My fist post was an interview with Audrey Lively, a newly graduated PA. Now that she's a year out, I was able to do a follow up and see what thought she had about her first year as a PA. Check it out!
1) What has your first year as a PA-C been like?
I work for the University of Texas as a PA in orthopaedic trauma at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. We are a team of 6 attending surgeons, 2 fellows, 3 PAs, 1 NP, and 4 residents that rotate on a 4 month basis. My first year as a PA has been amazing. I am extremely fortunate to be working with a team of brilliant attending surgeons and supportive midlevel providers. The amount of information I have learned over the past year in my specialty surprises me daily. My basic job description is to arrive at the hospital by 6AM, when the team meets to cover all of our current inpatients and review the consults that came in over the previous 24 hours. We then disperse to begin rounding, prepping patients for surgery, and assisting in surgery. One day a week I am in clinic, where I see our hospital follow ups and new patients. When we are running short-handed or my physician is on call, I help with the consults that come through the ER.
2) What's different at work now compared to when you first started?
I have gained a lot more responsibility as my attending has trained me over the past year and come to trust my judgement on interpreting x-rays and making decisions regarding surgery. My surgeon's goal was that we become "one person who can be in two places at once," and I feel we have accomplished that. My comfort level has also greatly increased since starting one year ago as I have learned from other members of my team and attended conferences.
3) What surprised you about being a PA-C? What do you wish you had known when you graduated?
I had this false idea going into PA school that when I graduated I would be a pro in everything and just have to stay up to date on topics, but otherwise know just about everything I needed to know. However, I quickly learned that this is not the case when you make the choice to go into a specialty. Every day is an opportunity to learn. The physicians I work with attended 4 years of med school, 5 years of orthopaedic residency, and at least a one year fellowship in orthopaedic trauma. I was surprised by how much I still needed to learn and continue to learn on a daily basis to keep up with them.
4) Do you see yourself staying in this area of practice? What do you like about it?
I do see myself staying in orthopaedics. I really enjoy the broad population with whom I work. We have treated patients as young as 2 weeks and as old as 98 years. It is also a great opportunity to learn and maintain knowledge in anatomy. PAs are able to do quite a bit in the field, including seeing clinic patients, ER consults, assisting in surgery, performing injections, reducing fractures, and applying splints and casts. Working in a hospital setting, I am also able to continue to use my medical knowledge in managing my inpatient's labs and chronic medical conditions. The knowledge learned in orthopaedics can always be carried over to urgent care, primary care, or emergency medicine as well if I ever did decide to switch fields.
5) Any advise for future PA students? What should we do to prepare for a program? What about preparing for the "real world?"
My advice to future PA students is to stay committed during the didactic year. It gets really tough trying to keep up with everything, but it will be worth it in the end. When students would complain about exams, my program director would always say "Every patient is a test." This statement could not be more true. The information learned in school will be vital later as your future patient looks at you and asks what is wrong with them. In preparing for a program I would suggest refreshing on your anatomy and physiology, which are the basis for what you will learn. Beyond that you will find out what you need to know in school. In preparing for the "real world," just remember that you should never stop learning. Medicine is a constantly evolving field and will pass you by if you don't keep up. Read journals and take the time to read a few of the emails with which your account will be flooded after graduation regarding new medications and treatments. Most importantly, keep in mind the reason you chose to go into PA school in the first place.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
How to conduct a Mock Interview
Mock interviews are very useful, especially if you know you have an interview coming up. The more comfortable you are in practice interviews, the more comfortable you will be in the actual interview. Before beginning my journey towards PA school, I was a recruiter for 5 years. In that time, I interviewed multiple people every week, coached them for interviews, and even ran a mock interview from time to time. Here are some suggestions on how to run a proper and helpful Mock Interview:
Setup
- Treat the Mock Interview as if it were real. Dress the part if you are not accustomed to wearing interview clothes. Be early. Have your questions ready. Be ready to take notes. Use a laptop only if you will use one in the interview. Recording the interview is a great way to learn, even if you won't record the real one.
- Have one person interview the other with 5-6 questions. Again, act as if you are in a real interview. Address one another professionally. Sit up tall. Make eye contact. Speak clearly. The questions should include "Tell me about yourself." "Why do you want to be a PA?"
- At the end, go over it with each other. Share notes. What did you like about their response? What did their body language tell you? Any difficult questions that should be practiced? Go over each response and note what you liked and didn't like. Don't neglect the positive aspects.
- Treat the Mock Interview as if it were real. Dress the part if you are not accustomed to wearing interview clothes. Be early. Have your questions ready. Be ready to take notes. Use a laptop only if you will use one in the interview. Recording the interview is a great way to learn, even if you won't record the real one.
- Have one person interview the other with 5-6 questions. Again, act as if you are in a real interview. Address one another professionally. Sit up tall. Make eye contact. Speak clearly. The questions should include "Tell me about yourself." "Why do you want to be a PA?"
- At the end, go over it with each other. Share notes. What did you like about their response? What did their body language tell you? Any difficult questions that should be practiced? Go over each response and note what you liked and didn't like. Don't neglect the positive aspects.
- Trade seats and trade roles. If you have several people, you can set up a rotation. I would suggest getting faculty involved, or at least someone who regularly conducts interviews. They will have valuable feedback.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Neurosurgery PA-C Interview
Here's an interview with a Neurosurgery PA-C
1) Why did you choose PA as your career?
Initially, I was considering becoming a physician, and the more I looked into it, the PA field is much more portable. I would not be tied down to a practice location, or specialty. I also like the idea of having an attending physician available to me at all times to provide ongoing consultation, and education which continues to mold my clinical judgment.
2) Where did you go to PA school? How did you choose?
I applied to probably 7 different schools in TX, NY, IL and FL. The TX schools I chose because they were for the most part, "local". The others, I chose because they offered entry within a few weeks of my completing my pre requisites. So, I could start pretty much immediately. The other thing I took into consideration was, was whether the program went year round with few breaks, versus on a traditional semester system. For me it was important to start and finish and begin working as a PA in the shortest time possible. And, for all those reasons, I chose Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale FL.
3) What do you do as a neuro PA? What does a normal day/week look like for you?
Typically, I have 1/2 day clinic on Mondays, full day on Wednesdays. OR cases are scheduled for Monday afternoon and Tues, Thurs and Friday. We do 7-15 brain and spine cases per week, and I see 25-30 pt in clinic, then do rounds and consults at 5 different hospitals. There is another PA who shares the patient burden with me, and he is a great asset. I am "on call" every other weekend, which means all hospital rounds and cases, and I help 3 surgeons during those times. Not all of them require assistance every weekend, though. I always make myself available to the other physicians, nurses, and hospital staff at any time, and they all have my cell number. In this specialty, it is critical that the communication be uninterrupted so problems can be taken care of quickly. There are no "normal" days in Neurosurgery! Each one is full of new challenges, and I relish that. The environment is fast paced and can be stressful, but I am part of a team and we trust and support each other tremendously and that makes all the difference in the world.
4) How did you get connected to your current practice? Have you worked in other areas of practice?
A "headhunter" contacted me about my current position. In the past, I have used the healthEcareers webiste on the AAPA site. I have worked in Neurology, Neuro Interventional Radiology and Physical Medicine and Rehab, as well as Neurosurgery.
5) I've read some people in specialty practice would prefer a more specialty focused PANRE. Do you like reviewing the generalist helps you as a PA or would you prefer to focus further into your specialty?
My field is so specialized, that I like having to refresh myself with the generalist PANRE. I refamiliarize myself with skills and treatments I do not get to use on a daily basis. It makes me a more well rounded PA with skills and knowledge that cross over into to other areas. If I can recognize a patient's acute cholecystitis, or UTI, it keeps me from ordering what may be an unnecessary MRI of the spine when I can treat and manage these other issues and get them the care they need.
6) The PA profession is continuing to grow, with new legislation, more PAs in medical leadership, and practicing in new areas. What would you like to see happen next professionally?
I am pleased that the PA profession is growing and more recognized in communities, & branching into other practice areas in order to serve patients. Going forward, I would like to see PAs more recognized as legitimate providers of high quality care by more of the medical community and lay people. The more active we are with supervising physicians in promoting the field, the more receptive patients will be to our involvement. Professionally, I would like to see more partnering and discussion with, and among mid-levels, Independent practitioners NPs and PAs, regarding best practices and how to better serve patients and our supervising physicians to expedite the best and most cost effective care for patients.
7) In addition to shadowing and getting good grades, any advice for future applicants?
Remember PA school is a great experience but is just the beginning. Being a PA is a commitment, and very fulfilling. Getting good grades is important, but once out of school, thinking quickly about how to solve problems is extremely important, and the ability to do so under stress.
1) Why did you choose PA as your career?
Initially, I was considering becoming a physician, and the more I looked into it, the PA field is much more portable. I would not be tied down to a practice location, or specialty. I also like the idea of having an attending physician available to me at all times to provide ongoing consultation, and education which continues to mold my clinical judgment.
2) Where did you go to PA school? How did you choose?
I applied to probably 7 different schools in TX, NY, IL and FL. The TX schools I chose because they were for the most part, "local". The others, I chose because they offered entry within a few weeks of my completing my pre requisites. So, I could start pretty much immediately. The other thing I took into consideration was, was whether the program went year round with few breaks, versus on a traditional semester system. For me it was important to start and finish and begin working as a PA in the shortest time possible. And, for all those reasons, I chose Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale FL.
3) What do you do as a neuro PA? What does a normal day/week look like for you?
Typically, I have 1/2 day clinic on Mondays, full day on Wednesdays. OR cases are scheduled for Monday afternoon and Tues, Thurs and Friday. We do 7-15 brain and spine cases per week, and I see 25-30 pt in clinic, then do rounds and consults at 5 different hospitals. There is another PA who shares the patient burden with me, and he is a great asset. I am "on call" every other weekend, which means all hospital rounds and cases, and I help 3 surgeons during those times. Not all of them require assistance every weekend, though. I always make myself available to the other physicians, nurses, and hospital staff at any time, and they all have my cell number. In this specialty, it is critical that the communication be uninterrupted so problems can be taken care of quickly. There are no "normal" days in Neurosurgery! Each one is full of new challenges, and I relish that. The environment is fast paced and can be stressful, but I am part of a team and we trust and support each other tremendously and that makes all the difference in the world.
4) How did you get connected to your current practice? Have you worked in other areas of practice?
A "headhunter" contacted me about my current position. In the past, I have used the healthEcareers webiste on the AAPA site. I have worked in Neurology, Neuro Interventional Radiology and Physical Medicine and Rehab, as well as Neurosurgery.
5) I've read some people in specialty practice would prefer a more specialty focused PANRE. Do you like reviewing the generalist helps you as a PA or would you prefer to focus further into your specialty?
My field is so specialized, that I like having to refresh myself with the generalist PANRE. I refamiliarize myself with skills and treatments I do not get to use on a daily basis. It makes me a more well rounded PA with skills and knowledge that cross over into to other areas. If I can recognize a patient's acute cholecystitis, or UTI, it keeps me from ordering what may be an unnecessary MRI of the spine when I can treat and manage these other issues and get them the care they need.
6) The PA profession is continuing to grow, with new legislation, more PAs in medical leadership, and practicing in new areas. What would you like to see happen next professionally?
