PA SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What is the difference between a PA and NP?

- PAs are educated in general medicine, which offers a comprehensive view of all aspects of medicine. NPs must choose a "population focus," e.g., pediatric nurse practitioner or women's health nurse practitioner.

- PAs are trained to practice medicine using a curriculum modeled on medical school education. NPs are trained in the advanced practice of nursing

- The nursing model looks more holistically at patients and their outcomes, giving attention to a patient's mental and emotional needs as much as their physical problems.

- The medical model places a greater emphasis on disease pathology, approaching patient care by looking primarily at the anatomy and physiological systems that comprise the human body.

- NPs do not require physician supervision, they can practice autonomously

- PAs must in collaboration with physicians

What is a PA?

PAs are medical professionals who:

- diagnose illness

- develop and manage treatment plans

- prescribe medications

- often serve as patient's principal healthcare provider.

- PAs practice in every work setting and in all specialties

What is your understanding of what PAs do?

Take medical histories

conduct physical exams

diagnose and treat

order and interpret tests

develop treatment plans

prescribe medications

counsel on preventive care

perform procedures

assist in surgery

make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes

do clinical research

How many hours a week do you plan on studying?

3-5 hours per day (outside of class)

6-8 hours per day on weekends

5x5 = 25

8x2 = 16

Total: 41 hrs

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

1-3 exams per week

a quiz each class or every other class

Have you applied to other programs?

Yes, I have applied to other programs. While this program is my first choice, I am determined to get into PA school and am keeping my options open. PA school is very competitive and applying to more schools provides a higher likelihood that I will be accepted.

How do you plan to pay for your education?

I will use money that I have saved over the years from working. I will also use student loans then work hard after graduating to pay the loans off as quickly as possible.

What do you do outside of work or academic studies?

When I am not working or in school I love to be outside as much as possible. I hike, camp, run, kayak, mountain bike. I also love to read and play music. I play the guitar and write my own music. I also like to be social and meet up with friends.

Why PA school rather than medical school?

- I like the flexibility associated with being a PA (having the ability to switch specialties)

- seeing patient follow ups, following patients throughout the entirety of their care

- As a PA you don't have to deal with the administrative side of the practice, you can focus entirely on the patients

- Better work/life balance

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

If I do not get into PA school this year I will evaluate my application and determine what areas need improvement. I will also call the schools and speak with them about my application if allowed so that I can receive feedback. I will look at medical scribe positions in different specialties as well as different jobs that I can work in like phlebotomy or EMT to continue working in the medical field. I will then re-apply to school the following round.

Have you ever seen anyone die?

I have never seen anyone die in front of me. While I haven't seen anyone actually die, I have been around and worked with many patients near end of life and have been present for many end of life conversations.

What have you done to prepare yourself for this profession?

- I have worked in multiple medical settings and with different types of health care providers to make sure I understood the differences between the professions and that being a PA was truly the right path for me.

- shadowed and worked alongside many PAs who have shown me what the PA profession entails.

- Taken all of the required pre-req courses

- I have studied and learned a great deal about the PA profession and its history

- worked as a medical scribe in an internal medicine practice

- worked as a medical scribe in a neurosurgical practice

- worked in the billing department at BNA and understand the insurance aspect and coding.

- worked in imaging study authorization

- dealt one on one with insurance companies

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

- mention that I have gone to informational sessions (if this pertains to the specific school: Rocky Vista and Red Rocks)

- re-written my personal statement and worked on truly answering the supplemental questions directly without going off topic

- completed pre-req courses and most recommended courses

- applied early

- obtained letters of recommendation from people who know me well and can speak to my personality and abilities.

- increased my volunteer work hours

- increased my shadowing and patient care/contact hours

- applied to schools where I felt I would be the best fit and who's mission aligned with my own goals.

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

- my dedication to patients

- empathy, compassion, dedication, hard working, patience

- interpersonal/interprofessional communication skills

- my adaptability and experience in multiple medical settings

- the lasting relationships that I form with patients and providers

- my direct patient care hours

- my understanding of the PA profession and my

- experience working directly with PAs

- my passion for the profession and for the patients

- my experience working with an underserved population and the impact it had on my life and in my career choice

- my love of innovation and continuous learning as the medical field makes advances

- my interest in helping and being a part of the community

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

- I know that this is part of the process of becoming a PA and I am 100% willing to take call as a student and work 60+ hours per week.

- This will prepare me mentally and physically for when I am working on my own in the field after I graduate

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

- There is currently a decline in the number of working physicians, especially in primary care.

