I'm a junior premed student at an undergraduate level, looking into pursuing a career as a physician's assistant. I have all of the requirements necessary for applying to PA schools, except that I have no hands on experience. Most of these schools prefer actual experience to shadowing. Where should I turn for this much needed expereince?
138133
Other than volunteering, there are several types of summer programs where you can shadow physicians in hospitals or do clinical or lab based research, all of which bolster your application.  \nLook into programs by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, if you are a member of a minority group, there are some specific programs available.  Otherwise, many med schools have programs available for local college students for shadowing or research, you just have to call and ask.  \n\nLastly, if you know a local PA or physician, just ask if it is possible to shadow at their office; many docs and PAs like to teach and, as long as the patients are OK with you being there (most patients don't mind, actually), you can be in the room to observe the interview and examination.  For PAs the highest yield specialty is Family Practice or Internal Medicine (you can also try pediatrics).\n\nGood luck.
35391
Before you complete your Bachelors start looking for funding! Also, find schools you would like to attend. Make a list of 10 schools: 2 "reach" schools, 4 "average" schools, and 4 "absolutely" schools. The reach schools are schools that you would love to go to but your credentials are below their average for admittance. The 4 average schools are schools that admit students in your range of abilities/scores/etc. The absolutely schools are schools you know you can get in to without any problems. Be sure to take your GRE! I STRONGLY suggest that you pick up the Princeton Review study guide for it. It tests knowledge you haven't used since junior high or before! There's no calculus on it, I promise! Apply to all 10 schools. If you feel you can do better on the GRE, take it again, but be prepared to explain why in your application. You will be asked to do so. This almost guarantees you will get in somewhere. You /might/ even get into a reach school. I did.
228163
as a student, they are not looking for any sort of 'professional clinical experience'...unless you were say, a registered nurse (RN), or nurse practitioner turning to medicine. what they are looking for, are activities like volunteering in hospitals to speak to families, counseling, or just interacting with sick children...in fact, these volunteer activities, are much more advantagious than working in a doctor's office..im sorry to say. \n\nbasically, by commiting time formally in a hospital setting as a volunteer, you are showing: commitment, compassion, selflessness, motivation etc. to the interview committee...which is what they want to see
342725
you could get ideas from the PA school (that you are trying to apply to) itself, good luck
373070
Check into becoming a patient at the University of Pennsylvania or Temple University dental schools in Philly.  Their fees are below the general market rate.
328885
you'll want to look at whatever degrees/courses are needed for your country...each country is different.\n\nA lot of time if you apply as a "mature" student, with some experience in the field, they'll let you in without a complete degree.\n\nBest thing to do is to contact the med school you're interested in and ask them directly.
332514
Do NOT major in pre-med. At most universities it is only a program and not a major. Pre-med refers to a program in which you take a bunch of science classes which are pre-requisite classes to most if not all of the medical schools in the U.S. and other countries. The pre-med program consists of the following classes: Biology 1 & 2, general chemistry 1 & 2, organic chemistry 1 & 2, physics 1 & 2, and all of these classes need associated labs with them. Other than these science courses, you will need to complete english, math, and psychology courses. When you start undergrad, go with the pre-med program and major in whatever interests you. A lot of people come to college thinking that they want to go to medical school, but they later change their minds. Major in whatever interests you so that if you decide not to go to medical school you will have a degree which you can use. \nWhen you complete these science courses you can take the MCAT (medical college admissions test), and apply to medical schools. It is extremely competitive and grades alone are not going to get you in. Get involved in research, volunteer, and other extracurricular activities. Most important activity is to volunteer/shadow physicians at a hospital because before you commit to such a demanding career, you should be sure that this is something that you want to do. Exposing yourself to healthcare will allow you to examine the profession and decide for yourself if this is something that you really want. \nThe first two years of medical school is hardcore science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, microbiology, etc. At the end of these two years you will have to take USMLE step I (united states medical licensing exam). The final two years are clinical clerkships, in which you are a student at a hospital and do different rotations (surgery, internal medicine, OBGYN, etc.). At the end of your third year you will have to take USMLE step II and clinical skills knowledge and assessment test. After these four years you receive your MD degree and start residency, which is further training but you will be completely responsible for your patients.
670137
I would think that the research school would be more for a person who was interested in a career of the Scientific type and the Primary care school is self explanatory, it will give you what you need to become a primary care Physician. My guess would be that even if you were to choose the research school, you would probably still be able to become a Doctor, but you may need more credits. The best advice I could give you is either to call them and ask or find their homepage on the web and look for the contact us link and send them an Email and ask them, then you will know for certain.
124501
As a parent of children with chronic health care needs, I was approached about being part of a program called "Family Faculty."  It is designed for residents, but the idea is this:  Doctors learn from people who deal with the medical world in a real-life day to day basis.  In our case, that is pretty much our life.\n\nIf you are serious about becoming a physician, you should hang out with people who can help you be the best physician you can possibly be... patients.  I would try to hook up with the Child Life Specialists at your local hospital and see if you can volunteer as part of the team.  Or, volunteer at the local Adult Day Care.  Or, try going to the Social Services Department and asking them if there is a way you could participate in improving patient life while you are pre-pre med.\n\nSeriously, you could really improve your vision and your patient understanding by being with those people you hope to one day help.\n\nGood luck.  I really hope you dig in and find something that inspires you.  I wish you the best in your educational pursuits.