I am pleased that the PA profession is growing and more recognized in communities, & branching into other practice areas in order to serve patients. Going forward, I would like to see PAs more recognized as legitimate providers of high quality care by more of the medical community and lay people. The more active we are with supervising physicians in promoting the field, the more receptive patients will be to our involvement. Professionally, I would like to see more partnering and discussion with, and among mid-levels, Independent practitioners NPs and PAs, regarding best practices and how to better serve patients and our supervising physicians to expedite the best and most cost effective care for patients.
7) In addition to shadowing and getting good grades, any advice for future applicants?
Remember PA school is a great experience but is just the beginning. Being a PA is a commitment, and very fulfilling. Getting good grades is important, but once out of school, thinking quickly about how to solve problems is extremely important, and the ability to do so under stress.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
PA Week!
It's PA week so be sure to check out all the things that are happening to raise awareness of the profession and increase preventative care in our communities! Check out TAPA, AAPA, and other PA organizations to find out what's happening in your area!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
PA-C running a business
Here's a unique interview: a PA who, after praticing clinically, started a health care related business: Medelita.
1) What made you interested in health care? Why did you become a PA?
I was actually pre-nursing at Emory University (undergrad) and after volunteering extensively at Grady Hospital (the big, inner-city hospital in Atlanta) I realized that I wanted to be more a part of the clinical decision making process and that my personality was best suited for a clinical role. I knew that I also wanted to someday be a mother, and I needed flexibility in my profession to allow me to do that. And I was dead set on working in Emergency Medicine, and PA s have always had a strong, respected presence in ER. I thought it was a great fit.
I wrote a recent blog post here that describes my first day of ER rotation with Larry Herman, president elect AAPA.
2) Tell me about your time in clinical practice. What did you like?
My first job was at Mary Immaculate Hospital working in the Pediatric ER and Fast Track. It was an inner-city hospital in Jamaica Queens (NY) and has since been shut down. It was one of the best places in the country (perhaps I'm biased) to learn clinically at lightning speed with zero competition for good cases. It was my number one goal to work in that ER under the direction of Larry Herman, RPA-C. Only the brightest, most reputable and capable PA s worked in this ER. The ultimate honor. And it was the most difficult job I've ever had in my entire life. There was very little (if any, honestly) physician support. I would sometimes go to the main ER to ask for help and the response would be something along the lines of "look at me. How could I leave this area now?" It's not how the PA profession was designed to work, but I'm telling you – it is absolutely a great way to learn, for someone with the right clinical sense and drive. The mentality of not being dependent on others in a very risky environment makes you learn super quickly, to say the least.
It was wildly clinically challenging, in the oddest ways. We were the receiving hospital for JFK airport, so we would regularly get people sent from other countries who were told "We cannot help you here. Get on a plane to the US and they can help you with this medical problem." So in the middle of the night I would see severe gigantism, uncontrolled seizures from head trauma (months prior) from a mounted water dispenser falling 2 stories onto my patient's head, etc. Hmm . . . It was always very interesting. My very first patient as an employee/non-student was a seizing 2 year old coming in by ambulance as a "scoop and run", and while I was calculating the valium dose, I asked my nurse to put in a line. She said "I don't put IV's in kids under 5." So I said "well who does?" And she said you do. Ok . . . Well then I better get it on my first try. Lots of miracles happened while I was working in that ER. Getting lines in an actively seizing 2 year old just being one of them.
I worked happily in that ER for 4 years, and then decided to move closer to family/re-prioritize my life after 9/11. So I moved to Southern CA, without a job, in the summer of 2002. My parents drove me to an interview a couple of days later in Mission Viejo, CA, and after 3 months of convincing them that I was the right hire – I got the job. I worked at Mission Hospital/CHOC at Mission for 3 years, until I decided to get serious about Medelita. My strengths clinically were anything related to Peds ER (most ER docs prefer not to deal with the parents, so I got really good at it), any ER procedure, especially complex suturing, and perhaps my biggest strength was my patience and skill at listening in combination with good clinical judgment. Larry always said that the patient gives you the diagnosis 90% of the time, and I never forgot that. It's so true, especially with children and parents. A patient never complained about me, that I know of, in my entire clinical practice, and I feel really good about that. My personality is such that I really do care, and I think people can feel/sense that. It's common to lose that trait working in Emergency Medicine for a long time, but I was lucky not to. It didn't mean I was especially popular amongst colleagues, or that I was the fastest at seeing patients. I was just thorough and I listened, and could go home at the end of each day feeling good about my contributions.
3) What led you to transition to your new role founding Medelita?
I'm not a fashionista or anything. I just felt like I couldn't be the only female clinician that hated wearing boxy, frumpy, shapeless lab coats and scrubs that were absolutely not made for the female figure. I simply bothered to brush my teeth, fix my hair, put on a tad of makeup before my shift, and why in the world would I want to put on something of lesser quality than cheap pajamas? It just didn't make sense and seemed to be an issue, completely overlooked. All other professionals of similar education and/or stature wore in upwards of $1000 business suits and carried expensive bags. But medical professionals should be stuck in horrendous quality ill-fitting garments, and expect to gain respect and trust in a matter of seconds? Still to this day it baffles me that people are willing to accept this traditional norm. Medelita is definitely changing that. The original idea was based on fit/styling only, but I decided to combine the trend of using applicable performance fabrics, in a similar way that companies like Patagonia, Lululemon, Athleta, etc. have been doing to appeal to the buyer and improve the buyer experience and functionality of the garments.
4) Medelita has been in business for 4 years now. How has your experience as a PA informed the direction your business has taken?
I think it's a HUGE advantage. It gives us credibility and a level of understanding of our customers/colleagues that is unmatched in the medical apparel industry. Everything that is written on the web site and/or guided by our customer service team, is catered toward the needs and personal attention of our clinician based customer base. Almost all the other similar companies out there have focused on nurses, and surprisingly forgot about the growing clinician force – including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, podiatrists, etc. This population has very different medical apparel needs v. nurses, and Medelita caters to their specific requirements for appearance, length of garments, quality of garments, and professional logos.
Also, if you take a look at all of the professional organization logos that we offer, and the professional affiliations that we hold, it is testament to Medelita being a clinician owned and operated business. It is a tremendous honor to have the trust from these extremely reputable, prestigious organizations, such as AAPA, ISAPS, and ASAPS, among others.
5) Do you still work clinically?
Do you plan to re-certify when you license expires?
I'm not working clinically but I miss it terribly. The combination of working (more than) full time and having a 2.5 year old daughter, as well as being almost 6 months pregnant with twins, would make it challenging for me to work right now. I absolutely stay up to date by reading multiple journals and earning CME mainly at highly reputable conferences throughout the year. Since we exhibit at the very best conferences in the country, it's been easier to travel with the conference team and attend CME lectures as well as help out in the booth when needed. Main conferences we attend include AAPA, ACEP, AAD, ASRM, CAPA, etc. My license is up to date and I have never lapsed in re-certification, after graduating in 1999.
6) What do you want to do next with Medelita?
We are still very much in the beginning stages of the business. So from that perspective, I simply want to do everything possible to help the business grow and to improve brand awareness to our target audience. By hitting certain targets of growth, we will then be able to introduce new lab coat styles, new scrub colors, introduce additional sizing, and sponsor additional medically related events that show close unity to Medelita. We also want to be at the forefront of fabric performance technology and being certain that we are testing and (in the future) utilizing the very best available technologies that are applicable to the wearer. We do that now, but absolutely need to stay on top of developments and it is a very expensive, time consuming task.
1) What made you interested in health care? Why did you become a PA?
I was actually pre-nursing at Emory University (undergrad) and after volunteering extensively at Grady Hospital (the big, inner-city hospital in Atlanta) I realized that I wanted to be more a part of the clinical decision making process and that my personality was best suited for a clinical role. I knew that I also wanted to someday be a mother, and I needed flexibility in my profession to allow me to do that. And I was dead set on working in Emergency Medicine, and PA s have always had a strong, respected presence in ER. I thought it was a great fit.
I wrote a recent blog post here that describes my first day of ER rotation with Larry Herman, president elect AAPA.
2) Tell me about your time in clinical practice. What did you like?
My first job was at Mary Immaculate Hospital working in the Pediatric ER and Fast Track. It was an inner-city hospital in Jamaica Queens (NY) and has since been shut down. It was one of the best places in the country (perhaps I'm biased) to learn clinically at lightning speed with zero competition for good cases. It was my number one goal to work in that ER under the direction of Larry Herman, RPA-C. Only the brightest, most reputable and capable PA s worked in this ER. The ultimate honor. And it was the most difficult job I've ever had in my entire life. There was very little (if any, honestly) physician support. I would sometimes go to the main ER to ask for help and the response would be something along the lines of "look at me. How could I leave this area now?" It's not how the PA profession was designed to work, but I'm telling you – it is absolutely a great way to learn, for someone with the right clinical sense and drive. The mentality of not being dependent on others in a very risky environment makes you learn super quickly, to say the least.
It was wildly clinically challenging, in the oddest ways. We were the receiving hospital for JFK airport, so we would regularly get people sent from other countries who were told "We cannot help you here. Get on a plane to the US and they can help you with this medical problem." So in the middle of the night I would see severe gigantism, uncontrolled seizures from head trauma (months prior) from a mounted water dispenser falling 2 stories onto my patient's head, etc. Hmm . . . It was always very interesting. My very first patient as an employee/non-student was a seizing 2 year old coming in by ambulance as a "scoop and run", and while I was calculating the valium dose, I asked my nurse to put in a line. She said "I don't put IV's in kids under 5." So I said "well who does?" And she said you do. Ok . . . Well then I better get it on my first try. Lots of miracles happened while I was working in that ER. Getting lines in an actively seizing 2 year old just being one of them.
I worked happily in that ER for 4 years, and then decided to move closer to family/re-prioritize my life after 9/11. So I moved to Southern CA, without a job, in the summer of 2002. My parents drove me to an interview a couple of days later in Mission Viejo, CA, and after 3 months of convincing them that I was the right hire – I got the job. I worked at Mission Hospital/CHOC at Mission for 3 years, until I decided to get serious about Medelita. My strengths clinically were anything related to Peds ER (most ER docs prefer not to deal with the parents, so I got really good at it), any ER procedure, especially complex suturing, and perhaps my biggest strength was my patience and skill at listening in combination with good clinical judgment. Larry always said that the patient gives you the diagnosis 90% of the time, and I never forgot that. It's so true, especially with children and parents. A patient never complained about me, that I know of, in my entire clinical practice, and I feel really good about that. My personality is such that I really do care, and I think people can feel/sense that. It's common to lose that trait working in Emergency Medicine for a long time, but I was lucky not to. It didn't mean I was especially popular amongst colleagues, or that I was the fastest at seeing patients. I was just thorough and I listened, and could go home at the end of each day feeling good about my contributions.
3) What led you to transition to your new role founding Medelita?
I'm not a fashionista or anything. I just felt like I couldn't be the only female clinician that hated wearing boxy, frumpy, shapeless lab coats and scrubs that were absolutely not made for the female figure. I simply bothered to brush my teeth, fix my hair, put on a tad of makeup before my shift, and why in the world would I want to put on something of lesser quality than cheap pajamas? It just didn't make sense and seemed to be an issue, completely overlooked. All other professionals of similar education and/or stature wore in upwards of $1000 business suits and carried expensive bags. But medical professionals should be stuck in horrendous quality ill-fitting garments, and expect to gain respect and trust in a matter of seconds? Still to this day it baffles me that people are willing to accept this traditional norm. Medelita is definitely changing that. The original idea was based on fit/styling only, but I decided to combine the trend of using applicable performance fabrics, in a similar way that companies like Patagonia, Lululemon, Athleta, etc. have been doing to appeal to the buyer and improve the buyer experience and functionality of the garments.
