The Physician Assistant Startup Podcast: Recent Episodes

Chris Darst, PA-C

The PA Startup Podcast is a stellar podcast for pre-PA students, current PA students, and new grads starting their careers as Physician Assistants. We offer topical episodes, interviews with practicing PAs offering practical advice about the PA profession and lifestyle, as well as listener-submitted questions and answers. Not everything is taught in school--get the real story with PA Startup and get started on your way to become a PA with PAStartup.co.

View Details

The PANCE blueprint has a lot of topics to study, so how do you know what to focus on?

We haven't ever claimed to be the best students in the world, but you can gain from both our procrastination and our experience as preceptors over the last 14 years: Learn the basics. Know the easy stuff: 3 options for treating nausea, most likely causes of postoperative fever...don't swing for the fences and learn obscure pimp questions. Those might get you some props in the moment, but the best students (who we later pursue for jobs) are the ones who get the big picture.

Google search the "Top conditions diagnosed in _____________ (insert rotation name here)" and you'll quickly see what you can focus on for your rotation. Get a solid understanding of those and you'll make a good impression. Yes, you have to learn it all for the PANCE exam, but as your rotation draws near, you'll feel crunched for time - learning a good foundation of the most common things you'll be seeing will absolutely help you out.

See the video of this podcast and the rest of the show notes here: https://youtu.be/Cd77EkH1hzg

View Details

PASchool #PAStudent #PhysicianAssistant #PrePA #PAStartup

Shadowing, school, rotations...it all seems so overwhelming.

A recent Reddit post reminded us of being in school and wondering how we'd ever remember or understand things to make it as a PA.

We have some tips for you!

Don't forget to subscribe to the PA Startup channel.

Leave us a rating and review!

Visit us: https://pastartup.co

FREE RESOURCES: https://pastartup.co/resources

Complete Episode List: https://pastartup.co/podcastlist

Give us a FOLLOW! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastartup/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/PAStartup

Support PA Startup:

Swag: https://pastartup.co/store

Audible trial: https://pastartup.co/audible

PA Startup Guide to Writing Your Application Essay: https://pastartup.co/essay

------------------------------------------------------------ Intro/Outtro Music Dizzy by Joakim Karud http://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-7YDBIGCXsY


View Details

PASchool #PAStudent #PhysicianAssistant #PrePA #PAStartup

Shadowing, school, rotations...it all seems so overwhelming. A recent Reddit post reminded us of being in school and wondering how we'd ever remember or understand things to make it as a PA. We have some tips for you!

Don't forget to subscribe to the PA Startup channel.

Leave us a rating and review!

Links: Visit us: https://pastartup.co

FREE RESOURCES: https://pastartup.co/resources

Complete Episode List: https://pastartup.co/podcastlist

Give us a FOLLOW!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastartup/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/PAStartup

Support PA Startup:

Swag: https://pastartup.co/store Audible trial: https://pastartup.co/audible

PA Startup Guide to Writing Your Application Essay: https://pastartup.co/essay

------------------------------------------------------------ Intro/Outtro Music Dizzy by Joakim Karud http://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-7YDBIGCXsY ------------------------------------------------------------

View Details

Psychiatry is actually in every specialty, but what would a job as a PA in in psych be like?

Meet our friend Ariana, a Psychiatry PA (who recently moved on to Burn and Reconstructive Surgery)--she has some amazing tips for medical providers of any kind!

She has been active in her state chapter as well to help advance the PA profession both in the field of psychiatry as well as Optimal Team Practice!

Thank you Ariana!

Ariana's Instagram: https://instagram.com/sparkles_and_scalpels_

Timestamps:

  • 11:30 - How to connect on some level with patient
  • 14:20 - Establishing trust
  • 32:00 - What her typical day is like
  • 39:00 - Future of PAs in Psych
  • 41:00 - Optimal Team Practice and defining "interdependence"

Don't forget to subscribe to the PA Startup channel on YouTube HERE. Leave us a comment while you're there; we need something to do while we wait for our next case to start!

Links:

Visit us: https://pastartup.co

FREE RESOURCES: https://pastartup.co/resources

Complete Episode List: https://pastartup.co/podcastlist

Give us a FOLLOW!

YouTube: https://youtube.com/PAStartup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastartup/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PAStartupDOTco

Support PA Startup:

Swag: https://pastartup.co/store

Audible trial: https://pastartup.co/audible

PA Startup Guide to Writing Your Application Essay: https://pastartup.co/essay


Intro/Outtro Music Dizzy by Joakim Karud http://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-7YDBIGCXsY


View Details

Want to watch this podcast instead? (you'll quickly see we have good faces for podcasting!): https://youtu.be/go9Edf69LDw

Support PA Startup, subscribe to our channel--I mean, we might as well make this official, am I right?

How do you find a good fit as a new graduate who is just wanting to get hired? Too often new grads take a job without thinking about their relationship with the physician.

We work closely with physicians as PAs, but not all physicians understand the best ways to utilize PAs. There is a huge difference between working in a practice where you're utilized well and practicing to the top of your ability versus being stuck simply doing grunt work.