117310
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed advanced education (generally a minimum of a master's degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses.\n\nIn the United States, Physician Assistants (PAs) are non-physicians licensed to practice medicine with a physician's supervision. This supervision, in most cases, need not be direct or on site and many PAs practice in remote or underserved areas in satellite clinics. PAs can treat patients and, in most states, prescribe medicine, and in some states in the US they carry a DEA number that gives them authority to prescribe controlled medications like narcotics.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physicians%27_assistant\n\nPA education:\nAll States require that PAs complete an accredited, formal education program and pass a National exam to obtain a license. PA programs usually last at least 2 years and are full time. Most programs are in schools of allied health, academic health centers, medical schools, or 4-year colleges; a few are in community colleges, the military, or hospitals. Many accredited PA programs have clinical teaching affiliations with medical schools.  Many PAs have prior experience as registered nurses, while others come from varied backgrounds, including military corpsman/medics and allied health occupations such as respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and emergency medical technicians and paramedics.  http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm\nPA salaries:\nAverage Base:  $65,000\nAverage 1st Year: $56,000\nSalary Range $50,000 - $105,000   http://www.allied-physicians.com/salary_surveys/physician_assistant_salaries.htm\n\nThe median expected salary for a typical Nurse Practitioner in the United States is $74,097.  http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000008.html
133848
Consider what makes you happy. Why are you considering medical school - for you? for prestige? Trust me - undergrad is tough. Then 4 years of med school - read - no life no sleep rotating shifts. Then between 3 and five years of residency, read - no sleep no money no time off, and then a fellowship - read - still no time, money, or fun, and then you get to work with the public - good and bad, with some insurance company deciding how much you earn and what hours you work, \nConsider your motivation. If you are pasisonate about helping people, consider the fact that most doctors only spend a few moments with each patient. Consider social work, nursing, physical therapy if you want to help people. If you are interested in the clinical aspects, consider physician's assistant programs. \nI speak from experience. I started out as a pre-med major, and did very well - full scholarship. But after volunteering at a hospital, i realized it was not for me. Consider asking a few local doctors if you can "shadow "them for a day or two - that will help you see what their jobs are really like. If you still want to do it, God bless you! It takes dedication! If you choose another path, that's fine. Just please, don't commit the best years of your life and hundreds of thousands of dollars unless you are sure.
67198
I've heard that by time you get to applying for residencies (OB/GYN being a residency) they don't seem to place alot of focus on where you attended undergrad school, what you got on MCAT's etc.  \n\nHowever, like previous posters mentioned you DO have to do well on all those steps to get into medical school FIRST.  \n\nOnce you are ready to apply for residency, you will want to have good USMLE (Step 1 of the Medical Licensing Exam) scores (or  the D.O. version if you attend a DO school).  You should also seek a good mentor in the OB field.  They can help you with letters of recommendation and to choose where to apply.  You'll need several good letters of recommendations, good grades in your clinical rotations (esp. OB, Surgery, Medicine), and a good personality during interviews.  It seems during residency applictaion time, they are less focused on grades and more interested in learning about YOU (though good grades etc. help you get the interview offers).  \n\nSo, my answer is, choose schools where you have a "good fit."  Don't focus so much right now on that ultimate goal (assuming you are not in college yet).
641444
You could try the Medical University of Ohio at Toledo.\n\nhttp://www.meduohio.edu/healthsciences/pa/\n\nThat is the only one I can find in Ohio, but you may want to check into schools in states that are close like, Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania
535406
I don't know any schools in your area but I have some info that might help.\n\nCheck the local hospitals as they might have a school there as well as the local technical colleges. \n\n Besides from the grades, you need a background in chemistry and anatomy.  So if you don't have those classes you should take them before you can even get into the program.  You also need to have experience in hospital setting and if that means volunteering at hospitals or old age homes, get out and do it.  The more you have the better they will look at you.\n\nIn my area, the wait list is about 2 years long to get into the program and you have to have prereqs done before you can even apply to get onto the wait list.  \n\nWhen you find the school you'd like to attend they should have a course guideline that will tell you the classes you need to finish your degree.\n\nHope this link helps.\n\nGood luck in your career change.
90426
The most usual is a two-year associates degree program through a vocational training school or a college.  \n\nFor general information on the field check out:\nhttp://realmedicine.org/CareerProfiles/ultra\n\nI couldn't find any listing specifically for schools in Delaware but I suggest you check with local community colleges and possibly U of Delaware and Delaware State in Dover.  They may either have programs or be able to help you with a referral.\n\nAlso, there is the Sanford-Brown Institute which specifically offers programs in medical assisting specialties; they have campuses in Landover, Maryland and Trevose, PA.  Depending on where in Delaware you live, either of these are possibly commutable if you have a car...\n\nGood luck!
547580
hi \n\nim a med student at Imperial College London, and when i was looking for work experience i approached my school careers advisor. They pointed me in the right direction. \n\nYou have to be over 16, and have no criminal record to work. Also contact the local hospital, maybe the human resource dept for direct experience. go in the summer because thats when no med students are around, and people are more willing to give you a shot.\n\nI did my work experience in St Mary's Paddington, in the radiology dept. It was crap but it looks good on your application to uni. Contact Marys, they might still be able to help you out\n\nI also did some health care assistant work with some clinical exposure, taking peoples temperature and blood pressure in Central Middlesex Hospital London. CMH might be able to help you out too but its much harder to do it, and I remember the woman interviewing me, and gunning me down!
541776
I do know that a physician goes through a lot more school and gets paid very well.  BUT at the same time a physicians assistant does not have to be in school well into their 30's, they still make a very excellent paycheck AND they don't have to deal with all of the lawsuits that physicians have to deal with.  Your best bet is to be a PA.  Good luck!