Age 21 and starting my first PA job. Nervous about being taken advantage of!

[LizFrank]

-

[Rondaben]

Ok, I'm not a PA (yet).  I'm actually on the other end of the spectrum--i'm 45 and just starting PA school this fall.

First of all, you have done the work and earned the degree.  Be proud of that achievement.

Don't let ANYONE talk down to you.  Everyone is human.  Everyone is going to make mistakes. Its not that you are young that makes you more prone to mistakes, its a lack of experience.  EVERYONE starts at that point whether you are 21 or like me, almost 48 when i start.  

 

Stand your ground, trust your training, be humble but not a doormat.  Know your value and know who you are.

 

You will do fine!

[Katera]

Oh my.....

[SedRate]

Like the title says, I am starting my first job as an orthopedic hospitalist PA and I am very nervous about being the youngest. I know it's important to make a good first impression, but I am worried I will be stepped on by the other PAs/NPs (there are mostly NPs in this group) because I look young. Anyone else been in a similar situation? How do you deal with questions about your age? How should you act in the beginning to appear firm?

You all are part of a team, so make sure you're pulling your weight. Focus on your work, do your homework and be prepared and confident.

 

Regarding how to "act," I hope you have had at least a few jobs under your belt from which you can pull experience. Most of what you're asking about just comes with time. Take note of how respected providers interact and conduct themselves. Turn to the nurses, ancillary staff, mentors, and other PAs/NPs for guidance.

 

Regarding the age question (which I've only gotten a few times), I would smile, tell patients "Old enough," and then move right along.

 

Hope that helps, and good luck!

[EMEDPA]

I was always asked about my age until I grew a beard and started wearing a wedding ring. still get asked when I shave and am in my late 40s.

[LizFrank]

EMEDPA do you have any advice for how to become more assertive and not be defined by age?

[EMEDPA]

start by being honest with yourself and humble with others. if you don't know something, ask. if you do and know you are right, stand by your decisions. remember you can learn from anyone, from techs on the floor to well known specialists. watch how others do things. adopt what you like, reject what you don't. over time this will become your practice style. try to get along with everyone. don't gossip at work. try not to judge others. anytime you see a drug on a patient's med list and you don't know what it is, look it up. I still carry a tarascon pharmacopeia in my pocket every shift for just this reason.

best of luck.

[rev ronin]

Regarding how to "act," I hope you have had at least a few jobs under your belt from which you can pull experience.

Not to pick on the OP, who already has enough problems, but when exactly would these "few jobs" have been?  The OP is obviously bright and academically oriented, but to *start* a PA *job* at *age 21*, that's the equivalent of graduating from high school (yeah, I know, running start, etc.) at age 15 and working straight through college and PA school without any time off.

 

If we're going to keep churning out PAs who *don't* have that experience, we need to start making sure they get clued in on how to conduct themselves elseways.  This board seems like as good a spot as any to me.

[ventana]

start by being honest with yourself and humble with others. if you don't know something, ask. if you do and know you are right, stand by your decisions. remember you can learn from anyone, from techs on the floor to well known specialists. watch how others do things. adopt what you like, reject what you don't. over time this will become your practice style. try to get along with everyone. don't gossip at work. try not to judge others. anytime you see a drug on a patient's med list and you don't know what it is, look it up. I still carry a tarascon pharmacopeia in my pocket every shift for just this reason.

best of luck.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^exceptional advise

 

In general - you are likely going to be the "dumbest smart PA around"   Meaning you are very smart to have gotten where you are already - but now you need to learn the 'real medicine'

 

Be comfortable in saying "I don't know that but let me go find out the answer"

 

Always have at least 3 solutions (Ddx) to every problem you bring up

 

Realize that hospitals and medical offices can be just like kindergarten in the social environment - and in many ways you learned everything you need to interface in kindergarten.  Play nice, share your toys, don't be mean, say thank you.

 

Honestly if you start to struggle I would STRONGLY recommend doing an residency.  You are going to be thrown in the deep end of the pool and expected to deal with some very heavy stuff - and trying to figure out your professional identity, struggling with entering adulthood, and learning the medicine might be overwhelming. 

 

It is amazing that you are practicing at 21 - but realize you have a whole career ahead of your and laying a solid foundation is needed.

 

 

 

BTW you will likely need to change jobs as your medical knowledge expands as you will outgrow the 'position' you are in (meaning peoples expectations of you in the position)

 

 

 

 

Above all be a professional!!