4) Medelita has been in business for 4 years now. How has your experience as a PA informed the direction your business has taken?
I think it's a HUGE advantage. It gives us credibility and a level of understanding of our customers/colleagues that is unmatched in the medical apparel industry. Everything that is written on the web site and/or guided by our customer service team, is catered toward the needs and personal attention of our clinician based customer base. Almost all the other similar companies out there have focused on nurses, and surprisingly forgot about the growing clinician force – including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, podiatrists, etc. This population has very different medical apparel needs v. nurses, and Medelita caters to their specific requirements for appearance, length of garments, quality of garments, and professional logos.
Also, if you take a look at all of the professional organization logos that we offer, and the professional affiliations that we hold, it is testament to Medelita being a clinician owned and operated business. It is a tremendous honor to have the trust from these extremely reputable, prestigious organizations, such as AAPA, ISAPS, and ASAPS, among others.
5) Do you still work clinically?
Do you plan to re-certify when you license expires?
I'm not working clinically but I miss it terribly. The combination of working (more than) full time and having a 2.5 year old daughter, as well as being almost 6 months pregnant with twins, would make it challenging for me to work right now. I absolutely stay up to date by reading multiple journals and earning CME mainly at highly reputable conferences throughout the year. Since we exhibit at the very best conferences in the country, it's been easier to travel with the conference team and attend CME lectures as well as help out in the booth when needed. Main conferences we attend include AAPA, ACEP, AAD, ASRM, CAPA, etc. My license is up to date and I have never lapsed in re-certification, after graduating in 1999.
6) What do you want to do next with Medelita?
We are still very much in the beginning stages of the business. So from that perspective, I simply want to do everything possible to help the business grow and to improve brand awareness to our target audience. By hitting certain targets of growth, we will then be able to introduce new lab coat styles, new scrub colors, introduce additional sizing, and sponsor additional medically related events that show close unity to Medelita. We also want to be at the forefront of fabric performance technology and being certain that we are testing and (in the future) utilizing the very best available technologies that are applicable to the wearer. We do that now, but absolutely need to stay on top of developments and it is a very expensive, time consuming task.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Happy Anniversary!
This blog turned 1 this week. It's been a great ride and a very informative experience. I've learned a lot more than I thought I would and have been fortunate enough to share some of it with all of you.
I'll have more posts coming up, more interviews and some mock PA school interview suggestions, and more, so keep checking in.
Thanks for reading!
I'll have more posts coming up, more interviews and some mock PA school interview suggestions, and more, so keep checking in.
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Interview with a PA-S from UTSW
Here's another PA student I met on rotation in the ICU.
I initially planned on applying to medical school until senior year of college. I shadowed a PA in the ER and saw that the PAs did similar things the MDs do. That's when I decided to pursue a career as a PA. I also liked the flexibility PAs have to switch from one specialty to another and that I would be able to practice medicine and providing for those in need in 2.5 years.
2) What did you do to prepare to apply (undergrad degree, any HCE, volunteering, etc)?
I did a lot of volunteering at two different hospitals during my summer semesters in college. I also shadowed family physicians and ER PAs for many hours. I had leadership positions with a couple of organizations. I worked as a student worker my senior year and then full time as a lab technician for a year and a half at a GI lab before going to PA school. My degree was in Biomedical Science
3) How did you pick UTSW? What was the interview process like?
What made me really attracted to UTSW was the interview process. The interview was 10 scenario stations that would help the faculty determine your character, communication skills, critical thinking and dedication accurately in my opinion. That is 10 different chances that you could make a good impression so if somehow you don't feel confident in one station, there are many others along the way. In addition, they gave us a tour and the interactions with the current students really knocked it out the park. I really liked that they had medical spanish because I know Spanish would be very beneficial knowledge to have when practicing in Texas. It is unfortunate that medical spanish was taken out of the curriculum this year. The small class size of 36 was also a plus because it shows a closer faculty to student interaction. Last but not least, the fact that UTSW had a very good first pass PANCE rate showed me that the students were well trained. Now that I've gone through most of rotations, I have to say that they rotation sites are a big factor with deciding which school to choose because it is where you will learn and develop your skills and knowledge as a clinician. Parkland and the many hospitals around the Dallas area are great training sites and that the faculty finds the sites, so that the student wont have the responsibility to do so unless they are interested in doing an elective/selective out of town/state/country. Most of the sites are around Dallas area so no long commute needed. Furthest site is Temple, TX for internal medicine if you volunteer to go but they provide room and board.
4) What strategies worked for you during the didactic phase?
Best strategy for me was find ONE study buddy where you can review, discuss and quiz each other before tests. I had much success with the same study buddy since the second semester of didactic to the last clinical rotation test. In addition, don't procrastinate, have good time management and make sure you understand concepts.
5) What has been your favorite part of PA school? What challenged you the most?
Favorite part of PA school would be the rotations, you see improvement as you move further into your rotation but still have much to learn. The most challenging would be at the start of rotations, going from a specific block of organ system during didactic to clinical rotation when you have to start to broaden your DDX.
6) What have you liked about clinical rotations so far? What has surprised you?
My favorite rotation would be ER and my current critical care rotation, I love a mix of medicine and procedures. I loved the variety of illnesses seen during my ER rotation, from the common simple URI to orthopedics and ob/gyn to the more serious ACS, GI bleeds and COPD exacerbations. The procedures such as I&D, suturing and splinting added a nice combination too. My current CCU rotation so far has been a great learning experience because there were many serious illnesses that I was not able to see during internal medicine. I also wanted the exposure of how mechanical ventilation works and the many different pressors that are used along with procedures done in the CCU.
7) What advice would you give (beyond getting good grades and shadowing) to a future applicant?
The programs take every aspect of the application as a whole so they want a well rounded applicant. So take the opportunity in the personal letter to show how you set yourself apart from others, many programs want to broaden their student profiles. Be sure you get STRONG letter of recommendations. Many times letter of recommendations are "B" strength and some even harmful.
1) Why do you want to be a PA?
2) What did you do to prepare to apply (undergrad degree, any HCE, volunteering, etc)?
3) How did you pick UTSW? What was the interview process like?
4) What strategies worked for you during the didactic phase?
5) What has been your favorite part of PA school? What challenged you the most?
6) What have you liked about clinical rotations so far? What has surprised you?
My favorite rotation would be ER and my current critical care rotation, I love a mix of medicine and procedures. I loved the variety of illnesses seen during my ER rotation, from the common simple URI to orthopedics and ob/gyn to the more serious ACS, GI bleeds and COPD exacerbations. The procedures such as I&D, suturing and splinting added a nice combination too. My current CCU rotation so far has been a great learning experience because there were many serious illnesses that I was not able to see during internal medicine. I also wanted the exposure of how mechanical ventilation works and the many different pressors that are used along with procedures done in the CCU.
7) What advice would you give (beyond getting good grades and shadowing) to a future applicant?
The programs take every aspect of the application as a whole so they want a well rounded applicant. So take the opportunity in the personal letter to show how you set yourself apart from others, many programs want to broaden their student profiles. Be sure you get STRONG letter of recommendations. Many times letter of recommendations are "B" strength and some even harmful.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Website Resources
I don't know how people made it through college without the internet. Here are some websites that I like to utilize.
University of Michigan Medical School Gross Anatomy Videos - great videos of dissection of actual cadavers
Khan Academy - great tutoring videos, covers subjects like statistics, organic chemistry, and A&P
University of Kansas Histology Slides - good set of slides for familiarizing yourself with histology
WebMD - large medical reference website
Mayo Clinic - another large medical reference website
Practical Clinical Skills - Not sure what rales sounds like? want a quick breakdown of the QRS complex. This site is a quick way to get comfortable with some basics
Anatomy Zone - More videos. I thrive on videos. Good 3D visualization of anatomy.
Which ones do you use the most?
University of Michigan Medical School Gross Anatomy Videos - great videos of dissection of actual cadavers
Khan Academy - great tutoring videos, covers subjects like statistics, organic chemistry, and A&P
University of Kansas Histology Slides - good set of slides for familiarizing yourself with histology
WebMD - large medical reference website
Mayo Clinic - another large medical reference website
Practical Clinical Skills - Not sure what rales sounds like? want a quick breakdown of the QRS complex. This site is a quick way to get comfortable with some basics
Anatomy Zone - More videos. I thrive on videos. Good 3D visualization of anatomy.
Which ones do you use the most?
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Interview with UTSW PA-S and new TAPA Student Director
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
I like interacting with and helping people. I knew my future career needed at least those two elements. I also love that clinical work can be like detective work. You are given a few clues to solve a mystery. It’s also interesting to see how the body’s systems interact with each other and the environment. I also love the patient education aspect of it because you can give people tools to help themselves.
I specifically chose PA school because I appreciate that PAs can work in a variety of medical specialties throughout their career. This allows a clinician to build up a diverse skill set, which I consider essential to helping patients.
I like interacting with and helping people. I knew my future career needed at least those two elements. I also love that clinical work can be like detective work. You are given a few clues to solve a mystery. It’s also interesting to see how the body’s systems interact with each other and the environment. I also love the patient education aspect of it because you can give people tools to help themselves.
I specifically chose PA school because I appreciate that PAs can work in a variety of medical specialties throughout their career. This allows a clinician to build up a diverse skill set, which I consider essential to helping patients.
2) What did you do to prepare to apply?
I tried to learn as much as I could about PAs. I shadowed 4 different PAs. It was difficult finding shadowing opportunities because of HIPPA concerns. I finally got through at 2 different clinics by cold calling multiple clinics I found through a PA google search.
I worked as an EMT-Basic for a transport service (taking patients to the ER and doctor and dialysis appointments) and through this experience I gained hands-on health care experience, as well as observed other health care providers in different settings- doctors and nurses in the ER and clinics.
I also volunteered at a homeless shelter clinic. I checked patients in for their visits and I learned about the role of the nurse practitioners in that clinic.
These experiences allowed me to see what I liked and didn’t like about the different roles in the health care team and it helped guide my decision to become a PA.
I tried to learn as much as I could about PAs. I shadowed 4 different PAs. It was difficult finding shadowing opportunities because of HIPPA concerns. I finally got through at 2 different clinics by cold calling multiple clinics I found through a PA google search.
I worked as an EMT-Basic for a transport service (taking patients to the ER and doctor and dialysis appointments) and through this experience I gained hands-on health care experience, as well as observed other health care providers in different settings- doctors and nurses in the ER and clinics.
I also volunteered at a homeless shelter clinic. I checked patients in for their visits and I learned about the role of the nurse practitioners in that clinic.
These experiences allowed me to see what I liked and didn’t like about the different roles in the health care team and it helped guide my decision to become a PA.
3) How many schools did you apply to and interview with? What were the interviews like? How did you choose UT South Western?
I applied to 5 programs and interviewed at Texas Tech and UTSW. The Texas Tech interview was very laid back. It was a series of one-on-one interviews about who I am and why I want to be a PA.
The UTSW interview was interesting and fun (when you take the stress out of it). It consisted of 10 timed stations that placed you in various situations. I think it shows the interviewers an applicant’s real personality because you are put in situations that will bring that out. You can’t prepare for an interview like that and the best advice to any applicant is to “just be yourself and stay positive” (it sounds cliché and incredibly simple, but it’s the best thing to do).
