EntertainMe1983 (June 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm)

A lot of PA programs require that you have at least 100 hours of direct patient contact experience. Some schools may even require up to 1000. I have about 200 all from shadowing a PA at a hospital and also as a volunteer there as well. Just make sure whatever job you do pick that it involves direct patient contact.

helengelifan (June 12, 2009 at 11:51 pm)

DAMN. that's the correct word!she's great in explaining what she's doing and you can positively FEEL, that she loves her job!BUT:how can you just be SO SEXIST?!it's very sad, that there are still people like you outside there.

xxxxtaitxxxx (May 30, 2009 at 11:53 pm)

damm shes sexy

TheShore22 (May 27, 2009 at 6:59 pm)

I have a question for swatus, as you seem to really know your stuff on the subject of the PA program. I am wnating to be a PA, but my undergrad is most likely going to be in Respiratoy Therapy, do you see this as a good choice, and since most PA programs are a master's program, I would assume I wound need a bachelor's in RT?Thank You

lifedivinus (April 26, 2009 at 4:13 am)

OK i'll go back for more info but I spoke to a admissions counselor&she looked up my transcripts and told me to do certain classes (pre-reqs) in the order she said would make it better for me which I would be able to finish those in about 1 YR more&then she said I could apply there to take their program do you think it sounds fishy, it would be an AA only but then i would have 3 YRS of college not 2, so should i just get my AA in biology&then apply there for 2 years of PA school?thnx again

lifedivinus (April 26, 2009 at 4:07 am)

ok, so lets say I go to hospitals to apply, I am currentl a sophmore in college majoring in Business, but was thinking of changing my major to become a PA, so what are my chances of getting hired with no medical experience and no science classes basically, but I am billibgual, well manered, young lady, and willing to do any low entry job so I may get experience in the medical field and hours, what do you suggest I apply for, any help, thanks!

vi3tb0y04 (April 25, 2009 at 6:02 pm)

great advice. Thank you!

swatus (April 25, 2009 at 8:03 am)

(Cont)....Okie, back to PA program, being a pharmacy tech won't help you with PA, because most PA program requires at least 1000 hours "hand-on" patience experiences. Giving medicine is not hand-on experience. These are some examples that are good for PA program : Medical Assistant (Back Office), Military Medic or Corpsman, Nurse (LVN or RN),Paramedic / EMT, Radiology Technician, Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist

swatus (April 25, 2009 at 8:01 am)

Nah....First, peope get a wrong idea that being a pharmacy tech will give me a better chance to go to pharmacy school. That's totally wrong. People with BS in Biology or Biochemistry have a high chance to get accepted to the pharmacy school, since their classes are more relevant to the pharmacy program.

swatus (April 25, 2009 at 7:46 am)

(Cont)...For instance, in CA, it s required that you must have at least 1000 hours working hand-on in patience in order to qualify to apply to program...You should go to that school to get a better info....

swatus (April 25, 2009 at 7:46 am)

it's highly recommended that you have BS or MS before applying to the program....Completing your prerequisites doesn't mean that you will get accepted to the program. PA is a impact program which always has more applicant than it needs, and most schools require some kind of hand-on experiences in medical fields.

lifedivinus (April 23, 2009 at 1:13 am)

I have a question people In my Community College they told me I have to take first my pre-requisites, which I will complete in about 1 yr then I can do their accredited PA program, but the thing is that it will be a PA Associates degree, I checked with the AAP and they are accredited, so do you think should i go through with it?Reason I ask is because the majority of PA graduates will have a MASTERS not an ASSOCIATES, I live in MIAMI, do you think I will even get a good job with the AA? HELP!