As you probably know by now, if you want to get into PA school, you must complete the necessary prerequisite coursework. I have discussed this in detail in a previous post Prerequisite Coursework: How to Design the Perfect Pre-PA School Curriculum. Today, we are going a step further by giving you answers to some of the […]
Archives for 2017
Torn Between PA or MD? Here’s How You Decide!
Are you struggling to decide between PA or MD, NP or PA, pre-nursing or biochem, a new job vs. your comfy job, CNA vs. MA, or scribe vs. EMT? One day you favor option A and the next day you flounder back to option B or worse, you start looking at option C. Wouldn’t it […]
Episode 55: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast
The Audio PANCE/PANRE PA Board Review Podcast Welcome to episode 55 of the FREE Audio PANCE and PANRE Physician Assistant Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE Board review questions from the SMARTYPANCE course content following the NCCPAâ„¢ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will be covering ten general board […]
How to Pay for Medical Mission Trips as a Broke Pre-PA
I have always found the dichotomy of time and money interesting. Either you have all the time in the world to do things like when you’re a student and have summer break, or you’re working and have a paycheck but no longer have the time to take off. If you’re the former and are interested in […]
Going Midlevel Midlife: Michelle’s Story of Becoming a Physician Assistant in her 40’s
After 16 years of teaching high school wellness, Michelle Roush felt ready for a greater challenge to leverage her interest in health. After much planning and preparation, she is now studying to become a physician assistant, and loving the journey. Tell us a little about your background… I am a married, 41-year-old mother of two […]
20 Answers to The Question: Why Do You Want to be a Physician Assistant?
Why Do You Want to be a Physician Assistant? You will be asked many different times: “Why?” “Why do you want to become a physician assistant?” “Why don’t you just go to medical school or NP school?” “You will make more money as a physician; you will have more prestige and recognition as a physician.” […]
The 10 Best Websites for Physician Assistant Job Search in 2024
If you’re a physician assistant/associate looking for a new job, you’re in luck! There are plenty of great places to look for your next PA position. But where is the best place to start? To help you out, we’ve outlined some of the best places to search for jobs as a PA in 2024. Here […]
Episode 53: General Surgery End of Rotation Exam – The Audio PANCE and PANRE Podcast
Welcome to episode 53 of the FREE Audio PANCE and PANRE Physician Assistant Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE Board review questions from the Academy course content following the NCCPAâ„¢ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet) and the PAEA End of Rotationâ„¢ Exams Blueprints & Topic Lists. This week we will be […]
5 Ways to Save Money On PA School Textbooks
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from T.J Matsumoto of PA Cents. How to Get The Most Book for Your Buck! There are a lot of expenses when starting PA school and typically not a lot of income. According to the data, the cost of PA school textbooks (including some supplies) is in the […]
PA School Mock Interviews: Prepare with a LIVE, Recorded Video Interview
Why do you want to be a PA? We have helped hundreds of PA school applicants just like you answer this question (see just some of our many testimonials). We offer affordable, recorded mock interviews in a safe and supportive setting. Our current PA school mock interview status (): Accepting Appointments Schedule an interview At this […]
300 PA School Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer
So, you have an upcoming PA school interview. Congratulations you’re almost there. Now, of course, there is another hurdle to cross, and that is sounding as amazing as you appear to be on your CASPA application. This isn’t hard because YOU ARE as amazing as you appear to be on your CASPA application, so the […]
Welcome to Your Virtual PA School Clinical Rotation
What if you could take a virtual tour through the NCCPA Content Blueprint? Not just mindless memorization of key terms and test-worthy pearls but matching those facts with faces. What if you could go bedside and visit patients with real conditions, even rare conditions from the comfort of your home? What if each of these […]
Applying to PA School with a Low GPA: Admissions Directors Answer Your Questions
How to Get Into PA School With a Low GPA PA school administrators from ten top-ranking PA programs answer your questions on how to get into PA school with a low GPA. A low GPA is probably the hardest area to improve. This makes sense – it was years in the making, and can’t be […]
7 Tips for Addressing Shortcomings in Your PA School Personal Statement
What makes the perfect PA school candidate? Someone with stellar grades from a top university, loads of patient care experience, countless shadowing hours, and a long list of community service endeavors, right? Oh, and Ms. Perfect Candidate probably also speaks four languages fluently, has had her research findings published in peer-reviewed journals, and travels abroad […]
Episode 51: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast – Comprehensive Audio Quiz
