I’m a PA Student and I Want to Go to Med School | OldPreMeds Podcast Ep. 251
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2024
- Our student today is in PA school but has known “for a while” that they want to go to medical school. What are the next steps, and are there any issues? That's what we cover today!
As always on the OldPreMeds Podcast, our question this week is taken from our nontraditional premed forum. (Ask your own questions at premedforums.com.)
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
• The Premed Years Ep. 63, "PA to Doctor: What Route Should YOU Take?": premedyears.com/63.
• The Premed Years Ep. 170, "PA Turned MD Talks About Why He Made the Switch": premedyears.com/170.
• The Premed Years Ep. 254, "MD vs PA! Let’s Talk About It with a PA to Help You Decide": premedyears.com/254.
• eShadowing: eshadowing.com
• Mappd: mappd.com
Our question is from a current PA student who wants to pursue medical school rather than being a PA for the long term. This student wants to know if they should practice for a few years as a PA before applying to med school, or if they can apply to med school even while they're still a PA student.
In my answer, I discuss:
• The main thing you need in order to go from PA to MD.
• Really understanding and articulating why you want to be a physician rather than a PA.
• What is the actual difference between a doctor and a PA?
• Why did you go to PA school if you've known for a while that you want to be a physician?
• Should you start reaching out to med school admissions committees?
• Is there a right or wrong answer for "why physician, not PA"?
• Should you practice for a few years as a PA before med school?
0:00 Introduction
0:43 eShadowing Announcement
5:05 Student Question
6:41 My Answer
Be sure to check out mappd.com for Mappd, a premed app that's changing the premed landscape, especially for nontraditional students! - Zábava
Why should there be any "issues" with any path somebody takes?
If somebody wants to be a police officer and then they decide that they want to become a physician then that there is choice to do so.
Personally, the reason I didn't pursue the path to medical school FIRST is because I always thought it was beyond me. My high school years were not great academically and I went into the military, got out, and did onlIne schooling and worked full time. For a few years I struggled financially and made my way back into the military. I found out that the Army offers a program which allows enlisted personnel to receive the academic prerequisites for med school. I can say i am more focused now then I was 10 years ago in high school.
Same just same...glad someone else had this same feeling! 😌
Because the purpose of medical professional schools is to fill the need for clinicians. They can't afford to train people who won't go on to practice. OP went to PA school but if they don't go on to become a practicing PA the community is effectively -1 PA. Med schools probably won't look favorably on someone who took a spot in PA school didn't practice and now wants an MD. Whats to say that person won't change careers again?
@@flip2863 I agree... it's more favorable if your practice for a minimum of 4 to 5 yrs. Some may have a desire to practice more independently and increase their knowledge..
most PAs i meet just went that route since it was faster. they probably realize after 2-3 years that the extra 3-4 years for MD wouldn't have been that big of a deal
extra 3-4 years? school alone is 2 years more, plus residency (3-7 years) and optional fellowship training (1-3 years), which can be 3-10 years on top of that. so the actual training length difference is anywhere from 5-12 years more for MD/DO when compared to PA
@@NO1xANIMExFAN even 3-10 more years isn't that big of a deal. you're still showing that 3 more years was an option. plus, the years are going to pass regardless. you can spend 30-40 years in a field knowing you wanted something more, or you can take 10 years to complete the training and spend 30-40 years doing what you really wanted to do.
95% of PAs wouldn't have been able to get into medical school so it doesn't really matter if they're willing to put in extra years if they can't get in.
@@BrianErwinThis is a good way to think about it.
I am so happy & grateful I found your channel. For a very long time, I wanted to pursue the MD (Anesthesiologist) route. However, I'm almost done with undergrad & realize. I do not have the financial resources to afford medical school + monthly bills. About two months ago, I started to explore the PA
( Certified Assistant Anesthesiologist) route. The program is only two years. I'll have a good starting salary after completion.
Also, I can work in the specialty I always wanted to go after. While gaining experience.
Then in a couple of years if I want - pursue the MD route ✨✨💚
Hi @Bri! Just a heads up the PA route and CAA route are two different types of healthcare professions. Both are two years but the PA route will have you obtain a Masters of Health Services or Masters in PA studies whereas a CAA will have you obtain a Masters of Science in Anesthesia. Two different routes for two different jobs! Just wanted to make sure you were aware 🙏🏼good luck with your journey!
@themexicanpa - thank you so much. Have you pursued a pre-med? If so, I would love to follow your journey. Do you have an Instagram ?
@@bri7028 I was actually premed before I switched to prePA! The main reason being that I could not see myself being limited to practice in only one specialty of medicine…as a PA we are trained as generalists and are able to switch specialties at any time without additional training/residencies (they do exist for PAs but are not required). And YES, my IG handle is the same as my CZcams channel name!
This is me right now trying to go to PA school knowing very well I want to do medicine and I know I will regret after graduating PA school.
Don’t go to PA school then, you’ll waste time, money, and not be satisfied with scope.
Yup! This is true!
Definitely a wise decision as you have something to fall on to in case the MD doesn’t work out!! 👍
But he need to practice first to gain experience so that if the MD route doesn’t work out, he has something to fall in.
Going to nursing school May be a financial decision for some
could you address rn to md?
I’ve signed up for eshadowing and taken a quiz over a week ago and haven’t heard any response.
What response are you looking for?