PA School Interview Questions

What do you like to do outside of school?

I have many hobbies and interests. I like to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy reading, Playing soccer, and playing board games that involve strategy (Sherlock, catan). I volunteer at my church as well with children.

Start of PA profession in ___ by ___ at ____

1965 by Dr. Eugene Stead at Duke University Medical Center

First class was ___ ppl and made up of ___

4, U.S. Navy hospital corpsman and U.S. Army combat medics

In 1961 ___ brought of the need for PAs to the ___

Charles Hudson, AMA

Why do you want to change careers?

Becuase I want to increase my scope in medicine. As I have matured and experienced more while working in various jobs in healthcare, I know for certain that medicine is for me. I have observed and interviewed individuals in several healthcare fields--physicians, nurses, NPs, and PAs--and found that I am most drawn to the PA profession for many reasons. First, I like the collaborative aspect of being a PA and working in a health-care team. Yet, I also like the autonomy the PA profession would provide me. I am impressed by the number of specialties available to PAs. Finally, I have a good deal of respect for the profession and was very impressed by the PAs I shadowed and have spoken with.

What do you know about this Program?

DO RESEARCH

What is a 'dependent' practitioner? and how do you feel practicing as one?

PAs are dependent practitioners. They are required to work with physician supervision. Although a PA must declare a supervising Physician and be registered in the state of employment, he or she may also work autonomously. ...

Are you familiar with any national or state regulations for PAs?

PAs are regulated on two different levels: the state level and the national level. As the state level, PAs need to be licenesed in their state, as laws vary somewhat depending on the state you are practicing in. All state laws require the PA to work under superivision of a physician, although the physicain need not be onsite at the same location as the PA. At the national level the PA must be certified to practice. In order for this to happen, PAs must first graduate from an accredited PA program. Once they complete this program, they then must pass the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam) which is administered by the NCCPA (National Comission on Certification of Physician Assistants). After this certification, a PA must MAINTAIN their certification by completing 100 hours of continuing medical education (CMEs) every 2 years. Also they must complete a recertification exam every 10 years. Certification- PA-s to PA-C by passing PANCE through NCCPA (national level). Registration-National level. Licensure- National Level. In order to practice you MUST: 1. Graduate from an accredited PA Program 2. Pass PANCE 3. CME renewal requirements WIth all 3, you can be licensed to practice in CA.

If I asked your co-workers or fellow students to say three positive things about you, what would they say?

They would most likely tell you that I am a hard worker and very responsible. Second, they would say that I am very knowledgable about my work and I'm willing to go out of my way to help them if they need it. The third thing they would tell you is that I am empathetic and enjoy listening to my patients. -I am also loyal

Have you done anything to increase your chances of being accepted into this PA program?

I have worked extremely hard to get good grades and get my GPA to a competitive level. I have also gotten a job as a PCA that has allowed me to interact with physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioner in a way that isn't possible in other jobs. Furthermore, I have shadowed PAs to confirm my passion for the profession.

Did you have any trouble finding us?

No thank you.

Do you manage your time well?

yes, compare undergrad vs postbacc to prove this!

Have you applied to any other programs?

Yes, I have applied to 5 schools total including yours. I have applied to USC, Western, CDU, Scu of HS, and MBK. Each school offers a unique education, but all of them I am confident will allow me to pass my boards after graduation. Additionally, I understand the competition for each program is keen, and I would like to maximize my chances of acceptance into a program that will provide an optimal learning experience.

What do you do outside of work or academic studies?

read novels, news, execrise, soccer, board games, volunteer

Tell us about the role you see the PA playing in the health care system

the PA plays a critical role allowing more pts to be seen and filling in the niche between a nurse and a doctor. with the aging population and high demand for care providers PAs present a provider with a wide variety of skills that can see pts in areas that don't have any care providers and areas of high population.

Your file indicates that you have had difficulty with __(e.g., time management or science course work). Would you like to explain this?

...

If I remember one thing about you what should it be?

...I love to read and learn new things that way. I also enjoy teaching and helping people understand new ideas!

Please explain your grades from undergrad?

...supplemental USC

How have you demonstrated passion to become a PA?

1. Became a PCA (took 7 weeks w/o pay to get trained, quit good job because I wanted patient care experience) 2. Took extra courses (invested money) to raise GPA so I could become a more competitive applicant (i.e. Biochem, pharmacology, etc.) 3. Took time to shadow PA, even when they were more than an hour drive away 4. Made effort to join extracurricular groups--> pipeline events, Ruth Webb PrePA Society, The Children's Clinic HEO volunteer, etc.

What have you done to prepare yourself for this profession?

1. Classes 2. Volunteered 3. Shadowed 4. Joined clubs 5. Extracurriculars I began by shadowing Physician Assistants which gave me a nice view of what the profession was like. I then took all the classes that were needed and got the grades that are needed. I then got a job as a PCA working alongside, physicians, PAs, and NPs which allowed me to gain a more in depth view of a PAs everyday life and gave me a chance to work directly with PAs and ask them questions about the career.

Do you have any questions for us?

1. Is there a free clinic in or near campus where the students can use/practice their newly learned skills? 2. How available are professors 3. How does your curriculum stand out/how confident are you in the curriculum (tailor to specific schools) 4. What is the didactic year schedule like? (9-5 classes?)

How will healthcare reform affect PAs?

-positively, because more people will be insured (~_____ million people from the ____ million currently) -not enough MDs to provide care for these people, so PAs fill in gap.

What was the most difficult question they asked you at Bowman Gray?

...

Describe an interaction you've had with a patient that made an impact on you.

- Pt I did CPR on and passed away :( - suicidal/confused pt that reminded me of brother and made me empathize more with psych patients - PSCU mom bipolar pt with children and pregnant

What medical experience do you have that will help you in PA School?

- Currently, 1 year as PCA -1 year as BPC (blood donations educator) -1.75 years as Study Coordinator

Tell me about a time when your communication skills made a difference.

- I've experienced this a number of times when translating for spanish-speaking patients. I recall this female patient who came in with chest pains. I was working on the CMU. Her nor her husband spoke any English and so I gladly volunteered to tranlate for the RN. The simple act of having someone who spoke her language and who understood her background and culture made a signfiicant different in how the patient felt (we were both Central American). She kept thanking me for making the effort to help her and for simply listening to her and empathizing with her. It made all the difference, and it helped the patient be more compliant with her medications (as she was not being compliant in the previous floor and the ED).

Why do you want to attend OUR Program? What do you know about the hx of OUR program? Did you attend our open house?

...

Give me an example of a time when you took initiative.

