So, you want to become a PA — good choice! A career as a physician assistant is very noble, fulfilling, and life-enriching. You’re headed to a very versatile profession where you will grow every day and change people’s lives! But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Before you can live your dream of becoming a PA, there are some hurdles that you need to overcome. The road to the starting point, i.e. PA school is not an easy one, considering all the requirements and qualifications. But with the right preparation and of course, determination, your PA school application will be a breeze.
In this article, we’re zooming in on one of the most important aspects of your PA school application — PA shadowing. While some programs do not require shadowing experience, it’s highly recommended to give your application more leverage and also provide you with the experience and insights you need to excel in your chosen PA program, nay, your PA career itself!
Shadowing Requirements for PA School
Depending on the university or institution where you want to complete your PA education, the requirements for shadowing experience may vary. Some schools do not require but strongly recommend it, while others consider it a prerequisite to your application.
Here are some examples of PA programs that require shadowing experience:
Alderson Broaddus University, WV (see other top PA assistant programs in WV)
Augusta University, GA
Bay Path University, MA (one of the best PA schools in MA)
Bethel University, TN
Chatham University, PA
Concordia University, WI
Des Moines University, IA
Elon University, NC (a top PA program)
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, LA
Gannon University, PA
Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation, IN
King’s College, PA
Midwestern University - Downers Grove, IL
Midwestern University - Glendale, AZ
Rush University, IL
Rutgers University, NJ
Saint Francis University, PA
Samuel Merritt University, CA
Seton Hall University, NJ (one of the best PA schools in NJ)
Seton Hill University, PA
Sullivan University, KY
Touro University - Bay Shore, NY
Trevecca Nazarene University, TN
University of Mount Union, OH
University of New England, ME
University of St. Francis - New Mexico, (one of the best PA schools in New Mexico)
University of Missouri - Kansas City, MO
How Many Hours of Shadowing Do You Need for PA School?
Among the schools that require PA shadowing experience, the minimum number of hours also varies. Some PA programs require only 10 hours of shadowing, while others may ask for 24 to 40+ hours. There are also schools that require shadowing experience to be completed with two to three PAs in different practice settings.
It’s important to do your research on the requirements of specific PA programs on your radar. Check if PA shadowing experience is required or strongly recommended. And even if it’s not, we highly encourage that you shadow a PA anyway for leverage in your application and to gain the opportunity to learn more about the profession.
Why PA Shadowing is Important
The PA profession is very broad and no matter how much you read about it or scour textbooks for medical concepts, you’re not going to truly get a glimpse of your future career until you see it for yourself. You know what they say, experience is the best teacher.
Immersing yourself in the environment where a PA works will give you an inside look at the profession, give you an idea of what PAs do daily, and build your knowledge of how to interact with patients and where to focus your energy. You can ask them questions about the profession and their practice as well.
Witnessing a PA on the job can also reinforce your decision to pursue a PA career. It helps you deepen your understanding of the profession and determine if it’s the right fit for you, your interests, skills, and long-term goals. It gives you a sneak peek of what you’re getting yourself into, and if your shadowing experience ignites your passion to pursue a career as a PA, then you can use that motivation to thrive and excel in PA school.
How Do You Get PA Shadowing Experience?
PA shadowing requirements are following a PA throughout their workday, observing what they do as part of their responsibilities. With that, the first step is finding a PA to shadow. This can be challenging, especially with their busy schedules.
We provide tips below on how to find and secure your PA shadowing mentor, but generally, you may need to send emails, conduct phone calls, and even visit PAs in their clinics to ask them if you could shadow. If you have family members in the profession, they can be viable mentors as well!
You can also visit medical centers, local hospitals, and clinics and do your research on available internship or shadowing experience opportunities. Another option is to visit your state’s association of physician assistants and connect with PAs in your area. PA students can become members too, helping you build a network of aspiring PAs such as yourself.
There are a few resources you can tap into to find and access more PAs you can set up shadowing sessions with. Take some time to explore:
PA Shadow Online - It allows you to create a profile, browse PAs in the community, and directly contact them for shadowing experience opportunities.
Physician Assistant Forum - This has a section dedicated to exploring shadowing opportunities.
COPE Health Opportunities - A program where you can apply for shadowing experience in hospitals and healthcare institutions.
Who Should You Shadow?
Most PA programs would require your shadowing experience to be with a physician assistant in practice. After all, you’re aiming to do what they do, so shadowing a PA will give you valuable and relevant insights into the profession you’re pursuing.
However, it’s also very advantageous to be acquainted with other members of the healthcare community as well. Shadowing physicians (MD) and nurse practitioners (NP) is recommended to give you an idea of how they work with PAs, as well as the differences between their responsibilities and those of a physician assistant.
While you may not know your desired specialization as early as now, you may also want to consider shadowing PAs who are in your field of interest. PAs work in different environments and specialize in different areas of medicine. Depending on your preferences, you may want to shadow PAs in the following fields:
Cardiology
Emergency medicine
Endocrinology
Pediatrics
Primary care
Urgent care
Keep your options open and be willing to learn about different PAs and the medical teams they are part of. The longer and more versatile your shadowing experience is, the stronger you are as a candidate for PA programs — regardless if PA shadowing experience is required or not!
How to Find the Right PA Shadowing Mentor
Half the journey is finding and accessing the right PA shadowing mentor — one who is available to accommodate you and who can help you maximize your shadowing experience. Take these tips to access the right people and increase your chances of setting up a shadowing opportunity.
