2 answers
Shinah
Student
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Question
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Steps to becoming a PA from HS
I’m interested in the medical field and would love to know more about a variety of jobs in the field. #general #medicine
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2 answers
Yolancia P
13
Answers
Manchester, Connecticut
Updated
Yolancia’s Answer
During your undergraduate schooling, you will have to incorporate all the prerequisite courses for PA school. Individual PA programs will have all this information listed on their websites. You don't need a particular bachelor's degree, but you do need these prerequisite courses.
Additionally, PA programs infamously require their applicants have many, many documented patient care hours. Applicants achieve this in many different ways: EMT work, CNA work, etc. Many different certificate programs can be done during high school or undergrad to start completing these hours.
In high school, I suggest you shadow real PAs. Learn about their jobs while experiencing their day-to-day work. PAs are qualified to work in any specialty. Real work exposure will help you decide a specialty of interest.
Additionally, PA programs infamously require their applicants have many, many documented patient care hours. Applicants achieve this in many different ways: EMT work, CNA work, etc. Many different certificate programs can be done during high school or undergrad to start completing these hours.
In high school, I suggest you shadow real PAs. Learn about their jobs while experiencing their day-to-day work. PAs are qualified to work in any specialty. Real work exposure will help you decide a specialty of interest.
Thank you so much for the detailed answer!!! I feel more confident about what I need to get done if I do choose this specialty!!
Shinah
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
232
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Shinah,
I'm a family medicine PA and feel like I can help with some questions you may have. Most all PAs are educated at master's degree level, so a bachelor's degree is a requirement for applying and being accepted to a PA program. While in high school, you may start taking AP classes in basic sciences like general biology and general chemistry if you want to get a head start. Otherwise, feel free to check out this link on the AAPA (American Academy of PAs) website about the steps to becoming a PA:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions for me.
Good luck!
Hwal
I'm a family medicine PA and feel like I can help with some questions you may have. Most all PAs are educated at master's degree level, so a bachelor's degree is a requirement for applying and being accepted to a PA program. While in high school, you may start taking AP classes in basic sciences like general biology and general chemistry if you want to get a head start. Otherwise, feel free to check out this link on the AAPA (American Academy of PAs) website about the steps to becoming a PA:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions for me.
Good luck!
Hwal