[electric130]

I was not as young as you were, 26 when I started as a PA and had the same concerns.  My first advice would be to show humility and always be willing to learn.  Do not let others take advantage of you, but understand that you are just starting out.  Think before you speak, especially if you are feeling angry or put on the spot. Every PA needs to do that right out of the gate, at 21 or 41, IMO.  

I did have patients frequently ask me my age, if I was old enough to be doing this, etc.....I always smiled and said old enough and that I was well trained and would give them very good care.  I also had no problem stating that if I was not sure about something I was very comfortable consulting with my supervising physician.  

Do not be overbearing or arrogant and do not take the questions about age personally.  If you handle this with grace people will admire you for your hard work and for how young but yet competent you are.  

PAs can get taken advantage of regardless of age, with time you will find your way and hopefully your first position will be a good experience.  

Best of luck to you.

[beattie228]

Don't let anyone on the team make you feel less than simply because you're young. Any new PA needs mentoring and guidance regardless of age of graduation. With that said, surgeons and scrub techs often think they're amateur comedians so you'll definitely need to roll with the punches in terms of folks joking with you about your age but there's a fine line between joking and being unprofessional. My advice is to show eagerness to learn and don't be afraid to ask questions during down time. Also, goes without saying, but read as many of the other providers charts as you can in your free time. It's a good launching off point for how to word your own charts, but also for how the team treats many of the common ailments. 

[MT2PA]

Like the title says, I am starting my first job as an orthopedic hospitalist PA and I am very nervous about being the youngest. I know it's important to make a good first impression, but I am worried I will be stepped on by the other PAs/NPs (there are mostly NPs in this group) because I look young. Anyone else been in a similar situation? How do you deal with questions about your age? How should you act in the beginning to appear firm?

 

You won't just look young, you ARE young!

 

Seriously.  I didn't even graduate undergrad until 22 and while I had no issues fitting into a professional environment, it was admittedly different than being a provider at 22.

 

Know your surroundings.  Be mindful of the culture around you.  Know when you know things and know when you don't.  Be confident but not arrogant.  

 

Honestly, I'd be more concerned about patient's reactions than your coworkers.  Your employer knows you have the credentials - they hired you - but patients may have a hard time trusting you, trusting IN you, etc.  Be prepared for a learning curve both with PA knowledge but also with professional comportment.  All you can do is do your best.  

[SedRate]

Not to pick on the OP, who already has enough problems, but when exactly would these "few jobs" have been? The OP is obviously bright and academically oriented, but to *start* a PA *job* at *age 21*, that's the equivalent of graduating from high school (yeah, I know, running start, etc.) at age 15 and working straight through college and PA school without any time off.

 

If we're going to keep churning out PAs who *don't* have that experience, we need to start making sure they get clued in on how to conduct themselves elseways. This board seems like as good a spot as any to me.

I wasn't trying to be discouraging or belittling. I was trying to tell them to pull from their previous work experience (if any) on how to conduct themselves professionally and assertively rather than us just telling them how to behave. Yeah, sure, their previous experience may not have been much, but they didn't provide any background besides their age so I don't know. I agree that we should take it upon ourselves to clue them in. I do it with each of my students. And that's why I said they need to look around them and lean to their respected colleagues/mentors. Reading our suggestions is also a great way to gain additional insight. Also, think back on their experience on rotations and how they interacted with patients and providers.

[Guest HanSolo]

One of my PA friends was 23 when he started, and he looked younger than he was. He intentionally grew whatever beard he could and put on a few extra pounds. I wouldn't recommend that last part, but it did make him look about 5 years older than he was. 

 

It sounds like you have a cool new job! How did you manage to graduate by age 21? Dive into your work, be humble and kick some butt. Your age may surprise people, but they will respect you if you are competent. 

[GetMeOuttaThisMess]

I echo EMEDPA's recommendation regarding being confident in your decision making in front of the patient, even if inside you're not 100% sold.  I also will openly review my differential with them for potential conditions which could develop (i.e.-bronchitis becoming a secondary pneumonia, especially during flu season).  For areas of concern I also mention their exam findings so that if follow up with their PCP is needed (I'm not their PCP in my clinical setting) they can pass along the exam findings from the date of our visit to their PCP so that the provider has a point of comparision.  This wouldn't necessarily come into play as much in an ortho setting as primary care but is provided as a general statement.

[EMEDPA]

I used to work with a 19 yr old PA. she could order morphine, but not beer.

I agree with Ventana's comment about residency. definitely a good idea.

[Guest Paula]

How does someone become a PA at age 19?  Or even 21 for that matter?  Must be an a certificate or BS program?