- Took initiative at BPC to count number of donations for donor so they could get gallon pins, so they felt like heroes and would be incentivized to continue to donate. -While working at the BPC we were always thinking of ideas on how to increase our donor returns since we needed blood and other products for our patients. I noticed that in the basement we had a ton of gallon pins, but that we weren't using them (it was a program of the past). I inquired about it to my supervisor, and she told me it had been a big deal but it had died down. I asked her if I could help re-introduce it and she gave me the project. I had to write an SOP on how to count the number of donations, making log sheets for keeping track, and work with our tech dept to figure out how to accurately capture when the donors would get their gallon pins. Once it was done, and the donors started to get the pins, they would get super excited and come back. It did make the feel special and indeed like they were making a difference. My supervisor was very proud of me and the initiative I showed.

You are in a clinical rotation in OB-GYN and your attending physician often leaves you alone and asks you to do things that are outside the scope of practice for a PA student. You really like the rotation and the attending physician, but you are concerned that you may be crossing the boundaries bw a student and a licensed practitioner. What would you do?

-1. tell the how i appreicate confidence, 2. describe what i have been doing that is out of scope of practice as PA-S 3. tell him i feel liable for some decision, and that as student, cant accept liability. 4. offer to share the pA programs description of responsib and duties and you're perfectably able to partiicpate in these

You are a PA on the hospitalist service in a large hospital. One of the hospital residents writes an order for IV potassium in the pts chart, and you disagree with the order. What do you do?

-1st make case WHY pt doesnt need it and consider harmful effects that could result if pt receives it -I woud call/page him and express my concerns and tell him i dont feel comfortable ordering med -I would then document on pts chart -do NOT order med if youre confident it;ll harm pt!

After working a "double shift" you realize that you gave a patient the wrong medication. The pt seems to be doing fine, but you are concerned. What do you do?

-1st rule of medicine is "do no harm" -double check med to see if its harmful to pt or interacts with any other meds -i would check VS and AE's -i woud speak to pt directly, informing them I made a med error and she appears to be stable. -ask her if she has any questions about error -i would chart error -give right med -tell my supervisor

Explain your undergraduate grades

-1st year good bc no job and classes was material I had seen -2nd year I had a job and involved in multiple groups -Classes started getting harder and my grades began to suffer -didnt know how to study efficiently -senior year winter I got wake up call -following quarter was on Deans honor list -following that, post-bacc maintained 3.9 science gpa!

Describe a situation where you've had to be empathetic, yet assertive.

-As a PCA, one of our jobs is to clean and turn our patients every 2 hours to avoid skin breakdown and bed sores. One of my patient was a women who had Necrotizing fasciitis all over her abdomen and genital areas. The day PCA who gave me report told me she was a difficult patient and refused to be turned or cleaned. I did not let this deter me however, and I went in to do my job and to do what was best for my patient. I went in and made time for my patient to hear her out and truely listen to her concerns and her feelings. Once I had gained her trust and empathized with her, I asked her if I could please clean her up and turn her. She refused, but I did not give up. I continued to educate her as to why we needed to do this. She finally ended up agreeing, and together with the RN we were able to clean her up and turn her every 2 hours.

How have you demonstrated maturity that will be essential as a PA?

-I can be empathetic, yet assertive -I can handle stress under fire -I know when to call for help -I exhibit good judgement -I can make quick decision when needed -I am a self-starter -I do not require constant supervision

A patient of yours was recently diagnosed with HIV, and he demands that you don't tell his wife bc he fears she will leave him. His wife is also your patient. What will you tell her?

-As med provider we want to respect our pts privacy, however, their right to privacy isn't unconditional. It MAY be legally breached in 5 cases: 1. court orders you to do so 2. pt gives permission 3. there is possibility of harm to vulnerable ppl 4. It is in interest of public welfare, as with reporitng STDs to health dept******** 5. 3rd party is threatened. -you report to health dept and they'll take care of rest!

From your perspective, describe what makes a person "likeable."

-Being friendly is very important to being likeable. Research shows that ppl tend to like ppl who like them, so friendliness is important. Genuiness and being a good listener are also imprtant. Finally, and perhaps most important in being successfull as a PA, you need to be empathetic to be well-liked. Pt sneeds to know their health-care provider cares about them and to a certain degree, understand their problem and can relate to their pain. I've seen this first-hand with my pts.

What is evidence based medicine?

-Evidence-based health care is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients or the delivery of health services. Current best evidence is up-to-date information from relevant, valid research about the effects of different forms of health care, the potential for harm from exposure to particular agents, the accuracy of diagnostic tests, and the predictive power of prognostic factors -Evidence-based clinical practice is an approach to decision-making in which the clinician uses the best evidence available, in consultation with the patient, to decide upon the option which suits that patient best -Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. The practice of evidence-based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research

What do you want to be doing five years from now?

-Finish PA program -pass boards -get job

WHY do you want to attend OUR program?

-I did some research and selected the schools that most interested me and that went hand-in-hand with my mission and yours was at the top of my list. I researched PA programs based on accounts of current students, first-time pass/fail rates on NCCPA boards (yours being _____), longevity of the program (yours being _____), and clinical rotation sites. ADD GOLDEN NUGGETS. I feel that your program meets my criteria for what I am looking for in a strong program. I know that I would be a good fit for this program and that I have a lot to contribute.

Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement or confrontation with a boss or coworker.

-I had a coworker who was taking one hour lunches continuously (when were only allotted 30 mins). Rather than let the anger built, I confronted her politley about the issue at hand, reminding her of the work policy and that her extended lunches was interfering with my work. She explained she liked to nap during that time, but she didn't realize it was interfering with my work. She understood my point and we were able to resolve it cordially. Things after than changed for the better.

How well do you understand the PA Profession?

-I have shadowed 2 PA's, and have worked with PA's at the hospital -I've researched PA's -I am on PA blogs/forums (physicianassistantforum.com, mypatraining.com, pastudentlife.blogset.com, etc.) -Go on AAPA and CAPA websites (follow on FB/twitter) -Go to PA Pipeline events -internet research

Describe a situation where you were a self-starter

-I work as part of the Float Unit as a PCA. That means they float us from regularly adult floors, to the ED, to the ICU. Most regular adult floors are very similar in job duties. However, in the ED and ICU it's very different in what roles we play. When they floated me to the ED for the first time, they were very short-staffed and because of the busyness was not able to be informed of how it ran. Rather than just sit there looking clueless, I took initiative and observed the other techs to see what they were doing. I looked at other supply carts and took mental notes and stocked the carts in my area. I took vitals every 2 hours without the RN's asking me. I volunteered to transport patients. At the end of the night, the RN's were super thankful for my help and initiative and gave me an APPLAUSE card.