- also an increase in physician burnout

- overall less physicians available with an increasing aging population.

- This decline directly affects a patient's perceived quality of care when the physician takes on more patients than the practice can handle.

- This causes accessibility to the physician and communication between physician and patient to fall short.

- The presence of PAs in the health care system play a vital role in improving quality and continuity of care.

- PAs are patient advocates, provide medical education to patients

- PAs will continue to increase in importance as the number of older Americans increases dramatically, many of them living longer with chronic diseases that need monitoring but not necessarily the expensive attention of a physician at every visit.

- PAs are the future of health care: PAs can provide very high-quality care and cost less to employ (PAs aren't as expensive to train as physicians)

- PAs are cost effective and help improve patient outcomes

- PAs allow a practice to see more patients per day. This increases access to care and increases availability

- PAs are adaptable (will continue to be seen working in all medical specialties)

- PAs will continue to improve upon the team approach in medicine and can help make a practice run more effectively and efficiently

- increase access to health care for patients and improve quality of care

- help reduce physician burnout

Describe the history of the PA profession.

- In the mid- 1960's, physicians and educators recognized there was a shortage of primary care physicians

- Eugene A. Stead Jr., MD of Duke put together the first class of PAs in 1965 to create a solution to physician shortages. He selected four Navy Hospital Corpsmen who had received considerable medical training during their military service. Stead based the curriculum of the PA program on his knowledge of the fast-track training of doctors during World War II.

- First PA class graduated from Duke University PA program in 1967

- the origin of the PA profession was the Vietnam War. There were returning military corps men and a physician at Duke University had the idea to train relatively rapidly providers that can work relatively independently but in collaboration with physicians. He then had the idea to begin training people who had amazing experience and people of different working backgrounds to help and work with physicians

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

- I currently work with a PA and I see the stresses that she encounters on a daily basis. One of these is when patients refuse to see the PA and want to see the physician only.

- Not being able to please every patient (can't always give them answers they want to hear)

- begin taken advantage of

What other schools have you applied to and where does Touro University rank?

I have applied to a few other schools however Touro University is at the top of my list. I am determined to become a PA and feel that it is important to keep my options open for the best chance of acceptance.

What is your opinion on socialized health care versus privatized health care?

Overall I am for socialized health care (the right to health care, universal health care). Socialized health care could lower the cost of health care in the US which would result in a healthier general population. Having worked in underserved communities I can see how socialized health care would save lives. If more people could afford health care then I feel that the poverty level would decline. People would live healthier lives and miss less work and hold onto jobs longer. I do however seen the downside to socialized health care. In countries with socialized health care, the wait times to see a doctor are longer. Socialized health care can also lead to rationing of medical services but this could be a good thing in some ways. I currently work in the hospital setting and see that certain diagnostic tests are performed unnecessarily, leading to increased patient hospital bills. One other con to socialized health care is that it might cause a further decrease in physicians. In some ways I feel that this may be a good thing as people will become physicians to help people rather than for the money. This could be combated by increasing mid-level providers to balance the decline in physicians.

Who in your life mentors, or inspires you?

My current boss, Dr. Kara Beasley mentors and inspires me. She has been a great teacher and friend who has helped me realize my true potential. She is the one who initially presented me with the idea of going to PA school. Dr. Beasley is also the only female neurosurgeon in a practice with five male neurosurgeons. She holds her ground and never lets anyone take advantage of her. She is also a bioethicist and always has the patient's best interest in mind.

How do you express your opinions on controversial topics such as abortion, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, and cloning?

Euthanasia: A doctor is allowed by law to end a person's life by a painless means, as long as the patient and their family agree.

Assisted Suicide: A doctor assists a patient to commit suicide if they request it.

I often begin by stating that everyone has a right to their own opinion and that I do not judge anyone based on their own beliefs. I express my opinion on these topics based on ethics, current law, impact on the world, and choice. There is always something to learn from a differing opinion. There is a chance that someone may present new information that I had not taken into account that might alter my opinion. Even if I disagree I believe that everyone has the right to express themselves.

What do you know about Touro University?

- Touro University Nevada campus was opened as an answer to the area's need for greater access to health care.

- Jewish sponsored independent institution of higher learning

- in classes, labs, and interactions with faculty and fellow students, you will find a commitment to the Judaic traditions of social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to others.

- An essential part of these core tenants is openness to all faiths, which is why Touro University Nevada is home to students of all backgrounds, cultures, and interests.

