Thinking of going to PA School

thegreypilgrim

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Lately I've been strongly considering going to PA school once I finish my bachelor's. I really don't want to leave the pre-hospital field so I'd keep my paramedic license and do both. The ideal situation I think would be to work as a flight medic and be a PA in the ED simultaneously.

Anyone have any advice? Observations? Is this a good idea? Terrible idea? All comments appreciated.
 
Do you have enough experience now to work as a Flight Paramedic while in PA school?

You may find that after you finish PA school and do another internship to specialize in the ED as a PA, that you will have little time to spare. Also, you may find being a Flight Paramedic frustrating if you have training and education as a PA in that you will not be able to do what a PA can while working as a Paramedic.
 
Do you have enough experience now to work as a Flight Paramedic while in PA school?
Not as of right now. This is something I don't plan on doing (if I ever get off the fence and make a decision!) until down the road quite a bit.

You may find that after you finish PA school and do another internship to specialize in the ED as a PA, that you will have little time to spare. Also, you may find being a Flight Paramedic frustrating if you have training and education as a PA in that you will not be able to do what a PA can while working as a Paramedic.
This is something I've thought about and have concerns with. I don't suppose it's possible to work for a flight service on a per diem basis, but then again maybe it is. As far as having the more restricted scope, I imagine I may get frustrated, but I think I'd be able to cope since I'd be enjoying what I'm doing.
 
This is something I've thought about and have concerns with. I don't suppose it's possible to work for a flight service on a per diem basis, but then again maybe it is. As far as having the more restricted scope, I imagine I may get frustrated, but I think I'd be able to cope since I'd be enjoying what I'm doing.

Not many have PRN staff but some may have part time. It is the mandatory and ongoing training that makes have PRN staff a problem. PRN staff usually want to do things only on their terms.

You many think you can cope until you have the extra education and understand what more could be done and relatively easier. I have gone through this many times with having the RRT and working as a Flight Paramedic. I also see the frustration some Paramedics who also hold an RN credential face on the ambulances. The protocols and meds are so limiting that you sometimes see where you might be doing more harm than benefit for some patients. The cases for sedation and paralytics for intubation are good examples. Sometimes even if the Paramedic can give these meds, they may not be the apppropriate meds or doses for every patient but the recipe is still there to be followed to the letter.
 
If you do end up going to PA school look into the new residencies for PAs in Emergency Medicine, Surgery, and all sorts of other fields. Freakin badassss.

The future looks bright for PAs.
 
Not many have PRN staff but some may have part time. It is the mandatory and ongoing training that makes have PRN staff a problem. PRN staff usually want to do things only on their terms.
Well, I may just work for a ground service while going through PA school then or who knows. I guess I'll cross this bridge when I get to this point.

You many think you can cope until you have the extra education and understand what more could be done and relatively easier. I have gone through this many times with having the RRT and working as a Flight Paramedic. I also see the frustration some Paramedics who also hold an RN credential face on the ambulances. The protocols and meds are so limiting that you sometimes see where you might be doing more harm than benefit for some patients. The cases for sedation and paralytics for intubation are good examples. Sometimes even if the Paramedic can give these meds, they may not be the apppropriate meds or doses for every patient but the recipe is still there to be followed to the letter.
Those are all good points, and very true. I guess the only way to know how I'd like it is to just actually do it.
 
If you do end up going to PA school look into the new residencies for PAs in Emergency Medicine, Surgery, and all sorts of other fields. Freakin badassss.

The future looks bright for PAs.
Yeah man if I were to do this I'm fairly certain I'd want to be in Emergency Medicine.
 
Yeah man if I were to do this I'm fairly certain I'd want to be in Emergency Medicine.

I've worked with a few PAs who have done their residency in EM. The residency takes another 18 months to 2 years after PA school. They are good. So are the one's that do a Cardiothoracic surg residency.
 
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