Urology PA-C Interview

Here's an interview with a Urology PA from Dallas

1) Why did you become a Physician Assistant?

I was a school teacher, and I was very unhappy with my job. I decided I would go back to school and eventually get to med school. I had wanted to do that the first time around, but somehow I ended up off-track and became a teacher. I had a wonderful advisor who talked to me about all of my options. As an older student, the PA profession seemed ideal.


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)

I began by researching schools in my area. There are 7 in Texas, and I planned to apply to those. I had seen a poster for Harding University outside my microbiology class, so I applied there, also. Due to a difficulty with CASPA, I missed the deadline for most of the Texas schools. (CASPA is not the easiest process. It took much longer than I expected. Also, one of my references dragged their feet for almost 2 months.) I ended up getting an interview with Harding. I researched some of the more frequently asked questions to prepare. During the half day interview, we had several activities. There were 12 people interviewing in the AM (my time slot) and 16 in the PM. We started by taking a medical terminology quiz. Then, we broke into 3 groups. My group started with a group "interview". We were given a questionably ethical situation and asked to discuss how we would handle it. Then, we were told we were stranded on the moon and had a set number of supplies. We had to discuss and order the supplies from most to least important. The point was to see how well we interacted with others. Next on the agenda was a guided tour of the facilities by current students. After that, we came back for the formal interviews. They were being conducted by the program director, curriculum director, and the teachers (both MD and PA). I was interviewed by the 2 directors, separately. I was asked the typical questions of strengths, weaknesses, etc. They also asked about my support system and beliefs (it is a faith-based school). The program director had thoroughly read my application and asked about specific items. It was very stressful, but everyone was pleasant. I was actually wait-listed. I was #14. I did not think that I would make it because the highest number ever accepted prior to this (and since) was 10. but they made it all the way to 15.


3) What made you pick your program? While you were there, what stood out to you about your program? 

Honestly, it was the only program to which I was accepted. However, I liked that it was small. Also, the year I applied, the class had a 100% PANCE passing rate. The staff was very welcoming during the interview process. I had gone to an info seesion at one of the larger PA schools in Texas. Everything was very cold and no one was very friendly. Harding is part of a small community, and you feel that when you are there.


4) What area do you practice in? What other areas have you practiced in?

I have only practiced in urology.


5) What does a normal day look like for you? What kinds of things do you do? 

My day starts at 8 AM. I see clinic patients as they are scheduled. I travel to 3 different clinics throughout the week. If there is a hospital consult or admitted patient where I am, I see them. I see new patients, established patients, and pre-ops. I spend a significant portion of my day calling in/refilling meds. I return patient phone calls. I speak to other PAs or MDs on the phone. I finish clinic by about 5 PM, although I usually have charts to finish. Fortunately, I have our EMR on my home computer.


6) How is being a PA different than you expected when you were a student? 

I spend a lot more time on things that do not invlove direct patient contact than I expected. So much of my time is spent going over labs, returning calls, etc. There are always endless drug reps wanting your attention.


7) What professional evolution do you hope to see next for PAs? 

I wish that the profession could somehow promote itself to the general public. I don't think that PAs are on the same level as MDs, and I don't believe we should be independent. However, I wish that patients were more accepting (as a whole) of PAs. Many prefer to see me over the MD. But some become very angry when they are expected to see me.


8) Any advice for future applicants? 

When I started PA school, I assumed that I would fail out or be struggling to keep up. That attitude actually served me well. It jump-started me to begin PA school studying harder that I ever had before. Also, you need to assume (and let nearby family and friends know) that you are generally not available. Of course, you need time away from school, but it needs to be sparing. I would advise making friends with your classmates. They are some of the only people who will know what you are going through. Also, you will be speaking "medicine" for 2-3 years. Non-medical friends and family grow very tired of that. Study in groups and individually. Group-studying was actually the most efficient studying I did, even when we were off-track. We came up with silly songs or sayings to help us remember things. Have a non-school book, or some non-school hobby, going at all times. The people that struggled the hardest where those who didn't study enough or those who studied non-stop. Do not worry about what other people's grades are. At the end of the day, yours is the only one that matters.