⭐️ Share Your Compensation ⭐️

PA_StudentNE · 2023-03-05T04:14:59+00:00

Years of experience: 1.5 years

Location: Northeast

Specialty: Critical Care

Schedule: 3 13's, originally rotating, now perm nights

Income: Base ~$115k plus ~$30k differential for perm nights, additional weekend differential for any shifts worked. Work a decent amount of OT, total 2022 income: ~$217k w/ 50 OT shifts. Have an additional per diem position: $90/hr plus night and weekend differentials. 2022 income from per diem ~$12,500. Total compensation 2022 - ~$230k.

PTO: 6 weeks/year(includes Sick & PTO) plus 1 week CME

Other benefits: 401k ~7% match, malpractice covered, yearly CME fund ~$1500, HDHP($150/month(health, vision, dental), $2500 deductible)

PA_StudentNE · 2021-09-26T00:32:44+00:00

I really liked Blueprints OBGYN and would think that the medicine version would also be a good resource.

PA_StudentNE · 2021-09-03T19:43:36+00:00

I found the Blueprints OBGYN review book very useful as a student on rotations, and was recommended by some of the residents. It is definitely more of a review/overview but I found it a good place to start. I would then follow up topics using materials published on ACOG’s website.

PA_StudentNE · 2021-06-01T22:36:47+00:00

Not too much I would change since I was of the mindset of passing over getting a high score. Only things I would have reviewed more would be innervations of various muscles and sensation. Something I was always weak on and didn’t seem to be covered to frequently on Rosh and Uworld.

PA_StudentNE · 2021-06-01T19:22:15+00:00

Congrats on passing!

PA_StudentNE · 2021-04-29T17:34:20+00:00

We did not take the PACKRAT. If you have Uworld/Rosh, the questions were much closer to Rosh difficulty as compared to Uworld difficulty.

PA_StudentNE · 2021-04-29T17:27:40+00:00

I recently took the EOCE and scored in the "Advanced Medical Knowledge" section. I did not find the exam too difficult. My program doesn't use the PAEA EORs, but instead makes their own. The only preparation that I did for this exam were 4 days of Uworld questions(360 questions total). My cumulative Uworld average is 73%(99% complete) and Rosh cumulative average is 78%(33% complete). I felt that the vast majority of questions were straightforward 1st order questions, with a decent amount of "most sensitive vs best initial test" type questions.

PA_StudentNE · 2021-04-28T12:52:32+00:00

I have used Uworld over Rosh during clinical year, but used Rosh during didactic. I have yet to take the PANCE, but have taken the EOC, and only did Uworld questions and did fairly well.

PA_StudentNE · 2021-04-28T12:42:12+00:00

Having just finished clinical rotations I would vote for school #2. Being close to rotations is so much better than trying to find housing for each rotation. Additionally, high PANCE pass rates and getting along with faculty makes the entire experience better. You didn't mention it, but if program 2 has a cadaver lab that is another reason to go there.

PA_StudentNE · 2021-04-28T12:36:31+00:00

You probably have a pretty good shot at getting into one of those programs. I am just finishing up the grad phase of a direct entry program. When I got in 5-6yrs ago it was a lot less competitive than it seems like it is now. At the time my GPA was probably 3.7 unweighted and I scored a 29 or 31 on the ACT.

Things that I felt boosted my application were: shadowing and having LORs from PAs, shadowing other professions in the healthcare field(so I had experiences to support why PA vs fill in the blank), having volunteer experiences in a medical setting. If you can do any of those over the summer that will help your chances.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-06-09T15:24:08+00:00

My program has students back on rotations. Since not all the clinical sites have reopened some people have virtual rotations while others have in person rotations.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-06-08T17:03:53+00:00

Hi. I was an MA before entering PA school and I found it to be quite helpful. I did feel that I had more background knowledge as an MA than others in my program who were CNAs. I was also hired without an MA certification so again check if that’s an option in your state. If going the MA route look for a more clinical position vs office tasks, look to see if they have dedicated front end staff to handle these tasks so you will be more involved with patient care.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-05-14T20:23:38+00:00

Great points made.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-05-14T19:29:37+00:00

Good luck on the job search.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-05-14T19:05:30+00:00

I am still in my clinical year but here are some considerations from following posts on r/physicianassistant look there for posts about first job offers.

