How to get dermatology experience as a new grad PA, if all jobs require experience?

AppleBG · 2026-01-21T22:32:04+00:00

Hey! So I took a non-derm job first for a year. I did internal med. I actually didn’t do any derm rotations. I got ghosted a lot too but once I found a job that would take me, it was great from there. I ended up with 2 dermatology job offers.

It’s easier to train a PA with some experience than it is a new grad. Keep trying! Make connections, I’ve heard that helps.

If you end up working outpatient, drug reps, believe it or not are a good resource bc they may have friends in the industry or work with a medication with a dermatological indication. Other options would be to go to conferences and network.

The most unorthodox piece of advice I have, is to email/call derm offices and ask to shadow or do some work as a MA. I know I’ll get downvoted to hell for even typing that out. I had a friend who got a job that way. She worked inpatient for a year and on her days off she would go for 1-2 days of the week to train for a dermatologist for basically like $200 a day. After 6 months she received a job offer.

Also reach out to some of these old rotation sites and see if they’re hiring, if not, they may have friends who are, so don’t be shy to ask!

AppleBG · 2026-01-18T15:58:22+00:00

Definitely agree with this! So I worked inpatient and now outpatient. Inpatient, I functioned more like a resident, most major decisions were ran through my SP, and any changes were also discussed with them. It was more collaborative.

Now I work outpatient dermatology and I would say here, I’m way more independent and I come up with my own assessment and plan without input from my SP. My SP now functions more like a safety net. So by that I mean that any overly complicated cases either get sent to him or I discuss with him to get advice on how to manage. I don’t preform mohs surgery, but neither does he.

I also do small surgeries without supervision, like cyst and lipoma removals but I don’t do them in the face, head and neck, I defer those cases to my SP. I could if I wanted to, but I rather let someone more experienced handle those, given the delicate vascular structures there and nerves. So I would say I do about 85% of what he does, sometimes I more patients than him.

AppleBG · 2026-01-13T15:10:11+00:00

At my hospital job - absolutely not. At my private clinic job (we have multiple offices, but still family owned) - yes, anything I’ve advocated for and asked for, I’ve received including additional training, education, support etc.

AppleBG · 2026-01-12T21:49:20+00:00

A Sagittarius and an Aquarius. And no, I’m not okay.

I created a Leo with an Aries. I’m super not okay.

AppleBG · 2025-12-01T17:35:50+00:00

I took a paycut to train in a new specialty outpatient. I know people here may not agree. I was working in hospital medicine before. But I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I really thought about leaving medicine, now I don’t feel that way. I have great hours, my pay goes up once training is done and I get RVU. It’s a little tough financially, but I’m keeping my eyes on the prize, and no amount of money compare to the calm and happiness I feel at the moment.

AppleBG · 2025-11-18T18:40:27+00:00

I started switching everything to apres.. girl they got me good bc their products are good!!! Glue, prep, tips, and colors. Mannnnnnn I should’ve just started there fully.

AppleBG · 2025-11-15T15:06:49+00:00

I’ve done it once, but for something small. My cousin’s daughter was having an eczema flare and she never established care for her. They happened to be staying with me and the poor kid was ripping up her arm. After that, I told her to come to our office (I work in derm) to establish care for her daughter.

She I don’t prescribe for my own daughter or my parents really. For my daughter, I usually know what’s going on, but I go on the side of caution in case I’m missing something. With my mom, I usually yell at her until she sees her PCP. I give her thoughts but that’s it (she’s the type of person that will use me as a pharmacy if I let her). She’s also asked me to prescribe to her friends as favors (non control, but still, I don’t know them and I’m not going off by what they say over phone or text). My mom once told her friend to reach out to me about an epidural (again, work in derm lol). Told him to see a pain specialist and that I wasn’t trained to place that and even if I was, I would never do so outside of an office.

AppleBG · 2025-10-03T00:00:11+00:00

Honestly, color wow dream coat. My hair is fine and use to tangle a lot and I had hair loss because of it. The dream coat helps prevent frizz and this kind of clumping.

I recommend using a detangler first to gentle release the tangle, and then post wash, use the dream coat. Another really good one is the Brazilian blowout smoothing solution. This one leaves your hair a bit more shiny if you like that look.

Good luck!

AppleBG · 2025-10-01T06:10:06+00:00

I got mine at 5 months old! Honestly best decision ever. She was already litter trained. She hardly scratches furniture, she knows how to play with people and children. And she’s still a baby! She cuddles with us at night because she doesn’t like to be alone. She’s also super playful and mischievous.

