Real PA Questions and Answers...

When I was researching a little more about what PA's do or how they feel towards their jobs I found an interview that was given to a PA that has worked for around twelve years. Interview

Salary

Now to the important stuff... What does a PA make per year? Well here is a salary per state graph that we can check out.

What to expect in PA school...

PA school consists of a variety of different area's of study. UT Southwestern Medical Center lists there program classes on their website. After completing a variety of health care subjects the students then do clinical rotations in each of the following areas:

• Family medicine



• Internal medicine
  



• Obstetrics/Gynecology



• Pediatrics



• Surgery



• Emergency Medicine



• Psychiatry



• Infectious Disease



• Public Health/Long Term Care



• Professional Practice

These different areas help students with being well-rounded in their training, but also help them decide where they would like to practice after school is completed.

Each program is a different amount of time. Idaho State for example, is a 24 month program. Twelve months of didactic study and twelve months of clinical experience. Southwestern on the other hand, is 31 months. Four didactic semesters with 61 credit hours of clinical to follow. For additiona information you can access these websites ISU or UT Southwestern.

Resources to Finding a PA School

Here is one more thing I found that may help you out to find a PA school.

You can subscribe to the program guide here:
http://www.paeaonline.org/applicantdirectory.html

Here is a free guide which lists the schools by the state. http://www.paeaonline.org/ProgListing.asp

What do I do to get into PA school?

Okay so there are tons of different requirements and prerequisites for every different school. I have researched some schools that are optional for me in the surrounding areas. I have decided to post different requirements for two PA schools nearby.

Idaho State University

Basic requirements

• A Baccalaureate degree
• Required classes : Microbiology, Biochemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Statistics, Abnormal Physiology
• Other highly recommended classes include: Upper Level biology courses such as advanced anatomy, advanced human physiology, immunology, genetics, or endocrinology
  Other health-related courses from departments such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, health education, and gender studies; proficiency in a foreign language

University of Utah

Basic Requirements

• A Baccalaureate Degree
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (8 credits total)
• Biology (4 credits)
• Chemistry (8 credits)
• All prerequisite courses must be completed with a "C" or better in order to be considered.

If you want to view these sites in more details I will list the links to the side. I will also list a few other links to schools across the country.

Health Care

There is a growing shortage of family physicians and now record numbers of Baby Boomers are entering retirement age, placing additional strains on the health care system. However, coming to the aid of America's endangered health care system, and taking on an increasing role in improving healthcare, is the physician assistant. Every year the number of physician assistants grows. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the profession as the fasting growing. I have thought several times of the importance of Health Care in the US. My wife is almost done with her RN and she loves what she does. I see the Health Care System as a place where I can always be needed and not worry about losing my job because of the crashing of the stock market or changes in "business plans." I plan on getting into PA school within the next 2 years to help provide assistance to the strain that the Health Care Industry is currently having.

Biology or Business? What's it going to be?

I have been contemplating the issue for a ton of semesters now on "What do I really want to be when I grow up?" It sounds a little funny coming from someone who is already about to start his junior year next semester. Now that I am taking the fundamental classes I feel that Biology is where I need to be. I have always seemed to have an interest in what Biology has to offer. I have really loved helping people and figured that Health Care may be my specialty. I have weighed out my options and decided to go to PA (Physicians Assistant) school. I see the business world and really it scares me to think of the ups and downs that might occur over the next few years. I see it as being something very stressful for one who is in the ever changing world of business. Do I really want to end up feeling like this guy? I think not. I want to help provide info to those seeking it on what it takes to become a PA.