Keep in mind when you are interviewing at PA programs, it's not recommended to talk about the length of education as a significant reason for your decision to become a PA! Unless you are older and have a family, I would recommend not mentioning it in your interviews! Enjoy the video!
@O’dna I am not 100% sure, but I think you can get into medical school with any degree as long as you meet the prerequisite courses that the med school you're applying to is asking for
@XxToxicxX You can major in anything you want. But you will need to take the prerequisite classes which usually consists of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and more.
Hey , anyone can say the clear difference between working in US by clearing usmle and by PA exam So when we are eligible to give PA exam and and what is the course duration and other important things.....iam confused 😅.....
I'm an MD student and I watched this out of curiosity; thought it was a pretty reasonable discussion of preferring the PA route. Earlier financial stability is a really big one, and I think it's great that you state that as straightforwardly as you do. As you say, you get paid way more for on-the-job training as a PA vs as a resident, even when you account for stipends that some residency programs provide. The length of training is definitely another. The idea of "lateral mobility" I found especially interesting and probably a matter of perspective. I understand the appeal of having the ability to work in different fields and how that might be good for avoiding burnout. However, I think it's not necessarily accurate to portray working in "just one" field as a physician as a bad or negative thing. The reason medical school is so long is that you get both breadth and depth of knowledge to then choose (or your board scores choose for you--kind of) what field you want to dedicate yourself to. And then in residency, you get really, really good in that field. If a person enjoys having expertise and being the endpoint of treating complex problems that require a depth of knowledge in a specific field, then MD/DO might be the better choice. And, further, being dedicated to one field doesn't preclude the ability to be a "lifelong learner." I don't think you'll find a single physician who has decided he or she has stopped learning or stopped feeling the need to learn. Treatments change, our understanding of genetics and pathology change, and disease prevalence changes. There are also specialties that allow you to see a broad range of pathology. Internal medicine/hospital medicine treats literally everything under the sun. Emergency medicine has a "jack of all trades, master of none" style that appeals to people who want lateral mobility within a specialty. Anyway, cool and very well articulated video.
Kevin Huang great points. Definitely anyone in healthcare has to be a lifelong learner. I honestly commend anyone pursuing the medical school route and have really positive vibes towards physicians. Medicine as a whole is such a team based approach and it wouldn’t be the same without each individual playing their specific roles. Best of luck on your journey! 🙏🏽
Ahh, I’m so excited to become a PA! When I was pre-med, it felt...wrong. Whenever I’d look at the pre-med track, I was terrified. However, when I learned about the PA profession, I felt a calling. Whenever I look at the pre-PA track, I feel motivated and challenged! I’ve never felt that way with any profession. I’m super excited and congratulations!
same. i wanted to be a surgeon for as long as i could remember, but it felt so daunting and i felt like i wasn’t smart enough and was scared to fail. pa seems so much more promising and aligns way more with me as a person. i’m starting undergrad next year and so excited to become a pa!
I had considered PA school myself at one point but in the end I chose medical school. There's definitely no right or wrong answer it's what works best for you. I have friends that are in PA school and they could've easily gone to medical school but they chose PA school instead because medical school wasn't in line with their end goals. Good job on the video!
@Nicole Arguello PA is about 2 years. Med school is 4 years plus 3-7 years of residency, and then 1-2 years of fellowship if choose to do it. A family doctor needs 3 years of residency. Surgeons need 5 years and possibly fellowship as well. Neurosurgeons need 7 years of residency. Resident physicians are paid during training but it’s only $55000-60000 for long hours of work, often 80 hour weeks.
I think I've made my mind up to become a PA. I've always envisioned myself as a healthcare and thought MD was the way to go. But after shadowing PAs, MDs and med techs, I see PA care more and work more closely with patients. I like that. It's not about ego, I just want to help people feel better and live health lives
There were several factors that influenced my desire to want to be a PA but one of those was the fact that ive never been told by a PA that they wish they had never gone that route. Ive been told by plenty of doctors that they wouldnt do med school if they could it all over again
I lived with my ex girlfriend for three years of the four years of medical school, everything this man said hits the nail on the head. The financial stress alone to become a doctor is a weight so hard to imagine, plus the stress to keep up pushes nearly every med student to either contemplate dropping out or harming oneself. My ex constantly second guessed herself and wished she had chosen the route of becoming a PA instead, for all the reasons mentioned: time, family, finance, reduced stress. Massive kudos to all whom endure medical school, the world certainly needs as many doctors as we can have. Just know it is not a life decision to embark upon without great deliberation.
Thanks for taking a moment to recognize the sacrifices that people make to become physicians. It means a lot to anyone who chose that path. I think a lot of people take physicians sacrifices for granted simply because they are well compensated. If you're only in it for the money it's definitely not worth it.
I'm a senior in high school and this video has really solidified my thoughts on becoming a PA. Many of the reasons that geared you towards this career path are similar to mine. Thank you so much for your insight.
I’m 2 years late on this video😂 but I’ve wanted to be a doctor my whole life but having a big family is the most important thing to me. Because of that (and other reasons), I just decided being a doctor most likely won’t be the right path for me. I was literally about to just give up and then I was told about being a PA. And I think I just found out, for certain, what I wanna be. So thank you.
@Amal Taher Not all of us are privileged with wealth and a spouse who makes good income to pay off medical school debt. Good for your mom, but most of us don’t have that luxury. “Just buy more properties and investments” lol as if it’s that easy.
My mother was a pa and than after she had a few kids, she went back to med school and she says that being a pa helped her figure out her specialty. She went to Med school at 33 when all me and my 3 siblings were old enough to go to school and didn’t need to be cared for all the time and she was a practicing doctor by 41 because her med school was a 3 year program and her residency was only 5 years. She also had my dad who made about 70 k as a teacher to take care of us when we were out of school. It’s never too late and you don’t have to sacrifice a family for it. She was around a lot growing up and I think it’s a misconception that doctors don’t have time for their families. She had passive income because she invested while working as a pa and bought properties to rent out so that was enough to keep me and my siblings accounted for while she was in med school. She paid off her loans after only 3 years because she maid 350 k a year and gave about 75k a year. She has passive income so she isn’t worried about having debt in retirement and she has passive income that will still come after she retires so she isn’t worried about not having saved enough to retire. The reason she switched is because she always wanted to do surgery and while physician assistants can specialize in surgery, they can only do small things like cutting abscesses and inserting chest tubes and my mom longed to do more complex procedures. Shes now an attending general surgeon at a hospital and shes happier than she’s ever been. If you want to do something, don’t let time or age deter you. You’ll be that age anyway. You just may not be as fulfilled. If she didn’t do it, she would be 41 anyway but she wouldn’t have been as happy as she is now.
Good luck! Just rechecking this video comments. I start clinicals on Monday. PA school is definitely the most difficult thing I have done in my entire life, but it will be worth it in the end.
This is amazing. I've been wanting to become a PA for years and just expected that I'd have to sacrifice my big family dreams like most college heavy careers, but I had no idea just how conducive the profession is to starting a big family young
I'm applying to PA school this summer. Married with three children. Length of education is a big plus, especially in my stage of life. A lot of your reasons are my reasons.
The biggest factor for me when it comes to choosing a career is how much time i will spend with my future family. I chose to specialize in dentistry, most likely orthodontia.
Thank you for this! I was currently applying to medical school, but the burnout I was already feeling was unreal. I couln't make up my mind, but I was looking at the loans I already have from my masters program and post-bacc program. I couldn't let my loans sit for 8-10 more years lol I feel that we have similar viewpoints and it actually helped me really be good with my decision! Good Luck:)
Currently I am a biochem major deciding between becoming a Doctor or a PA. This video pointed out that the lifestyle I want lines up better with a career of a PA, so thank you I needed this video.
Hi James Kim, great video. I am personally interesting in becoming a PA, but I don’t yet know if it’s for me. With everything mentioned in the video taken into consideration, it sounds absolutely great. I’m currently taking an EMT basic course at a community college to get some experience with direct patient care and hands on work, but eventually I’d like to advance into something with better pay (aiming for around $90k/year) Would you recommend this to someone in my position, or would you say that a nursing degree would be a better option?
This is a great video man, thanks. I first got interested in the PA profession when I found out what a PA was while in the military. I’ve only ever been interested in family medicine, and that was basically what our unit PA did, coughs and sneezes to sprains and breaks. Plowing through the pre reqs as we speak.
This video really hit home for me. I was originally pre-med but switched over to PA for most of the reasons you mentioned. Now I'm preparing for my first PA school interview this week and couldn't be more excited! Thanks for making great videos, they've been extremely helpful.
Christina! You're very welcome! Congratulations on receiving an interview! That is a huge step in getting closer to your goal. Be yourself and stay positive! :)
Thank you so much for this video. It really helped me put a few things in perspective. I’ve alway wanted to go to medical school but as I’m getting older I just don’t see myself committing to all these years. Also I love the fact that PA offers so much flexibility and the learning opportunities are endless. I tend to get bored doing one thing for an excessive amount of time. However i was struggling with..... how much autonomy do you get as a PA and the stigma of being called a PA. I really wish that there was a different name for it. But your video just shed some new lights on my choice of going that direction and I Thank you for that.
THANK YOU! I am about to finish my fall semester as a second year pre-med student and I have been feeling a bit wary about becoming a doctor. I have always been so passionate about the medical field, but knowing it will cost a lot of money and time has discouraged me. I am looking towards changing my career path to a PA because I share some of your similar goals and this video has inspired me a bit more. thank you so much!
This was really detailed and informative james!. i fell in love with the duties and career line of becoming a PA and now there's no going back . Upload more PA experience videos!
Good points, thanks for sharing! I’m in the med route, and I definitely wish we could switch specialties easier. We don’t even get a lot of exposure to all the different subspecialties, so it’s sometimes challenging to commit to which specialty to pursue.
I've been thinking a lot about this recently and I'm having a hard time deciding what to choose. I currently have acceptances to DO and NP school. I'm a paramedic and worked in EMS around 10 years. Ive been out of pre-med over a year and I'm really enjoying having a life again. I really wanted to be an emergency physician but I just don't know if I can do that time commitment anymore, I'm getting older I want a house, start dating again etc. I wont be able to do that if i go to DO school. I know I'd probably be happy being an NP in the ER and I really like the fact Ill be licensed in 3 years. I'm just worried if I pass up my med school acceptance to be an NP I might regret it later on. Great info in your video!