- The Stallman Touro Health Clinic provides free health care to the women and children at the Shade Tree Shelter and the Touro Mobile Healthcare Clinic (the one one in Nevada) provides free care to the homeless population.

- Touro Nevada's campus is home to Nevada's only dedicated diagnostic and treatment center for children with autism and developmental disabilities.

- Students have a wealth of opportunities to volunteer through the many student clubs and organizations

- A significant part of your classwork will weave you into the fabric of the community

- mission is to educate competent physician assistants who are responsive to community needs and diverse cultures

- faculty and administrators are genuinely invested in helping you achieve

- small campus environment where the faculty know each student by name.

- Very diverse campus

- very committed to community service

- offer a diverse range of local rotations as well as many throughout the country and internationally (they take pride in their expansive roster of rotations, which gives students the ability to select their specific geographic area

What questions do you have for us about Touro University?

- how have you adapted or changed your program based on feedback from your students?

- what does a typical day look like for a student?

- what do you find that PAs like the most about this program?

- do you find that classmates tend to be competitive or collaborative?

- do most of the students stay local for clinical rotations or do they travel?

- does your program set up clinical rotations or is it the student's responsibility to find preceptors?

- "I have applied to several programs and although I have a strong interest in yours, I haven't decided yet. What would you say is the best one or two things about your program?

- "What kind of support is available to graduates?" - "Do you have job placement assistance?"

What do you feel is the single most important quality a Physician's Assistant should posses?

Interpersonal communication skills- with providers, patients, medical staff (diagnostic skills can be learned)

In your opinion, what is the most concerning issue facing the medical industry today?

- *access to care*

- provider burn out

- opioid crisis - I currently work in a clinic that deals with chronic pain patients on a daily basis.

Tell us about your overall academic performance, so far. Where have you excelled, and where could you improve?

I feel like I truly began to excel in school when I realized what I wanted to do in life and what I was passionate about. I have always done well in psychology, biology and neuroscience. During my undergrad years I struggled slightly with chemistry however at that time I do not feel that I had developed strong study habits/skills. In my postbacheloreatte program I struggled with organic chemistry. I now feel that I have mastered how to study. I no longer overwhelm myself by trying to learn too much detail. I now am able to pick out the important information.

Talk to us about your current GPA.

Since graduating from college I have been able to raise my science GPA. There have been a few classes that negatively affected my GPA including organic chemistry 1 and 2 as these were weighted heavier than most of my classes. I would like to see my science GPA at or above 3.5. It is currently at a 3.49. I am proud of my overall GPA but like most people, I would love for it to be higher.

If you could meet anyone in the history of medicine, who would you choose and why?

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)

- became a nurse and went to the Crimean front in Eastern Europe to tend to soldiers in 1854 where hospitals had a very high death rate.

- She found through statistical analysis that the improvement of sanitation and cleanliness made the biggest changes in improving the survival rates. - She lobbied politicians and influential committee members, persuading them to make major changes to the hospital systems.

- She set up nursing schools with curriculum for students to follow

- she wrote textbooks on nurse education

Marie Curie (1867-1934)

- researched and experimented with radioactive substances and invented the word "radioactivity."

- awarded 2 nobel peace prizes- first women ever to receive this award let alone 2

- discovered radium and polonium

- her discoveries helped to develop radiation as a therapeutic tool- used for cancerous tissue

- she and her daughter fitted x-ray machines to vehicles and drove them directly to field hospitals. They were able to show locations of bullets, shrapnel, broken bones

What research did you conduct before choosing to apply to Touro University?

- Spoke with a graduate from the program (who I currently work with)

- length of program (28 months, 16 months didactic)

- accreditation status (Has accreditation-continued)

- researched the school's mission

- researched the school's background

- took into account the school's location and where I might want to practice in the future

- looked at the PA school requirements, pre-req fit

- read the brochure

- tuition: approx 40,000 per year he the estimated cost of the 7 semester PA program (Institution Related Expenses) is $95,636

Touro mission statement

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program is committed to the education of highly qualified compassionate Physician Assistants who are part of the health care team and are responsive to the developing health needs of their communities as culturally competent clinicians, educators, facilitators, and leaders.

The PA program is focused on helping the underserved. We collaborate with the women's shelter clinic and have a mobile health clinic that provides care to homeless, seniors and veterans. First-year PA students get actual patient experience on the mobile clinic and help care for some of the neediest people in the area. Touro is working to expand the mobile clinic effort to help more of the underserved including those in rural areas of Nevada.

