous profession, relax, or take a certification class that isn't part of your program (I graduated with PALS, NRP, and ABLS which I did on my own during breaks).

[rmathews619]

^ agree with above. Did shadowing when I was applying to PA school, and didn't see the point of doing it while in PA school. What is the reason to do it while you are in PA school? During the breaks take some time off and enjoy it with family. That is what I did. I tried to spend as much time with my family.  

[EMEDPA]

Like Rev I also took a lot of merit badge courses as a PA student to include NALS(now NRP), PHTLS, ATLS, and ACLS-Instructor. I worked a decent amount as an ACLS instructor, and in fact was one of 3 medics in my class who ended up putting on an ACLS course for the rest of the class.

If you have a particular specialty area of interest not covered in your program(say neonatology) or a potential job lead I can see doing some shadowing time while a student. otherwise, probably not needed.

[tunafish]

To answer "WHY" question - to broaden your clinical horizons, see the specialties you want to work in, most importantly to hone your clinical skills, interview skills, physical exam skills etc.