Information regard in PA Program with an approval of NP programs

Book Review; An Applicants Guide to Physician Assistant School and Practice.

Bob Blumm, MA, PA-C, DFAAPA

I have had a dozen requests from different forums as well as personal mails concerning the subject, “should I become a PA or NP?” Depending on the former formal education, my responses varied because I feel that a good nurse who wants to be an Advanced Practice Clinician should follow the NP role whereas a person without a nursing background but who possesses military combat experience, EMT experience and all of the other specialties such as Respiratory Technologist, should pursue a PA role. Both will eventually lead to graduation, a certificate, a national board, a license and an opportunity to make a difference in health care in these United States. Both professions, with about two years experience actually become the same type of provider although those from a nursing background are known to document a bit more and particularly of the social status of a patient. This is an area that we could both standardize as, in my opinion; it gives a better snapshot of the patient, their follow up and ultimate discharge philosophy. The textbook that I have reviewed is written in a second edition from the perspective of a surgical physician assistant who was a former board member of the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants. Writing a book or even a chapter is an arduous task and one that I enter into carefully and usually regrettably as seeing my name in print is never worth the effort but writing for your profession is a gift to those who are seeking and re-evaluating decisions and is an extreme source of guidance. Erin has done her best to cover all of the aspects of this profession and supplies tremendous amounts of information, schools, programs, and other addendums that is well worth the price of the book.

This book paints the picture of what a PA is and what the characteristic roles of being a PA are. It rediscovers our roots as I always say that “we were born on a field of blood.” I must say that if you look at the heroines of Nursing such as Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton, they too, may make claims to the same fact. This volume clearly demonstrates the scope of practice from state to state, it includes many of the opportunities, the moonlighting and other ways to pay off your PA school by making hard earned cash. As this book evolves, it causes the reader to reflect on the most important factor, why do I want to be a PA? As I have mentioned in the past, I have seen medical school graduates ask the same question and then move into totally different fields other than law. For those that think PA school is a “walk in the park” they are confronted with the reality of its course content. In this chapter and those to follow the discussion ensues to financial costs and whether getting a similar job for a year or two will give you insight.