Thanks for the videos James they've helped me a ton. Hardest decision of my life but after reading hundreds of accounts from PA's and doctors...I decided to go for PA. I'll have to come up with a better interview answer...but it was honestly down to the time investment and stress levels of becoming a doctor vs PA. I have too many goals outside of work to devote my life to a specialty in medicine. Plus I'm seeing PA jobs offering over 200k in my area which works for me. Maybe if I started my journey at 21 I would have chosen med school but I don't want to wait until I'm 40 before I make good money, and many doctors mention the time sacrifice involved.
I've been really indecisive about my career path, and PA is a consideration for me. I'm not a big leader. I can lead no problem, and when I have the information I am great at leading a small group, bit I dont want to "manage" if that makes sense. I feel as though the PA needs to have this super specific personality who's calling it is to change people's lives and care for them. I dont feel as though it is my calling, per se, but I love the prospect of helping people and having the skills to do so is an attractive idea. About the only thing I really worry is seriously screwing up on the job or being looked at as incompetant. Help me dispel this worry?
The PA route is true gem career-wise. The length of training, job opportunities, long term earning potential, and flexibility is probably unmatched. I know of a couple of practices where PAs run the show, and makes more than the doctor. Largely because, an enterprising PA has much more time to expand into business ventures and outside interests. Overall it's a true winner, and probably more bang for your buck than any other career.
from Joel: James, Your comments are right on target! After a career as a U.S. Army officer (Signal Corps), I was a PA for 30 years before fully retiring >10 years ago. I'm now 84yo and have absolutely no regrets about becoming a PA.🙂
I just came across this video today and I would like to thank you for your advice and personal perspective! I'm currently an incoming pre med at my University and my first step is to shadow as much physicians as I can. Thank you so much for making this video! I'm definitely going to have to do a lot of exploring soon.
I've been going back and forth with this topic for a year or so now, and I am a sophomore in college. This video definitely put things into perspective for me and I cant thank you enough for that!
Hi James, the passion you have for the PA profession is really inspiring 👀👏 I am in my sophomore year as a bio major and I am starting to stress about patient care hours. Do you have any suggestions on how to earn those experience?
Hey Niama! Thank you that means a lot :) and thanks for watching the video. Some of the top patient care opportunities are as EMTs and CNAs. Both of those require certification. I was a physical therapy aide which doesn't require a certification and I know a lot of PA applicants were medical assistants as well! Some MA jobs don't require certification and just training on the job so look out for those! If you do have time to get a certification, I recommend getting your EMT or CNA certification! Some other PCE I encountered with other PA applicants were phlebotomists and scribes! Hope this is helpful! Best of luck :)
I’ve finally found the career that I truly admire and love. I applied to university in Canada. Just waiting for their reply. So, that I can start my nursing major and French minor and get my Bsn and then apply to PA school for the Masters PA program!!!!! You’re amazing!
Loving the videos James. I'm a 1st yr Pre-Med student currently and have been weighing a few options on what type of career I'd like to pursue. I've done a lot more research since entering college on what it takes to go to med/pa/chiropractic schools. From listening to you, we seem to share a lot of ideals. Which is why I think I'll shadow a few PA's this summer I think.
Watching your video has helped me tremendously. I've debated myself for several years after graduating from undergrad in 2013, I still can't figure things out and have just been working entry level jobs. My biggest obstacles at this point would be not having direct patient care hours, though I've worked in a health care related field for several years. I'm in TX so the schools here don't typically require a set number of hours for patient care, but having none at all certainly hurts I'm sure. Pretty positive I'll have to wait another year to even think of applying to PA school, as I would only have one good letter of recommendation and need to take anatomy and physiology still (stupidly I chose to take plant biology during college instead). Thank you, this was very informative for me and has given me hope!
Dude I’ve been struggling to finish my med school applications for months now, primarily because I’m also an “impulsive” person like you described. I want to learn and do it all and was afraid that if I became a physician, I would switch specialties MULTIPLE times later on. I tried looking for a specialty that’s super broad so I can keep as many doors open as possible but, I still couldn’t convince myself that this was truly what I wanted to do. After exploring other options, I’ve realized that becoming a PA is a WAY better fit for my personality/impulsiveness and I couldn’t be happier! All the anxiety and fears of choosing a single speciality are gone! Lol
Hi James! It is nice to see you successfully become a PA! I wanted to ask you something actually. I will be graduating with my BS. in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Computational Biology. I have a passion for using math as a intersection in the healthcare industry to provide care for patients, however I also want that patient interaction specifically in like Family Medicine . I do plan on going to graduate school and thought about getting a Masters of Medicine but also a PhD in like Biomedical Informatics. However, I was just introduced to PA school and I wanted your input on this. Thanks for reading my lengthy comment!
@James Kim thank you for your input! I definitely will weigh out the options. Again very proud of you watching you grow! Also very touching message for the BLM movement! HAPPY JUNETEENTH
@Alexis Kelley I think its important to weigh out the benefits and what you'll gain from each and what is most important. If you want patient care, PA is awesome for that. Its just a lot of schooling for I guess what you want to pursue but if you're passionate about it, I say go for it!
I'm a BSN nursing student from Ohio. After I graduate from Nursing school, I want to pursue NP or PA school. I would love to pursue PA school but some people are in my ear telling me I should become an NP because doctors like them more because they dont have to supervise and obviously if I come from a nursing background, I should just go onto being a NP. I dont know which one to pick. I just want to work and have a very secure career and be marketable/employable. I dont want to graduate from PA school and be left in the wind and dust because employers truly do prefer NPs over PAs, and I took it with a grain of salt at the time. I really want to be a PA but I dont know if I should actually be an NP.. Please help!!! PA or NP? Thank you!
Honestly, you'll hear from different people that they prefer one over the other. Where I work (Nevada) they love both PAs and NPs! Its really regional, go with what your gut says, you can't go wrong with either.
Really great advice man........I'm in grade 10 and I've really been thinking about what I want to do in life now so that I don't feel uncomfortable and start panicking when it's time to make the decision. I've been doing some really deep research into multiple jobs in the medical field (I know my life is headed towards that) and although the high salary of a physician is quite enticing, I don't feel comfortable going into that field because it doesn't seem as though I would have enough time for family, friends and just an adequate amount of interaction outside of work. I want a job that pays me enough to make a really decent living, but also gives me enough time to spend with the people I care about and just relax in general. Watching videos like yours really ensures me that I'm making the right decision. Thank you so much!
I choose PA because being a single mother raising an autistic son, Medical school would take up a lot of time and I have so many hobbies. I do respect MDs but there's more to life than medicine.
I'm about a month away from finishing my first semester of PA school! I chose PA school over med school for many of the same reasons as you. So far, I've learned a lot and enjoyed it as well. Good luck and enjoy your time before school starts, it's non-stop!
Hi James, I want to be a PA but I’m really worried about my biology and chemistry scores (still in high school and struggle a lot with chemistry) do my grades(biology/chemistry)really affect the career that I want to do? I’m not the best but not the worst at those subjects. That’s what stressing me out. If I could get a reply from anyone that knows that will be amazing! Edit: Is it necessary to go to college after graduating high school??
This is AWESOME! I'm currently working towards my BSN and have been debating PA or NP. Still on the fence about it, but your videos are very informative! Thanks so much for posting!
hi james! so glad i found your channel today! your videos are all so helpful! I'm a dreamer and becoming a PA or an Orthodontist were my dreams 6 years ago (big difference lol i know) but I wasn't ready mentally or academically for the science courses. I had personal and academic issues so I put the research and dreams on pause then went back to school 2 years ago. I am a web design major and I think that was more of a hobby and wanting a degree in something I enjoy but I have a passion in helping people, thus wanting to become part of the healthcare field as my career. I've been working at a dental office for 3 years now and I am still scared on how well i'd do in the pre-reqs or if I can even get into PA/Dental school, but as time flew by, I thought, if I don't start now with the pre-dental pre-reqs I wouldn't know if I can't actually succeed, time doensn't wait for anyone - so I basically prepped my course outline, prepped my mindset for dental school and finally took BIO1 + 2 and Chem 1 and to my surprise I received A's and B's! The more I think about Dental school though and how old I am (2 years older than you), I feel like I'm digging myself into a big hole, so I am currently reviewing all of my research that I compiled in my PA dream folder and it seems like a better option - why didn't I settle with this sooner and realize the benefits now!? watching your videos today opened my mind up more too. I feel like i have the same aspirations and wants/needs as you do in terms of being a continued lifetime learner, wanting to be in different fields and wanting a family in the future, and most of all, not wanting to be drowned in debt. sorry for this long comment lol I really thank you for your channel and I will continue watching them today lol I haven't watched all of them yet, but I was wondering if you can make a video for non-traditional students wanting to apply for PA? Like what kind of transitions do we need if any? I am not that much of a science-based class person either ._. but i love math. should I rethink my decision for PA too bc of that?
Hi Kwaniie! I'm also not feeling confident about taking these science courses for PA school. I read you got A's and B's in Bio and Chem! do you have any tips on how you overcame the fear? and any tips on how you achieved As and B's in those classes? thank you!!
Hey! Thanks for watching the videos and glad they've been helpful! I will most definitely add a video on my advice to non-traditional students to my list of videos to make! I think to begin you should definitely figure out if you want to fully commit to dental or PA, as they are very different things and you need to really figure out which one would you enjoy more and put in the necessary work to get there. If you truly enjoy working in your dental office, why not go the dental school route? It's only 1-2 years more than most PA programs and you can definitely pay off student loans quickly if you are diligent. If you choose to pursue the PA route, continue to finish all the necessary pre-req courses as they are required when you apply to PA school. It's okay to be a web design major as long as you complete and do well in your pre-req courses! You say you're not a science-based class person but you received A's and B's in BIO 1 & 2 and CHEM 1. So lets get that notion out of your head because you obviously can handle science courses and have done well in them. I would check with PA programs if your dental office experience counts as patient care experience. If they do not accept it, you will most likely need to get direct patient care experience either through EMT, CNA, MA, PT aide, LVN, just to name a few. Whichever route you decide to choose, if you're really passionate about it, you're never too old to pursue it. You are still fairly young so just carefully weigh your options and go from there! Hope that helped!
