jade_scar Posted January 8, 2013 Hi guys, I'm new here. I've been strolling through these threads for quite some time. My dilemma is, I don't know if I really want to be a PA. I like the idea of practicing medicine and knowing pathophysiology, anatomy & physiology, and how food and other things affect the body. I like the idea of preventative medicine such as exercise science a lot as well. I'm uncertain about it because: -I don't like dealing with sick people period. I don't like the coughing, sneezing, possibly examining a cyst on a patient's butt. -I don't like dealing with sick geriatrics in particular (don't mean to offend anyone by this) -I'd rather avoid blood, mucus, and other body secretions -I went through an EMT course and am about to get certified but can't see myself working as one. Some things were interesting but it didn't thrill me. -I volunteer at a hospital and I've shadowed in the ER several times. It seems okay, but again, nothing greatly appealing to me. I noticed the PAs did a lot of documenting in the computer, which I suppose is necessary (my point is it was just 'okay' to me). -I can deal with people, but not too much. People in general are too much drama for me. So, what do you think, is the PA profession a decent fit for me or not so much? I'm needing some serious direction. You see, I'm going into the Navy, and was going to be a hospital corpsman, but when thinking of their duties, am starting to change my mind. I don't know. Help! (&thanks)
marktheshark89 Posted January 8, 2013 I can't speak to anything regarding your position in the Navy, but as far as becoming a PA it doesn't seem like it would be a good fit for you at all given what you have stated.
jade_scar Posted January 8, 2013 Author Thing is, besides those points I listed, I still have an interest in medicine such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, anatomy & phys. which causes me to only partially grasp the profession.
TThielen Posted January 8, 2013 I only read your title to the post, but if you're questioning yourself then it's probably not the right choice for you.
jade_scar Posted January 8, 2013 Author I don't look at the questioning as being not the right choice, but more trying to figure out if it is the right choice for me.
marktheshark89 Posted January 8, 2013 ever think of becoming a pharmacist? Often times little patient contact, pays well, have to learn all the A/P, patho, and pharm to become one.
Wbepa Posted January 8, 2013 ever think of becoming a pharmacist? Often times little patient contact, pays well, have to learn all the A/P, patho, and pharm to become one. ^Great alternative. Also, have you looked into pathology assistant programs? Obviously, you are still dealing with bodily fluids, but in a much more controlled setting and you would be in a lab with less patient contact. There are anesthesiologist assistant programs as well and the pay is very similar to physician assistants.
Guest Posted January 8, 2013 Sorry to break it to you but no you obviously won't be a great fit for this profession. I also like the pharmacist suggestion. There is also a possibility of med school and then going into research.
primadonna22274 Posted January 8, 2013 Very bad fit. Pharmacy might work for you. Agree with the poster who recommended it.
jade_scar Posted January 8, 2013 Author I did consider pharmacy at one point, but sometimes it just seems boring. I also did lots of research and found that pharmacist jobs are hard to come by. But it is something I'm willing to reconsider though. Thing is, whatever I do (lets say pharmacy school), I actually want to have the drive to go through 6 years of school and be a pharmacist. And I don't know if its there for me. @Wbepa...absolutely nothing to do with being in a lab. Can't stand labs. And I've passed up the thought of anything to do with anesthesiology. But thanks anyways.
Wbepa Posted January 8, 2013 High school biology teacher? I was sitting here trying to come up with something that does not require patient contact or a lab setting and my former job did not even occur to me! I have a Master's Degree in Counseling and worked as adjunct faculty in the psychology department at a community college. You need a PhD for a university setting but not community college. That would solve the problem of not wanting to be in school for a long time as well. If you get hired on full time there are great benefits and you have summers off!
Andreasmo Posted January 8, 2013 No no no, it seems like health care is just not for you. Go to a career counselor. Maybe go into food and exercise science. But trust all of us, this is not the right career choice.
