Future PA

I am just starting to take some pre-req courses at a cc to become a pa and have no medical exp. If my GPA is good, can I get into a PA program using shadowing as my exp or do I need to get a medical job? How do I find PA's to shadow, as I have not had luck finding any that are willing?

A great GPA (Im thinking like a 3.7 or higher and all As in all pre-reqs) can make up for a lack of experience but I think it would make you more competitive to have some....at least know how to take vitals and such. You can get expereience as a CNA or EMT in a short period of time so try looking into that.

Most do not count shadowing as expereience. When you fill out the app on CASPA that would go under healthcare exposure not expereience.

Now to shadow, that will prove quite hard because it seems as though the PAs on the Florida Association website dont like to answer emails. I would say go to a local hospital (I know FL Hospital has one in Deland) and visit the ER PA there. Shadow them and then use them to network a bit. I have also contacted UF and Barry to see if they can direct me to some local PAs and I plan to contact NOVA here in Orlando.

is it harder to get a job if you attend a PA program that awards an Associates degree as opposed to a Bachelor's or Masters Degree?

jenny28 in deltona, Florida said: is it harder to get a job if you attend a PA program that awards an Associates degree as opposed to a Bachelor's or Masters Degree?

From what most PAs are telling me.....no. The only real problem is if you go to a state that requires it to get a license. Other than that, employers want to know that you are certified