I'm interested in becoming a PA for my future career and I've been doing a lot of research of what route I want to take in order to achieve my goal. What route did you take personally? (What was your bachelors degree, what clinical experience did you have, ect.) I'm trying to figure out whether being a medical assistant and getting a bachelors degree or being a nurse would be better to get my clinical experience in personally.
+James Kim PA Student Hey James! Came across this comment and wanted to ask a few questions about your experience as a PT aide before PA school: 1) Did you do this to count as clinical experience before applying to PA school? Did it work to your favor? 2) Was it considered relevant as compared to other clinical experience routes such as EMT, CNA, medical scribe, etc? 3) Have you ever considered becoming a PT having been a PT aide and working in that setting? I ask because up until recently I was set on taking the med school route (to become a physiatrist specializing in brain injury), which led me to seek and land a job as a neurorehab tech working under PTs, OTs, and SLPs. But now I'm strongly considering PA school and wonder if this job would still be relevant clinical experience, and if not, I would need to seek a position as an EMT or CNA as you mentioned. And as a PA later down the line, I would still want to specialize in PM&R (brain injury rehab)- is this possible or common?
Hey Olivia! I got my bachelors in Biology and psychology and I was a physical therapy aide for three years! I always recommend EMT, CNA, MA for patient care!
Hi I am a rising junior/senior. I am graduating early and I really want to become a PA. I’ve looked for potential professions for myself for months now. I knew I enjoyed interacting with people and I also knew that I wanted to help people. My goal is to graduate college in 3 years as well and get into PA school. But, I’m kind of confused on how all of this PA school stuff and college classes work. I heard that you have to take specific majors in college in order to fit PA school criteria. This whole PA thing to me in unreal. The amount of years required for a PA is way less than most doctors. I was completely shocked to discover this profession. I was absolutely thrilled to even find out how much they pay you a year. Essentially I’m doing a job I enjoy and I’m getting paid well. May you please inform me on what major you decided to take in college and how your 4 years of undergrad has a way of playing a huge role in PA school. Basically, may you please explain the classes you took and your journey into becoming a PA. I am currently 16 and will be 17 when I graduate. If I do 3 years of undergrad at college and 2 years of PA school, can I be earning money and be out into my profession by the age of 23 or 24?
Thanks for doing this video!!! I am years out of school (graduated in December 2010) but am considering going back...I recently started considering Medical School...but because I am older, I was not sure about it...You have persuaded me to start shadowning a doctor and a PA and look into PA schools!!! Is there anything you wish you had known before applying for PA schools?
Hey Kristin! Awesome! Definitely recommend shadowing both to see what you like best! I haven't encountered anything I really wish I knew but I do wish/hope for people deciding between PA and MD to really really really know that they will be happy as a PA in the future and not regret choosing PA over MD! To those people, I say, explore the medical school route! :)
Hey James! I've just started attending college and I still don't know exactly what I wan't to do. I've been focusing on music my entire life, but I've been wanting to take and alternative path for a more sustainable career for my future. I was wondering if it may be a good idea for me to approach the path towards PA/MD even though I don't know anything about the field. Thanks James!
Hello Mr.Kim. Can you explain the difference between the specialities in being a PA and MD? For example, if the PA works in interventional radiology, do you perform surgery with the radiologist or follow their orders(in all respects to PA). i just want to know the difference in the OR.
Hi James! I just rewatched this video after 3 years! You've come SO far, SO quickly! MAN, I'm so PROUD of you! I hope we meet someday! May the good Lord grant you continued success in your positive endeavors!😊👨🏾⚕️
Im in highschool and im thinking of joining a career tied into dermatology What kind of work can you expect daily as a PA and how do NPs and PAs differ? 🧖🏻♂️🧖🏻♂️
You have a great attitude and that's what I see in most PAs. I have been practicing for 2 years and noticed PA profession heavily differs from state to state. I'm in SC right now and they are a bit behind. I'm currently applying for FL license to do derm there. In SC, I only make 80k without production bonus as a full time derm PA seeing 40+ pts a day with 2 years of experience. I started with 75k. If I was forced to stay in SC, I'd choose neurosurgery or ER. My student loans are 200k. Honestly, medical school would have been a better choice for me financially as the physicians I work with make several hundreds of thousands a year. Without the student loan burden, PA profession is also more appealing to me. Thanks for the video and good luck in PA school!
Thank you! And it really does play a factor depending on what state you practice in. I wish you the best with your career and hope you'll continue to stay positive!
Hi James! How did you go about getting your Patient care experience? I'm strongly considering getting certified to be an EMT and work for a year or so before applying to PA school. Also, Do you know anyone who has taken that route?
Wow, this video was SO helpful!!! I have been wrestling with knowing whether going to PA school is the right decision for me, and your video put a lot of that at ease and I think that it would be a good fit for me. Thank you!!
Hi, I'm just wondering when you were an undergraduate, did you already know that you wanted to stay in the healthcare profession and interact with patients? I am struggling to find what my passion is (currently a Bio-major) and is wondering if this field is suitable for me. I value the salary a lot and that's why I am also looking into engineering/CS as well. But deep down whenever I think more about my future career, an image of me being in a medical facility pops up. Is this a sign that I shouldn't be in the healthcare work field?!
It's totally normal to want to try different things. I would take different classes or ask someone in the respective fields to gain more knowledge of the different professions you are interested in!
Hey James! Love your videos, they're so helpful! I've also been going through the process of trying to decide between PA school and MD school, but it seems as if PA school may just be a better fit for me. I was wondering if you happen to know what the average "ceiling" or high salary would be for a PA, after years of working and experience. Thank you!!
You're very welcome Ashuri! I agree and it's a good thing to be mindful about financial stability when thinking about your future. I wish you the best and don't hesitate to message/email me if you have any other questions! :)
James Kim thank you James, as always that was very helpful! It's definitely not all about the money for me, although being financially stable is a big plus lol! I just wanted to know what is possible for a well experienced PA to earn. 80 hours a week sounds pretty crazy to me, I think I wouldn't have enough physical or mental endurance for that! It's definitely best for doctors and PA's alike to stay healthy to make sure that they can make their patients healthy alike! I will definitely keep shadowing both to get a better idea of what's the best fit for me! Thanks again!
I can't give you the exact amount but I have seen posts of PA's making upwards of $160-200,000 depending on specialty, years of experience, level of responsibility. I also have read of PAs who work 80 hour weeks, own their own clinic (with a supervising physician signed on but not a provider) and make up to $300,000. This is extremely rare but it is still possible if you are trying to make a lot of money but again, going the PA route should not be a financially driven path to take, nor do I recommend working 80 hours a week because you will be burnt out fast. Keep shadowing PAs and MDs to figure out what you think would fit you best! Good luck and stay positive! :)
I'm going on thirty and finishing my BS in Cellular Molecular Biology. I think I will be going the PA route since I am older and don't feel like I have time to invest into Med school It does bother me having to explain to people what PA is, and that PA is kind of a big deal. But it is my choice and I honestly feel I would be happy in the long run by choosing PA.
I have classmates who are in their late 30's and 40's so its never too late. Educating patients is all part of the lifestyle but it's definitely headed in a positive direction!
This was really helpful James! I've done most of the leg work towards applying to med school but for nearly all the reasons you've stated, it's been looking less and less attractive. I'm going to go look into shadowing a PA... thanks so much! also, you're so beautiful whatever family you create will be gorgeous :)
I have a question: Do we need to rough ourself with choosing class like a pre-med students? Can you do a video talking more about good courses should take to get in PA school. Thank you so much for your advice and suggestion!!!
James Kim. I'm a single mom of two boys with a dream of being a dermatologist. Of course going to medical school is probably not a good idea for someone in my situation. I'm 25 so I'd like to start school now. This video definitely put a smile on my face and I'm so thankful for it. I will now plan on becoming a PA in dermatology. I'm inspired and hopeful I can really do it. I will really give it all I got.
Thank you for this video! I loved it. I love how you talked about your family goals. I am the same way! I'm not sure if PA school would like to hear that in an interview though.. I question that. Would they think I'm a slacker if I tell them one reason I want to be a PA is to be a mom and have time for family?? haha
Hey Danielle! :) Glad you liked the video! I don't ever think it would/should be seen as a negative for having family goals. I don't know exactly the do's and donts of mentioning it in an interview but I included wanting a famlIy at a young age in my personal statement and it worked out for me. It never hurts to be honest if you have the right intentions and it sounds like you do! Best of luck and stay positive :)
Hey James, glad to see you making videos about the profession, as a fellow PA prospective I wish you the best of luck in PA school and cant wait to see more of your videos.
You should definitely keep it up if you can (I've heard PA school is a full time gig) so I hope you have the time, I suggest you make a video about the stereo types guys face going into the PA profession regarding their gender.
Thank you and appreciate it! I will do my best to make videos while in PA school to give you guys more perspective! Wish you the best on your journey :)
Hey James, wanted to ask if you considered the Physical Therapy route since you were working as a PTA. Why or why not? Is getting into PA school a lot more competitive than PT? Thanks and awesome videos!
Hey Keith! Yes I definitely considered it since I love sports and the human body. I didn't see myself doing PT bc it was extremely repetitive for me and not that much problem solving - the patients' diagnosis was usually provided by the MD/PA and we just folllowed a protocol. I personally want to be the one to diagnose :)
I wrote about the flexibility or lateral mobility as you called it , in my personal statement and one PA who read it told me that I should mention it bc the admissions know the benefits and role of PA... what do you think about that?
Here's some other advice for the pre-PAs: * It's physician assistant, not physician's assistant. If a PA school sees that "S" on your application, chances are it'll end up in the circular file. (I'm not kidding.) * Just say "PA." The professional title is a mouthful, the sibilant "S" is a nightmare, and then there's the "Physician Assistant" vs. "Physician Associate" debate. So, just say PA. (Much in the same way you just say MD, DO, or NP.) * There are a lot of ways to get your hands-on hours. Get them lined up sooner than later. * Make your essay personal. Use anecdotes. * If being a PA is a second choice for you, then it's the wrong choice for you.
