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The PA Life Blog
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 yourself hit the ground running. But the … [Read more...] about Use VisualCV to Create a Stunning Physician Assistant Resume
5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
I will be honest; this is not an article I ever thought I’d be writing. I submitted my first physician assistant application after finishing my undergrad in 2014, and here I am three years later preparing to submit my fourth PA application when the cycle starts at the end of the month. The PA application process has been grueling and … [Read more...] about 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
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 … [Read more...] about 101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
What are the Best PA Schools? PA Program 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 … [Read more...] about What are the Best PA Schools? PA Program Ranking by PANCE Pass Rates
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 NCCPA™ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will be covering 10 general board review questions based on the NCCPA … [Read more...] about Episode 47: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast – Comprehensive Audio Quiz
Secrets of Successful PA School Letters of Recommendation
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 on Yelp, a movie review on Rotten Tomatoes or an open request for holiday vacation recommendations on … [Read more...] about Secrets of Successful PA School Letters of 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 are joining a team of specialists who expect us to perform at the level of … [Read more...] about Physician Assistant Postgraduate Residency and Fellowship Programs: The Ultimate Guide
Murmur Madness: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Episode 45
Welcome to episode 45 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 of this post so make sure you scroll … [Read more...] about Murmur Madness: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Episode 45
Does PA Program length matter?
In 2004 I graduated from the UMDNJ (now Rutgers) PA program. It was a three-year PA program with a nearly 100% PANCE pass rate. At the time, Rutgers was one of the best ranked PA schools in America and they continue to rank among the top 25 PA schools in the country. As an avid practitioner of the confirmation bias I fell victim to the "more … [Read more...] about Does PA Program length matter?
The PANCE and PANRE Content Blueprint Checklist
Your Blueprint to Success Starts Here! If you are at all like me the hardest part of studying for your PANCE or PANRE is figuring out where to begin. There is an ever growing list of review books, podcasts, online programs, in-person review courses, and anecdotal recommendations to choose from. It is overwhelming! So the key to success is … [Read more...] about The PANCE and PANRE Content Blueprint Checklist
Episode 43: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast
Welcome to episode 43 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 NCCPA™ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will continue to take a break from topic specific board review and … [Read more...] about Episode 43: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast
Married with Children in PA School: How This Mom Makes it Work
The Life of a PA School Mother My name is Anna, and I am a mother of two boys, two and six years old. I am also a PA student. For me, it was a long and arduous journey to get into PA school. I applied three consecutive years before finally getting accepted to a PA school in San Antonio, which is about a 3-hour drive from where I … [Read more...] about Married with Children in PA School: How This Mom Makes it Work
A Question for Physician Assistants: Why Are You In It?
Are you looking to make money as a physician assistant or are you seeking to make the world a better place with what you do? It’s an honest question, and the two options are very different. The latter involves being interested in giving value to someone other than yourself. The former involves doing anything and everything to add zeros to … [Read more...] about A Question for Physician Assistants: Why Are You In It?
Scholarships, Grants and Loan Repayment Programs for Physician Assistants
PA School is Expensive It goes without saying, PA school is expensive. PA school is also demanding, which means you will have limited time (if any) to work while attending school. With the average undergraduate education debt prior to PA school at $36,300 and the average anticipated debt load from PA school at $75,000-$124,000, it is … [Read more...] about Scholarships, Grants and Loan Repayment Programs for Physician Assistants
A Surgeon Speaks: 7 Reasons Why You Should Choose PA Over MD
I am a fellowship-trained surgeon. Besides the financial aspect, the following 7 points will make your decision of PA vs. MD easy: 1. It takes on an average at least 15 years (after high school) of head in the sand (books) to complete fellowship and reach the $200,000 debt figure that you are quoting. 2. A 40-50 hour work week is a dream … [Read more...] about A Surgeon Speaks: 7 Reasons Why You Should Choose PA Over MD
Who Gets Into PA School? Here’s What You Need to Know
Leslie Mean is a 26-year-old single white female who presents to the PA school admissions committee on her first attempt to get into PA school. She has a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.47 science GPA. She is holding a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry, had a SAT score in the 1000-1100 range and a GRE score of 300. She has two years of … [Read more...] about Who Gets Into PA School? Here’s What You Need to Know
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 NCCPA™ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will be covering 10 general board review questions based on the NCCPA … [Read more...] about Episode 49: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast – Comprehensive Audio Quiz
PANCE Failure and Pass Rate: Physician Assistant Certification Exam
The PANCE examination has been in existence since 1973, and as of 2017 over 115,547 people have taken the exam. In 2003 the number was just over 50,000 which represents a 43% increase in just 14 years! In most years the number of those taking the PANCE has risen. In 2016 there were 8,025 test takers (first time and repeat) with an overall … [Read more...] about PANCE Failure and Pass Rate: Physician Assistant Certification Exam
Finding a Physician Assistant Mentor: The Foolproof PA Shadowing Guide
hen I first contemplated a career as a physician assistant I was hard pressed to find a PA to shadow. I was dying to find a PA and pick their brain, learn about what they do, possibly shadow for a day or two. But, the question is where do you start? Every single PA I know would love to be approached by a potential PA school applicant. I … [Read more...] about Finding a Physician Assistant Mentor: The Foolproof PA Shadowing Guide
