Best products from r/physicianassistant

My bf actually bought me an ipad mini and it worked wonders! Considering my program also had online books, it was extremely nifty to carry around compared to my Macbook or the textbook itself. On my rotations, I saw some students even carry it throughout the day in their pockets (which was a little extreme). In PA school, you'll going to need to write galore no matter what. Because my program printed everything out for me already, I didn't always take notes on it. The iPad was more for convenience rather than putting all my notes and lectures on it. That's more for the laptop (because that's a lot of lectures!) but you can always connect the two through Google Drive or iCloud. If she's the type that studies better by writing and doesn't have access to printed notes, iPad is nice because you can write on it and add additional notes to texts.

On the less pricey side,

1. If she's a coffee lover, a PA mug would be cute. http://www.cafepress.com/+physician_assistant_gift_travel_mug,1386146683?utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=1386146683--c-9053111&utm_source=pla-google&utm_campaign=172671250&utm_content=13672263130
   
   
2. If she's a wine lover, cute PA wine glass.
   http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Funny-Sided-Physician-Assistant/dp/B01B6O3YK6/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1456868908&sr=1-3&keywords=physician+assistant+wine+glass
   
   
3. A box of her favorite snacks or drinks that she can take to lecture and munch on while she's studying. Often students barely have time to eat. If they do, it's often junk food.
   
   
4. If she's a visual learner, a big white board or small portable whiteboard. Big white board is great for scheduling and writing out notes to yourself. Small white board is great for practicing writing things over and over again if that's how she studies.
   
   
5. If she likes yoga, anything athletic, or any other hobby, a giftcard to whatever activity she likes because she will need a break here and there to keep her sanity.
   
   
6. Your ear, patience and understanding because PA school and pharm school are no joke in terms of being time consuming, physically and emotionally draining.
   
   Best of luck to you in pharm school and her in PA school!

Volunteer work is not always accepted as health care experience, and even if they do, the kind of volunteer work you can do without any licensing (like EMT) is generally not accepted as it does not require real medical knowledge or responsibility. You will need to got to CNA school or EMT school at a minimum. Your GPA is not very competitive for a person without experience. The average accepted GPA is around 3.4, and average experience is about 4500 Hours. You can get in with less than both of those, but not with no experience and bottom end GPA.

I have read several of your posts here and you don't seem to really understand what you are getting into. That is OK, as it sounds like you just decided this might be a good path for you. Take some time to learn about the profession, and try to find a PA to shadow to see what the job really entails. Lots of people think "Hey! 6 figures after 2 years of school? Count me in!." Nothing wrong with that either as long as that is not the only reason. If it IS the only reason, then you will be VERY unhappy in PA school and in practice.

Also, don't expect to get into PA school in your hometown. Most applicants apply to 10 (or even more) schools and with your lower GPA you will need to be pretty open minded. Keep in mind most schools get 1000-2000 applications for 24-80 spots.

So, with this in mind, if you really are willing to pursue this you most certainly can achieve it!

1. You need to get a 1-2 years of medical experience. I suggest EMT if there are jobs in your area. Otherwise CNA would be OK.
   
   
2. Raise your GPA a little. Fortunately you are above the 3.0 mark most schools require. Getting As in pre-reqs is the name of the game as you go along. Don't worry about your overall GPA as much as making your science GPA and last 60 hours look good. Keep in mind that 99% of schools do not take grade replacement. If you have "replaced" a bunch of grades your GPA will be a lot lower than you think. Any retakes are just averaged into your overall grade.
   
   buy this book and read it: http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Getting-Physician-Assistant-Edition/dp/007163973X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407120016&sr=8-1&keywords=pa+school
   
   Hang out a www.physicianassistantforum.com and learn more about the profession and how to get into school.
   
   Good luck!

I second this. I got a Littmann Cardiology IV which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!! The sound quality has been great. I second the gift card idea as there's plenty of style choices, so your bf might appreciate being able to choose that aspect. But as a fellow PA-S1, I highly recommend this stethoscope. Best of luck to your bf!! And it's nice of you to be supportive!

The hand book of NSG is a must

Neurocritical Care is a must if you have a MICU/SICU

Neuroanatomy Through Clinical Cases is a good textbook which focuses on all the major points and many fine details you will need to know as you go through your career. I use this book when I make lectures.

You'll also want to read some review articles on ICP management, vasospasm dx and tx following SAH, hypertonic saline, neuro imaging.

There are some youtube videos that will help get you started with imaging:

For Head CT

For C-spine CT

For MRI in general

For Lumbar MRI

I recommend referring back to these resources as you see patients with the afflictions as it will help it stick. If you just read about things without using them in practice I think you'll find it is easily forgotten. Best of luck!

I recently just went on Amazon and searched for books related to my new specialty - I'm starting an IR job after 10 years in ICU and surgical fields. I read the reviews and found one that was a "must read" for residents and figured that would suit me well. It may go beyond my scope a little but I'm excited to walk in day 1 with a really good knowledge base.

Something like this would probably be good: https://www.amazon.com/Neurosurgery-Fundamentals-Nitin-Agarwal/dp/1626238227/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=neurosurgery&qid=1570120554&sr=8-9

Myself and many of my classmates used the
Comprehensive Review book. It follows along the content guides quite well for both the PAEA post rotation exams and PANCE. It definitely isn’t a deep dive into any particular topic but gives a pretty good summary. I found it useful throughout all of PA school. For some of the more content heavy didactic systems based course we had a few people bought the Step-UP to Medicine for what ever the particular topic was. A lot more detail in those versus the other study guide I mentioned.

