Beyond Confused About Prerequisites

[TerryBroadhurst]

Hello everyone,

 

My name is Terry and I have been interested in a medical profession for a very long time (currently 28). When I was 17 I fell extremely ill and became disabled, I just recently found out it is due to undiagnosed Lyme Disease.

 

Anyway, that aside, I am hoping to go through treatment and enter college at this later age. My dream of becoming an MD was pretty much pushed aside at this point and I wasn't sure where I could fit in elsewhere. Recently, however, I stumbled upon a site describing the Physician Assistant program and I was intrigued.

 

Having very little college education (I took ONE automotive course in community college) I am a bit overwhelmed with the prerequisites. I thought I might ask the pros here some questions regarding courses, experience, and time frame.

 

In order to get into a PA program, most sites say you need a Bachelor's. Is this true?

If so, how long does this take?

 

In order to get into a PA program, you need two years experience in the health care field? If so, can this be done while you are getting your Bachelors?

 

What sort of experience/jobs are they wanting you to have?

 

Can you get this experience without taking more classes than you're already taking to try and get into the PA program?

 

Sorry for the disjointed manner of my questioning, I'm just a bit worried since I'd be going into this with only a High School education. I'm also worried about the length of time, from beginning to end. I know that I have a sharp mind and would be a good student in any area I chose, so that's not as much of an issue.

 

Thanks in advance to any poor soul who answers this!

 

-Terry

[c0untingstars]

Terry -

 

In the future put posts like this in the pre-PA forum instead of the professional pa one. Yes, you can get health care experience while completing prereqs but remember, its easier to get more experience than to do badly in a class from being overworked and having to retake it. Find an appropriate balance for yourself and always remember to put school first.

 

People come from all sorts of backgrounds, military, medics, emts, cnas, nurses, respiratory therapists, etc. Not to mention the many people who do an entire career switch (like rev ronin). What you do depends on your time and interests. CNA certification is the shortest, followed by EMT, followed by various associate degrees like RT. Look at community college in your area for courses. If you search the forum you will find a lot of information about the different kinds of HCE people have acquired and their experiences with each kind. If you're interested in RT, talk to bellajoy. Apparently in her situation a lot of her RT classes were prereqs for PA, I think this is what you are referring to in your last question. Just watch out for nursing courses that may not be accepted to PA schools.

 

Your bachelor's will take awhile, at my university it was 120 credits. I did it in 4 years, I know people who have done it in 3. I didn't like taking more than 15 credits/semester and I only took one class each summer. I know there are schools that do not require a bachelors (very few, someone on here might be able to point you to one) -- but I would suggest getting it so you don't limit yourself to where you can apply. Also, utilize online courses, community college courses, etc.

 

Are you geographically confined to an area or can you go anywhere? Keep this in mind when deciding what prereqs to take, better to take too many than not be able to apply somewhere because you are missing one. I have seen schools with all of these prereqs in various combinations: inorganic chem I, inorganic chem II, general bio I, general bio II, statistics, algebra/calculus, anatomy, physiology, genetics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, nutrition, physics, intro psych, abnormal psych, life span developmental psych, sociology, english, humanities, ethics, communication. Then you have recommended courses, immunology, histology, cell and molecular biology. You have to worry about pre reqs for pre reqs, so start mapping everything out now. You've got a lot of research ahead of you, use the search function on the forum. PM me with any questions :) I have nothing better to do with my time these days than mope around the forum.

[bellajoy]

Thanks for the shoutout c0ountingstars. :) I guess I am the resident RT person around here now. Absolutely check it out and if you are interested and have questions, please feel free to PM me! There are both associate and bachelor RT programs actually, and yes, a lot of the pre-reqs for the professional part of RT programs are the same pre-reqs for PA school. The only extras you might have to take is organic chem and maybe a few extra upper level bio classes (biochem, genetics, etc). RT really will give you excellent clinical experience (which you will get during school and out), and you are an integral part of the team taking care of patients.

 

I would definitely recommend that route, especially to someone just starting out. It would likely take 3-4 years for the degree(s), and I would also suggest working as an RT for a least a year (I think it takes that long to really get used to hospital life and really feel confident about decision making...which you do a lot of as an RT). But if you are willing to put in 4-5 years and get great grades....you will be a stellar candidate for PA.

 

(I personally have been working as an RT for 3+ years. And, just to summarize my app cycle this year....applied to 12 schools, received 7 interviews, went to 4, waitlisted at 2 and accepted to 2 schools. I will be attending Midwestern University - Downers Grove in June. :) )

[JasonR]

Definitely map out a plan before you jump into prereq's. This will give you an idea of whats ahead. It's worth mentioning that right now you can apply to a PA school that is a bachelor's program, get your BS and PA-C, then after working as a PA do a distance master's degree. This option is quickly fading away though, because most school are going to strictly to a MS or some sort. So planning and talking with different schools will be crucial for you. Here is a list of schools, not exhaustive, but most of them: https://portal.caspaonline.org/applicants2011/faq/ins_programs.htm

[physio]

As JasonR pointed out, the bachelors PA programs that typically students go into straight after high school would be the most 'efficient' route. They have no prereqs, and in 4 years, you could be a PA. I know for a fact there are quite a few in NY. Then they have several post-graduate training programs that you can take while working as a PA to complete. If you have strong highschool grades, it may be a possibility.

