DPM to PA Transition

[Bolphunga]

Hi, everyone. New to this forum here.

I am currently a podiatry resident about to finish up my 1st year of a 3 year long podiatry residency. Throughout the past year working as a podiatry resident I have really been considering making the switch into becoming a PA. Although I love healthcare, I do not think I can see myself working as a podiatrist and being limited in scope of practice to just the foot and ankle for the rest of my life, and it wasn't something that I truly realized until rotating with internal medicine and their specialties such as ID and rheumatology in my residency. I also love working in the OR and assisting with surgical procedures but don't really see myself being a surgeon full time. 

Why not take the MD/DO path some might say. Well I thought about that too but to retake the MCAT and go through 4 more years of school including 3+ years of residency is not something I want to do. However, I am prepared to go back to school to become a PA. And the flexibility of being able to explore and work in multiple areas of medicine and surgery that the PA field offers is something that is truly appealing to me. The cost of going back to graduate school can be burden but I have been interested in potentially applying for an HPSP scholarship and working as a PA in the military. I have actually considered working as a podiatrist in the military as well but the opportunities for podiatry is just not as prevalent as opposed to other fields such as MD or PA.

Now I don't plan on leaving my residency to go 100% into pre-PA. I do want to continue my current training where I can save some money from my resident salary and continue to gain healthcare experience, and was thinking of possibly applying the following year.

I was wondering if anyone here would have any similar experiences, and insight and advice into making this transition that they wouldn't mind sharing or getting into contact with me. Thanks!

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

If you complete residency with good marks, have good grades from DPM, decent basic science GPA, I don’t see any reason you wouldn’t get in. It’s a first that I’ve heard of it and curious why you would leave for lesser pay, but hey, I’ll be the first to admit pay isn’t everything.

I do have questions about the legal logistics of having two license, both limited in different ways. I mean, in an ideal world it shouldn’t be a problem, but someone may make it so. I know the military won’t care. They’ll let you do both without batting an eye. 

[Bolphunga]

Thank you so much for the input! The pay is something I have considered and money aside I think being able to have that flexibility that a PA offers in terms of other specialities and also where/when I can work as opposed to being a podiatrist would provide me more satisfaction in terms of my career. 

That is very true and probably institution specific, and also if I decide to pursue a podiatry license as well which I don't I'd plan on doing if don't want to want to do surgeries as a lot of the non-operative aspects of podiatry can be incorporated into a PA practice.