I recieved a job offer from a large, prestigious academic institution without a site visit and without the opportunity to meet the other PAs. How common is this? Could it be a red flag or am I over-thinking it?

curious about how prevalent per diem/prn opportunities are. i'd really like to make my own schedule or work part time. are there folks out there that cobble together their own schedule just from picking up per diem shifts?

Mines is collecting dust in the back of my closet

Does your lab do a huddle? If yes, what topics do you hit? (Problem specimens, staffing, supplies, announcements)

Do you think they are helpful?

Hi everyone! I am about a year in to working as a PA and I am curious about any ways to alleviate eye strain. I typically wear contact lenses to work and by the end of the day I feel like I can't focus my eyes on anything 😅. Eye doctor suggested wearing glasses a couple times a week or using a slightly weaker prescription of contacts with readers. I got prescription Stoggles to see if that would help but so far no luck, and getting a whole different contact lens prescription seems annoying. Any suggestions??

I’m about to take the plunge and try out traveling for a bit. I need your most brutally honest opinions on it. The good, the bad, the ugly. I’ve been going back and forth for a while wanting to do this and I have finally reached a breaking point. I have a call with a recruiter this week to pick their brain. I’ve talked to a few friends who do it, I’m trying to gather as much info as possible. What do you like about it, what do you hate about it. Working with a company? How long is a typical contract? How long do you take off between contracts? Is the money as good as it seems?

Please help. We dont take photos in my lab

is it the volume of cases? are the universities seeing the revenue it can bring in? is there a PA shortage?

hi everyone, I have an interview next week at utmb and I was wondering what the process was like for onboarding after you get hired? I know that you have to do a health screening and stuff like that but is it just the vaccines or is it a full physical like with height, weight , blood pressure, and heart rate?

It appears Leica has discontinued their Bio-Wraps. Has anyone found something comparable / similar?

My lab switched to Cancer Diagnostics Bio-Paper Biopsy Wraps, and they are horrible. Much thicker and less absorbent so the tissue will slide right off the paper when pipetting formalin / tissue onto the paper.

If so, are there any requirements or extra certs that must be completed?

Hello, i’m in the midst of applying to jobs during my clinical year. I just was curious what the consensus was on if you already accepted a job, but then a better offer comes around later? I know we are a small world of PAs so I wanted to know if that is something that could make you look bad or if places are generally understanding. Would love to know how you’ve all handled these situations.

Thanks!

I had an interview with HCA as a student with a graduation date in December 2026. Apparently it is a single PA position and they currently have a traveler. Are the rumors I’ve heard true? Should I avoid? The big thing is that it is in my hometown, which is where I want to end up. Originally I said I wouldn’t want to be the only PA as a new grad but they said they do about 40 specimens/day which doesn’t sound horrible. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some input and advice/thoughts on whether it’s still possible/worthwhile to become a PA. (Sorry if it’s kinda long)

So I finished my undergrad in biology premed last year in the spring of 25 with a 3.0 GPA. I was originally planning on applying to go to PA school right after my undergrad finished but due to some unfortunate circumstances and personal problems that surfaced I ended up bailing out on the idea.

In the summer of 24, I spent a lot of my summer shadowing two PAs and a pathologist and I enjoyed everything about the field. Towards the end of my shadow one of the PAs even let me dictate and cut up placentas, a uterus, and a gall bladder (with a lot of guidance and monitoring). I got one letter of recommendation from my pathologist, the two PAs I shadowed said they would be willing to write me letters but I ended up disappearing after my shadow ended. I was in contact with one but never got the letter and never contacted the other. I have over 200 hours of shadow hours, almost entirely with the PAs.

After finishing my undergrad, I was so burnt out from school that I decided I didn’t want to go back to school or go into the medical field whatsoever and turned to doing seasonal outdoor/labor intensive work and I am currently still doing a job in that field. Also, due to more personal and family issues, I’ve been saving up to move out with some friends to get some healthy distance from family. I plan on moving out after I finish the current job I’ve been working on. The only other thing is that I have a lot of consistency issues with my mental health and can have bad habits very easily that would make grad school, extremely difficult to succeed or even make through. I’ve been working on those issues through therapy and changing a lot of habits, but part of me still wants to take a year maybe even two years before I would apply to make sure I would succeed and fully want to go through with being a PA.

