Does anybody know anything about Physician Assistant programs?

11/12/2006 8:46:07 PM

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=113

http://www.physicianassistantforum.com/forum353/

11/12/2006 10:57:18 PM

Quote :

"http://www.physicianassistantforum.com/forum353/"

for the win

11/13/2006 9:55:29 PM

So not too long ago some big magazine (I forget which) declared PA's as a job that's going to explode in comming years. Not too long after, I am hearing about all these people that want to be PA's........I wanted to be one before that hype. Did everyone get excited about it because of the recent hype? How many of you other TWWer's want to be, or know someone who wants to be a PA?

11/15/2006 8:55:06 PM

It doesn't matter that you wanted to do it first.

Careers with good lifestyles tend to be found out rather quickly.

Think of all the pre-law/pre-med people that now want to be pharmacists, dentists, PA's, etc.

No need to hate on people for wanting good careers.

As far as PA's blowing up....it's possible.

California already gives them rights to own their own practices without physician supervision. The most appealing thing about being a PA, from my point of view, is that you have the capabililty to switch fields whereas you get locked into one as a physician after completing residency.

It's a pretty cool field but is getting more competitive. I think though with better quality students heading into stuff like dentistry, pharmacy, and PA school there's going to be a dropoff in talent of those who pursue medicine or nursing. :/ Not a good thing.

11/16/2006 10:32:06 AM

^some good points

However I don't think there will be a decline in students pursuing nursing and medicine.

People want to do medicine (assuming you mean MD) for many reasons, money and the "title" being major reasons. Getting into an MD program will remain competitive and I don't think we will see any change in that trend during our life time.

Nursing, although there is a shortage, I also don't see being a problem either. Nursing degrees provide many options besides just being a floor nurse. Although many people begin nursing school with the intent of getting their Masters, shit happens and life happens. They never have the time or resources to pursue their advanced degree and therefore will continue to be RN's on the floor.

Dental school and pharmacy school (esp. Dental school) do a good job of keeping their numbers in check. NC only has one dental school right now, and I’d say their is a reason for that.

I don't see dental schools and medical schools being opened at smaller universities like UNCC or UNCG and watering down the quality of the degrees.


Just some thoughts


[Edited on November 16, 2006 at 2:55 PM. Reason : s]

11/16/2006 2:54:02 PM

^There is already a decline in people pursuing medicine. Last year there was a slight increase in applicantions to medical school, but over the last 10 years there has been a dramatic drop in applicants (I believe about 20%).

11/16/2006 3:16:17 PM

well i learned something then

11/16/2006 4:29:56 PM

Haha...no hate here, I'm just stunned that it seems in only about two months, I keep meeting more and more people that want to be a PA. And I agree with youo, fermata, that it's quite appealing to change specialities with little difficulty. BTW, thanks for the info about Cali...I had NO idea about that. Despite my interest in becomming a PA, i don't know how interested I'd be in going to a practice without an MD on site for something more serious...

11/17/2006 11:17:02 PM

I think you will be fine after you have experience, apparently after about 3 years of work for one company (considering you aren't in Rural Family Medicine) you can expect about a 25% increase in salary.

This came from a physician who runs an ED.

[Edited on November 18, 2006 at 9:00 AM. Reason : ED]

11/18/2006 8:59:43 AM

zapped: i wanted to be a PA starting about junior year of high school [i'm a senior here now] so i was in before the hype.

11/19/2006 4:38:24 PM

Well according to the AAMC website, there has been an overall decrease in applicants since 1995, but has been increasing since 2002. http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2006/2006slr.htm I'm currently applying to med school. My sister just graduated from Duke PA school in August. They are both excellent, but different, professions.

For your original post, just know that you need a minimum number of clinical hours in order to be considered for admission to most places. Duke is the #1 PA school in the country...they only accepted 2 students directly out of college in 2004, and most of the others had worked for several years as nurses, paramedics, medical assistants, research, etc. It's a 2 year program, very intense. Some people criticize it because you are may be limited in what you can do, but the limits are imposed by the doctor. It just depends what doctor/facility you work for. My sister is working in oncology now, and has her own patients who never even see the doctor!

11/21/2006 11:42:16 PM