Has anyone made a career change to the PA profession from another medical/health disciplines?

Hello PA forum!

After scaling one to many teeth and reaching the cap on career potential as a dental hygienist, I am pursuing a career in medicine as a physician assistant. I recently finished my Master's Degree in Public Health Communication from Tufts University School of Medicine, which taught the basics of the medical model and truly motivated me to become a midlevel medical practitioner. Has anyone else shifted from another medical or health discipline into physician assisting? Are you happy in the PA profession?

Also, I would really like to connect with a Boston area PA and job shadow him or her to see a PA's work in action. I'd really appreciate any insight into the profession and any tips to make it through the application process!

Thanks in advance :)
NKL

I am an RDA also trying to 'cross over' into the PA profession. I don't know how the programs are back East, but here in California they won't accept any of my dental hours as patient contact hours. They require a minimum of 3000 hours of direct patient contact, so I am starting at rock bottom volunteering in medical clinics to get my hours. Something to look into there....Good Luck!!!