Hopefully this episode can show you what to WATCH FOR and what to watch OUT for!

Links:

Visit us: https://pastartup.co

FREE RESOURCES: https://pastartup.co/resources

Complete Episode List: https://pastartup.co/podcastlist

Give us a FOLLOW!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastartup/

Support PA Startup:

Swag: https://pastartup.co/store

Audible trial: https://pastartup.co/audible

PA Startup Guide to Writing Your Application Essay: https://pastartup.co/essay

View Details

Please help support our YouTube channel: like and subscribe this video (you'll have to look past our ugly faces!!) http://hyperurl.co/PASU_YouTube

We gave students a little bit of a hard time on our "Things You SHOULDN'T Do on Rotations" episode, so it's only fair to follow up with ways you can stand out. Show notes: https://pastartup.co/episode034

What do you think? Leave a comment over on YouTube and let us know what we forgot to include!

Surgical Recall: https://amzn.to/2M9Rn7C

Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2021: https://amzn.to/3o3VqQ9

Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment: https://amzn.to/2M6zqHm

Scut Monkey: Clinician's Pocket Reference: https://amzn.to/3p07RxH

PANCE Prep Pearls, Part A: https://amzn.to/39UmFYs

PANCE Prep Pearls, Part B: https://amzn.to/392I6HL

Links: Visit us: https://pastartup.co

FREE RESOURCES: https://pastartup.co/resources

Complete Episode List: https://pastartup.co/podcastlist

Give us a FOLLOW! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastartup/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PAStartupDOTco

Support PA Startup:

Swag: https://pastartup.co/store

Audible trial: https://pastartup.co/audible

PA Startup Guide to Writing Your Application Essay: https://pastartup.co/essay

View Details

Medicine can be very serious, but given the intensity of some situations along with the awkwardness of human nature, we all have funny experiences as medical providers. Here are some of our favorites; don't worry, we add to the list daily and will have more stories to tell!

Subscribe to the PA Startup channel on YouTube! We'd love to see you over there--we have these episodes and shorter clips available for you, come say hi!

Visit us: https://pastartup.co

FREE RESOURCES: https://pastartup.co/resources

Complete Episode List: https://pastartup.co/podcastlist

Give us a FOLLOW!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastartup/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PAStartupDOTco

Support PA Startup:

Swag: https://pastartup.co/store

Audible trial: https://pastartup.co/audible

PA Startup Guide to Writing Your Application Essay: https://pastartup.co/essay

View Details

How do you pay for PA school? How hard is it to pay off student loan debt?

Meet Kristin. She’s a PA, just like us. She graduated and got a job, just like us. But that’s where the similarities stop (with us anyway!)—she paid off nearly $200,000 in student loans in JUST 16 MONTHS!

She didn’t stop there…she has some exciting things going on with her new financial freedom and BEST OF ALL—she can help YOU do it too. Kristin offers coaching both in-person and online to help you get on top of your financial situation, whether you’re a student, new grad, or old guy like Chris.

Student loans are a fact of life for pretty much everyone. With the average cost of PA school coming in at $88,677 (!!!)* we all expect to have them and have to pay them. I’ve always assumed paying them down with the minimum payment was the only option—until THIS conversation!

Give Kristin a shout: https://instagram.com/strivewithkristin

Or hit up her website for free blog articles, get on her mailing list, or check out her coaching course: https://www.strivewithkristin.com

Kristin rocks. I want to be like Kristin some day.

Time Stamps:

  • 2:26–The beauty of flexibility as a PA
  • 2:51–What’s it like working overnights?
  • 4:16–How much debt did Kristin have?
  • 7:38–HOW DID SHE GET OUT OF IT?
  • 13:45–How to pick a moonlighting gig
  • 17:25–Tips for getting started
  • 21:03–What you should be doing in school
  • 22:30–Kristin drops the mic (even more unBELIEVABLE news!)
  • 25:34–No wait, she’s not done—yet another Mic Drop moment!
  • 26:30–Where Kristin invests money (*not financial advice, just her experience!)
  • 30:05–How Kristin can help YOU do the SAME THING
  • 32:50–Where to find Kristin online, get on her mailing list, or check out her course
  • 35:39–Overwhelmed by debt? Kristin has some encouragement for you

*Thanks to The PA Life for this statistic, show Stephen some love: https://www.thepalife.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-physician-assistant-pa-school/

Don't forget to hit "Like" and subscribe to the PA Startup channel on YouTube!

Links: Visit us: https://pastartup.co

FREE RESOURCES:

  • https://pastartup.co/resources

Complete Episode List: https://pastartup.co/podcastlist

Give us a FOLLOW!

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastartup/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/PAStartupDOTco

Support PA Startup:

  • Swag: https://pastartup.co/store
  • Audible trial: https://pastartup.co/audible
  • PA Startup Guide to Writing Your Application Essay: https://pastartup.co/essay

View Details

Rotations are a great part of PA school--they provide a way to balance book knowledge with clinical knowledge, provide perspective....but also they give you an opportunity to put your best foot forward.