Okay I don't know if you Will ever see this or respond but I am currently a biomedical engineering major and sometimes I get grossed out by things like blood would you say throughout PA school you were able to "On "get used to all the gross smells all the blood or do you think you shouldn't go into the profession if you're uneasy about all that stuff at first? Great advice btw I just found you!
I'm interested in possibly applying to PA school. However, I'm not a biology or health related major. Would that count against me? I'm thinking of trying to finish all my prerequisite courses & getting hands on patient care experience. I've been thinking of completing a medical assistant program to get certified, but I'm not sure HOW I'd be able to get that working experience. Would I be able to work in private clinics while being a full time student in college? Where else could I find opportunities to get HCE or PCE or shadowing a physician or PA?
Thank you for elaborating on your decision. I’m currently a firefighter in the Air Force reserves and have always wanted to be in the medical field. I have considered becoming a paramedic but I’m leaning more towards PA since I’ve always wanted to be a doctor but I just can’t fathom being in school for another 10+ years when I’m already 25
This helped a lot because I wanted to be an M.D until I started looking at different healthcare options and saw that P.A’s go to school less, make good money, and have a broader field to work in.
Hi, your video is very helpful for my daughter who got a seat for DO school and now she is also trying to get in PA schools. she is confused what to do and not 100% sure about DO school . now after watching your video ,we can decide to be PA. thanks a lot & God bless you.
I'm glad that i ran into yr vid, understanding the PA route a bit more now. I will be applying to a surgical technology program by the end of the year (also interested to apply for CNA program) but now I'm questioning my decision because I'm interested in PA school after watching this vid. This is hard. Anyway, loved that end caption "Don't forget to be my blood type, Be Positive"
How would you say the role of PAs and NPs differ? Loved this video, by the way! I came to the some of the same conclusions as you - family, like to experience different specialties, etc., and now I'm just trying to decide between PA AND NP! Thank you!
The roles and responsibilities of NPs and PAs are very similar. I would say NPs generally have a little more independence than PAs but PAs have more flexibility to switch specialties than NPs do. A PA can work as a primary care PA and work right away in neurosurgery if they wanted to. NPs have a lot of flexibility but would need additional training if they switched from family medicine to more acute care specialties! Hope that helps :)
Fun fact: the gpa req for PA schools and med schools are actually closer than you think ( both roughly > 3.6. Least in my home state). That is something I never knew :)
my daughter wants to get into a Pathology Assistant program. She finished her bachelors and is now waiting to see if she can get a medical scribe job (she wants to work for a year before getting into the program). She decided this was the better route for her instead of medical school.
Hi James, I just found your channel during my late night search of KZcliprs who are in PA school lol Thankfully it's spring break so I have time to do research. I really like your answers and it helps me figure out how to explain why I want to become a PA. I like the flexibility of the career and also the fact that I can have a family ^_^ Do you have any tips on answering this question for interviews? Btw, has anyone mentioned you are a very handsome man? Because you are lol
AMAZING video! currently a freshmen in college and was accepted into an amazing direct nursing school. has had doubts with continuing with nursing school because I don't see a future with nursing, more interested in the doctoral duties.
I'm a little lost at the whole schooling thing...so as an undergraduate can I major in psychology and still become a P.A? also could you go step by step by becoming a P.A? there's high school, getting a bachelors, and then med school for 4 years? Thanks.
Can a registered Sonographer become a PA? I have try to look up for the extra curriculum for any future possibilities. I always wonder how much more schooling there might be:)
Which school did you decide to go with? Great video by the way. Exactly what I was looking for to answer that "why not be a doctor, why not be a nurse, why not be a NP..."
I feel like once you get into PA school everything is set. It is very likely that you will finish through to becoming a PA. But I’m really scared at the fact that I won’t even be able to get into PA school. I have tremendous direct patient care and experience with helping people but my grades are not very competitive. At the moment I’m sitting at a 3.3. I’m scared many PA school will reject me because of that...if you have any advice or reassurance I would kindly appreciate them.
Hi james.very informative vedeo.thanks to you! Can u kindly tell me the acceptance rate of international medical graduate to PA programs. I have worked as GP in my country.but i dont have the enough resources and time to get LORs to apply for residency match.also research sponsoring j1 visa to U.S seems to be hard to get which is another option for me to improve my CV and get a spot in residency.For some reason i dont feel it is worth it ,neglecting all your family time which honestly i never had while in my med school and residency back home.so i am thinking of choosing PA programs.which seems more exciting than being a doctor in Us /canada. I also would like to know is there any licensing exam for canadian PA s to work in U.S .or do u have to start over the entire course in U.S to work as P.A. Kindly reply.
hi james, i'm currently a freshman majoring in biology. i'm technically in pre-med now, but i've been having second thoughts about being a doctor and now i'm considering becoming a PA instead. this is a great video, and i see a lil clearer now :) thank you for this. best of luck with your career!
I'm currently attending community college and I want to become a physician assistant. Do you suggest I finish the prerequisites at the university? I have taken Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology and got A's in them but it was taken at the community college. Still need to take the gen Chem series. Do you also suggest taking calculus and physics?
Key Kevin! You would need to transfer and get your bachelor's degree to be able to apply to PA programs! I don't think its a problem to take your pre reqs at community college as long as you finish with a bachelors from another university. PA programs don't really care where you take your pre-reqs as long as you do well in them! I took calculus and physics but only a few programs required it!
Thanks so much for this informative and entertaining video James! I had a question, as a second year undergrad, what is the best way for me to get patient care hours? Is that the same thing as shadowing a PA/MD? Do I just go into any clinic and ask to shadow the doctor? Thanks for the advice!
Hey Iqra! Best way to get patient care hours that I would recommend would be through working as an EMT, MA, CNA, scribe, phlebotomist, PT aide, PCT, etc. Most require certifcations! The patient care experience is different than shadowing as shadowing you are only observing while patient care, you are responsible for patients! You can go to clinics and asks to shadow PAs and MDs, you can call or send a professional email inquiring about shadowing opportunities! Best of luck! :)
I enjoyed listen to you. I would like to keep watching your video. I believe that all you shared was helpful and motivated me to keep learning about the different pathways that my bachelor can offer me. This is helping me to keep searching, to have options a decide eats better. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for these videos. I am a junior in high school and am trying to get into a BS/MS program right out of senior year. Not many schools offer a program with direct entry so I love watching your videos and seeing your perspective. Keep up the awesome work! :)
Keep in mind when you are interviewing at PA programs, it's not recommended to talk about the length of education as a significant reason for your decision to become a PA! Unless you are older and have a family, I would recommend not mentioning it in your interviews! Enjoy the video!
Can I do master or I will work as PA
@O’dna I am not 100% sure, but I think you can get into medical school with any degree as long as you meet the prerequisite courses that the med school you're applying to is asking for
Mr. James Kim, please, can I get admission to Medical school using my degree in Psychology and GRE certificate?
Mr. James Kim, please, can I get admission to Medical school using my degree in Psychology and GRE certificate?
Well, that's a reminderand didn't think twice before commenting on your video.
Amen! I just got into PA school! :) People need to understand how awesome it is to be a PA. It isn't a backup plan. This is THEE plan ;)
@Linda Darwish PAs make about $55-60 an hour.
@XxToxicxX You can major in anything you want. But you will need to take the prerequisite classes which usually consists of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and more.
Hey , anyone can say the clear difference between working in US by clearing usmle and by PA exam
So when we are eligible to give PA exam and and what is the course duration and other important things.....iam confused 😅.....
@Andy Loescher if PAs do just as much as MDs, then i don't see much difference between them lol. they might as well be called doctors too
@Andy Loescher ???
As a PA I think you summarized the pros of being a PA very well. 5 years in and I still love my job.
Chad, your picture is backwards.
Thank you Chad! Appreciate your comment and so happy to hear you're still loving it! Wishing you the best with your career :)
I'm an MD student and I watched this out of curiosity; thought it was a pretty reasonable discussion of preferring the PA route. Earlier financial stability is a really big one, and I think it's great that you state that as straightforwardly as you do. As you say, you get paid way more for on-the-job training as a PA vs as a resident, even when you account for stipends that some residency programs provide. The length of training is definitely another.
The idea of "lateral mobility" I found especially interesting and probably a matter of perspective. I understand the appeal of having the ability to work in different fields and how that might be good for avoiding burnout. However, I think it's not necessarily accurate to portray working in "just one" field as a physician as a bad or negative thing. The reason medical school is so long is that you get both breadth and depth of knowledge to then choose (or your board scores choose for you--kind of) what field you want to dedicate yourself to. And then in residency, you get really, really good in that field. If a person enjoys having expertise and being the endpoint of treating complex problems that require a depth of knowledge in a specific field, then MD/DO might be the better choice.
And, further, being dedicated to one field doesn't preclude the ability to be a "lifelong learner." I don't think you'll find a single physician who has decided he or she has stopped learning or stopped feeling the need to learn. Treatments change, our understanding of genetics and pathology change, and disease prevalence changes.
There are also specialties that allow you to see a broad range of pathology. Internal medicine/hospital medicine treats literally everything under the sun. Emergency medicine has a "jack of all trades, master of none" style that appeals to people who want lateral mobility within a specialty.
Anyway, cool and very well articulated video.
Kevin Huang great points. Definitely anyone in healthcare has to be a lifelong learner. I honestly commend anyone pursuing the medical school route and have really positive vibes towards physicians. Medicine as a whole is such a team based approach and it wouldn’t be the same without each individual playing their specific roles. Best of luck on your journey! 🙏🏽
Ahh, I’m so excited to become a PA! When I was pre-med, it felt...wrong. Whenever I’d look at the pre-med track, I was terrified. However, when I learned about the PA profession, I felt a calling. Whenever I look at the pre-PA track, I feel motivated and challenged! I’ve never felt that way with any profession. I’m super excited and congratulations!
same. i wanted to be a surgeon for as long as i could remember, but it felt so daunting and i felt like i wasn’t smart enough and was scared to fail. pa seems so much more promising and aligns way more with me as a person. i’m starting undergrad next year and so excited to become a pa!
