Hey guys I just had a question how do you become a PA? I graduated from h.s in 09 and havent returned to school...if someone could tell me step by step on what I need to do to become a PA and the requirements I would appreciate it. Ive heard soo man different things like you have to have 4 years of medical field experience. Im stuck in a mind boggaling situation because theres so much information its overwhelming..
J.B
What are the steps to become a PA?
Re: What are the steps to become a PA?
Hey, JB. That\'s a great question. I definitely remember how confusing it was to get started on the process. Assuming that you\'re sure that this is what you want to do (truly the first step), then the following ideas come to mind. Other forum members, please add a comment if you think of something that I leave out.
1) Find the programs that you might be interested in applying to. You can find a list at the American Accreditation and Review Committee for PAs website at http://www.arc-pa.org/acc_programs/ or you can get more detailed information (for $35/year) at the PAEA website at http://www.paeaonline.org/index.php?ht= ... /pid/25515. I should add that some time this summer Inside PA Training will be coming out with it\'s iphone app, which will link you to much of this information.
2) Call the schools that interest you and ask for their information packet. Certain prerequisites that vary depending on schools, and the only way to know for sure is to check with them. I recommend starting a file for each school. You can keep notes on what you learn about them in the file too. Some school will have a videoconference or webinar to tell you about their program. Attend this and listen carefully for what they are looking for. Every school is different!
3) Complete your prerequisite courses. Most programs will require a BS/BA in any major. Some will allow you to apply with and AS/AA if their program offers a certificate and not a masters (find out which they offer). You should know that most programs are going towards the masters, so your chances will be much improved if you get your bachelor\'s degree. Science prerequisites typically include a semester each in anatomy, physiology (or a year of combined A&P), microbiology, human anthropology, chemistry, psychology, and possibly statistics.
4) During or after #3 above, you should try to find some work experience with patients. Schools again vary in how much they require and what type. There is a thread started in this forum on it already. Anyway, I think 500-1000 hours is typical. Some schools don\'t actually use the word REQUIRED, and they do this so that they can let someone in without any experience in if they choose to. Don\'t rely on this. Also, don\'t let your lack of sufficient patient experience hours keep you from applying anywhere NO MATTER WHAT THE SCHOOL SAYS. What\'s the worst that can happen? EMT work is generally regarded as the quickest way to get relevant experience, but there are many others. Shadowing is also helpful, but some schools won\'t count shadowing hours, so you should ideally try to volunteer or work in a medically related field.
5) Start a CASPA application at www.caspaonline.org. CASPA is a clearing house for most PA school admissions committees. You apply electronically to CASPA on their site, and they validate your transcripts and letters of recommendation and then transmit an identical copy of your application to each school you designate (and pay for). There is a 1-page essay as part of the CASPA app. Whatever your situation, this essay is your big chance to get them interested in you. NOTE: a few schools do not use CASPA. I know very little about these, but they must have their own application process.
6) Keep working on your healthcare experience, reading about the field, and talking to everyone you can who has been to a school that interests you. Make sure to shadow a PA so that when you get to #8 (below) you won\'t look like a fool.
7) Some schools will send a secondary application that asks questions that are not part of the standard CASPA app. Complete this and return it promptly. Some will charge a fee just to read it, and I think it\'s totally unethical, but if you want to become a PA...
Interview. Generally this is a one-time, in-person interview. Some take all day, some an hour. Some are with a single person, mine was with a panel. I\'ve heard that some have you complete some sort of strange group exercise while being observed. Many students have read the same tired books that are out there about how to get into PA school, complete with pat interview question responses, and the admissions committees are wising up and getting more creative in their selection methods.
9) Apply for financial aid as soon as you are accepted.
There\'s a lot there. After I had my bachelor\'s, the process took me about two years, but I already had some health care experience. I might also add that it never hurts to go to CASPA now to get familiar with the application (you can sign up even if you don\'t submit the resulting app) so you\'ll have an idea how to organize your efforts.
Please keep us informed of your progress, and tell everyone you know about IPAT and this forum! -P
Select:
How to get started and become a PA
Post Posted Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:09 pm by hiker80
Thanks!
Select:
How to get started and become a PA
Post Posted Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:23 pm by Medic97
Hey pkubin,
If you can i would sticky this somewhere we can all find it. I happend on this link in another thread and it was exactly what i was about to post a new topic about.
My story is similar to the OP. Im a Paramedic in NYC and recently married. I realized that this field just doesn\'t cut it financially, so i was torn what to do. I recently made a decision that since i anyways need to get my BA, i should get on as a PA and try to do Pre-med along with it. This was if medical school is an option i would have it all done already. If it turns out not to be an option then i will be happy as PA. Here in NY there are a few programs that accept the AS/AA and give you a BA when your done the course i figure this is the shortest rout for me. So i sent an application to CUNY and hope to get into a community collage just to get my pre-reqs out of the way. my only concern is that i never took the SAT and cant get my HS transcripts. But hopefully they take me in and i can get a move on. Once i make a decision i get antsy waiting for it start...
If you have any tips for me I would love to hear them.
btw GREAT website you guys got.
-Medic
Select:
How to get started and become a PA
Post Posted Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:11 pm by PaulK
Thanks, Medic - I\'m looking into how to sticky the convo, since it\'s definitely one that people find and like. I wish you luck - hopefully your schooling will make it clear to you whether PA vs MD is the best fit for you.