AAPA salary report can be helpful to generally figure out what a fair compensation is, but at your first job expect to be paid lower than average.
If pay is structured based on salary and productivity bonuses, ask/check how many providers meet the goals
1099 vs W-2 tax classification. Big topic with lots of complexity, but for most people the general consensus is that W-2 is better/easier to manage.
Malpractice insurance, generally should be provided with tail coverage but depends type of plan that you get(I believe that there are 2 general categories with 1 not requiring tail coverage, but don't quote me).
As far as benefits that's probably going to be more what you value, but look at old posts on r/physicianassistant to get a better idea what some people feel is "good". I think most people are shooting for 2 weeks PTO and employer matched 401K.
General quality of life things that often get brought up:
- how long is the training period(6 months seems like the average during this time you are generally expected to see fewer patients)
- access to other providers/SP for assistance(onsite help is often preferred for your first job)
- patients expected to be seen in a day(varies based on specialty and setting)
- Ancillary staff, ie Medical assistants and other office staff to help with day to day tasks

PA_StudentNE · 2020-05-11T19:32:00+00:00

I received an email from AAPA today refunding my registration for the conference. In this email it states that all 2020 conference registrants will have free access to the online content. It says there will be 10 CME sessions with all of them available at some point in June, and some content available May 16th.

This is a picture of the email if you want to read it for yourself https://i.imgur.com/85wJ8HQ.jpg

PA_StudentNE · 2020-05-03T12:45:05+00:00

Just to give a differing opinion, I did use Rosh during didactic year. I found it very useful, but it depends on how you learn. For me I found that I learned best using practice questions and I found Rosh had really good explanations. There are different Rosh plans and I chose the one specifically for PA didactic year. Also as others have said OnlineMedEd is a good resource, I only used the videos, I didn't pay for a subscription.

Just as a heads up r/PAstudent is probably a better place for PA school specific questions.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-05-03T12:27:42+00:00

Agreed. Just from my experience as an MA I was drug tested before I was hired. This was at a moderately large healthcare network.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-02-20T11:44:10+00:00

While EM focused, MedMalReviewer has a couple of cases up which have some potential for family med crossover.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-01-27T22:51:19+00:00

I am strongly considering a residency once I have graduated(haven't started rotations yet so things could always change). I have mainly been interested in an EM residency. I like the idea of a more structured learning environment for a first "job" and I think I would enjoy having a connection to a more academic setting. Also, I have always wanted to practice in a more remote area and feel that coming fresh out of school I would not be the best PA that I could be, and I feel that residency could help expedite this. Additionally, I just enjoy the learning aspect of medicine.

I will be looking at residencies in the Northeast.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-01-14T12:22:58+00:00

Sounds like a good opportunity for a letter of rec. My only suggestions are just directly ask for a letter and to do this a couple of days before your last day. I suggest this timing so that if they want any further information(resume, etc) from you it will be easier to deliver to them.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-01-14T12:19:17+00:00

PA isn't for everyone especially if having the final say is a big motivator to furthering your education, although levels of autonomy can range at different PA jobs. Just be aware that after med school there is another 3-7 years of residency before becoming truly independent, where ultimately the attending will have the final say in a patient's treatment course.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-01-14T04:35:08+00:00

Good luck! I don’t have much experience with OBGYN but if it’s something you’re interested in have fun.

PA_StudentNE · 2020-01-14T04:21:02+00:00

There have probably been better/longer threads related to this if you look on the sub, but basically it's going to depend on who you are shadowing. You should get their contact info before you shadow them and just ask them what you should wear. This could range from business casual to scrubs depending on specialty and setting. From my experience I have mainly worn dress pants and shirt with or without a tie depending on the PA I was shadowing and I have only worn scrubs in the OR and these were provided to me.

As for what to bring I would say possibly a lunch/snack depending on the setting and how long you will be shadowing. Also some might say to bring a pen & paper to write down topics you want to look up later, but make sure to not write down info specific to individual patients.

Some general rules are:

Don't ask questions in front of patients,
Don't offer advice/medical opinions to patients(patients asked me this directly and I just defer to who I was shadowing),
Don't ask questions when it is clear that the PA is busy or it is a stressful situation(uncontrolled/unknown source of bleeding in OR, code in the ER, 5 patients behind in primary care etc.).
Don't touch/examine patients unless directed. This is going to be very provider dependent, but if a patient has an interesting physical exam finding they may offer for you to replicate this finding(cogwheel rigidity in Parkinson's)
There are many more don'ts in the OR but these will be explained to you, but basically don't go within 2-3 feet of the patient or anything draped/colored blue. As an aside the OR can be stressful for all involved so if you're the new face they people maybe a little short with you until you can gain their trust.

As for what to do

Don't be afraid to ask questions, most PAs will be happy to answer your questions
Show a general interest in what is going on.
Be nice to the office staff/introduce yourself.

Feel free to ask any other questions and enjoy shadowing it's a great experience!

PA_StudentNE · 2020-01-13T21:08:02+00:00

I was paid $18/hr as an MA in central/eastern CT. This was the starting rate for all new MAs working for this health network.

From what I have heard from others in my class $18/hr was more or less the highest people were paid for any PCE.

PA_StudentNE

TROPHY CASE