Way*
I feel the exact same year😄
I had considered PA school myself at one point but in the end I chose medical school. There's definitely no right or wrong answer it's what works best for you. I have friends that are in PA school and they could've easily gone to medical school but they chose PA school instead because medical school wasn't in line with their end goals. Good job on the video!
@Nicole Arguello PA is about 2 years. Med school is 4 years plus 3-7 years of residency, and then 1-2 years of fellowship if choose to do it. A family doctor needs 3 years of residency. Surgeons need 5 years and possibly fellowship as well. Neurosurgeons need 7 years of residency. Resident physicians are paid during training but it’s only $55000-60000 for long hours of work, often 80 hour weeks.
Nicole Arguello Med school is always only 4 years. The remainder is paid training in residency and fellowship!
@Gamer King As mentioned in the video, PA school is only 2-3 years.
Med school is anywhere between 4-12 years. So way more expensive.
How expensive is pa to the md school same or less
Definitely no right or wrong answer. So much respect for you for pursuing medical school. Best of luck on your journey :)
I think I've made my mind up to become a PA. I've always envisioned myself as a healthcare and thought MD was the way to go. But after shadowing PAs, MDs and med techs, I see PA care more and work more closely with patients. I like that. It's not about ego, I just want to help people feel better and live health lives
Dior yeah I shadowed PAs and doctors at a military hospital for 2 years
How did you shadow PAs? Did you just contact the PA directly? Orrr
That's awesome and think it's great that you were able to shadow different health care providers! Best of luck :)
There were several factors that influenced my desire to want to be a PA but one of those was the fact that ive never been told by a PA that they wish they had never gone that route. Ive been told by plenty of doctors that they wouldnt do med school if they could it all over again
I lived with my ex girlfriend for three years of the four years of medical school, everything this man said hits the nail on the head. The financial stress alone to become a doctor is a weight so hard to imagine, plus the stress to keep up pushes nearly every med student to either contemplate dropping out or harming oneself. My ex constantly second guessed herself and wished she had chosen the route of becoming a PA instead, for all the reasons mentioned: time, family, finance, reduced stress. Massive kudos to all whom endure medical school, the world certainly needs as many doctors as we can have. Just know it is not a life decision to embark upon without great deliberation.
Thanks for taking a moment to recognize the sacrifices that people make to become physicians. It means a lot to anyone who chose that path. I think a lot of people take physicians sacrifices for granted simply because they are well compensated. If you're only in it for the money it's definitely not worth it.
Very wise insight
Physicians sacrifice the most, in my opinion, and that definitely doesn't get the attention it deserves.
I'm a senior in high school and this video has really solidified my thoughts on becoming a PA. Many of the reasons that geared you towards this career path are similar to mine. Thank you so much for your insight.
4 years later, how’s is going Tyson
Best of luck Tyson!
I’m 2 years late on this video😂 but I’ve wanted to be a doctor my whole life but having a big family is the most important thing to me. Because of that (and other reasons), I just decided being a doctor most likely won’t be the right path for me. I was literally about to just give up and then I was told about being a PA. And I think I just found out, for certain, what I wanna be. So thank you.
@Amal Taher Not all of us are privileged with wealth and a spouse who makes good income to pay off medical school debt. Good for your mom, but most of us don’t have that luxury. “Just buy more properties and investments” lol as if it’s that easy.
@Amal Taher this is so inspirational omg props to ur mom!!
My mother was a pa and than after she had a few kids, she went back to med school and she says that being a pa helped her figure out her specialty. She went to Med school at 33 when all me and my 3 siblings were old enough to go to school and didn’t need to be cared for all the time and she was a practicing doctor by 41 because her med school was a 3 year program and her residency was only 5 years. She also had my dad who made about 70 k as a teacher to take care of us when we were out of school. It’s never too late and you don’t have to sacrifice a family for it. She was around a lot growing up and I think it’s a misconception that doctors don’t have time for their families. She had passive income because she invested while working as a pa and bought properties to rent out so that was enough to keep me and my siblings accounted for while she was in med school. She paid off her loans after only 3 years because she maid 350 k a year and gave about 75k a year. She has passive income so she isn’t worried about having debt in retirement and she has passive income that will still come after she retires so she isn’t worried about not having saved enough to retire. The reason she switched is because she always wanted to do surgery and while physician assistants can specialize in surgery, they can only do small things like cutting abscesses and inserting chest tubes and my mom longed to do more complex procedures. Shes now an attending general surgeon at a hospital and shes happier than she’s ever been. If you want to do something, don’t let time or age deter you. You’ll be that age anyway. You just may not be as fulfilled. If she didn’t do it, she would be 41 anyway but she wouldn’t have been as happy as she is now.
Good luck! Just rechecking this video comments. I start clinicals on Monday. PA school is definitely the most difficult thing I have done in my entire life, but it will be worth it in the end.
This is amazing. I've been wanting to become a PA for years and just expected that I'd have to sacrifice my big family dreams like most college heavy careers, but I had no idea just how conducive the profession is to starting a big family young
I'm applying to PA school this summer. Married with three children. Length of education is a big plus, especially in my stage of life. A lot of your reasons are my reasons.
Best of luck Joshua in applying this year. Wish you the best and stay positive!
The biggest factor for me when it comes to choosing a career is how much time i will spend with my future family. I chose to specialize in dentistry, most likely orthodontia.
Debt is the only downside to dentistry. If you can get into your state school you will live a life better than 99% of all people
That's awesome! Best of luck to you!
Thank you for this! I was currently applying to medical school, but the burnout I was already feeling was unreal. I couln't make up my mind, but I was looking at the loans I already have from my masters program and post-bacc program. I couldn't let my loans sit for 8-10 more years lol I feel that we have similar viewpoints and it actually helped me really be good with my decision! Good Luck:)
Currently I am a biochem major deciding between becoming a Doctor or a PA. This video pointed out that the lifestyle I want lines up better with a career of a PA, so thank you I needed this video.
Hi James Kim, great video. I am personally interesting in becoming a PA, but I don’t yet know if it’s for me. With everything mentioned in the video taken into consideration, it sounds absolutely great. I’m currently taking an EMT basic course at a community college to get some experience with direct patient care and hands on work, but eventually I’d like to advance into something with better pay (aiming for around $90k/year) Would you recommend this to someone in my position, or would you say that a nursing degree would be a better option?
This is a great video man, thanks. I first got interested in the PA profession when I found out what a PA was while in the military. I’ve only ever been interested in family medicine, and that was basically what our unit PA did, coughs and sneezes to sprains and breaks. Plowing through the pre reqs as we speak.
This video really hit home for me. I was originally pre-med but switched over to PA for most of the reasons you mentioned. Now I'm preparing for my first PA school interview this week and couldn't be more excited! Thanks for making great videos, they've been extremely helpful.
Christina! You're very welcome! Congratulations on receiving an interview! That is a huge step in getting closer to your goal. Be yourself and stay positive! :)
Thank you so much for this video. It really helped me put a few things in perspective. I’ve alway wanted to go to medical school but as I’m getting older I just don’t see myself committing to all these years. Also I love the fact that PA offers so much flexibility and the learning opportunities are endless. I tend to get bored doing one thing for an excessive amount of time. However i was struggling with..... how much autonomy do you get as a PA and the stigma of being called a PA. I really wish that there was a different name for it. But your video just shed some new lights on my choice of going that direction and I Thank you for that.
THANK YOU! I am about to finish my fall semester as a second year pre-med student and I have been feeling a bit wary about becoming a doctor. I have always been so passionate about the medical field, but knowing it will cost a lot of money and time has discouraged me. I am looking towards changing my career path to a PA because I share some of your similar goals and this video has inspired me a bit more. thank you so much!
This was really detailed and informative james!. i fell in love with the duties and career line of becoming a PA and now there's no going back . Upload more PA experience videos!
yay! already subbed!
Thank you! I am actually going to be starting PA school this summer so stay tuned for more videos :)
Good points, thanks for sharing! I’m in the med route, and I definitely wish we could switch specialties easier. We don’t even get a lot of exposure to all the different subspecialties, so it’s sometimes challenging to commit to which specialty to pursue.
James Kim thank you!
Definitely. Best of luck on your journey!
I've been thinking a lot about this recently and I'm having a hard time
deciding what to choose. I currently have acceptances to DO and NP
school. I'm a paramedic and worked in EMS around 10 years. Ive been out
of pre-med over a year and I'm really enjoying having a life again. I
really wanted to be an emergency physician but I just don't know if I
can do that time commitment anymore, I'm getting older I want a house,
start dating again etc. I wont be able to do that if i go to DO school.
I know I'd probably be happy being an NP in the ER and I really like
the fact Ill be licensed in 3 years. I'm just worried if I pass up my
med school acceptance to be an NP I might regret it later on. Great info in your video!
Congrats John, honestly if you feel like you will live in regret and always wonder "what if", pursue the DO. The time is going to pass anyways
John McCarthy update
Thanks for the videos James they've helped me a ton. Hardest decision of my life but after reading hundreds of accounts from PA's and doctors...I decided to go for PA. I'll have to come up with a better interview answer...but it was honestly down to the time investment and stress levels of becoming a doctor vs PA. I have too many goals outside of work to devote my life to a specialty in medicine. Plus I'm seeing PA jobs offering over 200k in my area which works for me.
Maybe if I started my journey at 21 I would have chosen med school but I don't want to wait until I'm 40 before I make good money, and many doctors mention the time sacrifice involved.
I've been really indecisive about my career path, and PA is a consideration for me. I'm not a big leader. I can lead no problem, and when I have the information I am great at leading a small group, bit I dont want to "manage" if that makes sense.
I feel as though the PA needs to have this super specific personality who's calling it is to change people's lives and care for them. I dont feel as though it is my calling, per se, but I love the prospect of helping people and having the skills to do so is an attractive idea.
About the only thing I really worry is seriously screwing up on the job or being looked at as incompetant. Help me dispel this worry?
The PA route is true gem career-wise. The length of training, job opportunities, long term earning potential, and flexibility is probably unmatched. I know of a couple of practices where PAs run the show, and makes more than the doctor. Largely because, an enterprising PA has much more time to expand into business ventures and outside interests. Overall it's a true winner, and probably more bang for your buck than any other career.
