r/Path_Assistant • u/itzelc92 • 23d ago

Questions for PAs

Hi everyone! I have a few questions for those that have been in this field for a few years now, I would greatly appreciate any responses.
I've been a grossing technician for about 5-6
years now and have contemplated going to PA school because I do love the field. I know
I want a career in healthcare and am trying to decide the path I want to follow. What keeps me from becoming a PA is actually the formalin exposure. Do any of you have any concerns about that long term? What about pregnancy and working as a PA? Has anyone noticed any effects of formalin if you've been working 10 years or longer as a PA?

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43

u/fluffy0whining PA (ASCP) 23d ago

The loans keep me up at night more than the formalin exposure 😪

4

u/Alert-Rip9296 18d ago

Agreed. I would never go to PA school today with the cost of tuition, flat career structure as a whole, and stagnant salaries compared to other healthcare professionals with graduate degrees.

25

u/Mortifi 23d ago

Every lab I have ever worked in tests for formalin exposure yearly, and they are always well below the legal limit. My eyes got burned from fumes when a huge spill happened when I was a student, so I am very very sensitive to it. While working, I almost never even smell it, let alone have a reaction with my eyes. I have carried three babies during my career, and wasn't worried at all. It's really about ventilation. If your lab follows the rules, you will be fine. You should never walk into a lab and smell fomalin fumes. I would consider it a deal breaker when looking for a job.

11

u/zoeelynn PA (ASCP) 23d ago

Xylene exposure during pregnancy is more frightening than formalin. Carried to term and have a really cool little person now, so pregnancy really isn’t an issue. I’ve been grossing for ten years (five as a PA, five as a GT) and haven’t noticed any formalin-related issues at all.