What animal would you be and why? (This is weird and may not be super common, but they just want to see how you respond to a question like this)

-I would be a quetzal?

You are the first assistant in the OR for a cardiothoracic surgery case. While scrubbing in for the procedure, you notice that the cardiac surgeon, also scrubbing next to you, has the smell of alcohol on his breath. What do you do?

-I would confront and say you smell alcohol and say youre conerned they are impaired -if they have been tell them youre not comforotable and will have to tel RN and anesthe. -otherwise, will have to report him!

If you had to choose to give a transplant either to a successful elderly member of the community or a 20 year old drug addict, which would you choose?

-It is not in my power to determine the value of human life. I would defer to the waiting list protocol. -BUT HAVE to make a choice: elderly, bc theyre productive member of society and who has doen nothing to compromise his or her health and is more likely to have successful transplant. -DA's however wont even make it to list bc need to be clean for certain time. And, need to be responsible for FUs. -NOT JUDGING DA, just stating facts!

How do you plan to pay for your education?

-Loans, NHSC scholarship

Your supervising MD tells you to do something that you know is dead wrong; what do you do?

-Make sure I fully understand the patients condition -consider possible harmful outcomes if medicine is administered -explain/express concerns to resident, if agreement can't be made, document it in chart, do NOT order if confident that it would harm the pt

Your application states that youre a "hard worker." Can you give me an example of a time when you worked hard?

-My job at the blood donation center had an important project of filing and organizing SOPs before our audit. It was my first day working there, but I noticed they were super-short, and so I offered to help them in anyway they needed. I ended up saying overtime every day and even worked on Sunday with a few coworkers, working collaboratively to help organize and print everything for the project to be completed by the deadline. My boss noticed and was very appreciative of my willigness to work hard and go above and beyond what was expected.

Will you require constant supervision?

-No. As a PCA, I work collaboratively with RN's, but I do my job responsibilities alone, without supervision. I am able to take vitals, clean, turn, transport, etc alone. I do know however, when to report back to the RN, and what my scope of practice is. For example, as PCA's we're only allowed to take BP's on top part of forearm. Many times the RN will ask us to take BP on bottom half of arm, or on the legs. Although I know the RN is really busy and is asking me to help relieve them, I know my scope of practice and my limits, so I respectfully tell them "Thank you for confidence in me. However, as a PCA I am not able to take the BP at the _______, and I do not want to risk my position doing so." If they do not agree, I call my supervisor and ask them to help us resolve the issue.

List the steps you would take to make an acute decision relative to a pts care in the ICU.

-Would ask following questions: 1.would my decision cause harm to pt? 2. do I need to make decision now? 3. do I need to consult superivisng physician?

How do you feel about abortion? Would you assist a physician in performing abortions?

-personally I think its case-by-case -but if you agree to work in practice where this happens, then your duty to help! -firm that we have duty to provide best care possible to our pts regardless of circumstances!

You mentioned in your essay that you are "...." How do you do that?

...

Tell me about a time when you had to overcome obstacles to get your job done.

-Obstacles are something that cannot be foreseen, but that occur quite frequently. I recall one time at my research job, the RN that usually administered the study drug and collected blood samples was absent. In addition, I had to perform an ECG for the patient for that particular visit, and the ECG machine wasn't functioning properly. This visit was imperative to the study and so I began to panic. I stepped to the side, took a deep breath, calmed down, and began to think. I wanted to find a way to solve this, before having to call my supervisor. I quickly went through the roster of the staff working, and found that another RN that administers medication on the other days (TTS) was there, and so he was signed off to administer the medication and so I asked him to administer it. Furthermore, I knew there was an ECG machine at another site, so I made the time to drive (about 20 miles away) to pick it up. So that was sorted out. Then to top if all off, by the time the patient had finished and I got the blood samples, the post office in Simi was closed (at 5pm). I knew I had to submit those blood samples that day (I had not realized it was going to take that long, and the drug was super sensitive and so samples had to be sent that day). So I go in my car and hurried over to the main post office in the valley and was able to get it there right in time before the shipment left (7pm). It was a mission, but when I told my supervisor, she was so grateful and appreciative. I felt great!

What do your academic ability & Test Scores say about your ability to handle PA School?

-Overall GPA: 3.31 -Post-Bacc Science: 3.90 -Overall Science: 3.03 GRE: Q: 155, V: 156, 311; 4.5 writing FS: 3.62, SS: 2.69, JS: 2.57, SS: 2.80, bacc S: 2.82, postBacc S: 3.90, overall S: 3.03 -My undergrad science GPA wasn't great because of lack of maturity, overcommitment, lack of motivation, but since then I have matured and learned how to study efficiently as my dire improvement in grades have communicated. -GRE Score is also above average

Education/Previous Experience

-PCA -Study coordinator -Bio major -science/math tutor -BPC (customer service/educating donors)

What would be your ideal job as a PA?

-Primary care PA!

Education/Work Summary & Goals

-Short-range goals (1-2 yrs): get into PA school, do whatever it takes to get in, focus on PA school, travel before I get in. -Medium-range goals (2-5 yrs): Finish PA School, get a job, -Long Range goals (5+ yrs): Start a family, build my career, get involved in more community events

When/how did the PA profession get its start?