I can't comment on the UC Bootcamp, but if you aren't already subscribed to Urgent Care RAP, I highly suggest doing so. Here you can get $25 off your subscription.

As far as preparing, review the most common UC diagnoses, which honestly could be just about anything lol. I reviewed this book when I first started out and I still use it as a reference from time to time but now I mostly use UTD.

By far the best resource you can have. Never a time when PANCE Prep Pearls isn't relevant. All of my classmates have it too as a supplement, and my professor just said it is "worth its weight in gold" at the end of lecture today. I also will second UpToDate as a great online and app resource.

I also have Sanford's Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy and [Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2017 Classic Shirt-Pocket Edition] (https://www.amazon.com/Tarascon-Pocket-Pharmacopoeia-Classic-Shirt-Pocket/dp/1284118991/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510030082&sr=8-1&keywords=pharmacopeia+2017+pocket) as a prescription resource I can keep in my white coat.

I LOVE my CLARKS! I tried them on at Kohl's but bought them on Amazon for 1/2 price! Many of the OR nurses I talked to swear by them! =)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010TR5QCA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071454284/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A14MPLZZF570E5

It's a great book, a few friends have been using it as reference for clinicals and I have found it useful in my studies during didactic.

Like almost 10% of PAs who responded to the AAPA yearly review, I'm in orthopedics.

I used Handbook of fractures during my first year. I literally carried it everywhere I went
I am using Surgical Exposures in Orthopedics to learn my anatomy beyond Netters
I use Orthobullets every day and am working my way through their residency 365 day core curriculum study plan
I used Pocket Orthopedics when I first started, but now I realize its a bit outdated
I used This Instrumentation Book when I first started to learn all the instruments
I used this Scrub Tech book when I first started
I used Essentials of General Surgery for basic floor management stuff

Hope that helps

This is a great resource, and only $32 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Certification-Recertification-Examinations-Assistants/dp/145119109X

I used a previous edition when I studied for the PANCE. I am actually taking the PANRE on Saturday and used a newer edition.

It has about 400 pages of content, a 300 question practice test and an online question bank (not sure how many).

When studying, practice questions are key. I also really like:

https://www.amazon.com/Physician-Assistant-Examination-Seventh-Allied/dp/0071845054

About $38 and has 1300 practice questions.

There is a book by Kaplan that is absolute garbage.

I just bought this for the PANCE: http://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Certification-Recertification-Examinations-Assistants/dp/145119109X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410579591&sr=8-1&keywords=pance+review

I'd say it's pretty good. There is a pre and post-test section with answers in the book, plus it gives you access to their online question bank of some 1000 questions or so. The answers are contained within a separate section of the book, which means you have to flip back and forth, but they include explanations to the various answer choices. Overall, fairly basic info, but worthwhile.

This isn't an answer to your question, I just wanted to tell you about the book you're using.

I used the Physician Assistant Exam for Dummies practice questions too. During the cardiology section I was working through some questions with a classmate and we found out that one of the questions was blatantly wrong (I don't remember which). We checked a couple textbooks and uptodate.com and sure enough it was keyed wrong or they just didn't know any better. I haven't touched that book since.

This review book so far has been the best for material. It's well organized and has some practice exams.

The PANCE pearls book has been fantastic for learning what to focus on for the PANCE.

Take it in a little bit at a time. Focus on a couple things at a time instead of the entire daunting aspect of it all. You can do this.

Just passed the PANCE a few weeks ago. I liked A Comprehensive Review For the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants

I recommend the Kaplan PANCE High Yield lecture videos and second the Kaplan PANCE Qbank.

I was not a fan of CME4Life. Seemed long and drawn out for little content, and most of his methods for remembering things weren't helpful to me.

I am just about to graduate and am wrapping up my clinical time with a neurology office that I will be taking my first job at. Suggestions from the MD that I think are great:

Lange Clinical Neurology and Neuroanatomy

Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases

HeadNeckBrainSpine

You'd be much better off reading something like the Resident Readiness books. Looking up the underlying pathophys is fine, but IMO you should invest most of your time into something that will be applicable to everyday practice.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Resident-Readiness-Internal-Medicine-Klamen/dp/0071773185

Minor Emergencies by Buttaravoli is a nice resource.

https://www.amazon.com/Minor-Emergencies-Expert-Consult-Online/dp/0323079091/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=urgent+care&qid=1550879900&s=gateway&sr=8-1

There was a similar thread to this a while back that had a bunch of good books in it but I can't seem to find it . The only book I wrote down was

https://www.amazon.com/Minor-Emergencies-Expert-Consult-Online/dp/0323079091

That first year is so tough. It's like drinking from the firehose of knowledge. I spent countless hours studying my first year. Difficult to find a break. We had a list of commons and my study group would break down those lists and present to each other regarding those commons on the weekends. If there was confusion, we'd talk about it. This bad boy helped with some last minute preparation as well.

also this book -
https://www.amazon.com/Pance-Prep-Pearls-Dwayne-Williams/dp/1542330297/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1ANE86KWC2G7Z&keywords=pance+prep+pearls+2019&qid=1564375195&s=gateway&sprefix=pance+prep%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-3