What is your favorite area of medicine so far? Which is your least favorite? Why?

This is a difficult question because as I work in different specialties, I find that I am constantly changing my answer. When I worked in internal medicine, I thought this was my favorite area of medicine. Now, working in neurosurgery, I feel that this is my favorite area of medicine. I loved forming relationships with patients while working in internal medicine and working with the underserved population. I felt like I was really able to make a difference in the patients' lives by providing them with a shoulder to lean on and a friend they could talk to. In neurosurgery, I have had the opportunity to watch and be a part of deep brain stimulation procedures for patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and cervical dystonia. Working with these patients and watching their symptoms improve before my eyes has been truly eye opening. I love taking part in these life changing experiences and watching these individuals gain confidence they thought the had lost for good. My least favorite area of medicine is anesthesiology. I find that this area of medicine has the least amount of patient interaction and patient follow up.

Tell us something that we would not know about you from reading your CV.

- Originally was interested in psychology as a profession but later found that I was also interested in the science behind diseases/conditions

- twin with learning disability

- very family oriented

- athletic (running, hiking, skiing, mountain biking)

- love the outdoors (camping, fishing)

- musical (guitar, piano, classical voice, in musicals, jazz choir, show choir, etc)

- lover of books

- love to travel

Which medical related newspapers, journals or publications do you read to stay in touch with new medical discoveries, and current events?

- Science Daily (website)

- Medical News Today (website)

- New England Journal of Medicine: Reports on breakthroughs in surgical procedures and prescription medications that have cured significant diseases.

- American Journal of Preventative Medicine: When you want to know about the latest in intervention. It is published as a way to alert medical professionals about the latest methods in preventing the formation of conditions and as a way to help advance the understanding of why people do damage to themselves.

- Annual Review Of Public Health: Combines the need for better public health systems with an analysis of the social circumstances under which those systems work. Includes articles on a variety of topics from all over the world that give insights on how medicine is affecting the world around it.

- Wired

- Popular science

Talk to us about your experience and thoughts on handling blood and other bodily fluids. You will be subject to difficult scenarios in your role as a physician's assistant. How do you feel about this?

I have had many experiences handling blood and other bodily fluids. When I worked in internal medicine as a medical scribe, patients would come in with bleeding injuries, oozing infections, ruptured cysts, etc. Now working in neurosurgery I find myself dealing with blood on a daily basis as I shadow the surgeon and PA during surgeries. I have also been present in difficult cases where there has been a great deal of blood loss or a patient's internal mechanical device has become infected.

How does your family feel about you becoming a physician's assistant? Do you have a great deal of support?

My family is very excited about me becoming a physician assistant. They support me whole-heartedly and believe that I have chosen a profession where I will excel.

At Touro University we believe in the continual development of our students, both professionally and personally. What is your self-development plan?

- continue to exercise, stay healthy

- set aside time for hobbies (music, outdoor activities)

- stay connected to friends and family especially during busy times

- stay up to date on politics/policy changes

- read

Tell us about an area of weakness that you would like to improve on while attending Touro University.

- There are times where I become overwhelmed by big tasks that need to be completed. I have learned that making lists and prioritizing help me remain calm and complete tasks efficiently and successfully. I now take a step back, break down the task into smaller components.

-I would like to improve on my delivery of information. I find that there are times where I can be verbose. I would like to work on being more concise and direct.

Why should we accept you over another student with the same qualifications?

-I am organized/detail oriented

-I get things done in a timely manner

-I connect easily with colleagues and patients

-I remember specific details about people to let them known I care and that I am interested

-I am a great listener

-I am committed to always producing the best patient outcomes

-I am passionate about medicine and most importantly I am passionate when it comes to treating patients. Each individual becomes part of me.

At Touro University we want students who have a true passion for medicine. What appeals to you most, about working in the medical field?

changing people's lives for the better, sharing moments with patients, counseling them through difficult situations but also celebrating with them in times of happiness.

My desire for continuous learning experiences with the ongoing medical advances- understanding the human body and how our environment can affect our health.

working with underserved populations

taking part in treatment plans

forming trusting relationships with patients

being part of a team

What achievement are you most proud of, so far, on your path to becoming a physician's assistant?

Getting an interview (joke)

not giving up

being adaptable and part of the integral team - connecting so well with every provider and with patients. Patients ask about me, want to catch up. - I can make positive impacts and touch people's lives.

I have not had one negative experience while working in the medical field.