To be honest, I really wasn’t sure how I felt about UTSW as I was traveling to Dallas for my interview. I didn’t seriously look into the program because I didn’t think I was competitive enough for one of their interview spots. The night before my interview, at the Meet and Greet, was when I really fell in love with the program and decided that it was #1 on my list. Through talking with the faculty and students, I discovered the heavily student-centered aspect of UTSW’s program and was able to see the care the faculty took with its students.
I applied to 5 programs and interviewed at Texas Tech and UTSW. The Texas Tech interview was very laid back. It was a series of one-on-one interviews about who I am and why I want to be a PA.
The UTSW interview was interesting and fun (when you take the stress out of it). It consisted of 10 timed stations that placed you in various situations. I think it shows the interviewers an applicant’s real personality because you are put in situations that will bring that out. You can’t prepare for an interview like that and the best advice to any applicant is to “just be yourself and stay positive” (it sounds cliché and incredibly simple, but it’s the best thing to do).
To be honest, I really wasn’t sure how I felt about UTSW as I was traveling to Dallas for my interview. I didn’t seriously look into the program because I didn’t think I was competitive enough for one of their interview spots. The night before my interview, at the Meet and Greet, was when I really fell in love with the program and decided that it was #1 on my list. Through talking with the faculty and students, I discovered the heavily student-centered aspect of UTSW’s program and was able to see the care the faculty took with its students.
4) What has surprised you about UTSW's PA program so far?
The faculty listens to our feedback and implements changes. For example, we were able to try out different test times one semester because of feedback from a previous semester. Also, the faculty will find time to meet with students if they request a meeting with them. Additionally, every student meets with their assigned faculty mentor at least once a semester to discuss their progress and/or concerns. If a student is struggling with any aspect of the program, then the faculty will intervene and spend more time with that student to improve their learning. They invest a lot of time into their students.
The faculty listens to our feedback and implements changes. For example, we were able to try out different test times one semester because of feedback from a previous semester. Also, the faculty will find time to meet with students if they request a meeting with them. Additionally, every student meets with their assigned faculty mentor at least once a semester to discuss their progress and/or concerns. If a student is struggling with any aspect of the program, then the faculty will intervene and spend more time with that student to improve their learning. They invest a lot of time into their students.
5) Have you found any successful strategies for surviving the didactic portion of your program?
6) What's the coolest things you've done so far?
7) Any advice for future applicants other than good grades and shadowing?
Have diverse life experiences outside of medicine and science. Become a mentor or if you are taking time off between undergrad and PA school and are looking for work- try teaching with Teach for America. If you haven’t picked a major yet, then try something outside of the realm of science and medicine- I have a Bachelor’s in Journalism.
Health care experience is great because it shows that you can take care of patients. It takes a semester to become certified as an EMT-Basic, and depending on your location, you can work in the 911 service, an ER, or for an ambulance transport service.
I had to learn how to take breaks and allow myself some “recharge” time. You could study 24/7 outside of the classroom and still feel like you haven’t fully grasped everything. What helped me the most is realizing that becoming a clinician is a lifelong process. I had to accept that I won’t get all of the information into my head for the exams, but that I should try to do as much as I can and I’ll pick up the rest as I progress in my training and career. I studied for didactic exams by thinking about what information will help me help patients, and I stopped focusing on grades.
6) What's the coolest things you've done so far?
Anatomy lab was pretty cool. Frustrating at times, but the dissections helped round out my understanding of certain disease processes.
We learned how to apply casts by casting each other and we’ve also learned suturing.
We learned how to apply casts by casting each other and we’ve also learned suturing.
7) Any advice for future applicants other than good grades and shadowing?
Have diverse life experiences outside of medicine and science. Become a mentor or if you are taking time off between undergrad and PA school and are looking for work- try teaching with Teach for America. If you haven’t picked a major yet, then try something outside of the realm of science and medicine- I have a Bachelor’s in Journalism.
Health care experience is great because it shows that you can take care of patients. It takes a semester to become certified as an EMT-Basic, and depending on your location, you can work in the 911 service, an ER, or for an ambulance transport service.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Interview with a PA-C working in Neuro
Brooke is a PA who blogged about her experiences as a student and has launched a new website about the PA profession. Be sure to check out her sites!
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
1- diversity of positions. you can start your career in surgery and end in endocrinology if you want!
2-less student debt
3-faster track into the work field (no residency, less school)
4-I get to take care of patients and perform surgery
5-patient-first mentality of the profession
2) You've had some interesting experience in health care before you started PA school. What took you from Orthotics and Prosthetics to Public Health to PA?
While in orthotics and prosthetics I had the opportunity to work with lots of great surgeons and decided early in my O&P career that my scope of practice was too small. I wanted to operate and be part of the preplanning for my patients, not just part of the rehab. I then applied to medical school- got in- then decided that becoming a PA was a better fit. I wanted to practice medicine soon, not in 10 years - so I withdrew my med school applications and applied to PA schools. I had a year to kill during the application process and was interested in population health and quality improvement so I got my MPH from Dartmouth in the interim.
3) How many schools did you apply to and interview with? What were the interviews like? How did you choose Northeastern?
I applied to 2 schools. UNE and Northeastern. I had moved all over the place for my previous schooling and had decided that I was going to apply to 2 schools and let the chips fall where they may. I luckily got into both schools on the first try and choose Northeastern for a few reasons: 1) great school, great reputation 2) it is in Boston (the healthcare mecca of the US) 3) less expensive
4) What has surprised you about Northeastern's PA program so far?
I think this applies to all PA schools ---- but IT IS HARD WORK! You will study more and sleep less than you could have imagined. But it is all worth it in the end.
5) Have you found any successful strategies for surviving the didactic portion of your program?
Find 2-3 sources to study from and stick to them... it is easy to get bogged down with too many resources. One of my favorite and most used books was Step Up To Medicine.
6) What's the coolest things you've done so far?
-Sewn a finger back on
-1st assisted on a C1-C3 spinal fusion
7) What got you into blogging? What future intersections of social media and health care do you hope to see?
I started blogging because I was finding and sharing resources with other PA students - and what I found was that it was becoming too time consuming to share information one by one... so I started a blog so that I could just post stuff once and people could visit it when they wanted. It has worked out well so far!
8) Any advice for future applicants other than good grades and shadowing?
1-Get to know healthcare, its delivery system and how it works. As a PA (esp as a PA in the future) it is very important to know they system in which you work... if you don't ... you are a less effective provider.
2-Know the history of the profession
3-Become a member of your state PA chapter or the AAPA to gain professional information about the profession
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
1- diversity of positions. you can start your career in surgery and end in endocrinology if you want!
2-less student debt
3-faster track into the work field (no residency, less school)
4-I get to take care of patients and perform surgery
5-patient-first mentality of the profession
2) You've had some interesting experience in health care before you started PA school. What took you from Orthotics and Prosthetics to Public Health to PA?
While in orthotics and prosthetics I had the opportunity to work with lots of great surgeons and decided early in my O&P career that my scope of practice was too small. I wanted to operate and be part of the preplanning for my patients, not just part of the rehab. I then applied to medical school- got in- then decided that becoming a PA was a better fit. I wanted to practice medicine soon, not in 10 years - so I withdrew my med school applications and applied to PA schools. I had a year to kill during the application process and was interested in population health and quality improvement so I got my MPH from Dartmouth in the interim.
3) How many schools did you apply to and interview with? What were the interviews like? How did you choose Northeastern?
I applied to 2 schools. UNE and Northeastern. I had moved all over the place for my previous schooling and had decided that I was going to apply to 2 schools and let the chips fall where they may. I luckily got into both schools on the first try and choose Northeastern for a few reasons: 1) great school, great reputation 2) it is in Boston (the healthcare mecca of the US) 3) less expensive
4) What has surprised you about Northeastern's PA program so far?
I think this applies to all PA schools ---- but IT IS HARD WORK! You will study more and sleep less than you could have imagined. But it is all worth it in the end.
5) Have you found any successful strategies for surviving the didactic portion of your program?
Find 2-3 sources to study from and stick to them... it is easy to get bogged down with too many resources. One of my favorite and most used books was Step Up To Medicine.
6) What's the coolest things you've done so far?
-Sewn a finger back on
-1st assisted on a C1-C3 spinal fusion
7) What got you into blogging? What future intersections of social media and health care do you hope to see?
I started blogging because I was finding and sharing resources with other PA students - and what I found was that it was becoming too time consuming to share information one by one... so I started a blog so that I could just post stuff once and people could visit it when they wanted. It has worked out well so far!
8) Any advice for future applicants other than good grades and shadowing?
1-Get to know healthcare, its delivery system and how it works. As a PA (esp as a PA in the future) it is very important to know they system in which you work... if you don't ... you are a less effective provider.
2-Know the history of the profession
3-Become a member of your state PA chapter or the AAPA to gain professional information about the profession
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Interview with a PA-S from UNTHSC
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
I chose to become a PA because I really wanted to have a career in the medical field, but I also wanted other things in life like raising a family. The shorter duration of PA school and the fact that we don't have to do residency allows for both of those things. Furthermore, I really wanted to have a position that would allow me to spend a lot of time with patients. I feel that becoming a PA will satisfy all of my goals and I've been very happy with my decision.
2) What did you do to prepare to apply?
I focused on making myself into a well-faceted applicant. I was involved in multiple organizations at my school, participated in community service projects, held a job, and shadowed at the ED. PA programs want to see that you can balance more than just academics because once you are in school, they will encourage you to join professional organizations and do community service projects.
3) How many schools did you apply to and interview with? What were the interviews like? How did you choose UNTHSC?
I applied to 4 schools and interviewed at 3. My interviews were nerve wracking of course, but my suggestion is to make sure you're prepared. You'll be nervous no matter what, but as long as that's not your very first time in an interview, you'll do just fine. I realized at my interview day that I really wanted to go to UNTHSC because unlike the students at other some of the other schools, the UNTHSC students looked happy and invigorated. It scared me that at some of the schools that I visited, the students looked like zombies but at UNTHSC, it was a completely different feel.
4) What has surprised you about UNT's PA program so far?
I was surprised at how involved their faculty is in ensuring the success of their students. Each student is assigned a mentor (faculty member) for the duration of the program, and the goal of the mentor is to serve as a support system with any academic or personal issues that the student is willing to talk about. It's a great resource, and a good way to get to know your professors too.
5) Have you found any successful strategies for surviving the didactic portion of your program?
Study groups have worked out really well for me. We spend so much time in the classroom listening to lectures so the last thing that I wanted to do was sit and study by myself. It nice to learn interactively, plus explaining concepts between group members really helped solidify everything for me.
6) What's the coolest things you've done so far?
The coolest thing so far was learning from cadavers in the anatomy lab. It was a great opportunity to be able to see the bodies first hand and learn from a team that included anatomy professors, forensics personnel, anthropologists, and health care providers. Also it's pretty neat how comfortable you get with dead bodies.
7) Any advice for future applicants other than good grades and shadowing?
I highly suggest that pre-PA students become involved with TAPA, the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. The benefit is great for students because it allows you to stay informed about the profession (which is more important now more than ever because of health care reform) and along with your membership, you get a seriously reduced registration price for the TAPA Conferences. Going to at least one TAPA Conference would be a really good idea because there are student tracks that are focused on enriching lives of students before entering PA school, during school, and in the transition from school to practice. Additionally, there are a ton of faculty members from all the schools there. In fact, I was asked during one of my interviews if I ever attended one of the conferences.
