starting over (long)

hi all..i'm 53 and I just graduated from pa school.I was the oldest in the program and iy was a great experience. my wife and I have seven kids,like me,she is also an rn. just start..you can do it.

I'm 28 years old...have a B.S. in Life Science...Certified teacher...taught high school biology for 4 years. I was interested in going into medical sales, but instead landed a job with a local radio station as an advertising sales rep. Needless to say, I hate it! I've thought about going to PA school in the past, and recently decided that I need a job that is more meaningful. So here I am...

The only pre-reqs that i'm missing are A&P I & II...i've got all of the bios, chems, & stats under my belt, but my academics were very average in college (probably around a 2.5 GPA).

I'm also missing the "health/patient care experience" that is required at both of the schools here in Maryland. However, my Grandmother has had Alzheimer's for about 15 years now. She has been living with my parents for the last 10. Throughout the years, on a very regular basis, I have taken care of my Grandmother (God knows my parents need to get out of the house!). This includes administering meds, drawing & giving insulin, bathing, bathroom, overnights at the hospital, etc. etc. etc...Does anyone know if this counts as "patient care?"

Ideally, I would like to get into PA school this time around (application deadline is Sept. 1st). I have already signed up for A&P I for the fall, & plan on taking A&P II in the spring, so that I will be finished by the start of the program in June.

Is it worth applying this time around, not having A&P I & II, or the "patient care" experience??? I feel like my case is unique...

any thoughts???

oops...i hate misspellings!

First u have to make sure u meet at least the min. Requirements just to make sure you're app is looked and that means that overall gpa needs to meet their standards as well as your science gpa.

As far as whether your experience will count is something only the school can tell you. Some may say yes...some may say no so u should really ask them.

As for how to get that gpa up, u may want to try some higher level sciences, retake courses that u got a C or lower and try some health related courses.....ace whatever u take

I must commend each person on here that is deciding to take the leap and go for the pre-requisites and move forward with the PA program.

I'm currently in law school and finding that this might not be the career path for me. I have always had a strong background in medicine and have always found it interesting. Rather than pursuing that idea, I went the complete opposite and didn't leave myself with any other career options other than law.

I graduated from Case Western Reserve with a great gpa, but lack the science prerequisites. I would need to go back to school to get A & P I, A & P II, chemistry, and microbiology.

I'm afraid to shoot myself in the foot by leaving the competitive law program that I'm already in to pursue this idea to not even get into a PA program (since they usually only take a few out of the hundreds of applications). I'm looking into schools in Maryland (where it's about 200 application for about 30-40 spots).

Any advice?

Go for it...life is too short

Well let me just throw this out. I've spent 11 years in the computer field. I am good at my job and often am sited for it. However I am never fulfilled by what I do. I'm currently in Afghanistan. Why? Because just fixing someone's computers isn't enough for me, I have to be doing something that means something to me. Here I can help soldiers. I've always wanted to do medicine and I always had an excuse why I couldn't. I stayed in computers even though I wasn't happy because..well I built this career. Why leave it and start all over. Wasn't that counter productive to my life and future?

The quick answer is no. The only thing counter productive to an enjoyable life is doing something you don't really like. It drags the life out of you. You get up everyday and work is okay. You could do it and be fine, but you are only really happy when you leave. Kinda sad for something you have to do most of your day and week. You only have one life. I'm 35 years old and I've decided I'm going for it. I'll be in my 40's before I can even think about applying. I have to get a bachelor's and experience. Still I'm going for it. I could be happy enough in computers, my true happiness is found with my wife and with God. However I still long to do something that has meaning to me. Something that serves and helps others. So I'm leaving a good career and I'm starting a new one. I'm in Afg. now for an extra year to get the money to pay for all of my school.

The point is life is short and there is no sense in settling for good enough if you can have outstanding. What is worse? Going through law school, being a lawyer and finding it isn't what you want? Not you've gotten through the whole school. Or leaving now and maybe starting over a bit, maybe not even getting into a school right away, but knowing you are pursuing a passion. Go for the job that will let you do it with passion and heart. That is the job you'll do for a lifetime and never regret it. Just my thoughts. Take care.

