Like I said before, I had a great time over the 2 days I attended the TAPA conference last weekend in Dallas. As a PrePA, I was able to peek into the world I've been working to be a part of for two years. I was able to talk with people who have been working as a PA since the 70s, new grads who just finished their first year in practice, students looking forward to rotations, and leaders of the profession in every category working to make my future career better.
Here are some highlights:
- DVT Lecture from a Surgeon at UTSW
- Meeting 5 former/current/future Presidents of TAPA
- Hearing feedback on my preparations from representatives of the PA schools in Texas
- Hearing how legislation has opened up PAs to have licenses, get better reimbursement, and now the ability to be a partial opener in a practice
- Knowing the right answer to 5 Challenge Bowl Questions (out of 50+, most of which I didn't even understand)
- Meeting an unending amount of friendly and generous people who were willing to help me and other PrePAs get where they are
- Learning about apps that I can use right now to start learning what I will use in my future practice
As a PrePA, I would recommend joining TAPA and going to a conference. See who you will be working with, who you will be in school with, who will train you, and who is advocating for PAs. You get a glimpse into what awaits, and its an exciting glimpse.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
General Update
I just got home from the TAPA conference and I have to tell you that it was wonder. I was able to connect with many PAs and PA students, learn a lot about the evolution of the profession, and even attend a seminar on DVTs. I'll have some more organized thoughts soon.
I was also able to get almost 7 gigs worth of video interviews. I'll have to see how much is useable and if you can hear us speak, so be looking for those to show up eventually.
I did want to thank everyone at the conference. They were very gracious with their time, knowledge, and encouragement, and I feel more excited about submitted my CASPA in May than ever before. Maybe even excited enough to study some more.
If you don't know about TAPA, be sure to check out my post here that explains why its a good idea to be involved, even as a PrePA.
I was also able to get almost 7 gigs worth of video interviews. I'll have to see how much is useable and if you can hear us speak, so be looking for those to show up eventually.
I did want to thank everyone at the conference. They were very gracious with their time, knowledge, and encouragement, and I feel more excited about submitted my CASPA in May than ever before. Maybe even excited enough to study some more.
If you don't know about TAPA, be sure to check out my post here that explains why its a good idea to be involved, even as a PrePA.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
PA-S Interview
Here is an Interview I did with a PA-S at Texas Tech in Midland.
1) Tell me about your interview and application process (which schools did you apply to, how was interviewing, etc)
I submitted my CASPA app basically ASAP in June. I applied to all of the Texas schools and I received interviews to Tech, Baylor, UNT and Pan American. I did not go to the Pan American interview because I had already gotten into Tech by then and I did not want to go to Pan American. I felt most relaxed with the Tech interview... I felt like the professors there actually wanted to know who you are as a person and what kind of PA you will make verses the other schools that did psychological mind analysis and asked you weird "thinking" questions to see how you would react. Baylor's last 2 days but the other interviews were just a 1 day thing.
2) What things made Tech stand out and be your choice?
To be honest, the reason why I went to Tech is because out of the schools I interviewed, Tech was the only one that accepted me. I was wait listed for the other ones, but Tech accepted me AND gave me $1,000 to come to their school. The PA program is the only Tech program in Midland, the there is only 1 building and it's only for the PA students. I think this is both bad and good.... good to be like the "spotlight" students but then again bad because we are isolated from Lubbock Tech and we can't network with other students. The building and classrooms are very new and very pretty!! The Physical Exam room is amazing!!!
3) What is life in Midland like? Where were you living before?
I moved to Midland from Plano, and Midland is very different haha. It has about 100,000 people there and pretty much everyone there works in the oil and gas business. Midland basically has everything you need... walmart, starbucks, CVS, standard restaurants/shopping..... but it's just not Dallas. There good things: NO TRAFFIC EVER hahaha and it's always warm/less rain and storms (If you like warm temps).
