Spring Semester ideas/thoughts/advice needed

nebula · Oct 31, 2012

Hi Everyone!

So of course it is that time of the year again, school time-- Yay!! For everyone who doesn't know, I am wanting to pursue a Physician Assistant (Masters Degree in PA) and this upcoming semester, tentatively I am thinking of taking 17 hours - A lot I know-- here is a list of my classes- has anyone taken any of them? My ideal thing is to have a broad range of stuff- PA School requires a Bachelor degree, so I am thinking a Major in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology......... (Opening doors for social work, prison medical care, etc...) combining Criminal Justice,Medicine, and Social Work. I have toyed with Vet Medicine, but think I want to stick to people medicine. I love helping people, social work and criminal justice are my passions and even a bigger passion is the medical field- I love it! (Have wanted to work in medicine since I was a kid)- and I guess my Ultimate 'Dream Job' would be a Physician Assistant in a Juvenille Detention Center.........

General Biology 2

General Biology 2 Lab

General Psychology

Math

The ones I am undecided on are

Pharmacology for Health Profesionals

Pathophysiology of Disease & Injury

I know the above 2 would be helpful for the PA school or any medical field, and they do get me credits- just are not part of my degree plan (University Transfer)

So my dillema is- Instead of taking the Pharmacology and Pathophysiology, I can knock out 2 of my Criminal Justice classes, or one of them and keep the Pharmacology (I want to work as a Pharmacy Tech while going to school....)

Just brainstorming, so I am open to any and all suggestions!!

Willowy · Nov 1, 2012

Shouldn't you major in Pre-Med? That's what all future doctors/PAs I've known majored in.

I would say. . .if you really want to be a doctor, don't take any classes that don't directly further that goal. That will just cost you extra stress, money, and time, without any real benefit. Will Criminal Justice actually make it easier for you to work in a detention facility? Etc. Of course, I don't know enough about becoming a doctor to know which ones will help you toward your goal the most, so I can't make specific class recommendations, but something to think about!

binkyhoo · Nov 1, 2012

If you want to be a PA. You major/minor in Chemistry or Biological science. And by Biological, I dont mean ecology/ conservation, etc. You need a year of general chem, a yr of organic chem, biochem and a year of anatomy and physiology with algebra, calculus,statistics. Some upper math credits. At least. That is the basic that I have had to take as I am sure many of us had before you.

When it is called General Biology. That is most likley biology for non-science majors, Like Art/IT/Business majors.

I dont mean to dissuade you, but that is the way as I know it. Well wishes for your education.

Ok, now I will lighten up.

nebula · Nov 1, 2012

binkyhoo said:
If you want to be a PA. You major/minor in Chemistry or Biological science. And by Biological, I dont mean ecology/ conservation, etc. You need a year of general chem, a yr of organic chem, biochem and a year of anatomy and physiology with algebra, calculus,statistics. Some upper math credits. At least. That is the basic that I have had to take as I am sure many of us had before you.

When it is called General Biology. That is most likley biology for non-science majors, Like Art/IT/Business majors.

I dont mean to dissuade you, but that is the way as I know it. Well wishes for your education.

Ok, now I will lighten up.

Yea the problem I am running into is Math. I am not "college ready" for Math and have to take 2 semesters of Developmental to be ready for college algebra and calculus. My school won't even let you take Chemistry if you aren't "college ready" in math--- I am going to take the Accupacer test in 2 weeks and try to score high enough to "test out" of the developmental class...........

Maybe I need to rethink my PA goal. sigh... Are you a PA??

I plan on taking the A & P @ my Senior Institution, they have cadavers which they say look better for pre-med/PA students.

After talking with an advisor, here is my "Game Plan"

Biology 2 (Which is for the science major- as well as General Biology)

Psychology (Core Requirement)

Pathophysiology (Recommended Elective for the PA school)

Pharmacology (Recommended elective for the PA school and for the pharmacy tech program I want to do )

Math (The developmental to pave the way to Calculus & Algebra)'

Then the second half of the semester I am going to "Fast Track" 3 Core classes into one semester:Govt, History, and English

eb24 · Nov 19, 2012

Nebula-

Just curious but are you in school currently or going back after a long break? If you are just going back my advice would be to ease into it for the first semester and get your school legs back under you. It's way easier to want to have more to do and add classes later but once you into the semester it's very hard to drop classes without it affecting you negatively. The load you are talking about taking is not a light one! And, if you want to go on and pursue a Master's good grades are the #1 thing you need.