Joe

Trust in your passion. No one knows your ambition better than yourself. If you don't want law..stop now. So what if you have to start over, just start.

Good luck Joe

"I believe you are your work. Don't trade the stuff of your life, time, for nothing more than dollars. That's a rotten bargain". –Rita Mae Brown

fitz in Queens Village, New York said: hi all..i'm 53 and I just graduated from pa school.I was the oldest in the program and iy was a great experience. my wife and I have seven kids,like me,she is also an rn. just start..you can do it.

Hello "Fitz. I am looking for a PA to shadowin New York for a long time already. I would greatly apreciate if you will let me shadow you for 20+ hours. You recently graduated and I am sure you understand how hard it is to geta PA to agreeand how important it is when you apply considering that in some programs it is now a requerment.Thank you so much.

Sorry for mistakes. Something wrong with my keyboard.

Attn: Fitz from Queens: Congratulations!I am 45 y/o in Brooklyn - just curious to know where you took your course and if what you did about the prerequites.

Here is my situation and I hope that someone can help. I recently graduated with a BS in Biology and BA in Literature over the course of 5 1/2 years. My overall GPA is 2.93 and I think my science is lower than that. I messed up my first 2 years with a really bad semester, but my later semseters reflect A's and B's. I volunteered a lot when in school but not health related as well as participated in various clubs and worked while going to school every semester for the 5 years. I also worked in a molecular research lab for the last year of college.

Right now, I'm working as a CNA full time and I'm about to start taking anatomy and physiology with lab and medical term in a couple of weeks at a local community college as well as study for the GRE for the next couple of months. I know that I need to shadow a PA and will be looking to do that soon. I just want to know what are my chances of getting into a PA program. What kind of GRE score should I be aiming for to balance out the low science? If the science is too low, where should I be retaking the science classes (at a community college vs. a university) and should I retake them all? Any information will be helpful. Thank You.

Hi Marie,

My GPA was about like yours when I finished with my degree in Archaeology. It had been so long since I've been to college that I went back to a Community College and took Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Micro-Biology, along with redoing some of my earlier sciences. I worked as a CNA for about 2 years while retaking all the classes. Bottom line, I raised my science GPA to a 3.80 and I had a 4.0 for all the required classes. PA school is very, very competitive! Most schools have upwards of several hundred to over a thousand applicants, and it's only getting tougher with each passing year. It was my experience that most schools (not all) will look at the last year or so of schooling along with the required "hard" sciences to decide whether or not to let you in. I applied, got accepted and am just finishing my first semester....so it CAN be done! Good luck to you!

Marie in Ocala, Florida said: Here is my situation and I hope that someone can help. I recently graduated with a BS in Biology and BA in Literature over the course of 5 1/2 years. My overall GPA is 2.93 and I think my science is lower than that. I messed up my first 2 years with a really bad semester, but my later semseters reflect A's and B's. I volunteered a lot when in school but not health related as well as participated in various clubs and worked while going to school every semester for the 5 years. I also worked in a molecular research lab for the last year of college.

Right now, I'm working as a CNA full time and I'm about to start taking anatomy and physiology with lab and medical term in a couple of weeks at a local community college as well as study for the GRE for the next couple of months. I know that I need to shadow a PA and will be looking to do that soon. I just want to know what are my chances of getting into a PA program. What kind of GRE score should I be aiming for to balance out the low science? If the science is too low, where should I be retaking the science classes (at a community college vs. a university) and should I retake them all? Any information will be helpful. Thank You.

If you want to be a PA , first research the schools you would want to apply and go to their information sessions. Some of the schools might not take your credits in biology from a comunity college (My best bet is taking it at a 4-yer college)If you have time to bring up your science GPA a little by taking easier courses , then do it. But some schools have strongly recomended(not requered) courses look through them and see maybe some of them will be easy for you (Instead of waisting time on unnecessary courses).You already have BS so you can go for Masters PA.