I chose to become a PA because I really wanted to have a career in the medical field, but I also wanted other things in life like raising a family. The shorter duration of PA school and the fact that we don't have to do residency allows for both of those things. Furthermore, I really wanted to have a position that would allow me to spend a lot of time with patients. I feel that becoming a PA will satisfy all of my goals and I've been very happy with my decision.
2) What did you do to prepare to apply?
I focused on making myself into a well-faceted applicant. I was involved in multiple organizations at my school, participated in community service projects, held a job, and shadowed at the ED. PA programs want to see that you can balance more than just academics because once you are in school, they will encourage you to join professional organizations and do community service projects.
3) How many schools did you apply to and interview with? What were the interviews like? How did you choose UNTHSC?
I applied to 4 schools and interviewed at 3. My interviews were nerve wracking of course, but my suggestion is to make sure you're prepared. You'll be nervous no matter what, but as long as that's not your very first time in an interview, you'll do just fine. I realized at my interview day that I really wanted to go to UNTHSC because unlike the students at other some of the other schools, the UNTHSC students looked happy and invigorated. It scared me that at some of the schools that I visited, the students looked like zombies but at UNTHSC, it was a completely different feel.
4) What has surprised you about UNT's PA program so far?
I was surprised at how involved their faculty is in ensuring the success of their students. Each student is assigned a mentor (faculty member) for the duration of the program, and the goal of the mentor is to serve as a support system with any academic or personal issues that the student is willing to talk about. It's a great resource, and a good way to get to know your professors too.
5) Have you found any successful strategies for surviving the didactic portion of your program?
Study groups have worked out really well for me. We spend so much time in the classroom listening to lectures so the last thing that I wanted to do was sit and study by myself. It nice to learn interactively, plus explaining concepts between group members really helped solidify everything for me.
6) What's the coolest things you've done so far?
The coolest thing so far was learning from cadavers in the anatomy lab. It was a great opportunity to be able to see the bodies first hand and learn from a team that included anatomy professors, forensics personnel, anthropologists, and health care providers. Also it's pretty neat how comfortable you get with dead bodies.
7) Any advice for future applicants other than good grades and shadowing?
I highly suggest that pre-PA students become involved with TAPA, the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. The benefit is great for students because it allows you to stay informed about the profession (which is more important now more than ever because of health care reform) and along with your membership, you get a seriously reduced registration price for the TAPA Conferences. Going to at least one TAPA Conference would be a really good idea because there are student tracks that are focused on enriching lives of students before entering PA school, during school, and in the transition from school to practice. Additionally, there are a ton of faculty members from all the schools there. In fact, I was asked during one of my interviews if I ever attended one of the conferences.
Monday, August 27, 2012
First Week of School - PCOM
Here's some thoughts from a new PA-S at Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine.
1) How did you prepare for the start of PA school?
Since I only had a little under a month before graduating and going to PCOM, all I did was try to relax as much as possible. I would say the most important thing is figuring out where you're going to live, getting furniture and household stuff, and learning the area (grocery stores, restaurants, etc). Once school starts you won't have much time to do these things. Regarding "studying" or something for school, I wouldn't recommend it. Take the time instead to relax so you are fresh for class once the first semester starts. Spend time with family who you won't have time to see once school starts.
2) What has been the most interesting thing you have learned so far? What has been the hardest?
We just started our 2nd semester and learning to take histories is kind of cool (as cool as school can get I guess). The summer semester was A&P, which was interesting, but also stressful. Learning to take a history is more fun because you get to work with people and it's also things you do as a clinician. I am looking forward to learning the physical here starting next week (reflexes, ophthalmoscope, heart sounds, etc). We haven't got that deep into the fall semester so not sure which class is the hardest, so far it seems bearable. The summer was very challenging, especially anatomy, because there is so much to learn and not enough time to learn it.
3) What study strategy has worked? What hasn't?
The biggest thing is staying on top of things. I have a small study group, me plus two people, and going over things and quizzing each other has been a huge help. I am a big fan of reading the book but you can only do that so much in PA school. I try to at least read the tougher topics once. For my H&P class right now, so far I am able to read every page of the book. For anatomy I only opened that thing once. DRAWING THINGS OUT - huge help, especially for blood vessels! Definitely do that once you get to anatomy, draw every blood vessel out. And mnemonics, huge help. Making charts, e.g. "things going through greater sciatic notch" "through lesser... etc etc". I have been listening to recorded lectures (the school records and posts them for us) for my harder classes which I think has been helping. I listen on 1.5x speed. Drawing things and writing things down definitely. It is not enough just to read slides and think you have it. Also learn what is a good investment of time (read for some classes, study groups with certain people, drawing) and what is too time consuming (some people are hard to study with, some classes reading is not a good idea, etc).
4) What do you like about PA school vs. undergrad studies?
Home stretch!!! Not having to work is nice. The debt is heftier. Learning things that have a use is always nice. But it is much more stressful in the sense of less time to learn more. But it is easier in the sense that you don't have to balance a full time job on top of school. But don't worry you will be there soon enough man!!!
1) How did you prepare for the start of PA school?
Since I only had a little under a month before graduating and going to PCOM, all I did was try to relax as much as possible. I would say the most important thing is figuring out where you're going to live, getting furniture and household stuff, and learning the area (grocery stores, restaurants, etc). Once school starts you won't have much time to do these things. Regarding "studying" or something for school, I wouldn't recommend it. Take the time instead to relax so you are fresh for class once the first semester starts. Spend time with family who you won't have time to see once school starts.
2) What has been the most interesting thing you have learned so far? What has been the hardest?
We just started our 2nd semester and learning to take histories is kind of cool (as cool as school can get I guess). The summer semester was A&P, which was interesting, but also stressful. Learning to take a history is more fun because you get to work with people and it's also things you do as a clinician. I am looking forward to learning the physical here starting next week (reflexes, ophthalmoscope, heart sounds, etc). We haven't got that deep into the fall semester so not sure which class is the hardest, so far it seems bearable. The summer was very challenging, especially anatomy, because there is so much to learn and not enough time to learn it.
3) What study strategy has worked? What hasn't?
The biggest thing is staying on top of things. I have a small study group, me plus two people, and going over things and quizzing each other has been a huge help. I am a big fan of reading the book but you can only do that so much in PA school. I try to at least read the tougher topics once. For my H&P class right now, so far I am able to read every page of the book. For anatomy I only opened that thing once. DRAWING THINGS OUT - huge help, especially for blood vessels! Definitely do that once you get to anatomy, draw every blood vessel out. And mnemonics, huge help. Making charts, e.g. "things going through greater sciatic notch" "through lesser... etc etc". I have been listening to recorded lectures (the school records and posts them for us) for my harder classes which I think has been helping. I listen on 1.5x speed. Drawing things and writing things down definitely. It is not enough just to read slides and think you have it. Also learn what is a good investment of time (read for some classes, study groups with certain people, drawing) and what is too time consuming (some people are hard to study with, some classes reading is not a good idea, etc).
4) What do you like about PA school vs. undergrad studies?
Home stretch!!! Not having to work is nice. The debt is heftier. Learning things that have a use is always nice. But it is much more stressful in the sense of less time to learn more. But it is easier in the sense that you don't have to balance a full time job on top of school. But don't worry you will be there soon enough man!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Inerview with Todd Pickard, PA-C
Todd is a PA-C I met at the TAPA conference last February. He is not only very active in TAPA, but has also expanded PA representation in management at a major medical center.
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
I knew that I wanted to do something in medicine but was not sure what that was. I had a PA that worked with my family physician growing up and I remembered that I really liked her and what she got to do for a living. After college I worked as an EMT for a while and then medical sales. I even did a stint in nursing school before I realized that being a PA was what I really wanted.
2) What program did you graduate from? How did you choose it?
I went to the Emory University PA Program. Out of all the schools that I interviewed, It had the best fit with my personality. They stressed team-work not competition. That was really appealing to me.
3) What is your area of practice? What does a normal day look like to you?
I work at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I have been a PA for over 15 years and have worked in Urology, Medical Oncology and Cancer Prevention. I now spend the majority of my time in Administration and Management.
4) You've created a new leadership position for PAs a your hospital. Tell us about that role and how you created it.I am the Director of PA Programs.
As the number of PAs grew at MD Anderson, it was clear that there needed to be some structure and leadership for the PA group. Also there was a great deal of misunderstanding about our scope of practice, role, training, capabilities and the laws that govern our practice. PAs have not traditionally been engaged at high-levels in administrative and management. I thought it was time to change that. I got involved in committees and policy work for my institution. I then wrote a business plan and presented that to the physician leadership. They agreed and now we have a robust PA organization at MD Anderson.
5) Tell us about your work with TAPA. What ways have you been involved?
I have mainly been involved in legislative affairs and political action with TAPA. I am currently the chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee and just recently was elected to Director-at-large. I really enjoy the political process and advocating for PAs. I have a strong commitment to seeing our profession recognized for the contributions and good work that we do. I also have a passion for our voice to be heard at the highest levels in government.
6) What professional evolution do you hope to see for PAs?
I would expect that PAs continue to be vital members of the health care team and to take on greater roles in administration, management, health care policy, and leadership.
7) Any advice for future applicants beside good grades and shadowing?
Volunteer at a hospital. Be an orderly or unit clerk or nursing assistant. Hands-on patient care is much more meaningful than shadowing. Reply Forward
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
I knew that I wanted to do something in medicine but was not sure what that was. I had a PA that worked with my family physician growing up and I remembered that I really liked her and what she got to do for a living. After college I worked as an EMT for a while and then medical sales. I even did a stint in nursing school before I realized that being a PA was what I really wanted.
2) What program did you graduate from? How did you choose it?
I went to the Emory University PA Program. Out of all the schools that I interviewed, It had the best fit with my personality. They stressed team-work not competition. That was really appealing to me.
3) What is your area of practice? What does a normal day look like to you?
I work at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I have been a PA for over 15 years and have worked in Urology, Medical Oncology and Cancer Prevention. I now spend the majority of my time in Administration and Management.
4) You've created a new leadership position for PAs a your hospital. Tell us about that role and how you created it.I am the Director of PA Programs.
As the number of PAs grew at MD Anderson, it was clear that there needed to be some structure and leadership for the PA group. Also there was a great deal of misunderstanding about our scope of practice, role, training, capabilities and the laws that govern our practice. PAs have not traditionally been engaged at high-levels in administrative and management. I thought it was time to change that. I got involved in committees and policy work for my institution. I then wrote a business plan and presented that to the physician leadership. They agreed and now we have a robust PA organization at MD Anderson.
5) Tell us about your work with TAPA. What ways have you been involved?
I have mainly been involved in legislative affairs and political action with TAPA. I am currently the chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee and just recently was elected to Director-at-large. I really enjoy the political process and advocating for PAs. I have a strong commitment to seeing our profession recognized for the contributions and good work that we do. I also have a passion for our voice to be heard at the highest levels in government.
6) What professional evolution do you hope to see for PAs?
I would expect that PAs continue to be vital members of the health care team and to take on greater roles in administration, management, health care policy, and leadership.
7) Any advice for future applicants beside good grades and shadowing?
Volunteer at a hospital. Be an orderly or unit clerk or nursing assistant. Hands-on patient care is much more meaningful than shadowing. Reply Forward
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Interview with a PA-S from Texas Tech
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
I chose to be a PA because of my passion of the human body and the driving motivation to make a difference in people's lives. I also love to learn and thrive in a challenging environment.
2) What did you do to prepare to apply?