-The PA profession could be argued had its roots dating back to the 1600's with "Feldshers" in Russia. In Russia it was difficult to find a licensed medical practitioner outside of large cities, so in rural areas one usually would see a Feldsher, a well-traveled army individual who had medical knowledge through experience. Although not licensed, their medical knowledge and experience was enough for these rural villages. (-In France in 1803 "Officiers de Sante" are used to help overcome health care personnel shortage. In 1798 we see the first "loblolly boy" who helps assist in royal navy. They are then called surgeons steward, then apothecary, and then bayman. in 20th century they are finally called Hospital Corpsman. In 1898 "Practicante" is introduced in Puerto Rico who helps assist the physician. In 1925 midwivery is introduced in Kentucky.) -In the 1960's Barefoot doctors were born in a response to the cultural revolution happening in the People's Republic of China, in which Mao Zedong criticized urban bias of medical system, calling for a greater focus on well being of rural population. They were usually rural farmers who were trained to provide medical care in areas where urban doctors would not settle. They helped prevent common diseases, promote basic hygiene, gave preventative care, family planning, and treated common illnesses. -In 1940 the prototype of what will be a PA begins. Amos N. Johnson hires Henry "Buddy" Treadwell and trains him as a "doctor's assistant" to work in his rural clinic in North Carolina. Buddy frequently travels in place of Johnson to see his patients. This becomes widely accepted in North Carolina. - America realized there was a severe shortage of primary care physicans. To try to fix this, In 1957 Dr Stead and nurse clinical Thelma Ingles establish the masters in nursing program for nurse clinicians. The program results in highly trained nurses taught primarily by physicians. The program, although very successful, is denied accreditation from the National League of Nursing because of their heavy reliance on physicians during their training, and because Thelma Ingles did not have her nursing degree. It is believed that had it not been for the failing of the nursing program, the PA profession would not exist today! -This is not easily forgotten and three years later an emerging leader (Charles Hudson) of the AMA addresses the House of Delegates and calls for the need of a "mid-level provider" and proposes training former millitary corpsman as assistants to physicians. In 1965 this program is establish at Duke Univeristy with 4 ex-navy corpsman (Dr Eugene Stead leading this). He based his curriculum on the fast-track training of Buddy and of doctors during World War II. They were trained and sent out to help with severe shortages in rural and underserved areas. -Joyce Nichols was the first women to be formerly educated as a PA , and graduated from the Duke PA program. Not only was she the first woman to complete the program, she was the first black woman to do so. She ended up serving on the AAPA board and helped lead the minority affairs board. She is a role model for minorities and women in the PA profession. -1968 AAPA is established -kaiser is first HMO to employ PAs "Providing medical care to remote populations where none existed, and meeting military and public health needs, have been concerns of nations for centuries. The use of non-physicians to provide health care services has an extensive history. Among the more noteworthy experiments were efforts to deliver services to the Russian wilderness, to the communes of rural China, to the frontiers of the American West, and to native-American villages in Alaska. Military necessity, especially in times of war, led to the use of non-physicians to provide acute care at army bases, and on warships in France, England, and post-revolutionary America. The United States Public Health Service found a need to use former military corpsmen in prisons. Advanced, highly technical surgical procedures, developed in mid-20th century, led innovators to train technicians to assist in urology and cardiovascular surgery. In the 1940s a unique event took place. A highly respected general practitioner in rural North Carolina trained his own "doctor's assistant" to care for his patients, even while he was away to further his medical education. Remarkably, that partnership received great praise from organized medicine. A road had been mapped; it was soon to be paved by pioneer educators."

What was the last movie you saw? Book you read?

-The Watchmen -GOT -Extremely loud and incredible noise-autistic kid

Federal Legislation

-Updating the Federal Workers' Compensation Program to Allow PAs to Diagnose and Treat Federal Employees Who are Injured on the Job -Payment for Medicare Covered Services Provided by Physician Assistants -Allowing Physician Assistants to Order Home Health and Hospice Care for Medicare Patients -Extending Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Payments to Physician Assistants

Tell me about a time when you had to adapt quickly to change.

-When I first arrived at work I was scheduled as a sitter. At 11 o clock the AUM came in and informed me the sitter order had been discharged and I was now needed in the ED. From a sitter case to the ED...well that was a quick and drastic change! Rather then get caught up on the change, I quickly zoned out to collect myself, refocus, and readied myself mentally for the ED. The ED was super busy as they were short-staffed, but I did what I could to help. Stocking supply carts and transporting patients, taking vitals, among other duties. I did my job with a giving and cheerful manner and at the end of the night the RNs noticed and thanked me for my service and willingness to work so diligently even when it was such an unexpected change. -

Can you make quick decisions?

-Yes. As a study coordinator, it was my job to visit the facility where the study drug was being administered and make sure everything was logged and enter appropriately. One day I was checking the vials to make sure the study drug had been dispensed, but I quickly realized that 2 vials had been dispensed (instead of 1). I had to make a quick decision, and rapidly went to the charge nurse and informed her. She quickly discontinued the patient from the bicarb he was on, and started him on a new one. I realized later that usually only 1 study RN is working, but that day both were working, and both ended up dispensing the medication to the same patient. I was able to act quickly. After this I made a report and sent it to my supervisor, to my PI, and to the company that was sponsoring the medication. We closely monitored the patient and no AE's were observed.

During a clinical rotation as a PA school student, one of your chief medical residents has a thick accent and you have difficulty understanding him on rounds. What would you do?

-actively isten and do best to understand what hes saying -ask a lot of qs to clarify anything that is unclear to me -i would compare notes with fellow students -discuss it afterwards would help reinforce the things I learned during rounds.

Obamacare

-after going through the book "Landmark" -Insure 32 million of the 50 million that are uninsured -insure pre-existing conditions -stay on parents insurance until 26 - fast food over 20 chains calorie counts -Bring medicaid reimbursements up to medicare levels (pa shadowing at family practice) -Medicare pay for yearly preventive visits and preventative services(not sure but they may include things like breast exams, bone density) - Free birth control and other preventative services for women, unless you work for a faith-based organization that opposes birth control.

Transferable Skills

-communication skills -teaching skills -conflict resolution skills -organization skills -prioratizing skills/time management

What did you learn from your overseas internship/experience?

-conflict resolution -how cultural values are super important (we cant impose our culture on others)

You are a PA working in a cardiology practice. Although you attend to the majority of the pts in a typical day, your superivisng physician signs all of the charts and assigns the medical billing codes. You notice that he is coding higher for mEdicare and Medicaid pts bc, we don't get reimbursed enough.' You are concerned that you may have some liability if the physician gets caught overbilling (fraud). What do you do?

-confront him bc medical code of ethics tells you FRAUD isnt okay! -if he doesnt change, then tell CEO -if CEO doesn;t do anything then go higher up

You catch your colleague stealing restricted drugs. She says, "Please don;t tell anyone. I'm doing this to help a friend, who doesn't have the money and insurance to pay.' What would you do?

-confront them and tell them its not right -youre not willing to put your license on the line for them -if they return good -if they do not, you need to report it to supervisor

Describe an interaction you have had with a patient that made an impact on you.

-dying pt...helped me realized I wanted to work in primary care - PSCU pregnant women bipolar...grew my compassion for psych patients

You are a 1st year PA student, and you witness one of your classmates cheating on her exam. What do you do?

-i would confront student after exam and tell them what i saw. -id tell her I feel uncomfortable with situation and i cant let it ocntinue, and then ask her what she thinks we should do -in any case, i wont allow her to continue

Affordable Care Act effects on PAs

-increase in # of insured people -need for cost savings (PAs can do about 85% of services as physicians but cost half as much to employ) -more requirements/penalties for M.D.s -decrease hours resident doctors can work -increase in elderly population (baby boomers:46-64)

What are some of the greatest challenges/issues facing PAs today?

-legislation favors MDs and RNs more because they've been around longer. We must be proactive in advocating for ourselves. - PA's are not signed off on hospice care

Describe a stressful situation that you were able to resolve.

-math tutor review room-building locked scenario

Why don't you want to become a NP?