Marie in Ocala, Florida said: Right now, I'm working as a CNA full time and I'm about to start taking anatomy and physiology with lab and medical term in a couple of weeks at a local community college as well as study for the GRE for the next couple of months. I know that I need to shadow a PA and will be looking to do that soon. I just want to know what are my chances of getting into a PA program. What kind of GRE score should I be aiming for to balance out the low science? If the science is too low, where should I be retaking the science classes (at a community college vs. a university) and should I retake them all? Any information will be helpful. Thank You.

Most schools do not care if youre taking your pre-reqs at a community college or university...out of the 130+ programs I think I only saw 1 that required them from a 4 year and 2 or 3 that recommended they be taken at a 4 year....none of the ones in FL are like that...as a matter of fact the UFL program lists the community college courses equal to their pre-reqs.

Now with that said I would re-take the courses where you took them in the ifrst place....it just looks better. I know here in FL they have a rule that you cannot retake a course that you got a C or higher in so Im not sure how you can get over that. If theres no way to get around that, try taking some higher level sciences.

Also, nothing is better than gaining some hce...sometimes it can help make up for a low GPA but try to at least get it to the min of the programs you are looking at (many require at least a 3.0)so at least you are guarunteed to have the app looked at. Shouldnt take too many courses to get there especially if you can retake a few.

I am currently an attorney, about 4 years out of law school, and am wondering if it was the right choice. I don't particularly find it enjoyable. I was always interested in health care/ wellness and for some reason didn't pursue that path. I am 32 and don't have kids at this point but am up to my eyeballs in debt from law school. I would also need prereqs in some science classes to be able to even consider PA school.
First, what are common PA Debtloads after you are out of school? Are scholarships and grants prevalent? Also, what prereqs are usually needed and how long did these take you to get? I am 'only' 32 yet still feel old and need to get going on a good career path

First off, I was older than you when I decided to go back to school...to do pre-req's and eventually start PA school, so don't let age stop you. As for cost of programs...that varies depending on if you go instate or not. There are programs that exist for once you are finished school, that will pay off your school debt if you agree to work for them for a couple of years. Depending on how many science classes you already have (will determine how long it'll take you to get done)... generally you'll need to have Anatomy, physiology, biology (general and micro), chemistry, and a few others. The best place to find out what you need and/or what different programs require, go to this site:
portal.caspaonline.org/

On the left side menu look at "participating programs". Choose a school you're interested in and check 'em out.

Best of luck to you!

doing the right thing? in Jonesboro, Georgia said: Hi All,

I'm a 30 year old woman, currently working in corporate America/Information Technology, and have been seriously contemplating what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I do know that I don't want to do the work I'm doing for the next 30 years of my life. I've always been interested in helping people, and I want to do something where I'm fulfilled by the work I do and feel like I'm making a difference and touching someone's life. I've been researching the PA field, and have noticed that PA's essentially do similar work as a doctor, but the school commitment isn't as long, and I've gotten excellent service from the PA's I visit through my health plan.

I have a strong math/science/psychology background (I was a pre-med major for a while in undergrad) and feel that I would be committed to becoming a PA. I'm not married and don't have any children, so that's not an issue. My main concern is my work experience (or lack thereof); I've never worked in the medical field.

Is this doable? Currently my plan is as follows:

Now - research/visit schools and begin missing prerequisites (I need to take Chemistry, Human Anatomy, and Microbiology for most programs)

6 months from now - take GRE

1 year from now - working in ER on a volunteer basis (I still need to remain employed full time until I leave for school) -- would it be possible to get a part time/weekend position as a medical assistant or something with little experience?

1.5 years from now - apply to schools

2 years from now - begin PA Program

Hello My Friend,
Your change of life/job plan is great. I am a PA-C and love it. You will too when you get there! Remember that it may take a while so do not get discouraged. It took me a very long time to transition from being a RRT to becoming a PA because I was working and going to school at the same time. I went to Miami Dade College in South Florida. Check it out.

For those who are older and chose PA as a second career and had NO prior medical / health care experience: how long did you volunteer or work in the medical field to get this experience in order to get accepted to a PA program?