Timon Posted January 8, 2013 How about something in the departmend of health in administration? Maybe radiology? You can always go for a masters in public health since you enjoy preventative medicine and possibly teach later with your masters credential. Just spit balling some ideas.
jade_scar Posted January 8, 2013 Author High school bio teacher = big no no. Those kids would drive me nuts, plus I'm not the teaching type. As for Counseling, I would like to help others, but within the sphere of counseling...I don't think I would be effective at that (don't think I'm suited for that job). @Andreasmo: think you have a good point about healthcare not being for me. I do like food and exercise science but as one may know, it doesn't qualify me for much except a personal trainer and maybe a few other things. @Timon: I was thinking health administration in some way. Sorry guys, don't mean to be difficult just trying to figure out myself more and make a plan (I'm 18).
primadonna22274 Posted January 8, 2013 Quick answer: you're 18. You have no idea what you want. Go to college, take the basics, get good grades. Keep your options open.
Just Steve Posted January 8, 2013 Idea 1. Research function of some sort...still use science, don't have to deal with many people, body fluid exposure is predictable and controllable. Idea 2. Physical therapist: Use a ton of medical knowledge, body fluid exposure is pretty limited. Low volume of patients (8-9 day instead of 20-30) so you're not swamped all day. Idea 3. Animal medicine ie: vet. Still use a ton of medicine, don't deal with a lot of people. Evacuating anal glands doesn't sound very fun to me but there is no perfect job out there. I served 10 years as a Navy Corpsman, joined when I was 17. I can tell you that your future patients have a high chance of sensing your aura of apathy/confusion/lack of motivation. It's a tight shop in the military and once word spreads that you are not up to the task, your time in the service may prove to be rather uncomfortable. Actually..that goes for medicine in general. If you are that up in the air about what to do, take a year off. Call it a gap year. Go gain some life experience backpacking for a few months on a different continent. Volunteer at shelters, get a job where you gotta punch a time clock every day and deal with a boss every day. Why the military? Most of us here are very passionate about medicine. There is no other way to tolerate the grind it takes to get to be a provider. We want our peers to be equally motivated and we tend to shun those who appear waffling/weak/non motivated/not committed. There are hundreds of really motivated folks who know they want to be a PA and will bust their fanny to achieve that goal. As a result, I don't feel super motivated to convince someone to give medicine a shot. It's much easier to say "go do something else" and support the person behind/beside you who wants to be there. It's ok to not know what you want to do when you're 18...TONS of folks have no idea. Gaining life experience will expose you to more options and ensure a better fit for you down the road. There will not be another time in your life where it is so easy to just be a vagabond for a bit. Good luck
jade_scar Posted January 8, 2013 Author I've already went to college for a semester, community college. I need to get out of this town I'm in and I need to get out of my house. I already have a part time job working for a boss doing dietary aide work in a nursing home which sucks. I need to get away from that as well. Thing is, I thought I was passionate about medicine, I thought/think that I really want to be a PA. But it seems like now I'm very unsure, and for healthcare in general. And as for gaining life experience I believe the military would be a great place for me to do it. All I know is that I need a big change and soon. I'm keeping my options very open. Well I just want to thank you guys for all your help in answering my original question.
Just Steve Posted January 8, 2013 http://www.americorps.gov http://www.peacecorps.gov http://careers.state.gov/work/opportunities
mackjacks Posted January 8, 2013 As for Counseling, I would like to help others, but within the sphere of counseling...I don't think I would be effective at that (don't think I'm suited for that job). I think they meant you should see a counselor, not be one. I was going to suggest RD but if you work in dietetics now and don't like it maybe that's not a good choice. So what do you like? Maybe a biomedical engineering degree would be a good fit if you are also good at math in addition to the interests you mentioned. I have friends with that degree who do awesome research and design new surgical instruments.
Andreasmo Posted January 9, 2013 I was thinking along the lines of dietician with food/ exercise science.
MediMike Posted January 9, 2013 Exercise Physiology. Awesome field, great science foundation, and with your degree you can branch off into several other things (Covers almost all pre-reqs for PT etc.)
cinntsp Posted January 9, 2013 You're 18 with a single semester of college under your belt. Keep going to school and it'll come to you as time goes on. Most people don't know what they want at your age and that's normal.
KMill Posted January 10, 2013 Biostatistician; Surgical Technologist; Cytotechnologist; Health Care or Hospital Administation; Teacher; Counselor; Clergy; nutritionist; medical malpractice lawyer. (I'm 17 & am going to 5 year BS/MS PA school in fall & Like patient contact). Good luck!
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