PAS2014 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Good morning! I am currently in my clinical year and thus far still haven't totally figured out what I "want to do when I grow up". I have a few specialties in mind, but have not narrowed anything down. My boyfriend and I want to do a little adventuring before we settle in, and we were considering doing some wilderness or other locum tenen type work for awhile until I figure it out. I have been very indecisive in my future - there is so much I'd like to do, medicine-wise! I realize some locums likely are not well-suited for new graduates, but was hoping that some of you seasoned PAs may have good ideas for future graduates in this realm. We currently live in the Midwest and are hoping for a few months to a year of locums in Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, or anywhere similar. We would consider leaving the country, too, although I imagine the headache of doing so would be too great... Any feedback or guidance is appreciated. I do not graduate until May, but am hoping to have a plan - either to stay and find a job, or go and travel around - by the time I take my boards. Thank you in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatswain2PA Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 We currently live in the Midwest and are hoping for a few months to a year of locums in Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, or anywhere similar. We would consider leaving the country, too, although I imagine the headache of doing so would be too great... If you are anywhere near a "typical new PA graduate" (ie: very young, minimal prior medical experience, etc), then this is a terrible idea for you. You named off some low population places, which means you will likely be single coverage ED and/or clinic. If you don't have SIGNIFICANT prior healthcare experience (ie: paramedic, ED nurse, etc) then you will very likely be thrown to the wolves, and the wolves will kill your patients. If you are a prior paramedic or ED nurse, then go for it. Otherwise, get some experience under your belt before you fly solo. Your patients, and your patient's families, will appreciate it. Just my $.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAdamsPAC Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Yes, go get at least 3-5 years experience in Emergency Medicine , Internal Medicine some General & Orthopedic Surgery time, the appropriate initials type certifications(ACLS>PALS<ATLS) then start applying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator True Anomaly Posted July 15, 2015 Moderator Share Posted July 15, 2015 Couldn't agree more with the others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBanner Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Agree. You will have so many questions and so many problems in a solo ED/UC/PCP setting. Get experience first. In many ways starting out as a PA is like starting from scratch. You learn the foundations in school but rotations just do not approximate the real responsibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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