I am just worried that it'll take 10 years before i can even start a program, with all the prereqs and medical experience that is needed! I would want to get going ASAP.

Thanks!

I was 38 when I started. I had to go back to school and do pre-requisites which took two years to complete. Since I had no prior medical experience, I worked as a CNA for those two years. After my pre-req's were done, I applied, got accepted and am in the second semester of my first year of PA school. It can be done... just make the decision to do it.

just wondering in Madison, Wisconsin said: For those who are older and chose PA as a second career and had NO prior medical / health care experience: how long did you volunteer or work in the medical field to get this experience in order to get accepted to a PA program?

I am just worried that it'll take 10 years before i can even start a program, with all the prereqs and medical experience that is needed! I would want to get going ASAP.

Thanks!

I haven't applied to a PA program yet. I'll have my pre-req's done for the 2010 app period. It sounds like you don't want to end up in my situation...

I've been working as a patient care assistant (nurse aide) in a hospital for a little over 2yrs. My pay rate is around $14.00hr which is barely enought to make ends meet. Especially since I'm still paying off student loans for my BA degree. But I made a career change and chose this position as nurse aide in order to get hands on experience. For the last 2yrs I've been changing diapers, wiping dirty bottoms, and dealing with other bodily fluids! The job is humiliating...some of the RN's speak to me as if I'm an idiot and even some of the patients treat me like I'm their personal butt wiping slave. :-(

I still need a few science and math pre-req's so I'll have to wait until the 2010 application period. Slowly getting my pre-req's completed and working the chitty job is depressing!

At this point I'll have all the pre-req's I need for an accelerated 2nd degree bachelor's in nursing or the master's entry nursing program. I think my chances of getting into one of these programs is better. And quicker! I can always consider the PA program after getting a nursing degree.

Good Luck!

Hi.... not all programs require you have a bachelors degree or prior experience to start a PA program... Texas Tech doesn't, and as far as passing the PANCE exam, they rank within the top 10% of all graduates for first time pass rates.

For myself, this is a third career... it took me two years to do all the pre-req's and while I was doing that, I worked as a CNA. It doesn't take for ever, it just takes a desire to stick with it. Good luck!

John said: Hi.... not all programs require you have a bachelors degree or prior experience to start a PA program... Texas Tech doesn't, and as far as passing the PANCE exam, they rank within the top 10% of all graduates for first time pass rates.

For myself, this is a third career... it took me two years to do all the pre-req's and while I was doing that, I worked as a CNA. It doesn't take for ever, it just takes a desire to stick with it. Good luck!

- Isn't it harder to get into PA school than Med School these days? Do you go to Texas Tech? Problem is, I live in Wisconsin, and I believe all of their programs require alot of prior experience. Do you happen to have a list of schools that don't require a ton of prior experience?

To "just wondering in Madison, WI"....

As to your question of where I go, I do go to T. Tech. I'm from Oregon and the schools there had some requirements that seemed a little out of sorts to me.... I applied to Tech and was accepted. I have heard, and probably agree, that it is getting harder to get into a PA program than Med school now days. I think this is for a couple of obvious reasons: 1) time required to complete program 2)Financial reward for amount of school 3) You can work just about anywhere 4) You can change fields you work in 5) Trying to reduce cost of healthcare...PA's make "cents" (pun intended)....

I know there is a distance issue which means increased cost, but consider every year you take to meet "in state" requirement means another year you're not out working...and with avg. salary at about 80-90K, only you can determine if your time is worth the cost. As for a list of schools and their requirements...just know that most change every year and in order to get the best information concerning courses, experience, etc... you need to look at individual schools at "portal.caspaonline.org/faq/ins_programs.htm" It takes a little time to look through them, but it may be worth it if it means you can start earlier. Hope that helps....good luck!

i been thinking about going back to school for PA 3 years now. i have been working as a med. tech for 6 yrs now in a hospital. my gpa of my final bachelor transcript is 3.195. i heard that CASPA recaculate your GPA and it usually is lower? i am worried that when CASPa recaculate, i might not have the GPA needed to get in, what can i do? my last 2 years of class was taken online, so i can't repeat those class, gotten a few C which could hurt my CASPA recaculation. what to do?