SUCCESS.
Paul
1) Find the programs that you might be interested in applying to. You can find a list at the American Accreditation and Review Committee for PAs website at http://www.arc-pa.org/acc_programs/ or you can get more detailed information (for $35/year) at the PAEA website at http://www.paeaonline.org/index.php?ht= ... /pid/25515. I should add that some time this summer Inside PA Training will be coming out with it\'s iphone app, which will link you to much of this information.
2) Call the schools that interest you and ask for their information packet. Certain prerequisites that vary depending on schools, and the only way to know for sure is to check with them. I recommend starting a file for each school. You can keep notes on what you learn about them in the file too. Some school will have a videoconference or webinar to tell you about their program. Attend this and listen carefully for what they are looking for. Every school is different!
3) Complete your prerequisite courses. Most programs will require a BS/BA in any major. Some will allow you to apply with and AS/AA if their program offers a certificate and not a masters (find out which they offer). You should know that most programs are going towards the masters, so your chances will be much improved if you get your bachelor\'s degree. Science prerequisites typically include a semester each in anatomy, physiology (or a year of combined A&P), microbiology, human anthropology, chemistry, psychology, and possibly statistics.
4) During or after #3 above, you should try to find some work experience with patients. Schools again vary in how much they require and what type. There is a thread started in this forum on it already. Anyway, I think 500-1000 hours is typical. Some schools don\'t actually use the word REQUIRED, and they do this so that they can let someone in without any experience in if they choose to. Don\'t rely on this. Also, don\'t let your lack of sufficient patient experience hours keep you from applying anywhere NO MATTER WHAT THE SCHOOL SAYS. What\'s the worst that can happen? EMT work is generally regarded as the quickest way to get relevant experience, but there are many others. Shadowing is also helpful, but some schools won\'t count shadowing hours, so you should ideally try to volunteer or work in a medically related field.
5) Start a CASPA application at www.caspaonline.org. CASPA is a clearing house for most PA school admissions committees. You apply electronically to CASPA on their site, and they validate your transcripts and letters of recommendation and then transmit an identical copy of your application to each school you designate (and pay for). There is a 1-page essay as part of the CASPA app. Whatever your situation, this essay is your big chance to get them interested in you. NOTE: a few schools do not use CASPA. I know very little about these, but they must have their own application process.
6) Keep working on your healthcare experience, reading about the field, and talking to everyone you can who has been to a school that interests you. Make sure to shadow a PA so that when you get to #8 (below) you won\'t look like a fool.
7) Some schools will send a secondary application that asks questions that are not part of the standard CASPA app. Complete this and return it promptly. Some will charge a fee just to read it, and I think it\'s totally unethical, but if you want to become a PA...
Interview. Generally this is a one-time, in-person interview. Some take all day, some an hour. Some are with a single person, mine was with a panel. I\'ve heard that some have you complete some sort of strange group exercise while being observed. Many students have read the same tired books that are out there about how to get into PA school, complete with pat interview question responses, and the admissions committees are wising up and getting more creative in their selection methods.9) Apply for financial aid as soon as you are accepted.
There\'s a lot there. After I had my bachelor\'s, the process took me about two years, but I already had some health care experience. I might also add that it never hurts to go to CASPA now to get familiar with the application (you can sign up even if you don\'t submit the resulting app) so you\'ll have an idea how to organize your efforts.
Please keep us informed of your progress, and tell everyone you know about IPAT and this forum! -P
Select:
How to get started and become a PA
Post Posted Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:09 pm by hiker80
Thanks!
Select:
How to get started and become a PA
Post Posted Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:23 pm by Medic97
Hey pkubin,
If you can i would sticky this somewhere we can all find it. I happend on this link in another thread and it was exactly what i was about to post a new topic about.
My story is similar to the OP. Im a Paramedic in NYC and recently married. I realized that this field just doesn\'t cut it financially, so i was torn what to do. I recently made a decision that since i anyways need to get my BA, i should get on as a PA and try to do Pre-med along with it. This was if medical school is an option i would have it all done already. If it turns out not to be an option then i will be happy as PA. Here in NY there are a few programs that accept the AS/AA and give you a BA when your done the course i figure this is the shortest rout for me. So i sent an application to CUNY and hope to get into a community collage just to get my pre-reqs out of the way. my only concern is that i never took the SAT and cant get my HS transcripts. But hopefully they take me in and i can get a move on. Once i make a decision i get antsy waiting for it start...
If you have any tips for me I would love to hear them.
btw GREAT website you guys got.
-Medic
Select:
How to get started and become a PA
Post Posted Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:11 pm by PaulK
Thanks, Medic - I\'m looking into how to sticky the convo, since it\'s definitely one that people find and like. I wish you luck - hopefully your schooling will make it clear to you whether PA vs MD is the best fit for you.
SUCCESS.
Paul
Re: What are the steps to become a PA?
The education and training for physician assistant programs generally takes 1-4 years for completion. There are several training programs held for physician assistants training and their knowledge sources are academic health centers, medical colleges, four year degree colleges, vocational schools, community colleges, online studies and hospitals. The site http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm has included all the details about this career.
There are many programs having affiliations with renowned universities and you should choose only those institutes for study because it will only lead them to get a reputed job option.
There are many programs having affiliations with renowned universities and you should choose only those institutes for study because it will only lead them to get a reputed job option.