I focused on making good grades in all of my prerequisite courses. I got involved with leadership positions on my campus. I shadowed as much as I could. I started the application process early and submitted my application before September. I focused on writing an excellent essay.
3) How many schools did you apply to and interview with? What were the interviews like? How did you choose Texas Tech?
I applied to 5 schools in Texas: TTUHSC, UTSA, UTMB, UTSW, UNTHSC. I only had one interview with Texas Tech but committed before I had the opportunity to get offers from any other school. I chose Texas Tech mainly because it chose me. I loved the atmosphere and the solitary attention the PA students received because we are the only students who use our building. The faculty were very relaxed and very encouraging. They didn't try to intimidate you during interview.
4) What has surprised you about Texas Tech's PA program so far?
My biggest surprise is how well our class gets along and helps each other. We help each other study. We're always giving each other study tools, studying in groups, and tutoring each other. We've become a family and have been there for each other outside of school as well.
5) Have you found any successful strategies for surviving the didactic portion of your program?
Time Management! Don't wait until the last minute to try and study. There's always more material than you realized that you needed to get through. You can't study too much either. If you think you know the material extensively there's always something in there that you missed. Study study study up until the very last minute before you take your test. But on the flip side, take some R&R time. Time management is key. So give yourself plenty of time to study but schedule in some down time or you will burn yourself out and not want to stay motivated and slack off.
6) What's the coolest things you've done so far?
Suture lab, Emergency Medicine ACLS, BLS, PALS certification courses, Sim lab, IV lab, and travelling and being apart of TAPA conferences and Board of Directors Meetings.
7) Any advice for future applicants other than good grades and shadowing?
Brag confidently but also humbly in your essay about the reasons why you will make an excellent PA. Say things other than I want to help people. Mention your medical/clinical experience but don't focus on listing your resume. Talk about how they have changed and shaped your mind and attitude towards being a PA. Be well rounded. Do something other than just shadow. It could be something completely unrelated to medicine. Be yourself and confident in your interviews. Ask as many questions as you can. Be enthusiastic.
Monday, August 13, 2012
First Week of PA School UNTHSC
Here's a Q&A with a few students from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth about their first week of school.
1) How did you prepare for the start of PA school?
Student A: To tell you all the truth, I knew I was not going to have much free time after school started, so I did not do any studying. I guess you can say I prepared by catching up with my family and friends, so that it will be more out of my system when school started. UNTHSC does offer optional pre-matriculation classes the week before orientation (which is a week before classes start) that teaches anatomy to give students a head start. The students who took the classes found them to be helpful and information overload just like everyday of PA school!
Student B: I had a year off between when I graduated from undergrad and started PA school, so I took a few elective classes to keep me in the routine of school and studying. However, the month and a half to two months I had off before PA school started, I took that time to spend time with my friends and family as much as I could. I knew once school started, I would be missing that free time
Student C: My work experience was one of the greatest assets to prepare for the start of your school. I worked as a medical scribing in neurology clinic, and got hands on experience on vacation communication, basic medical knowledge, and helpful refresher on pharmacology and anatomy and physiology. During the leisure time, I also made sure that I was polishing my medical terminology. I had to settle the habit of eating breakfast.
Student D: With the help of talking to a few PA students, I came prepared with the mindset that PA school will be a fast-paced and difficult journey. You honestly don’t understand how busy it is until you’re in it. You just have to be prepared that you have to be focused the ENTIRE day. Make sure you bring your entire life with you the whole day and that you’re awake during class from 8-4pm. If that means drink up 2 cups of coffee (I drink 1 cup but I advise no more than 2), then do it! After that, it’s important to review (well, at least try the best you can) what you have learned earlier that day once you get home. Right before you sleep, make sure you’re prepared the next day (since every day/week is different for us)! I find that keeping up with life (such as cooking/cleaning/laundry/driving/grocery shopping) can take a lot of time out of studying time. I would suggest planning a week’s worth of lunch & dinner so you don’t waste your time cooking every night and definitely suggest planning errands weekly to be time-efficient!
Since weekdays are super intense and hectic with classes during the day and material reviewing at night, make sure to take a day off on the weekend just to do what you like to do non-school related, such as hanging out with family/significant others, exploring the city, cooking, fishing…etc. I assure you - You won’t regret the time off just to de-stress and doing the things you prioritized over school. If everything you do is just school, school, school, then you will get tired out fast. Older students advised us to think of 3 things you would want to do besides school and have a proper balance between those 3 things with school!
Student E: Coming into PA school, I knew the work would be very challenging, demanding, and intense. I can sense myself being overwhelmed with information and knowledge. However, in order to prepare for this upcoming challenge, I constantly remind myself to stay mentally strong, motivated, and focused. I feel that is the only way to survive the vast amount of information that I will have to learn and master in the next 34 months.
2) What has been the most interesting thing you have learned so far? What has been the hardest?
Student A: The most interesting thing I have learned has been how knowledgeable and dedicated everyone in my class is. My classmates come from all different backgrounds and have had numerous health care work experience. I have learned that every person has something to teach everyone else. It is all about team work!
The hardest thing for me has been adjusting to the rigorous schedule. We have 8 am classes that last until 4 pm most days. Sometimes we get out at 2 or 3 pm on Fridays. After class, we come home, eat, shower and study until bedtime. After exams we don't do much for the next few days :). It easy to fall behind if you do not keep up with the class material. I wouldn't say it isn't too hard (so far). The toughest part is the amount of material we learn each day. It seems like we cover half a semester's worth of material in a week! UTD offers an excellent science program, so much of the material I am learning now is just review from undergrad.
Student B: The most interesting thing that I have learned so far is how to take vital signs and do a integument exam in our Physical Exam Skills class. I am really excited about that class and learning how to actually perform a physical exam on a patient. The hardest has been managing the amount of material that comes at you at once and making sure you are staying ahead of the material that you need to study.
Student C: Most interesting thing I have learned so far is how everything I learned so far since middle school or high school and throughout my undergraduate school makes a full circle and has prepared me to take on this meticulous program. The hardest thing I have learned so far would be neuroanatomy.
Student D: We have this class called Medical Interviewing and so far I have learned a great deal about how we should conduct our interviews with patients. What kind of mindset we should have while listening and observing patients and what we can assess from how patients explain their complaints and medical histories. That class is very interesting in the fact that I could never guessed how useful each class would be and now I can see the importance of taking this course.
The hardest class would be Clinical Anatomy for me because it has been two years since I have taken Anatomy & Physiology. I don’t remember the terms for any anatomical structures and it takes some time for me to get familiar what each structure is. I’m a big picture person so I need to understand what they do instead of just memorizing what they are, so have a good idea what kind of learner you are. In addition, it is very important to know the structures from the cadavers so it’s another thing to take time to visit lab after school hours to correctly identify the structures on real human bodies. Make sure you find your weakness from your first exam in every class and see how you can improve on studying!
Student E: The most interesting I have learned so far is learning how to apply the knowledge of anatomy and physiology to clinical situations that I will likely be exposed to as a PA. The hardest thing is so far about PA school is keeping up with the materials and information that just never seem to end.
3) What study strategy has worked? What hasn't?
Student A: The second and third year PA students say that study groups will help a lot in PA school even if it was not your style in undergrad. I do feel like that is partially true because everyone has something different to add to the discussion. However, we have only had two exams and I mostly studied on my own the same way I did in undergrad. I did work in groups during anatomy lab with the cadavers and that was a very big help!
A strategy that hasn't worked for me is going into the cadaver lab or study session unprepared. It is a lot more productive to look over the material before attending, so that you know what everyone is talking about and can contribute to the group.
Student B: So far, what has helped the most is reading the material before you go over it in class, taking good notes in class, and then go over the material again after class. Looking over the material before class has helped me so much. For me, I am a visual learner. So I can't just read the material over and over again and hope it sticks. I have to draw it out in my own way and make my own outlines of the material. Also, YouTube has a video for just about any concept you will go over in class. So that is also very helpful!
Student C: Memorizing doesn't work when you are in PA school. You have to make a habit of learning in a way that we can relate to clinically. Group study helps with physiology. I'm sticking to daily routine and sustainable study habit is the way to go.
Student D: Studying right after a whole day of school DOES NOT work. I used to take naps all the time but I figured studying right after school would be the way to be “most productive.” I was trying to make use of the time outside of school and sleep time for studying but after a week of it, I didn’t get much out of time spent on “studying” and I was tired all the time. Make sure you take breaks so you are refreshed in between studying. If you need to take a nap, then definitely do so! Just don't take a long nap but sleep reinforced your memory retention. Also, I used to study by myself a lot during college, but I heard group studying helps so I started doing that first week of school. Make sure you self-study some materials first and also make a study group with various classmates to figure out who are you best studying with. It’s useful when you study with classmates so you could see in what areas you can help one another to understand the materials.
Student E: In undergraduate, I used to be able to get away with studying a day or two before an exam. However in PA school, I have constantly reviewed the materials after class which has helped me tremendously in retaining the information. This has allowed me to keep up with my other courses and avoid constantly struggling to keep up.
4) What do you like about PA school vs. undergrad studies?
Student A: I like how everyone in PA school genuinely wants to be here. Everyone works hard, pays attention in class, and is eager to learn. From what the second and third year students tell us, the class average for most exams are high B's and sometimes even A's. :)
Student B: In PA school, you really learn how to take what you learn in class and apply it in a clinical way. It is so much more than memorization. You have to start thinking in a clinical way, which was a big change for me from undergrad. However, the material is all information that will help you in your career as a PA. That makes it much more enjoyable and easier to understand.
Student C: The difference I see in PA school versus undergraduate studies is how I see equally motivated colleagues around me and how we are working hard for the "golden egg". I definitely enjoyed not taking Chemistry, Spanish, Physics classes but all the subjects are pertinent to the goal we are pursuing.
Student D: 1. Helpfulness. Everyone wants to help one another. It’s no longer a competition. Make sure there’s a Dropbox account so everyone can share useful documents. It has been working out amazing for our class!
2. Direct focus of the curriculum. No extra work – even if there are random quizzes or papers to do, everything is going to be useful towards your career and for patient care. They make you busy for a reason. School will be hard but it’s definitely do-able; It is hard and busy so you are used to the busy schedule in the real world
Student E: I love the amount of depth and details we are exposed to in our courses. I constantly find myself learning more things on my own in PA school which I believe will help me prepare for exams.
1) How did you prepare for the start of PA school?
Student A: To tell you all the truth, I knew I was not going to have much free time after school started, so I did not do any studying. I guess you can say I prepared by catching up with my family and friends, so that it will be more out of my system when school started. UNTHSC does offer optional pre-matriculation classes the week before orientation (which is a week before classes start) that teaches anatomy to give students a head start. The students who took the classes found them to be helpful and information overload just like everyday of PA school!
Student B: I had a year off between when I graduated from undergrad and started PA school, so I took a few elective classes to keep me in the routine of school and studying. However, the month and a half to two months I had off before PA school started, I took that time to spend time with my friends and family as much as I could. I knew once school started, I would be missing that free time
Student C: My work experience was one of the greatest assets to prepare for the start of your school. I worked as a medical scribing in neurology clinic, and got hands on experience on vacation communication, basic medical knowledge, and helpful refresher on pharmacology and anatomy and physiology. During the leisure time, I also made sure that I was polishing my medical terminology. I had to settle the habit of eating breakfast.
