Paul,
I was wondering what were the biggest challenges you faced in PA school. My supplemental application asks what I think they will be. Of course the first and foremost would be the strain that it will put on my family financially and emotionally. I was just wondering what and if you had any other major challenges.
Thanks for your time and will understand if you can't get back to me.
Respectfully,
Anthony
Question for you Paul
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JasonSchwartzman
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:42 am
Re: Question for you Paul
Disrespect across the board! It doesn't get better. No matter how hard you try. Also, a constant push to produce the # to increase their bottom-line. You do more shift while they do less and take more vacations.
Re: Question for you Paul
Hi, Seeingred!
I'm not at all sure what user JasonSchwartzmann was getting at. I've felt nothing but respect from 99% of those I've come across. I might even go as far as 99.8%.
In my opinion, there is nothing about being a PA that earns you less respect. If someone else feels this way, I would guess that it has more to do with them as a person/personality than their choice of PA over some other degree/field. There are well respected physicians, nurses, nurse practioners, physician assistants, just as there are poorly respected ones. My belief has always been that if you do good work, are conscientious, and are kind and respectful, you will be respected by others, no matter what letters come after your name. Also, there are some workplaces that push you to see more patients to bring in money, but it definitely doesn't have to be that way. Most clinic owners/managers are ethical and interested in patient welfare first - you can work without bringing in a profit (or a small one, at least), but you'll be out of business quickly if you don't provide good care for your patients, and you'll probably lose your license.
Anyway, your question was about PA school anyway, not working as a PA. PA school is about wanting to learn more than you will ever have time for (in a lifetime) in two or three years. You are constantly relearning information. You are surrounded by things you wish you understood better. The drinking from a firehose metaphor is used a lot and it's pretty apt, actually. Either that, or eating from a conveyor belt; it may not go way too fast, but it never stops, not even for a second.
Yes, demands on family during PA school are somewhat extreme. There were several divorces in my class. Parents don't get nearly enough time with their kids. But on the bright side, it's only two years - a blink of the eye - and the opportunities you make for yourself there put you in a good position to provide for your family in the future, do work you enjoy, and still have a relationship with your family. I work 40 hours per week, which is less than many in business, for example.
Finally, PA school is just plain exhausting. You don't get enough sleep. You are required to pass some tough exams if you hope to graduate, and you have many, many patients to see before it's all over.
But I loved it, and I hope you will too.
Paul
I'm not at all sure what user JasonSchwartzmann was getting at. I've felt nothing but respect from 99% of those I've come across. I might even go as far as 99.8%.
In my opinion, there is nothing about being a PA that earns you less respect. If someone else feels this way, I would guess that it has more to do with them as a person/personality than their choice of PA over some other degree/field. There are well respected physicians, nurses, nurse practioners, physician assistants, just as there are poorly respected ones. My belief has always been that if you do good work, are conscientious, and are kind and respectful, you will be respected by others, no matter what letters come after your name. Also, there are some workplaces that push you to see more patients to bring in money, but it definitely doesn't have to be that way. Most clinic owners/managers are ethical and interested in patient welfare first - you can work without bringing in a profit (or a small one, at least), but you'll be out of business quickly if you don't provide good care for your patients, and you'll probably lose your license.
Anyway, your question was about PA school anyway, not working as a PA. PA school is about wanting to learn more than you will ever have time for (in a lifetime) in two or three years. You are constantly relearning information. You are surrounded by things you wish you understood better. The drinking from a firehose metaphor is used a lot and it's pretty apt, actually. Either that, or eating from a conveyor belt; it may not go way too fast, but it never stops, not even for a second.
Yes, demands on family during PA school are somewhat extreme. There were several divorces in my class. Parents don't get nearly enough time with their kids. But on the bright side, it's only two years - a blink of the eye - and the opportunities you make for yourself there put you in a good position to provide for your family in the future, do work you enjoy, and still have a relationship with your family. I work 40 hours per week, which is less than many in business, for example.
Finally, PA school is just plain exhausting. You don't get enough sleep. You are required to pass some tough exams if you hope to graduate, and you have many, many patients to see before it's all over.
But I loved it, and I hope you will too.
Paul
Re: Question for you Paul
Hi Paul,
I will be applying to PA school next year but I am already starting to conjure ideas regarding my personal statement. I am trying to figure out what the main concept of this statement should be, for example is it is more of a why I chose PA over another medical profession such as MD or nursing, or simply why PA?
Thank you!
I will be applying to PA school next year but I am already starting to conjure ideas regarding my personal statement. I am trying to figure out what the main concept of this statement should be, for example is it is more of a why I chose PA over another medical profession such as MD or nursing, or simply why PA?
Thank you!
Re: Question for you Paul
It's a good question, and our next post (another video) will address this.
But the short version is: they ask you why you want to be a PA, but what THEY REALLY WANT TO KNOW is more along the lines of ...
TELL US WHY YOU? WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU? WHY SHOULD WE SELECT YOU OVER THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CANDIDATES.
Watch for the video for details.
Paul
But the short version is: they ask you why you want to be a PA, but what THEY REALLY WANT TO KNOW is more along the lines of ...
TELL US WHY YOU? WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU? WHY SHOULD WE SELECT YOU OVER THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CANDIDATES.
Watch for the video for details.
Paul