Great way to look at it! Couldn't agree more
from Joel: James, Your comments are right on target! After a career as a U.S. Army officer (Signal Corps), I was a PA for 30 years before fully retiring >10 years ago. I'm now 84yo and have absolutely no regrets about becoming a PA.🙂
I just came across this video today and I would like to thank you for your advice and personal perspective! I'm currently an incoming pre med at my University and my first step is to shadow as much physicians as I can. Thank you so much for making this video! I'm definitely going to have to do a lot of exploring soon.
Hey Jessica! You're very welcome! Best of luck to you!
I've been going back and forth with this topic for a year or so now, and I am a sophomore in college. This video definitely put things into perspective for me and I cant thank you enough for that!
lillythePA deep edits caspa applications
lillythePA deep edits caspa applications
Hi James, the passion you have for the PA profession is really inspiring 👀👏 I am in my sophomore year as a bio major and I am starting to stress about patient care hours. Do you have any suggestions on how to earn those experience?
Medical scribes are also counted as clinical experience. Hope this helps!
Keep me updated with everything Niama :)
I will definitely look into those. Thanks a lot and Good luck with your journey💕😊
Hey Niama! Thank you that means a lot :) and thanks for watching the video. Some of the top patient care opportunities are as EMTs and CNAs. Both of those require certification. I was a physical therapy aide which doesn't require a certification and I know a lot of PA applicants were medical assistants as well! Some MA jobs don't require certification and just training on the job so look out for those! If you do have time to get a certification, I recommend getting your EMT or CNA certification! Some other PCE I encountered with other PA applicants were phlebotomists and scribes! Hope this is helpful! Best of luck :)
I’ve finally found the career that I truly admire and love. I applied to university in Canada. Just waiting for their reply. So, that I can start my nursing major and French minor and get my Bsn and then apply to PA school for the Masters PA program!!!!! You’re amazing!
Loving the videos James. I'm a 1st yr Pre-Med student currently and have been weighing a few options on what type of career I'd like to pursue. I've done a lot more research since entering college on what it takes to go to med/pa/chiropractic schools. From listening to you, we seem to share a lot of ideals. Which is why I think I'll shadow a few PA's this summer I think.
Hey Sam! Thanks for the support! Yes definitely keep your options open and explore the different medical fields! Wishing you the best on your journey!
Watching your video has helped me tremendously. I've debated myself for several years after graduating from undergrad in 2013, I still can't figure things out and have just been working entry level jobs. My biggest obstacles at this point would be not having direct patient care hours, though I've worked in a health care related field for several years. I'm in TX so the schools here don't typically require a set number of hours for patient care, but having none at all certainly hurts I'm sure. Pretty positive I'll have to wait another year to even think of applying to PA school, as I would only have one good letter of recommendation and need to take anatomy and physiology still (stupidly I chose to take plant biology during college instead). Thank you, this was very informative for me and has given me hope!
The process isn't easy but stay patient and positive! You got this!
Dude I’ve been struggling to finish my med school applications for months now, primarily because I’m also an “impulsive” person like you described. I want to learn and do it all and was afraid that if I became a physician, I would switch specialties MULTIPLE times later on. I tried looking for a specialty that’s super broad so I can keep as many doors open as possible but, I still couldn’t convince myself that this was truly what I wanted to do. After exploring other options, I’ve realized that becoming a PA is a WAY better fit for my personality/impulsiveness and I couldn’t be happier! All the anxiety and fears of choosing a single speciality are gone! Lol
Thank you for this helpful video! I am a freshman in college and am considering a career as a PA. What was your base major before entering PA school?
Hi James! It is nice to see you successfully become a PA! I wanted to ask you something actually. I will be graduating with my BS. in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Computational Biology. I have a passion for using math as a intersection in the healthcare industry to provide care for patients, however I also want that patient interaction specifically in like Family Medicine . I do plan on going to graduate school and thought about getting a Masters of Medicine but also a PhD in like Biomedical Informatics. However, I was just introduced to PA school and I wanted your input on this.
Thanks for reading my lengthy comment!
Wish you all the best 👏❤️
Alexis Kelley thanks for your support on the channel! Means a lot! 🙏🏽
@James Kim thank you for your input! I definitely will weigh out the options. Again very proud of you watching you grow! Also very touching message for the BLM movement! HAPPY JUNETEENTH
@Alexis Kelley I think its important to weigh out the benefits and what you'll gain from each and what is most important. If you want patient care, PA is awesome for that. Its just a lot of schooling for I guess what you want to pursue but if you're passionate about it, I say go for it!
@James Kim do you think it's a good plan?
I'm a BSN nursing student from Ohio. After I graduate from Nursing school, I want to pursue NP or PA school. I would love to pursue PA school but some people are in my ear telling me I should become an NP because doctors like them more because they dont have to supervise and obviously if I come from a nursing background, I should just go onto being a NP. I dont know which one to pick. I just want to work and have a very secure career and be marketable/employable. I dont want to graduate from PA school and be left in the wind and dust because employers truly do prefer NPs over PAs, and I took it with a grain of salt at the time. I really want to be a PA but I dont know if I should actually be an NP.. Please help!!! PA or NP? Thank you!
@James Kim Right. Ok. Thank you so much. I love yout channel. Blessings 😊💗
Honestly, you'll hear from different people that they prefer one over the other. Where I work (Nevada) they love both PAs and NPs! Its really regional, go with what your gut says, you can't go wrong with either.
Really great advice man........I'm in grade 10 and I've really been thinking about what I want to do in life now so that I don't feel uncomfortable and start panicking when it's time to make the decision. I've been doing some really deep research into multiple jobs in the medical field (I know my life is headed towards that) and although the high salary of a physician is quite enticing, I don't feel comfortable going into that field because it doesn't seem as though I would have enough time for family, friends and just an adequate amount of interaction outside of work. I want a job that pays me enough to make a really decent living, but also gives me enough time to spend with the people I care about and just relax in general. Watching videos like yours really ensures me that I'm making the right decision. Thank you so much!
You got lots of time. Shadow all the different fields if you can! Best way to see first hand what each profession is like :)
I choose PA because being a single mother raising an autistic son, Medical school would take up a lot of time and I have so many hobbies. I do respect MDs but there's more to life than medicine.
I'm about a month away from finishing my first semester of PA school! I chose PA school over med school for many of the same reasons as you. So far, I've learned a lot and enjoyed it as well. Good luck and enjoy your time before school starts, it's non-stop!
Hey Vance! So glad to hear and thank you so much! Best of luck to you as well :)
Hi James,
I want to be a PA but I’m really worried about my biology and chemistry scores (still in high school and struggle a lot with chemistry) do my grades(biology/chemistry)really affect the career that I want to do? I’m not the best but not the worst at those subjects. That’s what stressing me out. If I could get a reply from anyone that knows that will be amazing!
Edit: Is it necessary to go to college after graduating high school??
This is AWESOME! I'm currently working towards my BSN and have been debating PA or NP. Still on the fence about it, but your videos are very informative! Thanks so much for posting!
Definitely weigh out the options! Both are amazing fileds to go into :)
hi james! so glad i found your channel today! your videos are all so helpful! I'm a dreamer and becoming a PA or an Orthodontist were my dreams 6 years ago (big difference lol i know) but I wasn't ready mentally or academically for the science courses. I had personal and academic issues so I put the research and dreams on pause then went back to school 2 years ago. I am a web design major and I think that was more of a hobby and wanting a degree in something I enjoy but I have a passion in helping people, thus wanting to become part of the healthcare field as my career. I've been working at a dental office for 3 years now and I am still scared on how well i'd do in the pre-reqs or if I can even get into PA/Dental school, but as time flew by, I thought, if I don't start now with the pre-dental pre-reqs I wouldn't know if I can't actually succeed, time doensn't wait for anyone - so I basically prepped my course outline, prepped my mindset for dental school and finally took BIO1 + 2 and Chem 1 and to my surprise I received A's and B's! The more I think about Dental school though and how old I am (2 years older than you), I feel like I'm digging myself into a big hole, so I am currently reviewing all of my research that I compiled in my PA dream folder and it seems like a better option - why didn't I settle with this sooner and realize the benefits now!?
watching your videos today opened my mind up more too. I feel like i have the same aspirations and wants/needs as you do in terms of being a continued lifetime learner, wanting to be in different fields and wanting a family in the future, and most of all, not wanting to be drowned in debt.
sorry for this long comment lol I really thank you for your channel and I will continue watching them today lol I haven't watched all of them yet, but I was wondering if you can make a video for non-traditional students wanting to apply for PA? Like what kind of transitions do we need if any? I am not that much of a science-based class person either ._. but i love math. should I rethink my decision for PA too bc of that?
Hi Kwaniie! I'm also not feeling confident about taking these science courses for PA school. I read you got A's and B's in Bio and Chem! do you have any tips on how you overcame the fear? and any tips on how you achieved As and B's in those classes? thank you!!
Hey! Thanks for watching the videos and glad they've been helpful! I will most definitely add a video on my advice to non-traditional students to my list of videos to make! I think to begin you should definitely figure out if you want to fully commit to dental or PA, as they are very different things and you need to really figure out which one would you enjoy more and put in the necessary work to get there. If you truly enjoy working in your dental office, why not go the dental school route? It's only 1-2 years more than most PA programs and you can definitely pay off student loans quickly if you are diligent.
If you choose to pursue the PA route, continue to finish all the necessary pre-req courses as they are required when you apply to PA school. It's okay to be a web design major as long as you complete and do well in your pre-req courses! You say you're not a science-based class person but you received A's and B's in BIO 1 & 2 and CHEM 1. So lets get that notion out of your head because you obviously can handle science courses and have done well in them. I would check with PA programs if your dental office experience counts as patient care experience. If they do not accept it, you will most likely need to get direct patient care experience either through EMT, CNA, MA, PT aide, LVN, just to name a few.
Whichever route you decide to choose, if you're really passionate about it, you're never too old to pursue it. You are still fairly young so just carefully weigh your options and go from there! Hope that helped!
I'm interested in becoming a PA for my future career and I've been doing a lot of research of what route I want to take in order to achieve my goal. What route did you take personally? (What was your bachelors degree, what clinical experience did you have, ect.) I'm trying to figure out whether being a medical assistant and getting a bachelors degree or being a nurse would be better to get my clinical experience in personally.