-medical model -longer (because you need to be RN first) - PA seems more viable option for me

Personal Traits

-passion -cooperative/team player -calmness/patience -flexible -empathy

A patient is admitted tot he ICU with severe coronary artery disease. The pt is a Jehovah's witness and declares that he cannot receive any form of blood products bc of his religious beliefs. Immediatley after the surgery, the pt begins bleeding severely from 'everywhere.' W/o the blood product he is likely to die. What are your options?

-respect the pts wishes -If they're compotent its their right! -its our job to inform them of all consequences for not taking treatment. -Must value and respect pts cultural, reglious, and personal values!

Youre working on the orthopedic floor of a large hospital when the entire staff is briefed about an impending medical malpractice suit from a former patient. Later that day, you notice one of your colleagues pulled the pts chart and is altering some of his notes. What do you do?

-speak to them in private and tell them you saw them making alterations in chart of person who may be filing the lawsuit. -i would tell them I am concerned theyre ocvering up mistake and if thats case, i wont cover for them if theyre cuaght -notify him that if he tells staff now wha thes done he can avoid legal axn and losing his medical license. -if he doesnt, i will notify superiors myself.

You work in well-known dermatology practice where you are used to having a great deal of autonomy. One day, your supervising physician calls you into her office to tell you that she invested in a new laser system for weight loss, and she would like you to perform the procedures. She also informs you that she will be working in a satellite office 3 days a week, and you will be alone on those days. You check the state laws regarding PAs and laser procedures and learn that you must have your supervising physicians on the premises at all times when using the laser. When you share this with her, she says "Dont worry about it, there are no laser police!" What do you do?

-tell her youre excited about training and you appreciate confidence in you -although comfortabel working auton, I feel like im risking medical license if i dont abide by state laws -youre willing to do it as long as shes on site (like law states)

What would you do if you were a PA in the ED, and the paramedics wheeled in a patient whom you found out just stabbed your BF?

-try to remain unbiased and treat as any other patient -if impossible for you to do so, recluse myself

Describe the most stressful work or academic situation you have been in, and tell us how you dealt with it.

-tutor midterm review scenario

Do you prefer to work with others or by yourself?

-with others! Teamwork! Collaboration! More brains is better, more ideas and thus more things I cant think of alone. More help!

Please discuss your answer to question #__ on the interview questionnaire. Or, What did you mean by __ on your essay?

...

What accommodations, if any, do you need to successfully complete this program?

...

What do you think is the most difficult situation described in the interview scenarios that you completed earlier today? Why?

...

What interests you most about our school?

...

5 specific areas PA program evaluates you

1. Passion 2. Academic Ability & Test Scores 3. Medical Experience 4. Understanding of the PA Profession 5. Maturity

What soft skills do you have (interpersonal skills) (vs. hard skills like test scores and grades)?

1.)cooperative/team player- I work together with RN's to care for patients. i.e. I worked with RN to help pt with necrotizing fasciitis; worked with PCA to help turn patient with hoyer lift (45 mins). 2.)calmness/patience- Sitter for a elder patient who was very confused and had onsets of alzheimers. Patient required special attention at every second, brushed hair, fed them, read to them. Regardless of how many times I told them they were in hospital, they didn't understand and kept trying to get out of bed. I could have restrained them, but I knew patient didn't want that and would get more anxious, so I kept calm and patient. I would engage in conversation with them, asking about their life and travels. Regardless they did forget at times and would yell and ask me to leave and even hit me sometimes, but I remained calm Reminded them again patiently who I was, waited for them to calm down. 3.) flexible- I am flexible with assignments. One time I was a sitter and had a good assignment. In the middle of the night, another sitter on the floor was told to leave by patient who grew irrational, they asked us to switch. Although I knew patient would be difficult, I accepted without reluctance. I was able to be flexible to accommodate staffing, because I know it can be difficult.; also flexible at BPC with more donors coming in, or change of job position. 4.) empathy/listener- Patient with necrotizing fasciities; elder women on 3E; pt whose son had passed away; pt who had bipolar disorder who was pregnant in PSCU; 5.) Conflict resolution/negotiation- On my missions trip to DR we had conflict with our team leaders. We felt as if we had no freedom and that our opinions were not valued. We identified with the students we were reaching and there was conflict because of culture clashes. We ended up going over a conflict resolution course, where we each stated what was done/said, how it made us feel, and let each person talk. We were able to resolve our issues, and it created more unity in the end and we both were able to learn from each other.

PAs recertify every ___ yrs

10 years

PAs complete ___ hours of CME every___ yrs

100, 2 years

In 1971, Congress authorized the training of ___ PAs

400 Army PAs

Do you believe that all individuals have a right to healthcare in this country?

? -it is our responsibility to treat ever pt to best of our ability -NOT our job to determine who qualifies for treatment. Those decisions are up to politicians and insurance companies. -our hands are tied.

Have you ever been in a situation, at work or in school, where you felt it was necessary to address an ethical issue? Describe the situation.

As a PCA, I suspected another PCA was not changing the bed position of a patient who needed to be turned every 2 hours. I had cared for that patient the night before (and she had confided that a lot of the PCAs wouldnt offer to switch her position every 2 hours) and new she had really bad sores and needed to be repositioned. Bc the pt is my #1 concern, I asked the PCA if she needed help with the pt (even though I wasnt assigned to them) and told her that I had cared for her the previous night and I knew she needed special attention. While she initially declined my offer to help her, I did notice she began to pay more attention to her and did use the LTA more often to turn the pt---most likely bc she knew I was watching.

How many hours a week do you plan on studying?

As many hours as it takes me to learn the material. The number of hours will vary depending on didactic vs clinical phases, and the courseload. I will not be working while in PA school so I plan to study as many hours as it takes me to master the material!

What field do you see yourself working in after graduation?

At this point, I'm most interested in primary care/family practice. I like the idea of working in general medicine and with a varied population of patients. The PAs I've shadowed were in primary care and I really enjoyed their roles. I know that I may change my mind though as I learn more about the field, so I would like to keep my options open.

What legislation is there concerning PAs right now?

Currently medicare will not pay for PAs to work with hospice patients. -with alot of legislation and changes in healthcare it important that PA's are specifically mentioned and clarified in the legislation.

What is evidence-based learning?

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the process of systematically reviewing, appraising and using clinical research findings to aid the delivery of optimum clinical care to patients.

What will you do if you don't get in this year?

Get more PCE hours, volunteer more, and apply again and as many time as it takes.

Do you think HMOs and PPOs are good or bad for the PA profession?

I believe HMOs and PPOs are good for the PA profession bc PAs are cost effective and yet rank highly in terms of patient satisfaction.

If we have only one position left to fill why should we pick you?