Welcome to episode 51 of the FREE Audio PANCE and PANRE Physician Assistant Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE Board review questions from the Academy course content following the NCCPAâ„¢ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will be covering ten general board review questions based on the NCCPA PANCE […]
Book Review: Atul Gawande The Checklist Manifesto
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right in a World of Increasing Complexity e live in an era of gratuitous inventions and negative improvements. Consider the DaVinci Robo surgeon, for example, a drool-inducing twenty-second-century $1.7 million remote-controlled machine designed to help surgeons do laparoscopic surgery with more maneuverability inside patients’ bodies and fewer complications. […]
Physician Assistant State Licensing: Everything you Need to Know
As a freshly minted new graduate PA there are four steps you have to complete to move successfully from program to practice: Become nationally certified (by the NCCPA via the PANCE) Obtain a state license in the state you wish to practice Obtain an NPI number Obtain a federal DEA number As a practicing PA, you must […]
Episode 49: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast – Comprehensive Audio Quiz
Welcome to episode 49 of the FREE Audio PANCE and PANRE Physician Assistant Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE board review questions from the Academy course content following the NCCPAâ„¢ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will be covering 10 general board review questions based on the NCCPA PANCE […]
PANCE & PANRE Exam Pass and Failure Rates: An Update for 2023
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) has been in existence since 1973, and as of 2023, over 168,318 people have taken the exam. In recent years, we have seen some fluctuations in the pass rates, with notable changes following the release of new exam blueprints in 2019. Historical Perspective on PANCE Pass Rates Since […]
Infographic: PA VS MD Understanding the Differences
PA VS MD Comparison: GPA, MCAT, GRE scores, prerequisite coursework, clinical experience, years of training and time in school, job duties, cost of education, average salary, job satisfaction, divorce and burnout rates all compiled into this (very shareable) image
Use VisualCV to Create a Stunning Physician Assistant Resume
I have a confession to make. For many years I have had a copy of my physician assistant resume posted here on the website, available for download as a guide to help you structure and organize your own physician assistant CV. It has helped 100’s (if not 1000’s) of practicing and new graduate PAs like […]
5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up – Thomas Edison I will be honest; this is not an article I ever thought I’d be writing. I submitted my first PA school application immediately after finishing my undergrad, and here I am, three […]
101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
You’re slaving away at your personal statement but can’t help wondering if anyone will read past the first line. A troubling thought, isn’t it? A Great Personal Statement Does Matter It’s what makes you different from the millions of other applicants hoping for attention from the Admissions Committee. After all, everyone is cranking out healthcare […]
Finding a Physician Assistant Mentor: The Foolproof PA Shadowing Guide
Let’s face it, finding a PA to shadow is no easy task. When I first contemplated a career as a physician assistant, I was hard-pressed to find a PA to shadow. I was dying to connect with a PA and pick their brain, hear about everything they did, and shadow for a day or two. […]
PA School Ranking by PANCE Pass Rates
ince 1998 US News has been publishing the only known ranking of PA programs. Their rankings are based on subjective peer assessment surveys of PA program faculty. These peer assessment surveys are sent to deans, other administrators, and faculty at accredited physician assistant programs. Respondents rate the academic quality of physician assistant programs on a scale of […]
Episode 47: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast – Comprehensive Audio Quiz
Welcome to episode 47 of the FREE Audio PANCE and PANRE Physician Assistant Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover 10 PANCE and PANRE board review questions from the Academy course content following the NCCPAâ„¢ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will be covering 10 general board review questions based on the NCCPA PANCE […]
Secrets of Successful PA School Letters of Recommendation
Your essay is your voice about yourself. A recommendation letter is someone else’s voice about you. Whether we like it or not, other people’s opinions matter. A good letter of recommendation can make your day; a great letter of recommendation can change your life. Whether it is a dating review on Tinder, a restaurant recommendation […]
Physician Assistant Postgraduate Residency and Fellowship Programs: The Ultimate Guide
Postgraduate PA School Residency and Fellowship Programs As a new or even experienced PA, it is normal to feel uncomfortable with the thought of jumping into a medical specialty. Often, we have had little more than 30 days of training in a particular field, and we join a team of specialists who may expect us […]
Murmur Madness: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Episode 45
Welcome to episode 45Â of the FREE Audio PANCE and PANRE Physician Assistant Board Review Podcast. Today we are going to take a brief detour away from 10 daily questions and instead cover the murmurs you need to know for your PANCE and PANRE exam. I have still included an 11 question exam at the end […]