[EMEDPA]

graduate high school at 17 as a cna with 2 years experience. attend A.S. level program. voila, PA at 19.

[beattie228]

Two students in my class graduated PA school at 21 or 22. Started college early on top of graduating undergrad in three years. One of them was given a distinguished graduate award for the highest cumulative PA School GPA and was an all around all-star during her training. The program was a Master's level PA program.

[EMEDPA]

there are some combined direct entry 5 yr bs/ms programs out there too.

[LizFrank]

-

[jwells78]

Whether too young or not- you're on the team.

 

You know the questions and concerns you will be confronted with; I would think a huge hurdle for you will be to not take it personal or become defensive.

 

Focus on providing good care and being open and honest. Maybe come up with a funny quip to break the ice- that's always worked for me, and without 5-7 day beard I look like I'm 21, so I am right there with you.

 

Welcome aboard by the way.

[UpRegulated]

(1) Try to get some perspective on age. It cracks me up when people say something like "I'll be 25 before I finish my bachelors!"  GASP. 25?  Isn't that when you start getting letters from AARP? :)  In your 20's, you are not even close to your peak abilities.  You won't hit that until at least your 30's, 40's or 50's.  That is why many change careers during those decades - it takes that long to learn who you are and what you are truly good at. In that regard, there is no difference in a 19 year old or a 29 year old. But in the mind of many 21 year olds, 27 year olds are old people.  That's very typical, and not a criticism at all.  Just keep that in perspective as you join your group as the youngest.

 

(2) Don't go into it with a chip on your shoulder.  If you go in assuming that when you are treated differently than others that it is because of your age, then you are setting yourself up for problems.  Every single human being on the planet will be a "minority" at some point in their lives.  That may be due to age, sex, race, education, geography, economics, whatever.  It is human nature to attribute problems we face to being due to our "minority" status, whatever it may be in a particular job or situation. That prevents us from honest self-reflection and growth, even if the adversity that we are facing really is because of our status in a given situation.

 

(3) Realize that your youth and inexperience can be and often is an asset.  You bring fresh ideas and perspectives, as you will be untainted by enculturation.  But that can cut both ways.  Your relative lack of knowledge and experience compared to those far more experienced than you means you can make a butt of yourself if/when you express an opinion.  At the same time, you are untainted and can see things freshly and differently.  In the business world, from which I came before changing careers as an "old dude," a frequently mentioned adage was that new employees were most productive in their first 2 years of hire because of their fresh perspectives.  That certainly applies to you not only being a young and new PA, but a young and new professional.

 

(4) All of the above is a delicate balancing act.  You've asked for advice, which suggests that you have a healthy sense of awareness.  Nurture that.  And go into to your new career with a relentlessly positive attitude. Be humble, seek opportunities to learn constantly, develop friendships and relationships, find mentors, and work your butt off.

 

Everything I said above is not all at specific to being a PA, BTW.  It applies to everything in life, especially those new to professional careers.

[overthehorizen]

Everybody has a different set of experiences that will prepare them for what lies ahead. We have to be careful about using a chronological yardstick to determine who is ready and who isn't. Some very young people will be exceptionally well prepared to enter medicine at an early age. Their respective programs interviewed them carefully, they were assessed many times on rotations and now they will practice. Their age is not an advantage or disadvantage in practicing. 

[SedRate]

Thank you to everyone who has responded. I attended a direct entry dual degree program. To the practicing PAs- how did you behave initially so your colleagues know you are friendly, but not someone to cross. I guess I am concerned about being treated as a scut monkey in the beginning and not respected because of my young age and lack of seniority. I know it comes with time and being confident of my skills.

The seniority thing exists in most settings, so that might not get lifted.

 

Offer to help when you can but don't set the expectation that you'll always drop everything for everyone anytime. After all, you have your own work to do.

 

Don't allow others to give you a crappy sign-out; nip that in the bud right away.

 

As overthehorizen suggested, don't go in with a chip on your shoulder. Don't go in thinking everyone is out to walk all over you or give you scut work. Remember: you are all a team. Keep this expectation of yourself and your colleagues.

 

Take pride in your work and what you offer to the team.

 

Treat others with respect. That goes for all members of the healthcare team, from cleaning staff to CEOs.

 

Don't take constructive criticisms personally.

 

Don't run to the manager with every little thing. Learn how to communicate with the team and settle any issues yourself, if possible. Put your foot down on issues that compromise patient care.

 

Your attitude, opinion of yourself, and treatment of others will help shape how others view and treat you.