4) Tell me about your didactic experience (how large class, professors approachable, study strategies, etc)
My class started out with 61 and we now have 55..... so 6 people dropped during that first summer semester..... which is A LOT. In the past, only 2-3 have dropped out but I guess our class was special hahaha. One of the best things about Tech is the professors are SOOOOO approachable and SOOOOO nice!! They ALL want you to succeed and do well in school. They answer emails so quickly and will forward emails to the entire class if they feel we should all know the information. I am more of an independent studier, so I always studied at home alone. Some people would form groups and study at starbucks though. For most exams, they give you a really good review and as a class, we would divide that review up and share it. For the most part, my class is very nice with sharing and not being competitive and helping everyone out. Also, the professors really get you excited about becoming a PA and make you feel very proud for doing what you are doing.
5) Where have you been for rotations/where will you go for rotations?
I will start my rotations on August 15!! My last classroom school day in Midland is August 4 and then that weekend I will be moving to Abilene. I picked Abilene because it is close to Dallas. We have done a few things in Midland during the past year like working at the city health fair doing blood pressures and examining teens for scoliosis at middle schools.
1) Tell me about your interview and application process (which schools did you apply to, how was interviewing, etc)
I submitted my CASPA app basically ASAP in June. I applied to all of the Texas schools and I received interviews to Tech, Baylor, UNT and Pan American. I did not go to the Pan American interview because I had already gotten into Tech by then and I did not want to go to Pan American. I felt most relaxed with the Tech interview... I felt like the professors there actually wanted to know who you are as a person and what kind of PA you will make verses the other schools that did psychological mind analysis and asked you weird "thinking" questions to see how you would react. Baylor's last 2 days but the other interviews were just a 1 day thing.
2) What things made Tech stand out and be your choice?
To be honest, the reason why I went to Tech is because out of the schools I interviewed, Tech was the only one that accepted me. I was wait listed for the other ones, but Tech accepted me AND gave me $1,000 to come to their school. The PA program is the only Tech program in Midland, the there is only 1 building and it's only for the PA students. I think this is both bad and good.... good to be like the "spotlight" students but then again bad because we are isolated from Lubbock Tech and we can't network with other students. The building and classrooms are very new and very pretty!! The Physical Exam room is amazing!!!
3) What is life in Midland like? Where were you living before?
I moved to Midland from Plano, and Midland is very different haha. It has about 100,000 people there and pretty much everyone there works in the oil and gas business. Midland basically has everything you need... walmart, starbucks, CVS, standard restaurants/shopping..... but it's just not Dallas. There good things: NO TRAFFIC EVER hahaha and it's always warm/less rain and storms (If you like warm temps).
4) Tell me about your didactic experience (how large class, professors approachable, study strategies, etc)
My class started out with 61 and we now have 55..... so 6 people dropped during that first summer semester..... which is A LOT. In the past, only 2-3 have dropped out but I guess our class was special hahaha. One of the best things about Tech is the professors are SOOOOO approachable and SOOOOO nice!! They ALL want you to succeed and do well in school. They answer emails so quickly and will forward emails to the entire class if they feel we should all know the information. I am more of an independent studier, so I always studied at home alone. Some people would form groups and study at starbucks though. For most exams, they give you a really good review and as a class, we would divide that review up and share it. For the most part, my class is very nice with sharing and not being competitive and helping everyone out. Also, the professors really get you excited about becoming a PA and make you feel very proud for doing what you are doing.
5) Where have you been for rotations/where will you go for rotations?
I will start my rotations on August 15!! My last classroom school day in Midland is August 4 and then that weekend I will be moving to Abilene. I picked Abilene because it is close to Dallas. We have done a few things in Midland during the past year like working at the city health fair doing blood pressures and examining teens for scoliosis at middle schools.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Interview with a PA-C
Here's an interview with a PA I work with in the Critical Care Unit. She was a Respiratory Therapist in Canada for 20 years before coming to the US and going to PA school.
Please note: this interview is a transcription of our conversation, so it might read differently.
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
I was always interested in the medical field and I knew I didn't want to be an MD. When I heard I could be part of decision making as a PA I knew I'd prefer it to being an RT.