+James Kim PA Student Hey James! Came across this comment and wanted to ask a few questions about your experience as a PT aide before PA school:
1) Did you do this to count as clinical experience before applying to PA school? Did it work to your favor?
2) Was it considered relevant as compared to other clinical experience routes such as EMT, CNA, medical scribe, etc?
3) Have you ever considered becoming a PT having been a PT aide and working in that setting?
I ask because up until recently I was set on taking the med school route (to become a physiatrist specializing in brain injury), which led me to seek and land a job as a neurorehab tech working under PTs, OTs, and SLPs. But now I'm strongly considering PA school and wonder if this job would still be relevant clinical experience, and if not, I would need to seek a position as an EMT or CNA as you mentioned. And as a PA later down the line, I would still want to specialize in PM&R (brain injury rehab)- is this possible or common?
Hey Olivia! I got my bachelors in Biology and psychology and I was a physical therapy aide for three years! I always recommend EMT, CNA, MA for patient care!
Hi I am a rising junior/senior. I am graduating early and I really want to become a PA. I’ve looked for potential professions for myself for months now. I knew I enjoyed interacting with people and I also knew that I wanted to help people. My goal is to graduate college in 3 years as well and get into PA school. But, I’m kind of confused on how all of this PA school stuff and college classes work. I heard that you have to take specific majors in college in order to fit PA school criteria. This whole PA thing to me in unreal. The amount of years required for a PA is way less than most doctors. I was completely shocked to discover this profession. I was absolutely thrilled to even find out how much they pay you a year. Essentially I’m doing a job I enjoy and I’m getting paid well. May you please inform me on what major you decided to take in college and how your 4 years of undergrad has a way of playing a huge role in PA school. Basically, may you please explain the classes you took and your journey into becoming a PA. I am currently 16 and will be 17 when I graduate. If I do 3 years of undergrad at college and 2 years of PA school, can I be earning money and be out into my profession by the age of 23 or 24?
Thanks for doing this video!!! I am years out of school (graduated in December 2010) but am considering going back...I recently started considering Medical School...but because I am older, I was not sure about it...You have persuaded me to start shadowning a doctor and a PA and look into PA schools!!! Is there anything you wish you had known before applying for PA schools?
Hey Kristin! Awesome! Definitely recommend shadowing both to see what you like best! I haven't encountered anything I really wish I knew but I do wish/hope for people deciding between PA and MD to really really really know that they will be happy as a PA in the future and not regret choosing PA over MD! To those people, I say, explore the medical school route! :)
Hey James! I've just started attending college and I still don't know exactly what I wan't to do. I've been focusing on music my entire life, but I've been wanting to take and alternative path for a more sustainable career for my future. I was wondering if it may be a good idea for me to approach the path towards PA/MD even though I don't know anything about the field. Thanks James!
Hello Mr.Kim. Can you explain the difference between the specialities in being a PA and MD? For example, if the PA works in interventional radiology, do you perform surgery with the radiologist or follow their orders(in all respects to PA). i just want to know the difference in the OR.
Hi James! I just rewatched this video after 3 years! You've come SO far, SO quickly! MAN, I'm so PROUD of you! I hope we meet someday! May the good Lord grant you continued success in your positive endeavors!😊👨🏾⚕️
Thank you good sir! Thanks for rocking with me for 3 years!!
Im in highschool and im thinking of joining a career tied into dermatology
What kind of work can you expect daily as a PA and how do NPs and PAs differ? 🧖🏻♂️🧖🏻♂️
You have a great attitude and that's what I see in most PAs. I have been practicing for 2 years and noticed PA profession heavily differs from state to state. I'm in SC right now and they are a bit behind. I'm currently applying for FL license to do derm there. In SC, I only make 80k without production bonus as a full time derm PA seeing 40+ pts a day with 2 years of experience. I started with 75k. If I was forced to stay in SC, I'd choose neurosurgery or ER. My student loans are 200k. Honestly, medical school would have been a better choice for me financially as the physicians I work with make several hundreds of thousands a year. Without the student loan burden, PA profession is also more appealing to me. Thanks for the video and good luck in PA school!
Thank you! And it really does play a factor depending on what state you practice in. I wish you the best with your career and hope you'll continue to stay positive!
This was a great video. I'm a college freshman and you really assisted in pointing me in the right direction. Thank you!
Glad it helped!
Thank you for covering a lot of topics that I had questions about! I'm considering the PA route and this video was really helpful. :)
You're very welcome, best of luck!
Hi James! How did you go about getting your Patient care experience? I'm strongly considering getting certified to be an EMT and work for a year or so before applying to PA school. Also, Do you know anyone who has taken that route?
I was a physical therapy aide for three years! I know many people who were accepted to PA school as EMTs. I highly recommend that route :)
Wow, this video was SO helpful!!! I have been wrestling with knowing whether going to PA school is the right decision for me, and your video put a lot of that at ease and I think that it would be a good fit for me. Thank you!!
Hey Spencer! Thanks for watching the videos, I'm glad I could help. Stay positive :)
Hi, I'm just wondering when you were an undergraduate, did you already know that you wanted to stay in the healthcare profession and interact with patients? I am struggling to find what my passion is (currently a Bio-major) and is wondering if this field is suitable for me. I value the salary a lot and that's why I am also looking into engineering/CS as well. But deep down whenever I think more about my future career, an image of me being in a medical facility pops up. Is this a sign that I shouldn't be in the healthcare work field?!
It's totally normal to want to try different things. I would take different classes or ask someone in the respective fields to gain more knowledge of the different professions you are interested in!
Hey James! Love your videos, they're so helpful! I've also been going through the process of trying to decide between PA school and MD school, but it seems as if PA school may just be a better fit for me. I was wondering if you happen to know what the average "ceiling" or high salary would be for a PA, after years of working and experience. Thank you!!
You're very welcome Ashuri! I agree and it's a good thing to be mindful about financial stability when thinking about your future. I wish you the best and don't hesitate to message/email me if you have any other questions! :)
James Kim thank you James, as always that was very helpful! It's definitely not all about the money for me, although being financially stable is a big plus lol! I just wanted to know what is possible for a well experienced PA to earn. 80 hours a week sounds pretty crazy to me, I think I wouldn't have enough physical or mental endurance for that! It's definitely best for doctors and PA's alike to stay healthy to make sure that they can make their patients healthy alike! I will definitely keep shadowing both to get a better idea of what's the best fit for me! Thanks again!
I can't give you the exact amount but I have seen posts of PA's making upwards of $160-200,000 depending on specialty, years of experience, level of responsibility. I also have read of PAs who work 80 hour weeks, own their own clinic (with a supervising physician signed on but not a provider) and make up to $300,000. This is extremely rare but it is still possible if you are trying to make a lot of money but again, going the PA route should not be a financially driven path to take, nor do I recommend working 80 hours a week because you will be burnt out fast. Keep shadowing PAs and MDs to figure out what you think would fit you best! Good luck and stay positive! :)
I'm going on thirty and finishing my BS in Cellular Molecular Biology. I think I will be going the PA route since I am older and don't feel like I have time to invest into Med school
It does bother me having to explain to people what PA is, and that PA is kind of a big deal. But it is my choice and I honestly feel I would be happy in the long run by choosing PA.
I have classmates who are in their late 30's and 40's so its never too late. Educating patients is all part of the lifestyle but it's definitely headed in a positive direction!
This was really helpful James! I've done most of the leg work towards applying to med school but for nearly all the reasons you've stated, it's been looking less and less attractive. I'm going to go look into shadowing a PA... thanks so much! also, you're so beautiful whatever family you create will be gorgeous :)
Thank you Priscilla :)
As a patient, I preferred having a PA. He listened VERY closely and thought outside the box. Very positive experience.
P a r a m y x
Glad to hear you had a positive experience :) thanks for sharing!
I have a question: Do we need to rough ourself with choosing class like a pre-med students? Can you do a video talking more about good courses should take to get in PA school. Thank you so much for your advice and suggestion!!!
James Kim. I'm a single mom of two boys with a dream of being a dermatologist. Of course going to medical school is probably not a good idea for someone in my situation. I'm 25 so I'd like to start school now. This video definitely put a smile on my face and I'm so thankful for it. I will now plan on becoming a PA in dermatology. I'm inspired and hopeful I can really do it. I will really give it all I got.
Hey Carmella! So glad the video was helpful. If you're truly passionate about it, you'll get there! Best of luck and stay positive! :)
Thank you for this video! I loved it. I love how you talked about your family goals. I am the same way! I'm not sure if PA school would like to hear that in an interview though.. I question that. Would they think I'm a slacker if I tell them one reason I want to be a PA is to be a mom and have time for family?? haha
Hey Danielle! :) Glad you liked the video! I don't ever think it would/should be seen as a negative for having family goals. I don't know exactly the do's and donts of mentioning it in an interview but I included wanting a famlIy at a young age in my personal statement and it worked out for me. It never hurts to be honest if you have the right intentions and it sounds like you do! Best of luck and stay positive :)
Hey James, glad to see you making videos about the profession, as a fellow PA prospective I wish you the best of luck in PA school and cant wait to see more of your videos.
I'll do my best in my down time. That's an interesting topic and will definitely add it to my list. Thanks again for your support!
You should definitely keep it up if you can (I've heard PA school is a full time gig) so I hope you have the time, I suggest you make a video about the stereo types guys face going into the PA profession regarding their gender.
Thank you and appreciate it! I will do my best to make videos while in PA school to give you guys more perspective! Wish you the best on your journey :)
Hey James, wanted to ask if you considered the Physical Therapy route since you were working as a PTA. Why or why not? Is getting into PA school a lot more competitive than PT? Thanks and awesome videos!
PA school is more competitive than PT school in my opinion! But some may argue otherwise :p
Hey Keith! Yes I definitely considered it since I love sports and the human body. I didn't see myself doing PT bc it was extremely repetitive for me and not that much problem solving - the patients' diagnosis was usually provided by the MD/PA and we just folllowed a protocol. I personally want to be the one to diagnose :)
I wrote about the flexibility or lateral mobility as you called it , in my personal statement and one PA who read it told me that I should mention it bc the admissions know the benefits and role of PA... what do you think about that?