I am a good fit for your program. -HCE -shadow -Grades and test -I go above and beyond, team player, and empathizer.

How are you today?

I am doing well. Excited to be here and honored.

So, tell us a little about yourself. In other words: Why are you here?

I am here to prove to you that I am a good fit for your PA program. My patient care experience as a dailysis research coordinator, at the blood collections, and as a PCA give me a wide berth of knowledge into the medical field. I have fullfilled all the requirements for your program and have the test scores as well. I have shadowed a PA from your program to confirm that the profession is for me.

How would you describe your personality?

I am motivated, energized, and hard-working. I learn quickly and can adapt well. I am responsible about deadlines. I have a proven record of success and a strong work-ethic. I have ability to get along with people, and I believe that team-work is essential and will do what it takes to get the job done. I strive to help my co-workers and encourage cooperation as well.

How do you feel about taking call or working 60 or more hours per week as a second-year student?

I am prepared to do whatever it takes to make my dream of becoming a PA a reality. b. I have heard stories and read blogs of PA students and understand how intense and the fast paced both the didactic and clinical phase is.

WHAT are your goals as a PA?

I believe in short-, medium-, and long-term goals. Short-term goal would be to attend a strong PA program, graduate, and be able to pass my boards. Then I would like to work on a team and gain as much generalized knowledge as possible (preferably in primary care). Long-term goals will depend on my experiences along the way. I will look for opps that will continue to be challenging and where I can make a significant contribution in the health-care profession (again, preferably in primary care and underserved communities).

What makes you mad?

I don't get angry often, But injustice is one thing that does make me Angry. If I believe something is unfair, I will get angry. In that situation, I assess whether or not I can make a difference, and if I can, I try to facilitate change. If I can't, I try to accept the situation and reframe it or use it as an opportunity to learn a lesson about how I will not do things or treat others.

What is your greatest weakness?

I don't like to dwell on weaknesses, however, I would say that my weakness is saying "no" to people or commitment. I get frustrated when I let people down and don't like to disappoint people. This was a problem in my undergraduate studies when I overcommitted and consequentially my grades suffered. However, over time, I have matured and learned how to say no and how to prioritize my commitments. In my post-bacc classes, I knew it was time to be serious, so I have gotten better at saying "no," and thus put more time in my school, and the effort has paid off.

How many tests and quizzes do you expect to take a week and what can you handle?

I expect there will be a few quizzes every week and an exam or two. I feel I can handle as many exams that are given to me. I have confidence that the schools curriculum will be adequate enough to give me the material I need and I have the study habits that it takes, so I feel like I can handle any number of quizzes or exams given.

What kind of stress do you see associated with the PA profession?

I foresee it being a bit stressful to possibly encounter a supervising physician that never sees eye to eye with me or always tries to change my plan of care. With that said I am someone who is always open to hear others points of view and others ideas on matters so even though this will be stressful it will also be beneficial to have someone else's opinion on matters.

Tell us something about yourself.

I have 1 year experience as a PCA, 1 year working for a Blood collections center, and ~2 years as a research study coordinator at a dialysis unit. As a PCA, I often work in collaboration with RN's and other healthcare providers (i.e. Respiratory therapists, PT, OT, etc.) to treat our patients to the best of our ability. I have also floated all over the hospital from ED, to ICU, to surgical, to OB, and have learned a great deal. At the blood collections center I was regularly tasked with many projects from educating donors, to customer service skills. As a study coordinator, I also worked on many projects at a time and learned how to effectively communicate with patients and other healthcare providers. From all three experiences, I learned how to work under stress, I learned to exhibit excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and I have learned how to be a team player.

Unique Selling Point (USP)

I have 4 years of hands-on medical and patient care experience, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, I am able to handle stress, and I have passion and a thorough understanding of the PA profession through research and shadowing. I know my undergrad grades can be of concern to you, but throughout my post-bacc courses there has been dramatic improvement and my GRE score demonstrate my ability to handle a rigorous didactic program. I also have the ability to be a team player (as a PCA I've learned the importance of this) and lead, depending on the circumstances. Invest in me, and you can rest assured that you have made the right decision.

Tell me something unique about yourself that is not already included in your app?

I love to read! I read different types of books (currently started all the light we cannot see)--fiction and nonfiction, I like to read the news such as Ny Times and journals like the Atlantic and Time. I like to keep up with current events this way.

You have had several jobs in the past; how do we know you will finish the program if we accept you?

I only quit them because I moved, or because i needed direct PCE.

Tell me your thoughts about Health Care Reform.

I personally believe everyone in the US should have access to quality health care. As far as the means by which we, as a country, bring this plan to life, that is a political decision vs a personal one for me.

Do you think the PA profession should change its name to physician associate? Why or why not?

I personally believe that PAs should be called physician associates as opposed to physician assistants. In 1965, the professions original name was "physician associate" and the name change occured as a result of some concerns by physicians. I believe that 40 years later that PAs role is better served by the name "physician associate" bc the word "assistant" is a very generic term that can be quite misleading. Although finally people are starting to understand what a "PA" is, so we would have to start all over again in that regard.

What do you value most in a classmate or co-worker?

I really value teammates who are supportive and willing to go the extra mile to accomplish the task at hand. One time we were understaffed and I was super busy on the floor and was really behind on my vitals. One of my coworkers was lift team that night and noticed how short-handed I was. Since they had finished their round early they stayed through the rest of their round to help me with vitals and with my patients. I really appreciated the help and I do the same when I am lift team.

Do you think health-care reform will be positive or negative for PAs? Why or why not?

I think it'll be positive. With current plans to extend health insurance coverage to some 47 million people, coupled with the currently primary-care physician shortage, PAs will be in more demand than ever.

How have you stayed current and informed about the PA profession?

I try to stay as informed as I can. I belong to forums on the web for PA school students (physicianassistantforum.com) and I regularly visit CAPA and AAPA. I also follow these orgs on Facebook and Twitter. I also have the JAAPA app on my phone and like to read it to keep up to date.

So, why do you want to become a PA?

I want to be a PA because, while I love the job I have now as a PCA, I want to increase my scope of practice and I want to be more involved with my patients. Although I highly respect nurses and the work they do ( I observe this first-hand since I work with them everyday), I want to be involved in the more diagnostic aspect of medicine. I know being a PA rather than a doctor can increase that scope of practice sooner, with less debt, as well as incorporating some things that are of interest to me like the science behind medicine (medical model) and the team based approach that I'm used to now as a PCA working so closely with nurses. I'm also drawn to the values behind the profession like making healthcare more patient centered with team medicine, the importance of preventative services, educating patients on health issues and increasing accessibility where it is needed like in medically underserved areas. Becuase I want to increase my scope in medicine. As I have matured and experienced more while working in various jobs in healthcare, I know for certain that medicine is for me. I have observed and interviewed individuals in several healthcare fields--physicians, nurses, NPs, and PAs--and found that I am most drawn to the PA profession for many reasons. First, I like the collaborative aspect of being a PA and working in a health-care team. Yet, I also like the autonomy the PA profession would provide me. I am impressed by the number of specialties available to PAs. Finally, I have a good deal of respect for the profession and was very impressed by the PAs I shadowed and have spoken with.