2) Tell me about your experience as an RT.
I was an RT for 20 years. I had a wonderful experience and it definitely has made me a better PA. It helps in the ICU to have that experience in my background. In Canada, the RTs also do anaesthisia so I had a fairly wide scope of practice.
3) What was it like to go to school with a family?
It wasn't easy but definitely doable. I thought it would be really hard, but its a short term commitment you make. You just have to choose how to spend that time. My first year I had almost a 4.0 but I didn't see my family at all. I realized I could still excel academically and have a better balance between school and home. I graduated with a 3.5, so I still did well and was able to have a better balance.
4) What has surprised you about practicing as a PA-C?
There haven't been too many surprises. I felt well informed about the role plus I'm still new, so I haven't encountered very many surprises yet. You do get more respect as a PA vs RT. I guess I never thought about that.
5) You are working in Critical Care and in Primary Care. What led you to those two specialties? What is it like being in both of those worlds?
I really like working the primary care on the side. It helps me retain a lot of what I used in school, prepares me for my recertification, and its a different kind of medicine than in the ICU. You don't give someone IV medication for blood pressure; you have to think more long term.
I have worked in an ICU as an RT for so long that I knew I would fit well. My passion is working in a hospital, and the ICU is home to me. I'm very comfortable there. But I am also loving primary care.
6) How did you pick your PA program?
I had to apply 2 times. I picked them because they were a great program and I really couldn't move. It was between UTSW and UNTHSC. I picked it because of the reputation (highly ranked), rotation locations, and 100% PANCE pass rate.
7) Any advice for PrePAs besides good grades and shadowing?
You have to REALLY REALLY want it, badly. I still feel like I got lucky because there were people smarter than me who didn't get in. But I stuck with it, applied again, kept after it. Second round applicants can have a better shot because it shows how much you want it to apply again. Its so competetive that you really have to stand out somehow and be passionate about it.
Please note: this interview is a transcription of our conversation, so it might read differently.
1) Why did you choose to be a PA?
I was always interested in the medical field and I knew I didn't want to be an MD. When I heard I could be part of decision making as a PA I knew I'd prefer it to being an RT.
2) Tell me about your experience as an RT.
I was an RT for 20 years. I had a wonderful experience and it definitely has made me a better PA. It helps in the ICU to have that experience in my background. In Canada, the RTs also do anaesthisia so I had a fairly wide scope of practice.
3) What was it like to go to school with a family?
It wasn't easy but definitely doable. I thought it would be really hard, but its a short term commitment you make. You just have to choose how to spend that time. My first year I had almost a 4.0 but I didn't see my family at all. I realized I could still excel academically and have a better balance between school and home. I graduated with a 3.5, so I still did well and was able to have a better balance.
4) What has surprised you about practicing as a PA-C?
There haven't been too many surprises. I felt well informed about the role plus I'm still new, so I haven't encountered very many surprises yet. You do get more respect as a PA vs RT. I guess I never thought about that.
5) You are working in Critical Care and in Primary Care. What led you to those two specialties? What is it like being in both of those worlds?
I really like working the primary care on the side. It helps me retain a lot of what I used in school, prepares me for my recertification, and its a different kind of medicine than in the ICU. You don't give someone IV medication for blood pressure; you have to think more long term.
I have worked in an ICU as an RT for so long that I knew I would fit well. My passion is working in a hospital, and the ICU is home to me. I'm very comfortable there. But I am also loving primary care.
6) How did you pick your PA program?
I had to apply 2 times. I picked them because they were a great program and I really couldn't move. It was between UTSW and UNTHSC. I picked it because of the reputation (highly ranked), rotation locations, and 100% PANCE pass rate.
7) Any advice for PrePAs besides good grades and shadowing?
You have to REALLY REALLY want it, badly. I still feel like I got lucky because there were people smarter than me who didn't get in. But I stuck with it, applied again, kept after it. Second round applicants can have a better shot because it shows how much you want it to apply again. Its so competetive that you really have to stand out somehow and be passionate about it.
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