Hi Tiffani,

You can submit your current information to CASPA and see what the reconfigured GPA is.... no sense in worrying about something you don't have an answer to... Next...look at the requirements for getting into the PA program of your choice.... call them if your GPA doesn't meet their requirements.... sometimes your work experience will make up for where your school GPA lacks..... and lastly, you can do like I did and go to a communitee college to retake some classes....most PA programs count the last 30 hours of school work... perhaps you can raise your GPA. Not all programs require you have a degree to get into them. Good luck to you.

Vanessa said: I am 47 yrs old and am a second career RN. I am looking at becoming a PA. I would not be able to start until 2010 (need to get some science preq out the way). Would my age be a hinderence?

No not at all. I know peeps that are older than u are. Good luck

doing the right thing? in Atlanta, Georgia said: MB, I've heard that the schools are interested in any volunteer work that would be related to real world experience. I'm going to volunteer either in the ER (I'm thinking about a surgical PA position) or making rounds with the nurses.

Vanessa and CB, I say go for it! I read somewhere that the median age for PA's is in the mid 40's (I don't remember where I read that), all you can do is try!

I'm starting my prerequisite classwork today - my first class is Chemistry. I know Chemistry can be a bit of a bear, but I feel like I'm focused and dedicated to the end goal.

JC, have you started your coursework yet?

Good luck everyone! Make sure you keep us posted on your progress, and I'll keep you posted on mine!

I'm not sure about elsewhere but, I'm applying to the PA program at University of Washington and they only except paid direct patient work experience. A minimum of 4000 hrs or, 2 years of full-time work. i hope that helps someone

Were you asking if I had started coursework yet? If so, yes.... I'm almost done with my first year. :)

Hi All,
I'm thinking about applying to PA school, to broaden my clinical work, in mental health. I'm 48, and am a clinical psychologist, in private practice and working in schools, doing assessments and therapy. I also teach intro and abnormal psychology at a community college.

I got my Ph.D. in 1990. As an undergrad at UCLA in 1983, I got a BS in biology and psychology, and my science GPA was probably 3.2. My GREs from 1984 were: english - 750, math, 710, and analytic - 680 (on the psych I got 780).

Does it seem likely that I would be accepted to a PA school?

Thanks, RP

If you are concerned about having enough clinical experience, I'm sure you've got plenty. Is there something in particular you are worried about as far as being accepted to a PA program?

My main worry is that my undergraduate class work was done 25 years ago. Is it likely that a program will accept it?

The programs that I interviewed with told me that they would accept previous work done; however, they wanted the Anatomy & Physiology to be done with in the past 7 years. That being said.... there is a girl who sits next to me in class that took her course work 15 years ago and she got in. Obviously it is up to the individual program, but I think a phone call placed to the individual program director, explaining your current profession, will go a long way to alleviate any concerns you have.

Yep just apply. You will never know till you do.

It's nice to hear that your classmate has course work going back 15 years. Hopefully an admissions committee would weigh my experience, and accept that some of my knowledge is a bit dated. And you're right - I need to call one of the PA programs here. Thank you for your help.

Absolutely! Best of luck to you.

Hi Everyone,

Could anyone tell me what type of community or volunteer experience P.A. schools like to see? And how would one go about setting up such experience? Should it be hospital related?

Hi Mary,

It has been my experience that different programs liked different things...and there are some that don't care if you have any experience at all. If you can shadow a PA or work in an environment where you have direct patient care,( CNA ) you'd go a long way to getting some valid experience. Volunteering at a hospital or nursing home are good places to start.

Good luck to you!

fitz in Queens Village, New York said: hi all..i'm 53 and I just graduated from pa school.I was the oldest in the program and iy was a great experience. my wife and I have seven kids,like me,she is also an rn. just start..you can do it.

Hi Fitz,

I am 47 and considering PA school. Can you tell me what your plan was and how long it took you?

Thanks!