Becoming a PA is like stepping through a golden gateway—what awaits on the other side is a career that puts human beings first and pays handsomely.
If you're an aspiring PA in New Mexico, you're probably wondering what the best PA schools in New Mexico are.
Well, that’s exactly what we discuss throughout the sections below. So let's get right into it!
Which PA School in New Mexico Is Best?
Currently, St. Francis University and the University of New Mexico are the only universities in New Mexico that offer full-time, in-person PA programs.
Both Programs are reputable, but St. Francis has a slight edge (judging by available data).
But if you're an aspiring PA in New Mexico and want to avoid enrolling in any in-person program, you can enroll in an accredited online program.
What Do You Have to Do to Get Into PA School?
To get into PA school, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in relevant science, such as biology, microbiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, A&P, nursing, or health science.
You must also do well as an undergraduate, earning a GPA no lower than 3.25. In addition, your major GPA should be between 3.5 and 4.0. Also, it's good to double-major.
You'll also need to score 300 or higher on the GRE. Individuals must take that test to be eligible for enrollment at most US graduate schools.
A PA school’s admissions board will also want to see that you participated in relevant extracurricular activities. Experiences gained through these often help students provide unique insights in the classroom.
Are All PA Programs the Same?
No, not all PA programs are the same. In fact, that is impossible since programs don’t utilize the same structures, cover different topics, and are taught by different professors.
Plus, despite some similarities, in-person classes and online classes are far from equivalent.
In-Person vs Online vs Hybrid
In-person classes are preferred by many students, mainly because there's face-to-face classroom engagement with peers and professors. These engagements often make the overall learning experience more fulfilling.
But to attend in-person classes as a full-time student, you’ll need to live on campus or commute. Either of these two options will add to the total cost of your education.
If you want more flexibility when enrolled in a PA program, opt for an online option. The classes are just as rigorous as in-person classes, but you'll have more flexibility (in terms of completing work).
Plus, these are cheaper since you don’t have to live on campus or commute.
Want the best of what in-person classes and online classes have to offer? Then going with a hybrid format is your best bet.
In these programs, you'll only have to attend classes a few times a week. That means you'll be able to take advantage of classroom engagements and still have more flexibility when completing work at home.
In-person, online, and hybrid programs all make students acquire clinical experience.
Asynchronous vs Synchronous
In online and hybrid programs, you'll have asynchronous and synchronous classes.
Asynchronous classes can be completed at your convenience. That said, these do have fixed deadlines that are set in advance, so you’ll need to meet them.
Synchronous classes require you to show up at designated times during the week. During these classes, the professor will engage with students and encourage student-to-student engagement.
How Much Do PAs Make?
According to several sites that track average salaries across industries, physician assistants in New Mexico make between $97,000 and $117,000 a year. More experienced physician assistants can make upwards of $140,000 annually.
How much you make in a year is primarily determined by your qualifications, experience, and location.
How Long Does It Take To Become a PA?
The vast majority of PA programs take two years to complete.
Full-time, in-person programs almost always take two years to complete. On the other hand, online and hybrid courses can take longer (sometimes 2.5 to 3 years).
The average student will spend seven semesters learning before graduating, which usually breaks down to 147 course hours.
If you were licensed before the master’s was required, you could enroll in an accelerated master’s program. These usually take 1.5 to 2 years.
What Do You Have to Do to Become a PA?
The first step towards becoming a licensed physician assistant is getting a bachelor’s degree in a science that's related to this field, such as biology, chemistry, A&P, or nursing.
After acquiring a bachelor’s degree, you must get a physician assistant master’s. This degree takes two years to get, and you'll need to take a certain amount of didactic courses and complete clinical rotations.
After graduating, you’ll need to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Upon passing this, you can apply for licensure in New Mexico.
To maintain your license, you’ll need to complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years, and you’ll need to pass the PANCE every ten years.
What Does a PA Do?
A physician assistant will help doctors, specialists, and surgeons with various duties. They also share many of the responsibilities that these medical professionals have.
They work in all kinds of facilities, and the facility a physician assistant works in largely determines their responsibilities.
That said, just because you're in a small hospital doesn't mean you can't have more responsibilities than a physician who works in a much larger facility.
Who Can Help With the PA School Enrollment Process?
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