4 answers
6
Asked 983 views

What are requirements I need to meet in order to become a Physician Assistant?

In school a P.A. came in and discussed his job. It really interested me and I want to know more about the job. #physician-assistant #students-interested-in-career-as-physician-assistants

physician-assistant students-interested-in-career-as-physician-assistants
Thank you comment icon Probably be good in science ig jelissa
Thank you comment icon i am pretty sue it is at least 6 years of school. Allie
Answer This

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you
6

4 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Ken’s Answer

The first thing that would help would be to take an interest and aptitude test to see if you have the personality traits that make PA's successful. Then, you can gain much by talking directly with PA's to learn about their experiences and get their suggestions.


Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .

Ken recommends the following next steps:

Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. You can locate them by asking your school academic advisor, favorite teachers, and the reference librarian at your local library. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Vickey’s Answer

Best things you can do are contact that PA or the nearest PA school and set up a shadow day. Best way to see how we work. Secondly, the internet has plenty of information on the subject. Good Luck.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Hwal’s Answer

Olivia,

I'm a current PA student, so feel I can help you with some questions. In short, you need a bachelor's degree (in any major) to apply too most PA programs in the U.S. Then, most programs are at Masters degree level and 2-2.5 years long. This is an entry level education to become a certified PA, and you can start practising once you pass the certification exam and be licensed in the state you want to practice in.

Good luck,

Hwal
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Norman’s Answer

Nearly all PA training programs require, at a minimum, a BS degree in one of the sciences, ie. Biology, Chemistry, Math.

Norman recommends the following next steps:

If you decide this profession best fits your personality, interests and aptitude, go get that BS degree and graduate with a high grade point average! Good luck!
Continue to interview PAs and nurse practitioners in various settings. This will give you a better idea if you would be happy in this profession.
0