[TerryBroadhurst]

Thanks to all the replies! I apologize for the misdirected posting--I'll remember to use the Pre-PA section from now on.

 

Bellajoy: I was snooping around websites and did hear that the RT bachelor's degree did kill a lot of birds with one stone, so to speak. I'm curious that if you train in this field though, will you be relegated to working in it for your entire career? My dream was always to work with an infectious disease specialist, or perhaps in a related field. I am, however, not all that picky. Helping people get well is definitely my calling in life, so wherever that leads me will do.

 

As far as the time frame questions, the last thing I want is to come off looking like I'm wanting an easy ride or a quick fix. I am fully prepared to work hard, so maybe the better word would be "time efficient." The concern mostly stems from beginning medical school so much later than most people do.

[bellajoy]

 

What did you mean by relagated to working in it your entire career? Not sure to answer that really until I get more info. The thing about RT is...we really work everywhere in a hospital, which is really beneficial.

[TerryBroadhurst]

I guess what I meant is, when you finish your PA program, will you be working in the respiratory field only? Or will you be able to spread out into other fields?

[JasonR]

You can practice in whatever field you want, regardless of your prior healthcare experience.

[bellajoy]

Yep...what Jason said. However, I will say, that I believe prior respiratory experience will only help, especially if you go into peds, internal med, family med, critical care....because you will have pretty extensive knowledge in things like asthma, COPD, pulmonary HTN, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, etc, along with resp medications (and correct usage!) and ventilator management. I have not been to PA school yet, so I am not sure how much is learned about these things...but I do work with a lot of new docs fresh out of med school, and I have found that I have had to teach them a lot of things myself (and I have had friends who have gone to med school say that they don't spend much time on resp things at all).

 

So the basic point is I feel RT is great experience prior to PA for above reasons and the fact that you literally go everywhere in the hospital, you treat patients from birth to death, and you will see a little (or a lot) of everything. Plus, depending on how much protocols are used, you may be practicing with quite a bit of autonomy (love therapist driven protocols).

 

However, this is just my opinion that I am a little biased to because I am an RT. You can absolutely major in anything you want and then do any other healthcare experience that you want (CNA, EMT, paramedic, RN, etc). It is all good. Even though there is less emphasis on it these days, it is still important.

[c0untingstars]

haha I'm so glad you joined in on this thread bellajoy, your posts make me wish I was an RT lol!

[JasonR]

haha I'm so glad you joined in on this thread bellajoy, your posts make me wish I was an RT lol!

 

I wish I was a RT too! A RT/PA taught me all I know about vent settings. Got very little of that in school. You should be pretty well versed in asthma, copd, etc regardless of which school you attended....those are staples of primary care.

[bellajoy]

I wish I was a RT too! A RT/PA taught me all I know about vent settings. Got very little of that in school. You should be pretty well versed in asthma, copd, etc regardless of which school you attended....those are staples of primary care.

 

True, but....I cannot even tell you how many times resp meds (esp albuterol) are wrongly prescribed. It is insane. And, yes, the vent management is the biggest thing, for sure. There are so many vent modes out there now...and the RTs are the ones well versed in them. And, different patients are comfortable on different modes...and of course, different modes are used for different purposes as well.

And c0untingstars....too funny! I kinda have hoped that is what my posts would do. :) I really like respiratory and respiratory patients....just feel limited, which is why I am doing PA. Respiratory is awesome experience though.

[TerryBroadhurst]

Yep...what Jason said. However, I will say, that I believe prior respiratory experience will only help, especially if you go into peds, internal med, family med, critical care....because you will have pretty extensive knowledge in things like asthma, COPD, pulmonary HTN, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, etc, along with resp medications (and correct usage!) and ventilator management. I have not been to PA school yet, so I am not sure how much is learned about these things...but I do work with a lot of new docs fresh out of med school, and I have found that I have had to teach them a lot of things myself (and I have had friends who have gone to med school say that they don't spend much time on resp things at all).

 

So the basic point is I feel RT is great experience prior to PA for above reasons and the fact that you literally go everywhere in the hospital, you treat patients from birth to death, and you will see a little (or a lot) of everything. Plus, depending on how much protocols are used, you may be practicing with quite a bit of autonomy (love therapist driven protocols).

 

However, this is just my opinion that I am a little biased to because I am an RT. You can absolutely major in anything you want and then do any other healthcare experience that you want (CNA, EMT, paramedic, RN, etc). It is all good. Even though there is less emphasis on it these days, it is still important.

 

Sounds wonderful, I'm looking forward to seeing how your PA experience works out for you.

[bellajoy]

Sounds wonderful, I'm looking forward to seeing how your PA experience works out for you.

 

Thanks! :) Me too...I am sure it will be quite the journey. And, again, if you have any questions about RT, please PM me. I am happy to help.