This was a great video and solidified my reasons for wanting to become a PA vs. MD :) Thanks James!
Thank you! I'm glad it helped clear things up for you :) best of luck and stay positive!
As a practicing PA this is an excellent video. Well said James! Good luck with the program!
Thank you so much! Hearing your comment as a practicing PA made my day. Appreciate it :)
Thank you so, so much for this video! I am a non-traditional student and I have been struggling with this question. This video helped me immensely!
Here's some other advice for the pre-PAs:
* It's physician assistant, not physician's assistant. If a PA school sees that "S" on your application, chances are it'll end up in the circular file. (I'm not kidding.)
* Just say "PA." The professional title is a mouthful, the sibilant "S" is a nightmare, and then there's the "Physician Assistant" vs. "Physician Associate" debate. So, just say PA. (Much in the same way you just say MD, DO, or NP.)
* There are a lot of ways to get your hands-on hours. Get them lined up sooner than later.
* Make your essay personal. Use anecdotes.
* If being a PA is a second choice for you, then it's the wrong choice for you.
@Aya -_- literally an assistant. Why else is it in the job title?
@Drew P. Cox its more of them working together rather than them being their assistant
[] but it makes it seem as if they are owned by the physician whereas it’s more collaborative.
funkychemonesiac when I say PA, people think I’m talking about public affairs 😂
i don't see why they care about the 's. they are literally assistants to physicians. who else are they assisting?
Okay I don't know if you Will ever see this or respond but I am currently a biomedical engineering major and sometimes I get grossed out by things like blood would you say throughout PA school you were able to "On "get used to all the gross smells all the blood or do you think you shouldn't go into the profession if you're uneasy about all that stuff at first? Great advice btw I just found you!
I'm interested in possibly applying to PA school. However, I'm not a biology or health related major. Would that count against me? I'm thinking of trying to finish all my prerequisite courses & getting hands on patient care experience. I've been thinking of completing a medical assistant program to get certified, but I'm not sure HOW I'd be able to get that working experience. Would I be able to work in private clinics while being a full time student in college? Where else could I find opportunities to get HCE or PCE or shadowing a physician or PA?
Thank you for elaborating on your decision. I’m currently a firefighter in the Air Force reserves and have always wanted to be in the medical field. I have considered becoming a paramedic but I’m leaning more towards PA since I’ve always wanted to be a doctor but I just can’t fathom being in school for another 10+ years when I’m already 25
Thanks for your service!
I’m currently a pre-PA and agree with everything you said!
This helped a lot because I wanted to be an M.D until I started looking at different healthcare options and saw that P.A’s go to school less, make good money, and have a broader field to work in.
James Kim PA Student Thanks for the tip
Keep your options open and really explore each path!
Hi, your video is very helpful for my daughter who got a seat for DO school and now she is also trying to get in PA schools. she is confused what to do and not 100% sure about DO school . now after watching your video ,we can decide to be PA. thanks a lot & God bless you.
I'm glad that i ran into yr vid, understanding the PA route a bit more now. I will be applying to a surgical technology program by the end of the year (also interested to apply for CNA program) but now I'm questioning my decision because I'm interested in PA school after watching this vid. This is hard. Anyway, loved that end caption "Don't forget to be my blood type, Be Positive"
You should definitely consider all your options! You could even work for afew years as a surgical tech then apply to PA school! Best of luck :)
How would you say the role of PAs and NPs differ? Loved this video, by the way! I came to the some of the same conclusions as you - family, like to experience different specialties, etc., and now I'm just trying to decide between PA AND NP! Thank you!
James Kim You're the bomb; thank you!
I also have a video going over PA vs. NP on my channel!
The roles and responsibilities of NPs and PAs are very similar. I would say NPs generally have a little more independence than PAs but PAs have more flexibility to switch specialties than NPs do. A PA can work as a primary care PA and work right away in neurosurgery if they wanted to. NPs have a lot of flexibility but would need additional training if they switched from family medicine to more acute care specialties! Hope that helps :)
Fun fact: the gpa req for PA schools and med schools are actually closer than you think ( both roughly > 3.6. Least in my home state). That is something I never knew :)
my daughter wants to get into a Pathology Assistant program. She finished her bachelors and is now waiting to see if she can get a medical scribe job (she wants to work for a year before getting into the program). She decided this was the better route for her instead of medical school.
Hi James, I just found your channel during my late night search of KZcliprs who are in PA school lol Thankfully it's spring break so I have time to do research. I really like your answers and it helps me figure out how to explain why I want to become a PA. I like the flexibility of the career and also the fact that I can have a family ^_^ Do you have any tips on answering this question for interviews? Btw, has anyone mentioned you are a very handsome man? Because you are lol
Hey Kayla :) What was the question for interviews that you are asking about? & thank you for the kind words :p
AMAZING video! currently a freshmen in college and was accepted into an amazing direct nursing school. has had doubts with continuing with nursing school because I don't see a future with nursing, more interested in the doctoral duties.
+James Kim can't wait for more of your videos! you gained a subscriber ;)
Thank you Mandy! I will be posting a PA vs. NP video soon so stay tuned for that. Best of luck in college - study hard and enjoy it :)
I'm a little lost at the whole schooling thing...so as an undergraduate can I major in psychology and still become a P.A?
also could you go step by step by becoming a P.A? there's high school, getting a bachelors, and then med school for 4 years? Thanks.
Can a registered Sonographer become a PA? I have try to look up for the extra curriculum for any future possibilities. I always wonder how much more schooling there might be:)
Which school did you decide to go with? Great video by the way. Exactly what I was looking for to answer that "why not be a doctor, why not be a nurse, why not be a NP..."
Hey Denis! Appreciate it! I decided to attend Touro University - Nevada and will be starting this upcoming summer :)
great synopsis! you provided correct and great information for those interested in PA in a professional way!
Thank you Maryam! Appreciate your comment
Based on your experience of going to college, is it better to start at a 4 year college instead of 2 year to be more competitive for PA school.
I feel like once you get into PA school everything is set. It is very likely that you will finish through to becoming a PA. But I’m really scared at the fact that I won’t even be able to get into PA school. I have tremendous direct patient care and experience with helping people but my grades are not very competitive. At the moment I’m sitting at a 3.3. I’m scared many PA school will reject me because of that...if you have any advice or reassurance I would kindly appreciate them.
Hi james.very informative vedeo.thanks to you!
Can u kindly tell me the acceptance rate of international medical graduate to PA programs.
I have worked as GP in my country.but i dont have the enough resources and time to get LORs to apply for residency match.also research sponsoring j1 visa to U.S seems to be hard to get which is another option for me to improve my CV and get a spot in residency.For some reason i dont feel it is worth it ,neglecting all your family time which honestly i never had while in my med school and residency back home.so i am thinking of choosing PA programs.which seems more exciting than being a doctor in Us /canada.
I also would like to know is there any licensing exam for canadian PA s to work in U.S .or do u have to start over the entire course in U.S to work as P.A.
Kindly reply.
This dude really said “Don’t forget to be like my blood type, Be positive’’. That’s so cheesy, yet so beautiful
Any tips for a college freshman with dreams of becoming a physician's assistant? I love your videos and hope school is going well!
Check out my High School to PA Timeline video! Also, it's physician assistant* ;)
hi james, i'm currently a freshman majoring in biology. i'm technically in pre-med now, but i've been having second thoughts about being a doctor and now i'm considering becoming a PA instead. this is a great video, and i see a lil clearer now :) thank you for this. best of luck with your career!
Hey Ash! I would shadow both a physician and PA if you can! Best of luck with your journey as well :)
Hey James! What was your major during undergrad, and what did you do for work experience before getting in the field?
Hey Diamond Daniel! I double majored in biology and psychology! I gained experience as a physical therapy aide! :)
What is your MBTI type?
I noticed that you mentioned more than once that your personality contributed to this decision!
I'm currently attending community college and I want to become a physician assistant. Do you suggest I finish the prerequisites at the university? I have taken Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology and got A's in them but it was taken at the community college. Still need to take the gen Chem series. Do you also suggest taking calculus and physics?
Also Pa programs dont put weight on school you went too right? I am also in San Diego but attending SDSU not UCSD
You don't have to but I think it's worth it to take them! I am starting at PA program in Nevada!
James Kim
do you suggested taking it? which PA program did you get accepted to?
Key Kevin! You would need to transfer and get your bachelor's degree to be able to apply to PA programs! I don't think its a problem to take your pre reqs at community college as long as you finish with a bachelors from another university. PA programs don't really care where you take your pre-reqs as long as you do well in them! I took calculus and physics but only a few programs required it!
Thanks so much for this informative and entertaining video James! I had a question, as a second year undergrad, what is the best way for me to get patient care hours? Is that the same thing as shadowing a PA/MD? Do I just go into any clinic and ask to shadow the doctor? Thanks for the advice!
Hey Iqra! Best way to get patient care hours that I would recommend would be through working as an EMT, MA, CNA, scribe, phlebotomist, PT aide, PCT, etc. Most require certifcations! The patient care experience is different than shadowing as shadowing you are only observing while patient care, you are responsible for patients! You can go to clinics and asks to shadow PAs and MDs, you can call or send a professional email inquiring about shadowing opportunities! Best of luck! :)
I enjoyed listen to you. I would like to keep watching your video. I believe that all you shared was helpful and motivated me to keep learning about the different pathways that my bachelor can offer me. This is helping me to keep searching, to have options a decide eats better. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for these videos. I am a junior in high school and am trying to get into a BS/MS program right out of senior year. Not many schools offer a program with direct entry so I love watching your videos and seeing your perspective. Keep up the awesome work! :)
Getting into one of those programs is OPTIMAL
Hey Julian! Thanks for watching the videos! Best of luck to you!
If i could do it all over again (from high school)... I'd be a PA or AA...
- I say this as a med student.
Or a crna, what an amazing job lol
Plutonium say you haven't met any yet that have given those types of lecture. I have met many.
Can someone list down what is actually the real word for like AA PA etc etc.
Lee Hailey I was wondering the same things I think it stands for Anesthesiologist Assistant
What does AA stand for?