Student D: With the help of talking to a few PA students, I came prepared with the mindset that PA school will be a fast-paced and difficult journey. You honestly don’t understand how busy it is until you’re in it. You just have to be prepared that you have to be focused the ENTIRE day. Make sure you bring your entire life with you the whole day and that you’re awake during class from 8-4pm. If that means drink up 2 cups of coffee (I drink 1 cup but I advise no more than 2), then do it! After that, it’s important to review (well, at least try the best you can) what you have learned earlier that day once you get home. Right before you sleep, make sure you’re prepared the next day (since every day/week is different for us)! I find that keeping up with life (such as cooking/cleaning/laundry/driving/grocery shopping) can take a lot of time out of studying time. I would suggest planning a week’s worth of lunch & dinner so you don’t waste your time cooking every night and definitely suggest planning errands weekly to be time-efficient!
Since weekdays are super intense and hectic with classes during the day and material reviewing at night, make sure to take a day off on the weekend just to do what you like to do non-school related, such as hanging out with family/significant others, exploring the city, cooking, fishing…etc. I assure you - You won’t regret the time off just to de-stress and doing the things you prioritized over school. If everything you do is just school, school, school, then you will get tired out fast. Older students advised us to think of 3 things you would want to do besides school and have a proper balance between those 3 things with school!
Student E: Coming into PA school, I knew the work would be very challenging, demanding, and intense. I can sense myself being overwhelmed with information and knowledge. However, in order to prepare for this upcoming challenge, I constantly remind myself to stay mentally strong, motivated, and focused. I feel that is the only way to survive the vast amount of information that I will have to learn and master in the next 34 months.
2) What has been the most interesting thing you have learned so far? What has been the hardest?
Student A: The most interesting thing I have learned has been how knowledgeable and dedicated everyone in my class is. My classmates come from all different backgrounds and have had numerous health care work experience. I have learned that every person has something to teach everyone else. It is all about team work!
The hardest thing for me has been adjusting to the rigorous schedule. We have 8 am classes that last until 4 pm most days. Sometimes we get out at 2 or 3 pm on Fridays. After class, we come home, eat, shower and study until bedtime. After exams we don't do much for the next few days :). It easy to fall behind if you do not keep up with the class material. I wouldn't say it isn't too hard (so far). The toughest part is the amount of material we learn each day. It seems like we cover half a semester's worth of material in a week! UTD offers an excellent science program, so much of the material I am learning now is just review from undergrad.
Student B: The most interesting thing that I have learned so far is how to take vital signs and do a integument exam in our Physical Exam Skills class. I am really excited about that class and learning how to actually perform a physical exam on a patient. The hardest has been managing the amount of material that comes at you at once and making sure you are staying ahead of the material that you need to study.
Student C: Most interesting thing I have learned so far is how everything I learned so far since middle school or high school and throughout my undergraduate school makes a full circle and has prepared me to take on this meticulous program. The hardest thing I have learned so far would be neuroanatomy.
Student D: We have this class called Medical Interviewing and so far I have learned a great deal about how we should conduct our interviews with patients. What kind of mindset we should have while listening and observing patients and what we can assess from how patients explain their complaints and medical histories. That class is very interesting in the fact that I could never guessed how useful each class would be and now I can see the importance of taking this course.
The hardest class would be Clinical Anatomy for me because it has been two years since I have taken Anatomy & Physiology. I don’t remember the terms for any anatomical structures and it takes some time for me to get familiar what each structure is. I’m a big picture person so I need to understand what they do instead of just memorizing what they are, so have a good idea what kind of learner you are. In addition, it is very important to know the structures from the cadavers so it’s another thing to take time to visit lab after school hours to correctly identify the structures on real human bodies. Make sure you find your weakness from your first exam in every class and see how you can improve on studying!
Student E: The most interesting I have learned so far is learning how to apply the knowledge of anatomy and physiology to clinical situations that I will likely be exposed to as a PA. The hardest thing is so far about PA school is keeping up with the materials and information that just never seem to end.
3) What study strategy has worked? What hasn't?
Student A: The second and third year PA students say that study groups will help a lot in PA school even if it was not your style in undergrad. I do feel like that is partially true because everyone has something different to add to the discussion. However, we have only had two exams and I mostly studied on my own the same way I did in undergrad. I did work in groups during anatomy lab with the cadavers and that was a very big help!
A strategy that hasn't worked for me is going into the cadaver lab or study session unprepared. It is a lot more productive to look over the material before attending, so that you know what everyone is talking about and can contribute to the group.
Student B: So far, what has helped the most is reading the material before you go over it in class, taking good notes in class, and then go over the material again after class. Looking over the material before class has helped me so much. For me, I am a visual learner. So I can't just read the material over and over again and hope it sticks. I have to draw it out in my own way and make my own outlines of the material. Also, YouTube has a video for just about any concept you will go over in class. So that is also very helpful!
Student C: Memorizing doesn't work when you are in PA school. You have to make a habit of learning in a way that we can relate to clinically. Group study helps with physiology. I'm sticking to daily routine and sustainable study habit is the way to go.
Student D: Studying right after a whole day of school DOES NOT work. I used to take naps all the time but I figured studying right after school would be the way to be “most productive.” I was trying to make use of the time outside of school and sleep time for studying but after a week of it, I didn’t get much out of time spent on “studying” and I was tired all the time. Make sure you take breaks so you are refreshed in between studying. If you need to take a nap, then definitely do so! Just don't take a long nap but sleep reinforced your memory retention. Also, I used to study by myself a lot during college, but I heard group studying helps so I started doing that first week of school. Make sure you self-study some materials first and also make a study group with various classmates to figure out who are you best studying with. It’s useful when you study with classmates so you could see in what areas you can help one another to understand the materials.
Student E: In undergraduate, I used to be able to get away with studying a day or two before an exam. However in PA school, I have constantly reviewed the materials after class which has helped me tremendously in retaining the information. This has allowed me to keep up with my other courses and avoid constantly struggling to keep up.
4) What do you like about PA school vs. undergrad studies?
Student A: I like how everyone in PA school genuinely wants to be here. Everyone works hard, pays attention in class, and is eager to learn. From what the second and third year students tell us, the class average for most exams are high B's and sometimes even A's. :)
Student B: In PA school, you really learn how to take what you learn in class and apply it in a clinical way. It is so much more than memorization. You have to start thinking in a clinical way, which was a big change for me from undergrad. However, the material is all information that will help you in your career as a PA. That makes it much more enjoyable and easier to understand.
Student C: The difference I see in PA school versus undergraduate studies is how I see equally motivated colleagues around me and how we are working hard for the "golden egg". I definitely enjoyed not taking Chemistry, Spanish, Physics classes but all the subjects are pertinent to the goal we are pursuing.
Student D: 1. Helpfulness. Everyone wants to help one another. It’s no longer a competition. Make sure there’s a Dropbox account so everyone can share useful documents. It has been working out amazing for our class!
2. Direct focus of the curriculum. No extra work – even if there are random quizzes or papers to do, everything is going to be useful towards your career and for patient care. They make you busy for a reason. School will be hard but it’s definitely do-able; It is hard and busy so you are used to the busy schedule in the real world
Student E: I love the amount of depth and details we are exposed to in our courses. I constantly find myself learning more things on my own in PA school which I believe will help me prepare for exams.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Interview with a Cardiology PA-C
1) Why did you become a Physician Assistant?
I knew I wanted to go into medicine from a very young age. I was fortunate to work in an office during the summer where they had PAs and got to see what they do. So going into undergrad I knew I wanted to be a PA. I love helping people and realized that mid-levels got to actually spend time with the patients and not have the hassle of running your own practice like an MD. To me it is the best of both worlds: you get a lot of responsibility and autonomy but without the headaches of running a business (which I had no interest in).
2) Tell me about your application process (how did you get ready, how many schools did you apply to? Who did you interview with, what as it like, etc)
This was a while ago but I applied I think the first year CASPA was available. I don’t know how it is now but you could choose 8 schools to apply to with one fee. So I took advantage and applied to 8 schools. Several of the schools that are available now in Texas did not have a program when I was applying. I interviewed with Health Science Center in San Antonio and Rosalind Franklin in Chicago. I got an offer to interview for NOVA in Florida but did not go. The interview consisted of tour, meeting current students and faculty and of course the interview. At San Antonio the interview was panel style where you had one interview in front of 4 or 5 staff. At Rosalind Franklin I interviewed with a few different faculty separately.
3) What made you pick your program? While you were there, what stood out to you about your program?
I chose Rosalind Franklin because I really like the facilities, the staff, and what they told me about the program. While I was there I really appreciated that they had us take A&P as a summer course and did not load up a lot of other courses with it. We were able to focus on that very important first class. I also liked that quite of few of our courses (especially pharmacology ones) were done with the medical school students.
4) What area do you practice in? What other areas have you practiced in?
I currently practice in Cardiology but I have also done Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine.
5) What does a normal day look like for you? What kinds of things do you do?
My current job is just clinic. I have split between hospital and clinic at other jobs which was nice because they are so different. You would get tired of being in the clinic and then I could leave and go round at the hospital. It kind of shook things up! Now I work in a busy cardiology office and they don’t really need the mid-levels to go to the hospital. Plenty to do in the office! I see patients throughout the day both on my own and with an MD. I also supervise stress testing and we get called back to testing if anything out of the ordinary is going on. I call patients back with test results and for any questions they have. The docs here do not do any phone calls and therefore the mid-levels do all of the ones that the medical assistants can not do.
6) How is being a PA different than you expected when you were a student?
It really isn’t all that different than what I expected. The PAs that I shadowed and did my clinical rotations with gave an accurate portrayal of the profession.
7) What professional evolution do you hope to see next for PAs?
I hope that we continue to become better known and accepted. I still have patients ask me when I’m going to finish school, be a doctor, etc. I want patients to become familiar with our profession so they feel confident that we are capable and knowledgeable to see them, treat them, and order appropriate testing.
There is some talk right now about our profession going to having to specialize in certain fields. I personally have changed between specialties and think it is one of the major advantages of our profession.
8) Any advice for future applicants?
I have seen people in my profession who have a really hard time having to work under someone and the ultimate decision being up to the physician. I always wonder why these people just didn’t go to med school. I would just recommend that you realize at the end of the day that we work under a physician and although we normally get a lot of autonomy that is not always the case.
I think PA schools are looking for those well rounded people (grades are decent, medical experience, passion for healthcare, volunteering, shadowing a PA to show you are familiar with the profession and know what you are getting into!) – having just one of these things is not going to cut it.
Don’t give up. Reapply! Our profession is worth it! Good luck!
I knew I wanted to go into medicine from a very young age. I was fortunate to work in an office during the summer where they had PAs and got to see what they do. So going into undergrad I knew I wanted to be a PA. I love helping people and realized that mid-levels got to actually spend time with the patients and not have the hassle of running your own practice like an MD. To me it is the best of both worlds: you get a lot of responsibility and autonomy but without the headaches of running a business (which I had no interest in).
2) Tell me about your application process (how did you get ready, how many schools did you apply to? Who did you interview with, what as it like, etc)
This was a while ago but I applied I think the first year CASPA was available. I don’t know how it is now but you could choose 8 schools to apply to with one fee. So I took advantage and applied to 8 schools. Several of the schools that are available now in Texas did not have a program when I was applying. I interviewed with Health Science Center in San Antonio and Rosalind Franklin in Chicago. I got an offer to interview for NOVA in Florida but did not go. The interview consisted of tour, meeting current students and faculty and of course the interview. At San Antonio the interview was panel style where you had one interview in front of 4 or 5 staff. At Rosalind Franklin I interviewed with a few different faculty separately.
3) What made you pick your program? While you were there, what stood out to you about your program?
