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March, 2025

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Any Physician Assistants here?

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tvonny
Posts: 209 - Karma: 660
Starting PA school next month, wondering if anyone else on ns is a PA or going to PA school. Curious to know if anyone here works in a ski-related specialty like orthopedics at a mountain resort
3 years ago
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,146
I do not.
3 years ago
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PhlebotomistOld
Posts: 195 - Karma: 1,518
Hopefully right behind you, caspa opened yesterday and working on that currently.

A PA i work with does sports med stuff, not skiing specifically but does do some clinic hours at sugarbush i believe, not totally clear on that though

**This post was edited on Apr 29th 2022 at 3:56:11pm
3 years ago
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tvonny
Posts: 209 - Karma: 660
PhlebotomistHopefully right behind you, caspa opened yesterday and working on that currently


Yo I'm a phlebotomist in Chicago rn too haha, did that for my patient contact experience. Good luck and lmk if you need any advice!
3 years ago
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PhlebotomistOld
Posts: 195 - Karma: 1,518
tvonnyYo I'm a phlebotomist in Chicago rn too haha, did that for my patient contact experience. Good luck and lmk if you need any advice!


Just edited that comment a little but yeah ive been a medical assistant for 4 yrs so i have like 8k HCE hours but a shitty gpa, kinda just rolling the dice but much appreciated!
3 years ago
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tvonny
Posts: 209 - Karma: 660
PhlebotomistJust edited that comment a little but yeah ive been a medical assistant for 4 yrs so i have like 8k HCE hours but a shitty gpa, kinda just rolling the dice but much appreciated!


I'm sure there's schools that will look past your gpa with that many PCE hours, have you applied before?
3 years ago
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PhlebotomistOld
Posts: 195 - Karma: 1,518
Nope, started to last year but decided to wait and take a few more prereqs to apply more broadly. Heres a question for you though - did you take the PACAT? I took the MCAT and actually killed it but that was like 3 yrs ago and tbh i dont wanna raise too many questions about ‘well why arent you applying to med school???’
3 years ago
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tvonny
Posts: 209 - Karma: 660
PhlebotomistNope, started to last year but decided to wait and take a few more prereqs to apply more broadly. Heres a question for you though - did you take the PACAT? I took the MCAT and actually killed it but that was like 3 yrs ago and tbh i dont wanna raise too many questions about ‘well why arent you applying to med school???’


I did not, didn't even take the GRE either actually. I wouldn't mention your MCAT score at all tbh, most schools want students that are super committed to being a PA (noticed that they really focus on asking you about that during interviews) and not those who recently changed their minds so I wouldn't risk it imo. And regarding the PA-CAT, last cycle it didn't seem like many schools were even considering it so I didn't take it. If you didn't take the GRE I would say to maybe take that and then you can use that as a talking point on how your gpa isn't an accurate representation of your ability to do well in school now. Also consider taking the casper test, it's such a bs exam but a lot of schools require it and the results take a while so I would consider factoring that into your application timeline.

**This post was edited on Apr 29th 2022 at 4:16:28pm
3 years ago
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PhlebotomistOld
Posts: 195 - Karma: 1,518
Thats sounds about right re: the mcat. Took the gre, did aiiight. And yeah i saw this casper bs listed on some of the program reqs, i guess ill add to the list lmao
3 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14024 - Karma: 50,324
Going for my DNP next year, not the same but we’ll do similar stuff haha. Not interested in ortho because deformities/dislocated joints scare me haha I’d rather work psych 😂

**This post was edited on May 5th 2022 at 2:56:22pm
3 years ago
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dhess
Posts: 223 - Karma: 58
Cool to see some people interested in healthcare careers on here! I interviewed at a DO program in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago, but still waiting to hear back from them on a decision…
3 years ago
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tvonny
Posts: 209 - Karma: 660
dhessCool to see some people interested in healthcare careers on here! I interviewed at a DO program in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago, but still waiting to hear back from them on a decision…


Lol does it happen to be PCOM? Because that's the school I'm going to
3 years ago
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dhess
Posts: 223 - Karma: 58
Actually it’s LECOM! I’ve heard great things about PCOM though. Definitely gonna be applying there if I reapply for fall 2023
tvonnyLol does it happen to be PCOM? Because that's the school I'm going to
3 years ago
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Abomber22
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 5,254
Shout out to LECOM... Erie ore their Florida campus
dhessActually it’s LECOM! I’ve heard great things about PCOM though. Definitely gonna be applying there if I reapply for fall 2023
3 years ago
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dhess
Posts: 223 - Karma: 58
Erie campus!
Abomber22Shout out to LECOM... Erie ore their Florida campus
3 years ago
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switchlip2
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 25,171
My moms been a PA for like 30 years
3 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9985 - Karma: 75,270
PhlebotomistNope, started to last year but decided to wait and take a few more prereqs to apply more broadly. Heres a question for you though - did you take the PACAT? I took the MCAT and actually killed it but that was like 3 yrs ago and tbh i dont wanna raise too many questions about ‘well why arent you applying to med school???’

Only thing I'll say is make sure you're doing PA for the right reasons and you really wanna do it. Don't just do it because it's a quick way to 100k. While PAs and NPs are expanding their ability to practice autonomously in various settings, there is a growing movement from physicians who see both a scope creep and patient safety risk of midlevels practicing autonomously (not under the guidance of a physician) in specialties other than primary care. But if you know why PA school is right for you and know your limitations when you are practicing, then you'll do just fine. Only wanted to point out that largely unspoken topic by PA and NP programs.

Why aren't you applying to med school though if I may ask? There's a serious shortage of doctors right now.


