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How can I get ahead and what should I do as a high schooler to start my career as a PA or NP ?
What can I do now ? #what now
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Nikeya’s Answer
Hello Sophia!
Great career choices! I studied biology and worked in the neuroscience department at a hospital in Michigan. My suggestion would be to first get ahold of a medical dictionary and start researching procedures and instruments. With the medical dictionary handy that will make those medical terminology words easier to understand and decipher. Also Quizlet will help when ready to test your knowledge. Look into the courses required for both careers and start researching the requirements and the details of each. Best of luck to you!
Great career choices! I studied biology and worked in the neuroscience department at a hospital in Michigan. My suggestion would be to first get ahold of a medical dictionary and start researching procedures and instruments. With the medical dictionary handy that will make those medical terminology words easier to understand and decipher. Also Quizlet will help when ready to test your knowledge. Look into the courses required for both careers and start researching the requirements and the details of each. Best of luck to you!
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Self education is so important to get a jump start on a career. Of course the formal education is important, but anything you can learn on your own will only help your situation.
I would recommend seeing if you can find someone who works in the career and would be willing to talk with you and maybe even allow you to shadow them while they work. It can be hard taking the initiative to make contacts, but it can be very worth while.
Another great option is online research. You can't do enough of it and the amount of available information is practically endless. There are many articles and videos out there that can give you a wealth of information on your potential career.
Good luck to you!
I would recommend seeing if you can find someone who works in the career and would be willing to talk with you and maybe even allow you to shadow them while they work. It can be hard taking the initiative to make contacts, but it can be very worth while.
Another great option is online research. You can't do enough of it and the amount of available information is practically endless. There are many articles and videos out there that can give you a wealth of information on your potential career.
Good luck to you!
Updated
Kody’s Answer
NP and PA are two completely different paths.
For NP, you could take a CNA course at a local nursing home and receive patient care hours. These are important for nursing school, and would likely propel you higher on an admission list. After receiving your RN, you would apply for NP school.
For PA, they also like to see direct patient care hours. These can be ascertained by being a CNA in a nursing home, patient care tech (PCT) at a hospital, or you can even become an EMT. All of these would likely boost your admission rate.
And don't forget, colleges LOVE volunteer work. Show them that you want to give back to others. Any type of volunteer work looks great, and always document what you did. Make sure to put the place, the date, and what you did while volunteering. Also, be able to tell them why you did the volunteer work and how it made a difference in your life.
Hope this helps!
For NP, you could take a CNA course at a local nursing home and receive patient care hours. These are important for nursing school, and would likely propel you higher on an admission list. After receiving your RN, you would apply for NP school.
For PA, they also like to see direct patient care hours. These can be ascertained by being a CNA in a nursing home, patient care tech (PCT) at a hospital, or you can even become an EMT. All of these would likely boost your admission rate.
And don't forget, colleges LOVE volunteer work. Show them that you want to give back to others. Any type of volunteer work looks great, and always document what you did. Make sure to put the place, the date, and what you did while volunteering. Also, be able to tell them why you did the volunteer work and how it made a difference in your life.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
I am not in this field; however, I have several medical professionals in my family. You should look into volunteer work at a Hospital, Acute Care facility or Nursing home setting as it will give you exposure to the environment. Currently, with the pandemic it could pose a challenge, but reach out to the Volunteer side of any medical facilities or acute care facilities in your area and ask what they may have available.