Any PA's or Moms who had LO's while in school?
brookandshan
member
Hi ladies! I usually hang out on the TTGP board but thought my question would be more relevant for this board. My DH and I are TTC in October. I'll also be applying to PA school in a year (wouldn't start for two years if I got in immediately). I'm curious if any of you ladies went through PA school (or any other school for that matter) with a LO and what your experience was like (the demand, hours away at school/clinicals, etc). Also, was curious what the demand as a PA is like as a working mom. The majority of my friends are SAHM and haven't been really encouraging/supportive of my choice to be a working mom/go back to school, so I'm interested in getting another perspective. DH and I were both raised by working moms and I definitely don't think it will be easy by any means. TIA!
Re: Any PA's or Moms who had LO's while in school?
I am not a PA, but I had 2 kids during residency. From my perspective, the PA's seem to have fairly regular work hours, aren't expected to work time they aren't scheduled/compensated, and seemed to be pretty happy.
You might get some more responses on this message board www.mommd.com. There are a lot of PA's who post there. It is really slow, and it may take a few days/weeks to get a response though.
I am a PA. My hours now are 8:30-4:00 and I work with a great group of doctors that are understanding if I have to have time off for certain things. That is one of the great things about being a PA. You can work in one field for a few years and then work in something entirely different later on. You can find a job working as many or as few hours as you like.
When I went to PA school, the first year was all class work 8-4 and a lot of studying was required. The second year was divided into (9) 5 week rotations. Rotations like family practice had very predictible hours. ER and surgery less so and there was call involved with certain rotations but they were only 5 weeks so I think it would be doable. I went to school straight after undergrad but about 1/2 my classmates had families and made it work. Some programs now may have online portions of their programs or more flexible schedules. Good Luck!
I am also a PA, but I work in ortho surgery and my job is more like 7-whenever the day ends - sometimes, 3, sometimes 11pm. I love what I do and the group of docs I work with, but it is very hard to be a good surgical PA and be able to be around for my kid. For that reason alone, I'm looking for something with a little more stable hours. I agree with the PP that said you can always change your job, thats where I am now.
When I went to school it was also 8-4 or 5 and a TON of studying was required.. The second year was also 9 - 5 week rotations, some were 20 hours and some were 80 hours with call. I also went right after school and didn't have a family but some did, and got by. Just remember you can do anything for a year!