I work with juvenile offenders everyday I commend you for wanting to work with them too- it's not for the easily intimidated or faint hearted! I think a psychology/criminal justice minor would help you greatly but if your goal is to be a PA you won't actually deal much with their mental issues or with why they are there- just help treat them if they are ill. You will put on a lot of band-aids, treat a lot of tummy aches, give a lot of pregnancy tests and hand out a lot of meds but anything more severe than that usually gets sent out to the hospital (could be different in your state that's just my experience). If you want to do more on the counseling/behavioral side of things a degree in social work or psychology may be a better match.

I don't want to dissuade you from going to school (the opposite is true actually- it's clear you have a passion and should pursue it) just think about in what aspects you want to help kids and go from there. That's just my two cents.

Having trouble on what path to choose? Call your local detention center and ask to speak to the PA/nurse on staff and see if you can observe them for a day. If the state won't allow it ask if you can buy them a cup of coffee and get some insight into what a normal day is for them. For obvious reasons you can't shadow the behavioral health/counseling staff there but you can do the same- ask them out for coffee and what a normal day entails. Most people are more than happy to share their experiences!

Above all, go slow! School is a marathon and not a sprint. Don't burn yourself out the first semester so much that you end up hating it. Take fewer classes and really delve into them. You will be better off for it!

Good luck!

nebula · Nov 19, 2012

EB24 said:
Nebula-

Just curious but are you in school currently or going back after a long break? If you are just going back my advice would be to ease into it for the first semester and get your school legs back under you. It's way easier to want to have more to do and add classes later but once you into the semester it's very hard to drop classes without it affecting you negatively. The load you are talking about taking is not a light one! And, if you want to go on and pursue a Master's good grades are the #1 thing you need.

I work with juvenile offenders everyday I commend you for wanting to work with them too- it's not for the easily intimidated or faint hearted! I think a psychology/criminal justice minor would help you greatly but if your goal is to be a PA you won't actually deal much with their mental issues or with why they are there- just help treat them if they are ill. You will put on a lot of band-aids, treat a lot of tummy aches, give a lot of pregnancy tests and hand out a lot of meds but anything more severe than that usually gets sent out to the hospital (could be different in your state that's just my experience). If you want to do more on the counseling/behavioral side of things a degree in social work or psychology may be a better match.

I don't want to dissuade you from going to school (the opposite is true actually- it's clear you have a passion and should pursue it) just think about in what aspects you want to help kids and go from there. That's just my two cents.

Having trouble on what path to choose? Call your local detention center and ask to speak to the PA/nurse on staff and see if you can observe them for a day. If the state won't allow it ask if you can buy them a cup of coffee and get some insight into what a normal day is for them. For obvious reasons you can't shadow the behavioral health/counseling staff there but you can do the same- ask them out for coffee and what a normal day entails. Most people are more than happy to share their experiences!

Above all, go slow! School is a marathon and not a sprint. Don't burn yourself out the first semester so much that you end up hating it. Take fewer classes and really delve into them. You will be better off for it!

Good luck!

Yea, I got my paramedic license in 2006 and haven't went back since. As far as "going easy", Texas now requires you to be enrolled 15 hours to be considered full time, and my grant & loans will only cover me if I am enrolled in 15 hours....

Thanks for your encouragement, I am going to put some feelers out to observe a PA over Spring break!!

I don't want to form long term relationships. As callous as it may sound, I love the "treat and street" mentality... Which is why I think Emergency Medicine is best bet, or just the medical side of things... I don't know, I just know that at this moment that is my goal.

zohdee · Nov 19, 2012

Good luck to you! I an six classes away from a Bio degree....Calc 1 and 2, Chem 1 and 2, O-chem 1 and 2. They just petrify me to no end. So, I will more than likely not finish my second degree.

nebula · Nov 19, 2012

zohdee said:
Good luck to you! I an six classes away from a Bio degree....Calc 1 and 2, Chem 1 and 2, O-chem 1 and 2. They just petrify me to no end. So, I will more than likely not finish my second degree.

