3 answers
Mackenzie
Student
Dracut, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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How is it possible to get clinical hours to be able to apply to Physician Assistant graduate school if I have no experience How do I start off? ?
What is the next stop for me to become successful and reach my end goal of being a Physician Assistant?
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3 answers
Hwal Lee
DMSc
247
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Mackenzie,
I don't know how far along you are in preparation to become a PA, but let me share the following resources with you.
This is a very comprehensive blog that chronicles the author's personal journey from a pre-PA student to a practicing PA, and this link specifically discusses your question about healthcare experience/ patient care experience:
https://doseofpa.blogspot.com/2014/02/health-care-experience-and-pa-school.html?m=1
And here's the steps to become a PA, from the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) website:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Good luck!
Hwal
I don't know how far along you are in preparation to become a PA, but let me share the following resources with you.
This is a very comprehensive blog that chronicles the author's personal journey from a pre-PA student to a practicing PA, and this link specifically discusses your question about healthcare experience/ patient care experience:
https://doseofpa.blogspot.com/2014/02/health-care-experience-and-pa-school.html?m=1
And here's the steps to become a PA, from the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) website:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Good luck!
Hwal
Hannah Power
Physician Assistant
1
Answer
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Great question—this is a common concern for many pre-PA students just starting out. The good news is that there are accessible ways to gain clinical experience even if you don’t have a background in healthcare yet.
Here’s how you can get started:
1. Look into entry-level healthcare roles. Some of the most common jobs for gaining hands-on patient care experience include:
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Medical Assistant (MA)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Phlebotomist
• Patient Care Technician (PCT)
• Home Health Aide (HHA)
Many of these roles require short certification programs (anywhere from a few weeks to a few months), and they’re often offered at community colleges or vocational schools.
2. Volunteer in clinical settings. While volunteer hours aren’t always counted as direct patient care hours (PCE), they can still expose you to the healthcare environment and help you build connections. Look for opportunities in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or hospice centers.
3. Shadow PAs and other healthcare professionals. Shadowing is a great way to learn more about the PA profession and start building your network. Reach out to local clinics or use your personal connections (family, friends, school advisors) to find shadowing opportunities.
4. Network and ask questions. If you’re near a PA program or hospital, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask how current students got their hours. Forums like this one, along with LinkedIn and school info sessions, can be great resources too.
5. Track your hours. Start a spreadsheet early on to log your patient care and healthcare-related experience. You’ll need detailed records when it comes time to apply through CASPA.
Starting from zero might seem daunting, but plenty of successful PA students began in the same spot. Focus on one step at a time—get certified if needed, find a position, and start gaining that experience. You’ve got this!
Here’s how you can get started:
1. Look into entry-level healthcare roles. Some of the most common jobs for gaining hands-on patient care experience include:
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Medical Assistant (MA)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Phlebotomist
• Patient Care Technician (PCT)
• Home Health Aide (HHA)
Many of these roles require short certification programs (anywhere from a few weeks to a few months), and they’re often offered at community colleges or vocational schools.
2. Volunteer in clinical settings. While volunteer hours aren’t always counted as direct patient care hours (PCE), they can still expose you to the healthcare environment and help you build connections. Look for opportunities in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or hospice centers.
3. Shadow PAs and other healthcare professionals. Shadowing is a great way to learn more about the PA profession and start building your network. Reach out to local clinics or use your personal connections (family, friends, school advisors) to find shadowing opportunities.
4. Network and ask questions. If you’re near a PA program or hospital, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask how current students got their hours. Forums like this one, along with LinkedIn and school info sessions, can be great resources too.
5. Track your hours. Start a spreadsheet early on to log your patient care and healthcare-related experience. You’ll need detailed records when it comes time to apply through CASPA.
Starting from zero might seem daunting, but plenty of successful PA students began in the same spot. Focus on one step at a time—get certified if needed, find a position, and start gaining that experience. You’ve got this!
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi Mackenzie,
I am in the same boat as you right now. f you’re starting with no clinical experience, the best way to begin earning hours for PA school is by getting an entry-level healthcare job that involves direct patient care. Many future PAs start by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Patient Care Technician (PCT) — all of which can be completed with short certification programs that take just a few weeks to a few months. These roles allow you to work directly with patients and are widely accepted by PA schools for clinical hours. Another great option is becoming a medical scribe, which doesn’t require certification and provides exposure to clinical settings and physician-patient interactions. If you’re not ready for a paid position, volunteering in hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes can still help build experience and connections. The key is to look for opportunities where you’re actively involved in patient care, not just shadowing. From there, you can continue building hours, strengthen your application, and develop the hands-on skills that will prepare you for success as a PA.
I am in the same boat as you right now. f you’re starting with no clinical experience, the best way to begin earning hours for PA school is by getting an entry-level healthcare job that involves direct patient care. Many future PAs start by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Patient Care Technician (PCT) — all of which can be completed with short certification programs that take just a few weeks to a few months. These roles allow you to work directly with patients and are widely accepted by PA schools for clinical hours. Another great option is becoming a medical scribe, which doesn’t require certification and provides exposure to clinical settings and physician-patient interactions. If you’re not ready for a paid position, volunteering in hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes can still help build experience and connections. The key is to look for opportunities where you’re actively involved in patient care, not just shadowing. From there, you can continue building hours, strengthen your application, and develop the hands-on skills that will prepare you for success as a PA.