Tell me what your typical day looks like.

I work night shifts, so just bare with me as my schedule is a little different than most. On a day I don't work: I wake up around 8:30am. Have breakfast, have reflection time while I go on a walk or jog. Prepare lunch. Do some activity such as volunteer or at my local church. Have dinner. Read a book and relax. On a day I do work: I try to stay up late the night before, so I can sleep in. Wake up, eat, and have some reflection time while i walk/jog. Take a mini nap before work. Wake up, eat dinner. And then work from 7pm-7:30 am.

If you could change one thing about the PA profession, as you understand it today, What would you change?

I would increase the number of colleges and universities that offer PA programs (like public schools). The demand for PAs still exceeds the supply, and healthcare reform laws (AFCA) has created a need for even more practitioners. -physician assistant to physician associate

Tell us about yourself.

I'm a wife who is passionately lining up my life in a way to support my family while serving others as a medical care provider. I'm a .... I'm currently a CNA who is magnifying my work through dedication and demonstrating the leadership skills that I have developed through my religious and ...endeavors.

If you had a patient with a language barrier, how would you assist the patient?

If dealing with a patient with a language barrier, I would try to get a translator. I would consider that they would also come from a different culture and that culture would have different understandings and values related to health and healthcare, which I would want to be sensitive to. In my current job as a PCA, I get to work with patients from so many culture that I have observed this first hand. But in this situation, I would try to find a translator, most hospitals have one. I would also try to work with family members who speak English. I would watch nonverbal communication closely and make sure I don't upset the pt. I would Try to find way to reassure the pt (calming facial Expressions, smiles, etc). I might also draw pics and diagrams that are legible.

If you and a colleague had a personality clash, what would you do to make it better?

If i could, I would wait a bit and give each of us time to cool off. I think perspective is important, and sometimes waiting gives ppl a chance to see the other person's side of the issue. Then I would ask to talk with the person and find a time that works. I would discuss the problem with them, make sure we each are heard (without interruption) and find a good solution (validate each others feelings)--> conflict resolution! If it couldn't wait, I would take a small breath to calm myself, and discuss it with them. I would aim for a win-win solution until both of us are satisfied. -ex: co-worker who was angry at me bc I was questioned over an incident. I didn't say anything, but bc I was told not to discuss he was being investigated, and he found out I knew later, he was upset. I eventually confronted him about it and we resolved the issue.

If it comes down to you and one other applicant, why should we select you?

If you compare my qualifications with your requirements, you will see that I am almost a perfect match for your program. I have more than enough good quality hours of hands on medical experience. I have invested in taking post-bacc courses to meet the programs required GPA and have the test scores. I have shadowed a few PAs, One of which is a grad of your program. If you were to ask her about me she would tell you "Jenese had a strong desire to become a PA, and she would be a great fit for this program." -my mission is so closely aligned with yours and I have the passion for underserved and for primary care!

What is the difference between a PA and a NP?

In a clinical setting, most are not able to tell the difference between a PA and a NP because they are very similar in terms of job duties, however, there are differences in how they get there. An NP needs to be an RN first. Once they complete their RN and practice for a bit, they can go on to apply for their masters or doctorate program for Nurse Practitioner. In contrast, most PA programs require a bachelors in any subject, prior health care experience in a variety of healthcare settings (i.e. EMT, CNA, RT) and then you get your masters as a Physician Assistant. Furthermore, NPs are trained in the nursing model vs PAs which are trained in the medical model. The medical model is a disease model that is filled with pathology, clinical medicine, pharmacology, pathophys, and treatment. It focuses on the anatomical and physiological and biochemical malfxn as the cause of a disease. They are "disease-oriented." This model treats humans as complex systems of anatomical parts and physiological systems. It is more of an evidence-based approach. PAs are trained in this model and are trained to care for pts along theri entire lifespan. In contrast, the nursing model focuses on a patient's mental, emotional, and physical needs. This model accounts for the whole patient, not just the disease or the condition of the patient. It's a more systemic approach. The Nursing model consists of 5 parts: 1) activities of living, 2) dependence-independence continuum, 3) patient's life span, 4) factors influencing activities of living, 5) individuality in living. Another difference is that in some states, NPs can practice independently without the supervision of a physician, whereas PAs always practice under a supervising physician. Lastly, PAs are generalists whereas NPs can be either generalists or specialists. In certain states, if NP wants to perform NP duties within a specialty, then they must obtain a national certification within that specialty to perform. A PA however is more of a generalist, and can usually switch bw specialties with more realtive ease. However, there are residency programs available for PAs in more specialized areas such as cardiothoracic surgery, oncology, etc.

What do you consider your strengths?

My strengths are a combination of interpersonal skills and my ability to communicate with staff and patients. I am a team player and I consider myself a great listener and I empathize with my patients. I think what separates me from others, is my ability and willingness to consider the patients culture and how best to serve them if their cultural values are important to them. I am sensitive to patients who speak another language, going out of my way to translate (Spanish) or find someone to translate or communicate in ways that I know my patient will understand me.

What makes you stand out from the person sitting next to you this morning?

My work ethic. Many of my friends, family, teachers, and coworkers tell me that I am the hardest working person they know. Weather it is the classroom, or at work I have the ability to block out distractions and concentrate on the matter at hand. I believe it arises from my innate joy of accomplishing difficult tasks.

Do you think PAs and NPs are in competition w/each other?

NO. PAs and NPs are both midlevel practitioners who fulfill a very important role in the health-care system. I look at both professions as working in collaboration as opposed to working against one another.

Tell me about a time when you had to handle a stressful situation.

One stressful situation I recall was when I was working as a tutor. I had scheduled a room for my midterm review and had confided that the copies would be there with the room. When I got close to the building as the time was approaching, I noticed a big group of students outside...over 50. I asked why nobody was going in. The building had been locked (miscommunication error with staff). And I had no worksheets. I began to panic. I was stressed out...what was I supposed to do with 50+ students? They were starting to get restless. I had to step aside, collect myself, and think of a solution. I looked around and proceeded into another nearby building looking for an empty room. Luckily, I found one. I had no access to a copy machine, so I improvised and just wrote the questions on the board and emailed the worksheet to everyone. The review started a little shaky, but it ended up going well. I made sure to apologize to everyone and then proceeded in getting the review done. Although it was disorderly at first, I made sure to explain what was happening and people understood and were willing to work with me. It was a stressful situation, but I was able to remain calm and figure out a solution.