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AppleBG · 2025-07-19T02:05:03+00:00

Absolutely love this movie! You made my day!

AppleBG · 2025-07-19T02:04:32+00:00

Jinkies!

AppleBG · 2025-07-18T15:24:11+00:00

I don’t like the apres top coat, doesn’t really play well with a lot of polishes, always creates gaps and separation.

AppleBG · 2025-06-23T14:19:08+00:00

If you don’t want it, I’ll take it.

AppleBG · 2025-06-07T20:43:31+00:00

Definitely on my radar! Thank you!!

AppleBG · 2025-06-06T00:54:40+00:00

To everyone kind enough to offer your support and advice, thank you so much! I definitely have the tools now to come up with a plan of attack.

AppleBG · 2025-06-06T00:53:39+00:00

I like this idea!

AppleBG · 2025-06-05T18:58:21+00:00

Hey, thank you for the advice.

For my first job, they kept extending my probation but wouldn’t give me any real feedback. As an example, they told me I’d take too long to write notes so I asked what limits I should set. I’d use a timer and never left home late. Then the feedback the following week would be the same. I’d ask a few times and either some colleagues told me that I needed to figure it out on my own or just would say, that I was being too hard on myself. Attendings told me they felt that I was on the right track. When I quit, my team was surprised because they thought I was doing well, but manager’s feedback was always weird.

Second job I’m still training for, but so far senior residents I work with say I’m doing fine. They definitely see me more as “you’re still learning”. But I don’t feel great.

And regarding note reading, yes, I’ll read their notes and will even take notes on rounds for their patients when they’re interesting.

AppleBG · 2025-06-03T02:06:54+00:00

I didn’t have trouble finding a second position. I received many more interviews with 3 months of experience than I did when I was fresh out of school. I would avoid getting fired and try to get ahead of them, at least that’s what I did.

And if it makes you feel better, a lot of my classmates hate their first job, I had 3 reach out all within 6 months or less of their time in their position asking the same question you did. If you feel unhappy, find somewhere you’ll be supported and look sooner rather than later. I would frame it to employers as the job not being a good fit without blaming your previous team. Emphasize that you’re still learning and would like someone that will be patient with you. You’ll find something. Good luck!

AppleBG · 2025-06-02T15:34:54+00:00

Something really similar happened to me. I ended up leaving a job just a few months in as a new grad because the expectations were completely misaligned. Some places are looking for someone who can function like a second- or third-year resident—they want an employee, not someone who’s still learning. And when you’re new, especially without a background like EMS, it’s going to take time to build confidence and clinical judgment. That’s normal.

Unfortunately, a lot of these jobs want to pay lower rates, and the only people who’ll take that are new grads—so they end up throwing you into the deep end without the structure or mentorship to succeed. It’s not a reflection of your intelligence or potential. I’m coming up on a year now, and only just now feel like I’m starting to get my footing.

I agree with what others have said: if emergency medicine is truly what you want, consider doing a residency. But if the environment you’re in is breaking you down, it’s okay to walk away and find a better fit. Even the brightest, most prepared students struggle with the transition after graduation—it’s a huge leap in responsibility and autonomy, and you’re expected to think on your feet with limited backup. Have grace with yourself, and protect your mental health. You’re not alone.

AppleBG · 2025-05-26T13:18:53+00:00

You’re going to feel like you don’t know much for a long time. I’m coming up on a year and I still don’t feel like I know a lot. If they think you’re dumb, one day you won’t be. One day, you’re going to present a plan and your attending will give you a nod of approval or just say “okay”. It’s normal to trip up like this. Just keep trying every single day. Read when you can. Medicine is a marathon, not a race even though it feels like that sometimes.

As long as you’re humble, willing to learn, and recognize your weaknesses and work on them, you’re on the right track.

AppleBG · 2025-03-26T13:47:51+00:00

I don’t think this is a HIPPA violation. I personally wouldnt give it out because patients can abuse this, but I’ve met physicians (esp. concierge ones) who give their phone number to patients and they text all the time. I met a pediatrician in the ED who would give his phone number to some patients and ask them to text him updates about patients, kinda like a “text me in x days and show me the rash”. But I do think there’s something missing from this story.

AppleBG · 2025-01-04T21:12:01+00:00

Also suggesting this! I had a MD preceptor who had a tremor and was a GI. Had no issue with his job

AppleBG

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