MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract:
Although the Physician Assistant profession is not new to the medical field, many universities around the country, including the University of Maryland, lack the fundamental information pre-PA students need in order to be successful. In order to address the scarcity of resources available to students, a document should be created to fill this void. We are creating a document to serve as a reference for students looking into the profession, and for those that intend on applying to PA school. As students who will soon begin the application process, this guide will be a valuable resource not only to us, but to future students following this path as well. We believe with our science majors, joined experience in the field, and research into the PA profession, we have the credibility to put together a comprehensive guide for all pre-PA students. This document is broken up into 3 major parts (pre-PA, during PA school, and after becoming PA-C) with 13 subsections detailing topics frequently asked about in addition to topics many people do not consider but that we think are essential to the process. These topics include subjects such as: prerequisites, education time and clinical experience, prescription privileges and patient care time. In addition, the end of our document will include links to notable PA blogs and a FAQ sheet to serve as references for students looking for more information. After consulting this guide, students will have a better understanding of what being a Physicians Assistant is and how to start the process of becoming one.



Reader’s Profile:

We imagine a reader who doesn’t have a clear idea of what the profession of Physician Assistant entails. They are interested in a career in healthcare, but they may be debating on the path they want to pursue after their undergraduate career.

Reader’s Response:

Becoming a PA is an intense process, yet has excellent benefits as a profession. Choosing PA school over medical school is in no way a “step down” or “taking the easy way out”; PA’s have many of the same responsibilities as physicians, and have a greater focus on patient care. In addition, PA’s have more of a balance between work and life, and still manage to make a considerable wage while doing so. After reading this guide I have a better understanding of what my options are after graduation, what I need to do in order to apply, and what to expect from my education and beyond.

T and G, this guide will be about 20 pages, between you, right? If this volume does not cover all the topics you wish, you can list them and return to this task in January, before you share with the Pre Health Advising Office. Ask me for some clarity on this offer.

I like the three-part division using a timeline. Just make sure that you keep the focus of the pre-PA ethos you both have. In other words, help your reader (and you) anticipate the school and career phases by using good sources to "peek" into those next phases.