Abomber22Shout out to LECOM... Erie ore their Florida campus

Lol lecom.
3 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14024 - Karma: 50,324
HypeBeastOnly thing I'll say is make sure you're doing PA for the right reasons and you really wanna do it. Don't just do it because it's a quick way to 100k. While PAs and NPs are expanding their ability to practice autonomously in various settings, there is a growing movement from physicians who see both a scope creep and patient safety risk of midlevels practicing autonomously (not under the guidance of a physician) in specialties other than primary care. But if you know why PA school is right for you and know your limitations when you are practicing, then you'll do just fine. Only wanted to point out that largely unspoken topic by PA and NP programs.

Why aren't you applying to med school though if I may ask? There's a serious shortage of doctors right now.



Lol lecom.


As someone who originally went to college for pre med and hated it, I thought doctors did what nurses actually do. I’m glad I went to nursing school and I want to be an NP to be a provider but also have a nursing foundation if that makes sense? But PAs go through very similar education as MDs/DOs. I feel like at that point it’s better to just go for that? Could just be my personal experience but if I had to chose between PA and NP it’s NP 100% and you don’t HAVE to work under an MD/DO, at least in NY. Of course it depends on speciality and your goals but just my opinion.
3 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9985 - Karma: 75,270
MinggAs someone who originally went to college for pre med and hated it, I thought doctors did what nurses actually do. I’m glad I went to nursing school and I want to be an NP to be a provider but also have a nursing foundation if that makes sense? But PAs go through very similar education as MDs/DOs. I feel like at that point it’s better to just go for that? Could just be my personal experience but if I had to chose between PA and NP it’s NP 100% and you don’t HAVE to work under an MD/DO, at least in NY. Of course it depends on speciality and your goals but just my opinion.

Premed is not med school; it's a generic major that focuses highly on health, bio, and chemistry related classes to provide a foundation for learning the material essential to practice- Weeds out a lot of folks. No I'm definitely not questioning anyone's decision, but rather telling y'all to question it yourself and determine if it feels right. I think you're right to become an NP vs a PA since it's more relatable to you. Just know your limitations when you graduate. The worst things I've seen are when providers are overconfident or don't have the required knowledge to identify something serious; not knowing that you don't know something is very dangerous for patients and your career.

Only thing I disagree is the statement that PA receives education similar to physicians. Not even close and is a misconception. It's more in line with it because physicians were the ones who originally designed the PA concept and curriculum, but it's still a very very very very watered down version. They're not comparable in a practical sense.

No hate though as I've worked with some fantastic NPs and PAs. Only issues I've had are in situations with overconfidence and not knowing the basis and mechanism of why they are doing something. Always know the why, be diligent, and you'll be great.
3 years ago
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tvonny
Posts: 209 - Karma: 660
HypeBeastWhy aren't you applying to med school though if I may ask? There's a serious shortage of doctors right now.


Feel like you kinda answered your own question with this.... decreased length of education + lower tuition + shortage of doctors leading to an increasing scope of practice for midlevel providers makes it harder to commit to becoming a doctor. I feel like the resentments towards NP/PAs by doctors is them feeling threatened by these midlevel providers being able to do more and more. Also there seems to be a large proportion of doctors that would not recommend going through med school/residency. Overall I just find it hard to justify becoming a doctor at this point, but to each their own.



Are you a dr btw?
3 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14024 - Karma: 50,324
HypeBeastPremed is not med school; it's a generic major that focuses highly on health, bio, and chemistry related classes to provide a foundation for learning the material essential to practice- Weeds out a lot of folks. No I'm definitely not questioning anyone's decision, but rather telling y'all to question it yourself and determine if it feels right. I think you're right to become an NP vs a PA since it's more relatable to you. Just know your limitations when you graduate. The worst things I've seen are when providers are overconfident or don't have the required knowledge to identify something serious; not knowing that you don't know something is very dangerous for patients and your career.

Only thing I disagree is the statement that PA receives education similar to physicians. Not even close and is a misconception. It's more in line with it because physicians were the ones who originally designed the PA concept and curriculum, but it's still a very very very very watered down version. They're not comparable in a practical sense.

No hate though as I've worked with some fantastic NPs and PAs. Only issues I've had are in situations with overconfidence and not knowing the basis and mechanism of why they are doing something. Always know the why, be diligent, and you'll be great.


Fair point about pre med. I just said that because when I went into college I thought I wanted to be a doctor. But I realized over the years that was not for me. I wanted to take care of people. I wanted the patient contact. I wanted to treat the patient. I would have never known that patients spend more time with nurse than doctors (thanks medical tv lol)

Anyways, I did not know the curriculum was different. Never been to PA/med school but people I know in PA school share a lot of classes with MD/DOs. So I guess I just assumed it was similar. At my school, all pre med/PA and nursing students take the same pre req classes but maybe that’s not the same everywhere?


But I hear you on the overconfidence. I’m still a new nurse and question a lot of things, which is probably annoying but I’d rather get it right. Things don’t make sense to me unless I know the why. I HATE when I ask for clarity on something and a senior nurses say “it’s policy” or “well the doc ordered it.” Shoutout to docs who take the time to explain things when nurses question them so we can learn too lol
3 years ago
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PhlebotomistOld
Posts: 195 - Karma: 1,518
Ok dont really feel like reading all this but in short i’d rather not be an MD as im already too old and have a shitty gpa, and the rigour/length of med school residency sounds awful. Ive worked in healthcare for, like i said, 8,000+ hours with all levels and PA seems best. If you were interviewing for a position maybe id go into more detail lol. Nurse? Nty, but i did think about it for a good year. Also the thing about mid levels creeping up the scope of practice and being a liability - i agree, most are great but ive worked with some reallly really bad mid levels who i’d never want to receive medical advice from.
3 years ago
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