What do I need to do to get on the right track to getting into PA school?

KHenderson · Post by **KHenderson** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:33 am

I am 20 years old and I am graduating with my bachelors in Family and Human Development in May 2012. My GPA isn't what I was hoping it would be with these classes, and the only science courses I have taken is Chemistry 1 & 2. I am planning on finishing up with this degree then focusing primarily on the science requirements for PA school. Am I on the right track? What else can I be doing to help myself? How do I get patient contact hours?

KHenderson · Post by **KHenderson** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:34 am

I also have no medical experience at all. How do I get my foot in the door?

Post by **PaulK** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:28 pm

My suggestion: finish the dinner on your plate, then think about tomorrow\'s breakfast. Get the best grades you can in your remaining coursework. Have you done any shadowing? It\'s hard to know how you feel about the field until you\'ve done some observing of it in its natural environment. Health care experience can come from many types of settings. Is there one that interests you in particular (ER, psych, a primary care office, etc.) Sometimes going to observe and showing your curiosity and enthusiasm can help you to find a mentor.

It\'s important to make sure that you do well in your prereq courses - A\'s if at all possible. After being in school, maybe taking a year or two off to regroup would be a wise idea. You could spend that time working at a doctor\'s office, or get your EMT and find work in that area, etc. Get yourself psyched about starting the process - that enthusiasm will carry you. If you\'re burnt at all on school and selfconscious about your grades, some time and an dose of experiential learning might be the shot in the arm you need to crush those science courses when you\'re ready. Just a thought. Let us know what you decide, and best of luck. -P

KHenderson · Post by **KHenderson** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:24 pm

While I am finishing up school I am looking into different options to go into the medical field. I have been researching becoming an EMT. Do you feel that this is the best way to go? Do you know if each state has different requirements to becoming an EMT? Who would be the best person to contact to figure out the steps that make the most sense for me?

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me about this. I know where I want to go, I just want to make sure I am doing it the best way.

Also, how do you suggest finding a job in a doctors office. Should I just walk in with my resume?

Post by **PaulK** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:44 pm

I think EMT is the most widely accepted route, but there are others. Yes, each state has its own requirements, and the counties within each state have their regulations as scope of practice, protocols, etc. Any EMT school you go to for instruction will likely teach you the local protocols, plus the national standards. Then when you complete your program, you can take the NREMT (national registry for EMTs) exam to obtain national certification that you can take anywhere. You then register and get an EMT card at the county level where you intend to work, and the NREMT cert will allow this.

I would start by speaking directly with several PA programs, so you know very specifically what they want. Then the undergrad school counseling office where you will be taking prerequisites.

For doctor\'s offices, you can walk in cold, but you should use any and all personal connections you have. Do you know anyone (or anyone who knows anyone) who works in a doctor\'s office? You\'d be surprised at how frequently such jobs are found by working through connections like these.