Look the Part
First impressions count when meeting PAs, so the first step is looking presentable. We don’t mean spending hundreds of dollars on suits! Dressing the part can be as simple as looking clean and coordinated. Wear clothes that look professional and make you feel confident. It’s also worth getting a fresh haircut or tying your hair up to look neat and tidy.
Do Your Research
To find good shadowing opportunities, you’ll need to do a lot of research. Browse PA forums, check out websites of PA associations, and explore healthcare institutions and medical facilities in your area. Check if they employ PAs and have a formal shadowing program. If they do, read through the details such as opening dates, application periods, etc.
If the medical facilities on your radar don’t have formal shadowing programs, that doesn’t mean you should cross them off your list! Take the initiative to reach out to them and inquire if they can accommodate PA shadowing.
Identify Your Goals
Most PAs will try to decipher whether or not they want to take the time to mentor you. So they would ask questions that will help them determine if it’s worth their time. Prepare your answers to the common questions of why you want to become a PA and what you expect out of the shadowing experience.
Compile Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation can help establish your professionalism, dedication, and other positive characteristics that will land you a PA shadowing opportunity. Include recommendation letters in your shadowing application. These can come from any previous employer, an organization where you volunteered, or even an undergraduate professor.
Meet Personally or Get in Their Radar
Sending emails and calling phones are good ways to let medical facilities or independent PAs know that you’re interested in PA shadowing. But with how busy the medical profession is, it’s easy to get brushed off. Make the effort to visit the facility and speak to relevant people in person.
Or better yet, position yourself on their radar by getting a part-time job or volunteering in a medical facility. This will give you the chance to work with PAs and connect with them about shadowing opportunities.
What Do You Do When Shadowing a PA?
PA shadowing is more than just following a PA around and observing. You need to be prepared to immerse yourself in the experience and to stay professional throughout. You want to make sure that you give the PA a pleasant experience mentoring you, and of course, learn as much as you can during the process. Here are some things to keep in mind when shadowing a PA.
Before Shadowing
Before your first day of shadowing, make sure to inquire about the dress code in the clinic or medical facility. You want to dress in a manner appropriate for the environment where you will spend most of your time. Most importantly, make sure you manage your commute time wisely and aim to arrive in the PA’s office at least 15 minutes before the time you agreed upon.
During Shadowing
On your first day shadowing, your PA mentor will likely want to get to know you better. They’ll ask you questions and discuss expectations with you, as well as any requests they may have. It’s important to pay attention and always remain mindful throughout your shadowing experience.
It would be handy to have a notebook for notes and other lessons you pick up along the way. But be careful not to write notes in front of a patient, as this can make them uncomfortable. Further, the Respect the Protected Health Information (PHI) Guidelines prohibit you from writing down any identifying information about a patient.
Remember that a medical facility is a busy environment, so do your best not to disrupt usual operations. Stay courteous, professional, and respectful to everyone — your PA, other staff, and patients.
Your shadowing experience is a very good opportunity for you to soak up as much knowledge as possible. So get in the mindset of learning and improving. If given the opportunity, help around with non-clinical tasks or ask your PA mentor how you can be of assistance.
Post-Shadowing
When wrapping up your PA shadowing experience, make sure you know the requirements of your program. They may need details about the medical facility where you completed your PA shadowing, a timesheet of your shadowing hours, or signatures from your PA mentor. Some schools ask for a certificate from the medical facility. Make sure you handle these before wrapping up.
Finishing your shadowing sessions will be fulfilling. You’re armed with more information about the profession and completed a very valuable experience that will help you in your program and career down the line! Remember to thank your PA for taking the time to show you around and mentor you. You can also send a token of appreciation if you see fit.
How to Improve the PA Shadowing Experience
While the idea of PA shadowing is to stand back and watch, there are things you can do to get more out of the experience.
Ask Questions
PAs appreciate students who are willing to learn and they’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the profession. You can ask your PAs things like:
Where they completed their PA education
How they liked their PA program and any tips they may have for you
Why they chose their medical field
What they like most about their job
The challenges that they face
Not only will this help you learn more about a career as a PA, but it can also solidify your desire to pursue the profession (or change your mind).
Aim for Quality Shadowing Experience
More than meeting the number of hours of shadowing required by your PA program, make this experience count by really striving to learn. Instead of aiming for several hours to leverage for your PA school application, prioritize the quality of your shadowing experience.
For example, shadowing for more than the minimum hours required may allow you to see more patients and learn about how to interact with different people. You’ll also be able to witness more of what a PA does in an entire shift.
It’s also wise to shadow PAs in different areas of practice. This will give you an idea of what you would like to specialize in down the line and what each environment is like.
Ideally, having 50 to 100 hours of shadowing experience across multiple specialties is a good goal to aim for. You’ll know that you got a quality shadowing experience when you’ve seen a glimpse of different specialties and have a grasp of the PA practice, a PA’s role and responsibilities, and the medical environment.
Stay Connected
It’s also a good idea to stay connected with your PA mentor. You can occasionally give them updates about your progress and ask for advice. Who knows, this might lead to job opportunities down the line.
Maximize Your PA Shadowing Experience for Your Career
Shadowing a PA is one of the best opportunities you’ll get at the beginning of your PA journey. Aside from making you a stronger candidate for your PA program of choice, shadowing gives you a chance to witness the environment you will be in when you start your practice and also arms you with valuable knowledge you can apply in PA school. So make your PA shadowing experience count and cherish the enriching opportunity!