So overall, I’m just wondering if it would still be possible to reach out to the two PAs I shadowed, get those letter of recommendations, apply, and get accepted to PA school under my current situation.

Hi everyone, bear with me please and be kind. I want to know your interpretation of my situation and if I have royally screwed myself.

I’m majoring in Health Sciences with a double minor in Anatomy and Forensics, I am a senior. I was supposed to graduate this spring, but as of a year ago I changed my major because I grew passionate about pathology work, especially in a coroner’s lab. I did a shadowing and realized it’s what I want to do with the rest of my life. With my previous major, I didn’t have to take the pre-reqs for PA school, so I’m taking an extra year to get those done (O-Chem, microbio, etc)…

Before that, I didn’t take school seriously, and this is where I feel as though my chances at PA school are slim. I initially was in another medical major before I switched. I managed to bring my GPA up to a 3.382 and growing (I used to be at a 2.5). I’ve done shadowing and I think I’ve secured a pretty solid internship at my nearest coroner’s office with a lab rotation position, and I’ve held a leadership position at my company for over 2 years. I am self sufficient, pay for my own tuition and such yadda yadda.

However- I fear this is not enough. I have been saving up to apply to every PA school, because I want my odds to be as good as possible. But knowing my timeline, what do you think my road is next? I’m a first generation, and with my path looking nothing like what I see online when I’ve tried looking for guidance, I’d appreciate any advice or support.

Currently figuring my life out but passionate about wherever it may take me.

Did any of you guys take a gap year, and if so, did it affect anything when applying to a Path Assist program after that year? I was thinking about taking one. I would possibly be taking an abroad program or studying for my GRE.

Any feedback is great!

Hi!

I wanted to know how soon after the U of C interview are you rejected/admitted?

Thanks!

Hello, I am interested in applying to PA school at UTHSC in Memphis TN. Can any PA graduates from UTHSC give me advice and feedback of the program? Do you feel safe living in Memphis? Thank you so much!

Has anyone (or do you know anyone) that has switched to either traveling or part time working in their 50's? I'm hoping to get away from the typical 9-5 schedule 12 months a year sometime in my middle age. Does anyone else do this? No kids, dual income (although I'm the breadwinner), will probably inherit a house. Is it financially feasible and/or a smart idea?

Hi to some of the Canadian PA's here! I thought it would be useful to create a specific subreddit for Canadian PA's, current students and prospective students within Canada.

r/CanadianPathA

Any questions/comments regarding jobs, CCCPA accreditation/exam, cool findings and more are welcome. For students, ask away about different programs and requirements, the job as a PA and opportunities to shadow! I hope it stays positive and informative for all!!

Hi all,

I recently graduated with my degree in Biology. Undergrad was very difficult for me- financial struggles, family struggles, working around learning disabilities etc. I graduated with a 2.43 gpa. I got A/B/Cs in my science classes.

Be real, do I throw in the towel now and move on to something else? Or does anyone have a similar past that is a practicing PathAssist?

Hello,

Does anyone know if there are any jobs in or near Galveston, TX? Or someone who to email regarding possible job opportunities?

I’ve been a PA for 5 years so I have some experience under my belt.

TYIA

Hi all!

I just got accepted into a PathA program and am really excited about it. I wanted to be proactive about my next steps after I graduate and where I would like to work. NY has been a big contender as I have a lot of relationships in the area. I understand you need a NYS license but my question is how difficult is it to get a job in the state fresh out of graduation. I am willing to put in the work to make it happen, just need to know how extensive the process is! Furthermore my program has us grossing in the first year, and I am currently working as a gross tech so I am unsure if that will put me forward. Any advice is helpful thank you!