Interviews as a new graduate can be both exciting and intimidating, especially if you've never held a job in healthcare before (like me). Here are some things I have learned on the way or did to try and have a successful interview.

PA Job Search FAQs

I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving and some amazing food! Last week, you all asked some questions about a job search on instagram and today I am sharing all the questions with answers! Thank you all for your questions, I'm sure you're not the only one who wanted to ask that and by asking you may be helping someone else out! I was going to answer these questions as a part of another post but I figured since there are so many, I could do it better justice by writing a separate FAQ post! Here we go.

How to Decide on a PA Job

You finished didactic and clinical year, graduated from PA school, and passed the PANCE! Now what? If you already have a job lined up, congratulations! But if not, you've come to the right place. I believe that every phase of this PA journey can be challenging in its own way and job search is not for the faint of heart. Now that I have secured my first position as a PA, I feel ready to share some of the things I've learned on the way.

Preparing for the PA-C Life

Clinical year flies by so fast. Just as you get used to one rotation, its time to move on to the next one. In all the frenzy of learning how to practice medicine and how to not make a fool of yourself on rotations (been there done that), it's easy to forget to plan for life after graduation. I am here to share a timeline with you all today of how I prepared myself (along with things I wish I had done) for life a few months before and after graduation.

PANCE Study Schedule

The PANCE is a 5 hour, 300 questions exam that all PA students must take after graduating from PA school to obtain their certification. After passing the PANCE, a PA is recognized as "board certified PA" and can apply for a state license.

Feeding myself through PA school

I recently received a request from one of you asking me to share my lunch recipes on the blog. What a great suggestion, I'm surprised I never thought of it myself! Since 95% of people I know LOVE food as much as I do, I figured I'd mix it up a bit today and share some of the recipes I made during didactic and clinical years of PA school!

Final Thoughts on Clinicals

Switching over from didactic to clinical year was a major transition but an exciting one. We had all been waiting for this day for so long, to finally get out of the classroom and into a clinic or hospital to interact with real patients. When I look back on clinical year, here are the things that I am grateful for personally and professionally:

A Day in the Life: Pediatrics

6:00 am - alarm jolts me awake and I hit snooze and pretend I dont have to get out of bed. It's storming outside and is so dark, making it almost impossible to get out of bed.

A Day in the Life: Cardiology

Hi readers of AP the PA blog! My name is Rachel and I have the honor of calling Aashna my classmate, but also one of my dearest friends. I have watched her diligence over the past 27 months in the way she studies, but also in the way she serves others like YOU who read her blog. It takes time to write these posts and I know she sets aside the time to do this because she cares about the future generations of PAs and their success. She is smart and kind, and I was so pumped when she asked me to be a “guest writer” on her blog. We just finished up our last rotation (WOW!) as PA students and I actually was able to go home for my last 2 rotations. Home as in I lived at my parents’ home all summer and it was a blast! 

How to financially prepare for PA School

Paying for PA school is a challenge. There are so many things I wish I had known starting school in terms of how many extra little expenses there are. Since I am less than a month away from graduating (insert jaw-dropping emoji here), I figured it's a good time as any to share my experience and advice with you all.

A Day in the Life: Dermatology

7:15 am - alarm goes off. This rotation I get to "sleep in" most days because clinic starts around 9:15/9:30/10 depending on the day except Wednesday when we started at 7am.

Studying for the PANCE & Rosh Review Giveaway

The big day has been set in stone, my friends. I have officially signed up to take the PANCE on August 29th, 2018! It was such a surreal moment and even though its a overwhelming thought, I cannot wait to go from PA-S to PA-C!

Even since before signing up for the PANCE, I had been on the lookout for resources to help me prep for it. I like to quiz myself on all that I learn and have always share my experience and tips with you all. Today, I'm collaborating with Rosh Review to offer a PANCE 365 subscription for free!!! Details are included at the end of this post.

A Day in the Life: Emergency Medicine

10:00 am - alarm goes off (I know this might seem like I'm "sleeping in" but my shift ended at 1 am that morning, drove an hour to get home, and went to bed around 3 am). Waking up is not super easy but gotta do what you gotta do.

Hooding Ceremony and PA school update

Hi guys! It's been a while since I've updated you all on my life. I am done with 6/8 rotations!!! My last rotation was emergency medicine and I absolutely loved it! I loved the variety of conditions you get to see and treat in the ER and how there is never a dull day. Even though I caught the stomach bug from one of the several patients we saw in the ER with it, it was still my favorite rotation (after surgery). The preceptors I worked with were all so intelligent and willing to teach and the procedures I got to do during my time there made this rotation a fulfilling experience. I will be sharing a day in the life post about that tomorrow! And as always, being in Chattanooga, my favorite city in the country, is always such a joyful experience.

How to Choose Your Elective Rotation

I've had multiple people talk to me recently about picking an elective rotation and how they should go about making this decision. It seems to me that most of us have various different specialties that we like and its hard to pick just one (or two) for your elective. I'm going to share my personal thought process that I went through to decide what I would chose as my elective. I'm sure there are many other ways to pick an elective but these are just the few things I thought about.

Starting Clinical Rotations

I remember being so excited yet nervous about clinical rotations! So far these are the rotations I've completed: Two Family Medicine rotations, Internal Medicine, and General Surgery. I'm currently on Psychiatry and next up I have Emergency Medicine, Dermatology (as my elective) and Pediatrics in that order!

End Of Rotation Exam Study Plan

We have been halfway done with clinical year since early February!! That is such an exciting and thrilling thought. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am soaking up time with my classmates and being a student for as long as I can, even on the most challenging of days. I'm currently on Psychiatry for my 5th rotation and wrote a post sharing what that entails!

A Day in the Life: Psychiatry

6:00 am - alarm goes off. I hit snooze/lay around and allow myself the first few peaceful moments of the day. I get up and clean up, make coffee, and pack my lunch. I haven't been eating a good breakfast on this rotation, just because waking up this early and eating a substantial meal has always been a struggle for me. As always, makeup is kept to a minimum. I really limit my jewelry on this rotation because you never know what is going to happen that day on the psych ward.

Finding Balance + Being Organized in PA School

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope everyone had a wonderful time with their friends and family. :) Now that the holiday season (sadly) has come to an end, it's time to get town to business. I fly back to Nashville today and I start my 4th rotation tomorrow in Family Medicine.