I’m very happy (and a bit surprised) to say that I’ve been accepted into the IPAP at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. I start next April. Other than going back over my A&P, chem and biochem, what else can I do to be prepared?
For that matter, since I’m a Guard Soldier, how far out from graduation do I need to start looking for my 1st PA job?
Anybody have any good links/forums/etc?
I’m still kind of in the “really? I got in?” phase…
I can’t offer you any insight, but I’m interested in hearing about your qualifications. I’m currently in the process of taking night classes to get the prerequisites that I need to go to PA school. How many schools did you apply to? Do you have a lot of experience in an environment working with patients? Anything else you can tell me that might help me get in when the time comes? Thanks.
Dan
PA = Physicians Assistant ??
EDIT: congratulations!
Congratulations!
I’m in PA school right now and will be graduating in May…that’s the plan. Get prepared to have not much of a life for the next 2 years. Pretty much the first year is spent in the classroom, but don’t get discouraged, because once you reach your second year and actually get to put into practice what you did/were supposed to learn, it makes it so worth it. I have really enjoyed PA school so far and know I definitely made the right choice. Here is a book my program (Arcadia University, Philly. Pa) had us work through before starting school, we were then tested on it the first week of school.
http://www.amazon.com/Language-Medicine-Write-Explaining-Medical/dp/0721685692
For me, I will start seriously looking at jobs around January. That will give me 5 months before I graduate. I also had a job offer before I started school in orthopedics, so I will be spending a month rotation with that Dr. to see how well I really like it.
For everyone else: Before applying to PA school I was an Athletic Trainer (ATC) for 6 years. But there are all kinds of backgrounds in my current PA class: one was a literature major (not sure what you do with that?), of course many were pre-med, bio, chem, one was in pharm. sales, ex. phys., and one owns a computer business.
Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
E
I’ll be honest, I’ve had no medical experience. I applied to the IPAP (Interservice Physician Assistant Program)- a military program at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. I didn’t apply to any other civilian schools, as I felt I didn’t have much of a shot of getting in. Being married with a child, plus a mortgage, this seemed like the only way- full military pay while attending school. I’ll owe 6 years, but thats not important- I came back to the Army to stay until I’m too old to serve.
I have a degree in chemistry from Virginia Tech, graduated in '99. My grades were a long way from stellar- 2.65/2.7. I was not focused on academics while there. After graduation, I spent 4.5 yrs as an active duty Army officer; met my wife right before I deployed to Afghanistan, had our daughter about 10 months after coming home (there’s a cliche in there someplace…). I left the service so I could be with my family. For 3 years, I missed it; I questioned what I was doing for my country and society almost daily. I joined the IL Army Guard not long after moving here (DeKalb). I wanted more than just to earn a check and one day retire. I took the pre-reqs I was missing at a local community college, got straight A’s, and applied to IPAP. I think what got me in is the fact that my service record is strong, and in my cover letter I said that I would remain in the Guard as a PA until I retire (in the civilian world, I plan on one day earning a PhD in …?..); the Infantry needs a good doc, and a guy with 8 yrs in, who led in combat, and wants to do the job is a good pick.
I feel like I’ve been awarded the opportunity for academic redemption and to do a job I’ve always wanted to. I look at this the same way I saw Ranger School years ago: I owe it to the people I’ll serve to do my best and get the most out of it.
I think I mentioned this to you when you were applying a while back, but I can’t imagine a better place to do the kind of training you have in mind than Ft. Sam. The operations and integrated care model at BAMC are exemplary in the nation. I have had ties to the Insititute of Surgical Research there for several years and have had extremely positive interactions with everyone I’ve dealt with.
I think the main preparation you’ll need is strong curiosity and readiness to put some effort in. It’ll be a great experience.
As demanding as your training will be, the hardest part will be convincing your wife to leave San Antonio when time comes to move.
Experience, try and get a job at a hospital, any exposure to the medical field will be to your advantage. Network with hospital personnel, doctors, nurses etc. I worked as a phlebotomist for the last three years and have gained alot of knowledge that you will not get in textbooks. I am planning on attending PA school after I finish my MPH. This was some of the advice that was given to me by PA’s that I have met over the past years. Good luck!
A