I'm drowning in genes, phenotypes, and genotypes and punett squares HA!

What is your career path?

eb24 · Nov 19, 2012

Nebula said:
Yea, I got my paramedic license in 2006 and haven't went back since. As far as "going easy", Texas now requires you to be enrolled 15 hours to be considered full time, and my grant & loans will only cover me if I am enrolled in 15 hours....

Thanks for your encouragement, I am going to put some feelers out to observe a PA over Spring break!!

I don't want to form long term relationships. As callous as it may sound, I love the "treat and street" mentality... Which is why I think Emergency Medicine is best bet, or just the medical side of things... I don't know, I just know that at this moment that is my goal.

Ah yes the loans do complicate things when it requires you to go full time.

I would highly recommend shadowing as much as you can. Not only will it help give you an idea of where exactly you would like to work but keeps you motivated on what you are doing all this for. And, it never helps to be making contacts early on! I would also recommend looking at the PA school application as well as what boards you would have to sit for. That way you will know what's ahead of you and what all you will have to disclose. If you have to get documentation for anything at least you have a heads up about it now and won't be so frantic trying to pull it all together when the time comes. I am working on my application for the bar exam (for lawyers) and I so wish I had started pulling things together earlier. It's a beast!

There is nothing wrong with the treat and street mentality- it does make you well suited for ER work and there is definitely a market for people that like that. And, it's okay to change your goal later if you change your mind- so long as you have one you will be fine!

nebula · Nov 20, 2012

EB24 said:
Ah yes the loans do complicate things when it requires you to go full time.

I would highly recommend shadowing as much as you can. Not only will it help give you an idea of where exactly you would like to work but keeps you motivated on what you are doing all this for. And, it never helps to be making contacts early on! I would also recommend looking at the PA school application as well as what boards you would have to sit for. That way you will know what's ahead of you and what all you will have to disclose. If you have to get documentation for anything at least you have a heads up about it now and won't be so frantic trying to pull it all together when the time comes. I am working on my application for the bar exam (for lawyers) and I so wish I had started pulling things together earlier. It's a beast!

There is nothing wrong with the treat and street mentality- it does make you well suited for ER work and there is definitely a market for people that like that. And, it's okay to change your goal later if you change your mind- so long as you have one you will be fine!

What state are you in ?? MY best friend just got his Bar license in November 2011. Trust me, it is a hard ride-- I talked him through plenty of the stress & frustration with studying for the bar and he invested in a good study course with a pass guarantee. Might look into that!!

eb24 · Nov 20, 2012

Nebula said:
What state are you in ?? MY best friend just got his Bar license in November 2011. Trust me, it is a hard ride-- I talked him through plenty of the stress & frustration with studying for the bar and he invested in a good study course with a pass guarantee. Might look into that!!

I am in Colorado. And yes, I'm already signed up for my bar review course. Just have to finish the stupid application first!

zohdee · Nov 22, 2012

Nebula said:
I'm drowning in genes, phenotypes, and genotypes and punett squares HA!

What is your career path?

I wanted to go into forensics. Many schools now have a forensic science degree but I felt the classes were to broad. One learned a little about alot of subjects. When I talked with my adviser, I told her I want to work in a lab. I love studying about DNA. All the TV shows about forensics like CSI have given people the wrong idea of what it is like. That is why I decided to go for a Bio degree.

eb24 · Nov 22, 2012

zohdee said:
I wanted to go into forensics. Many schools now have a forensic science degree but I felt the classes were to broad. One learned a little about alot of subjects. When I talked with my adviser, I told her I want to work in a lab. I love studying about DNA. All the TV shows about forensics like CSI have given people the wrong idea of what it is like. That is why I decided to go for a Bio degree.

Haha from the legal side you are right: it is NOTHING like CSI!!!!

I love how the DNA confirms it and every suspect confesses without a lawyer- wraps it up with a nice little bow. Totally real life!

Spring Semester ideas/thoughts/advice needed

nebula

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Willowy

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binkyhoo

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nebula

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eb24

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nebula

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zohdee

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nebula

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eb24

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nebula

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eb24

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zohdee

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eb24

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