Do you have any questions for us?

One thing that has been talked about during the philosophy of the program. Can you explain to me More about that and how it came about?

What are your strengths as an applicant?

People person Good bedside manner Patience Personality- type that can get along with several personality types Empathy a. academically driven b. strong work ethic - people often tell me my work ethic inspires them to get the job done as well c. love working with and helping people d. not a quitter, do what it takes to get the job done e. I am fascinated with the human body and the advances in medicine and the new treatment options becoming available. f. Mature, respectful, courteous

What is a PA?

Physician assistants are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision (collaboration). As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in most states can write prescriptions. They work in a variety of settings from primary care to surgery.

How do you usually deal with stress?

Prevent it- prioritize, stay organized/on top Manage it- know limits, take break/refocus Tackle it- once refocused/prioritized, tackle tasks one by one until they're done also exercise and meditation

What are your biggest weaknesses as an applicant, and what do you plan to do to correct them?

Put too much on my plate Terrible with (geographic) directions Can't say no Forget to eat/take breaks Coffee a. I am a perfectionist - I constantly remind myself that I'm human and people make mistakes. Also plan ahead to allow extra time to work on projects b. I used to also believe being an introvert was a weakness as well but I have realized it makes me better at relating to people when one-on-one or in small groups c. Keeping emotions to myself - I have made great progress in this area the past couple of years with the stress of school and applying to PA school. I have learned talking with others about my stresses is a great stress-reliever

Should all PA programs be masters-level programs?

The trend towards masters level PA programs started many years ago. Currently, the majority of PA programs are at the masters level. It is difficult to say that ALL PA programs should be masters level bc most of the PAs who were pioneers of the profession did NOT have masters degrees. However, I do believe a strong case can be made that the rigorous didactic and clinical training in PA school warrants a masters degree.

Where do PAs fit on the hierarchy ladder with nurses MDs, and NPs?

We are all on the same team, so I don't necessarily think in terms of a hierarchy. Every team member, be it a nurse, physician, technician, or PA, has his or her own role and a common responsibility to provide the best care for the patient.

Why do you want to be a PA?

Well, I want to be a PA because, while I love the job I have now as a PCA, but I want to increase my scope of practice and I want to be more involved with my patients. I know being a PA rather than a doctor, nurse, or NP can increase that scope of practice sooner, with less debt, as well as incorporating some things that are of interest to me like the science behind medicine and the team based approach that I'm used to now. I'm also drawn the values behind the profession like making healthcare more patient centered with team medicine, the importance of preventative services and increasing accessibility where it is needed like in medically underserved areas. 1. Always loved the field of medicine 2. Enjoy being part of a team (baseball, soccer, clubs) 3. Shadowing really made me feel like this was the right job for me 4. Allows you to play a major part in the medical field AND have a family Always been drawn to the medical field i. Fascinated with medicine (and the amazing ways medicine can help an ill individual), the complexity of the human body and how everything works together ii. One criteria for a job that I have always held is to help other people 1. Get a great satisfaction from helping others (experienced that through being a PAA) iii. When I came across the profession I got the feeling that this is it, no need to search more b. As a CNA I loved working as a team to provide the best care for the patient.

What experience do you have that qualifies you to join our program?

With 4 years working in healthcare, I have the necessary medical experience to qualify as a strong applicant. My strength is in communication skills and being a team-player. I have worked with dialysis patients communicating constantly with my PI and pharmaceutical sponsors, educated donors on blood donation procedures, and have worked as a PCA working closely with nurses and other health professionals to treat patients. I have worked with patients and staff from diverse backgrounds and learned the importance of appreciating diversity and culture. If you were to ask my staff members about me, they would tell you that I am extremely dependable and loyal. I am adaptable and have worked overtime when needed.

Have you ever seen anyone die?

Yes -pt I did CPR on

Have you applied to other programs?

Yes, 5 total 1. USC 2. CDU 3. Western 4. Marshall B Ketchum 5. SCH of HS

Do you think its important to promote team building in an org? What steps will you take as a PA student to promote team building in the class?

Yes, I think team-building should be promoted in orgs. A part of learning in a classroom environment is learning from other students. Collaborative teamwork improves learning. I would do at least 3 things to promote teamwork in the classroom. 1) I would be a good team member, lead by example! 2) I would promote social interaction in the class bc social relationships promotes team relationships. 3) I would encourage classmates to confront conflicts directly and to resolve them! It's important we learn about teamwork in our schooling since so much of what we will be doing as a PA is working in a collaborative team environment.

Is it important for PA students to belong to local, regional, and national PA associations? Why or why not?

Yes. As medical professions, it is important for PAs to remain current in both clinical and political issues at teh state, regional, and national level. The profession is still a relatively new one, and PAs must remain vigilant concerning issues and policies in the health-care arena or risk negative consequences in the future.

Do you have a car, where do you live? What is your social support and are they close?

Yes. I currently live in LB and would move closer if accepted into your program. -Family, husband, and friends, alot of whom are in grad school currently (husband is) and who understand rigors and check up on me consistently to make sure I'm doing okay.

What kind of personal stress do you see associated with our PA program?

a. I have heard the analogy that PA school is like trying to take a drink out of a fire hydrant. b. Didactic phase is fast-paced, with copious amounts of information each day, and numerous hours of studying each day c. Clinical phase - many hours along with continuing to study the specialty of the clinical you are partaking in. d. I believe my undergraduate career with rigorous chemistry and biology courses coupled with a job as a Peer Academic Assistant has prepared me to manage my time appropriately and work long hours to successfully learn the material also time management

What is your understanding of what PAs do?

a. In my understanding after shadowing numerous PA's... b. See their own patients just as an M.D. does but has the opportunity to consult an M.D. if confronted with a more difficult case c. Take patient histories and are able to differential diagnose the patients d. Able to prescribe medicine e. Perform procedures such as stitches F. Educate donors on health

Why did you choose PA school over med school?

i. I have come across a lot of doctors who are not personable and give the patient the facts of their condition but don't make them feel any better ii. From my experience PA's are more amiable iii. Don't want to spend 5 to 8 years becoming a doctor iv. Ability to switch fields is also appealing allowing me to follow passions that I may develop d. Like that I will have a doctor available for consultation 1. PAs can specialize without going back to school, very flexible 2. Fits my personality best, a lot of physicians I have met are not personable. They simply give patients their diagnosis and move on. 3. Don't want to spend 8 years becoming a physician