I chose Rosalind Franklin because I really like the facilities, the staff, and what they told me about the program. While I was there I really appreciated that they had us take A&P as a summer course and did not load up a lot of other courses with it. We were able to focus on that very important first class. I also liked that quite of few of our courses (especially pharmacology ones) were done with the medical school students.
4) What area do you practice in? What other areas have you practiced in?
I currently practice in Cardiology but I have also done Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine.
5) What does a normal day look like for you? What kinds of things do you do?
My current job is just clinic. I have split between hospital and clinic at other jobs which was nice because they are so different. You would get tired of being in the clinic and then I could leave and go round at the hospital. It kind of shook things up! Now I work in a busy cardiology office and they don’t really need the mid-levels to go to the hospital. Plenty to do in the office! I see patients throughout the day both on my own and with an MD. I also supervise stress testing and we get called back to testing if anything out of the ordinary is going on. I call patients back with test results and for any questions they have. The docs here do not do any phone calls and therefore the mid-levels do all of the ones that the medical assistants can not do.
6) How is being a PA different than you expected when you were a student?
It really isn’t all that different than what I expected. The PAs that I shadowed and did my clinical rotations with gave an accurate portrayal of the profession.
7) What professional evolution do you hope to see next for PAs?
I hope that we continue to become better known and accepted. I still have patients ask me when I’m going to finish school, be a doctor, etc. I want patients to become familiar with our profession so they feel confident that we are capable and knowledgeable to see them, treat them, and order appropriate testing.
There is some talk right now about our profession going to having to specialize in certain fields. I personally have changed between specialties and think it is one of the major advantages of our profession.
8) Any advice for future applicants?
I have seen people in my profession who have a really hard time having to work under someone and the ultimate decision being up to the physician. I always wonder why these people just didn’t go to med school. I would just recommend that you realize at the end of the day that we work under a physician and although we normally get a lot of autonomy that is not always the case.
I think PA schools are looking for those well rounded people (grades are decent, medical experience, passion for healthcare, volunteering, shadowing a PA to show you are familiar with the profession and know what you are getting into!) – having just one of these things is not going to cut it.
Don’t give up. Reapply! Our profession is worth it! Good luck!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Interview with a Family Practice PA-C
1. Why did you become a PA?
I became a PA because I wanted the best of both worlds. I value family time as well as a good career. The PA profession allowed me to work almost autonomously as a healthcare provider while still having the ability to focus on my personal life with my husband and children. I wanted the abilities to see patients, diagnose and treat both the acute and chronic issues but without the extreme years of schooling and residency and liability. Thus, PA school was the ideal goal for me.
2) How did you prepare to apply to PA school? (Undergraduate degree, work, volunteering, etc)
I always knew I loved medicine. So I became an EMT-B at 18 years old and worked as a clinic technician at Children’s Hospital throughout my college years. During my college years, I majored in Biology just to cover most prerequisites for a medical background. I also used my time at Children’s to learn as much as possible from the staff there as well as gain as much experiences with procedures as I could: IVs, lab draws, NG tube placements, etc. After graduating college, I wanted make sure that I truly wanted to pursue a career in medicine by doing something else that I enjoy: teaching. I started teaching intercity kids in various cities including the Bronx, Chicago and Memphis. Although I truly loved what I did there, my time teaching confirmed my definite decision to go into medicine.
3) Tell me about your application process (how many times, how many interviews, what were they like etc)
I did not apply to PA school until I was confident that this was the right path for me given all my priorities for my future. I applied to four schools in Texas and had interviews set for all 4. My first choice was UTSW and luckily it was also my first interview. A few days after my interview, I was accepted so I cancelled the other 3 school interviews.
4) How did you pick UTSW?
I picked UTSW for many reasons: it was the closest to my family; has an excellent reputation for the PA program; 100% pass rate on PANCE; small classes of 36; associated with excellent teaching facilities such as Parkland, St. Pauls, etc.
5) What were some successful study strategies you used during the didactic potion of your PA program?
Constant and steady studying daily. No procrastination!!! I learned to study in groups but realized group studying was best only after each person already studied the material individually. As a group we also divided up sections so that we can “teach” the others in the group. One of the best way to learn is to teach. That’s why during rotations, I always followed the mantra: see one, do one, teach one.
6) What has surprised you about PA school so far?
For an applicant, I would say it’s not just about the “good grades and shadowing experiences.” Rather, it’s also about who you are as a person including your life experiences and what makes you stand out from the thousands of applicants. What are your passions in life and why? Grades are important but are you able to connect with people, particularly those who have nothing in common with you? As a PA, you are expected to interact with people and form a trusting relationship with them so that together you can aim for the same goal: good health? What qualities do you have that will allow you to do this?
Finally, I think there are two important points for PA students to keep in mind:
1. Your rotations are not only opportunities to solidify what you learned in the classrooms, but they are also potential job opportunities. Do your best and network with the entire staff: providers, front desk, back office, nurses, MA. These are the people who can help to direct you to your first job as a PA.
2. Think about what you want to do before just applying to any job. It is ok to change later if you realize you don’t like it, but try to be as honest with yourself as possible. With all jobs but especially with your first job, do not be blinded by the salary offered. The single most important factor is the MD-PA relationship. If you do not like or trust your supervising MD, your time at the clinic will be miserable. Additionally, place greater emphasis on quality of life, hours/schedules, calls, benefits (CME allowances, medical insurance, 401K, etc). If you choose a job because the pay is extremely high, you will soon realize that there’s a reason for that. Go into an interview was the attitude that you are also interviewing the employer. What makes that employer someone you want to work for? When you make yourself desperate, you will get a low quality job that can result in being unhappy with your career.
For example, I want autonomy as a PA so right now I am running a PA only clinic for THPG. I have a supervising MD who has her own clinic 25 min away. She comes once a month to review charts. I am well compensated but I tried to negotiate into my contract other things that were more important: hours/schedules, compensation package (CME/license renewal fees, journal subscriptions, medical/dental insurance, 401K, etc.)
Rotations were by far the best experiences during PA school. It was during this time that all the didactics finally made sense when put into practice. It was now time to make sense of what I had learned in the classroom and learning seemed easier when applied in practice. The most surprising thing for me was to learn that I loved family practice. I came into it thinking FP would be my least favorite but today I find that it is my favorite!
7) Any advice (beyond good grade and shadowing) for an applicant?
I didn’t realize it was as intense until in hindsight. College seemed difficult but in reality it was not as rigorous as PA school. I also realized that time does fly quickly once you’re in so school was over before I knew it!
8) What keeps you interested in family practice? What other specialties have you practiced in?
I became a PA because I wanted the best of both worlds. I value family time as well as a good career. The PA profession allowed me to work almost autonomously as a healthcare provider while still having the ability to focus on my personal life with my husband and children. I wanted the abilities to see patients, diagnose and treat both the acute and chronic issues but without the extreme years of schooling and residency and liability. Thus, PA school was the ideal goal for me.
2) How did you prepare to apply to PA school? (Undergraduate degree, work, volunteering, etc)
I always knew I loved medicine. So I became an EMT-B at 18 years old and worked as a clinic technician at Children’s Hospital throughout my college years. During my college years, I majored in Biology just to cover most prerequisites for a medical background. I also used my time at Children’s to learn as much as possible from the staff there as well as gain as much experiences with procedures as I could: IVs, lab draws, NG tube placements, etc. After graduating college, I wanted make sure that I truly wanted to pursue a career in medicine by doing something else that I enjoy: teaching. I started teaching intercity kids in various cities including the Bronx, Chicago and Memphis. Although I truly loved what I did there, my time teaching confirmed my definite decision to go into medicine.
3) Tell me about your application process (how many times, how many interviews, what were they like etc)
I did not apply to PA school until I was confident that this was the right path for me given all my priorities for my future. I applied to four schools in Texas and had interviews set for all 4. My first choice was UTSW and luckily it was also my first interview. A few days after my interview, I was accepted so I cancelled the other 3 school interviews.
4) How did you pick UTSW?
I picked UTSW for many reasons: it was the closest to my family; has an excellent reputation for the PA program; 100% pass rate on PANCE; small classes of 36; associated with excellent teaching facilities such as Parkland, St. Pauls, etc.
5) What were some successful study strategies you used during the didactic potion of your PA program?
Constant and steady studying daily. No procrastination!!! I learned to study in groups but realized group studying was best only after each person already studied the material individually. As a group we also divided up sections so that we can “teach” the others in the group. One of the best way to learn is to teach. That’s why during rotations, I always followed the mantra: see one, do one, teach one.
6) What has surprised you about PA school so far?
For an applicant, I would say it’s not just about the “good grades and shadowing experiences.” Rather, it’s also about who you are as a person including your life experiences and what makes you stand out from the thousands of applicants. What are your passions in life and why? Grades are important but are you able to connect with people, particularly those who have nothing in common with you? As a PA, you are expected to interact with people and form a trusting relationship with them so that together you can aim for the same goal: good health? What qualities do you have that will allow you to do this?
Finally, I think there are two important points for PA students to keep in mind:
1. Your rotations are not only opportunities to solidify what you learned in the classrooms, but they are also potential job opportunities. Do your best and network with the entire staff: providers, front desk, back office, nurses, MA. These are the people who can help to direct you to your first job as a PA.
2. Think about what you want to do before just applying to any job. It is ok to change later if you realize you don’t like it, but try to be as honest with yourself as possible. With all jobs but especially with your first job, do not be blinded by the salary offered. The single most important factor is the MD-PA relationship. If you do not like or trust your supervising MD, your time at the clinic will be miserable. Additionally, place greater emphasis on quality of life, hours/schedules, calls, benefits (CME allowances, medical insurance, 401K, etc). If you choose a job because the pay is extremely high, you will soon realize that there’s a reason for that. Go into an interview was the attitude that you are also interviewing the employer. What makes that employer someone you want to work for? When you make yourself desperate, you will get a low quality job that can result in being unhappy with your career.
For example, I want autonomy as a PA so right now I am running a PA only clinic for THPG. I have a supervising MD who has her own clinic 25 min away. She comes once a month to review charts. I am well compensated but I tried to negotiate into my contract other things that were more important: hours/schedules, compensation package (CME/license renewal fees, journal subscriptions, medical/dental insurance, 401K, etc.)
Rotations were by far the best experiences during PA school. It was during this time that all the didactics finally made sense when put into practice. It was now time to make sense of what I had learned in the classroom and learning seemed easier when applied in practice. The most surprising thing for me was to learn that I loved family practice. I came into it thinking FP would be my least favorite but today I find that it is my favorite!
7) Any advice (beyond good grade and shadowing) for an applicant?
I didn’t realize it was as intense until in hindsight. College seemed difficult but in reality it was not as rigorous as PA school. I also realized that time does fly quickly once you’re in so school was over before I knew it!
8) What keeps you interested in family practice? What other specialties have you practiced in?
I love FP bc I enjoy the variety of health issues (physicals, well exams, acute infections, chronic problems like HTN, DM, thyroid, etc) and the many types of procedures (biopsies, paps, suturing, I&D, etc). Additionally, I am big on preventative medicine and I use lots of teaching tools to help education patients and encourage them to ask me questions. That’s why I say that patient education is a big theme at my clinic and I find that patients are extremely receptive to learning and greatly appreciate when they have some autonomy in their care. Often times patients are told what they have and what they have to do without an explanation of the process behind their issues and how they can join the provider to improve their situation. Other areas I’ve worked include: geriatrics and allergy/asthma
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