Full Show Notes: https://pastartup.co/episode31

Visit us on YouTube and Subscribe to the PA Startup Channel!

View Details

We're back with Season 3 of the PA Startup Podcast!  The podcast is now also on YouTube, so we'd love a "like" and subscribe over there as well!

Today is an exciting day: introducing our new cohost, Garner Wilson PA-C!  

View Details

Theresa Brodeur, PA-C is back (you'll remember her from the Residency podcast!) to talk about her job as an ER PA. This episode is jam-packed with great information.

Show notes: www.pastartup.co/episode29

View Details

What’s it like to work a day as an

Orthopedics & Plastic Surgery PA?

Today’s guest is Shannon Korth, PA-C. She started as a surgical technologist then found the PA profession. She met a lot of people working as a tech, which worked to her advantage after graduation. Read the show notes here: http://www.pastartup.co/episode28  

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

View Details

PA Residencies are out there—but what’s it like to attend one?

Today’s guest is Theresa Brodeur, PA-C who is from Syracuse, NY. She attended PA school and knew she wanted to pursue Emergency Medicine, so she attended a Residency in California to further her skills.  How did it go?  What was it like?  Read the show notes here: pastartup.co/episode27 

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

What is your Purpose as a PA?

What ignites you? Maybe you don’t know—I didn’t, and felt like an imposter.

Then my daughter and my wife almost died. It was an awful experience, but it showed me my Purpose at the most unexpected time. 

See my "little" family (we've grown since then!) at the show notes: Episode 26

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Great questions from YOU listeners!  Q&A Number 3!  Show notes here: Episode 25

Do you have a question? Send any pre-PA, current student, and new grad questions to questions@pastartup.co

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

4 things you MUST do RIGHT after your interview

Everyone’s focus is on the interview, right? That’s what you’re working for—good grades, CASPA application, letters of recommendation, and a great essay (need help with that? Check THIS out…). The day finally comes and you go to your interview…but once you’re done, what do you do next??

Check out the 4 steps in the show notes: Episode 24

Listen to Episode 18 if you haven’t already—Insights From A Program Director, as well as Episode 23-What Do I Do If I Don’t Get In…both have great info for the application process.

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Everyone fears rejection, but it’s a fact of life

Statistically speaking, it very well might be part of your PA school journey. While it hurts to not get in the first time through, the way you handle this rejection and get back on task makes all the difference. My guest for Episode 23 has lived it—and handled it like a champ.

Check out more in the show notes here: Epsiode 23

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

What is the first month like as a new PA?

The first 30, 60, 90 days as a PA are a blur for most…transitioning from a student to provider, getting a job, meeting new people, and suddenly—you’re it, you’re the provider! It can be intimidating and overwhelming, but we’ve all been there.  Meet Andre here: Epsiode 22

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Catching up with Mike, the Finance Fellow (from Episode 7) and his job as a PA in Acute Care/Trauma Medicine.  Learn more in the show notes: Episode 21

Find Mike here:

Twitter: @thefinancefello

Blog: www.TheFinanceFellow.com

Email: Thefinancefellow@gmail.com 

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Writing tips are just for pre-PAs, right? No...!

Mike Huckabee, Ph.D., PA-C, Program Director for the Mayo Clinic PA Program, talked in Episode 18 of the PA Startup Podcast how the essay is the best way to stand out among competitive applications, and I agree. It’s the START of your interview…the first chance you can show them personality outside of grades/transcripts and work history.

But writing isn’t only for applications—you’ll be writing cover letters for jobs, thank you notes to preceptors/interviewers, and in many other ways throughout your career.

But HOW you write is equally important as WHAT you write.

Check out our 5 Killer Writing Tips here: Episode 20

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

How often do we get to ask Program Directors questions and get transparent answers? NOT OFTEN, so this episode will knock your socks off!  Check out the show notes: Episode 18

Mike Huckabee, Ph.D. PA-C is the Program Director at the Mayo Clinic PA Program and a personal friend–in today’s episode we have unique access to his thoughts on pre-PA/PA applicants, application process, and more!

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Meet Stephen Pasquini, PA-C! He’s not only a Family Practice PA with over 10 years experience, he’s also the founder of The PA Life.com (https://www.thepalife.com/), an AWESOME resource for PAs.

But his reach doesn’t stop there, he’s also the founder of SmartyPance (https://smartypance.com/) (which is a great PANCE/PANRE review course!!), PANCE/PANRE Academy, author of TWO Essay books for pre-PA applicants, and offers Mock PA School Interviews for refining that PA School interview! What a guy!!!!

Oh, and he’s got a Podcast too! The Audio PANCE & PANRE

Show notes, links and more: Episode 17

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

A Day In the Life: Pulmonary Medicine

As Nick says, pulmonary patients are often the “sickest of the sick”, which is a great mindset to have when selecting rotations: if you can handle the sickest patients, then the rest won’t be as intimidating.

Show notes: Episode 16

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

A Day in the Life: General Surgery, featuring Jessica Harper, PA-C

Jessica started out in cardiac rehab and personal training before PA school, but met military PAs along the way who provided excellent care. She loved surgery and hasn’t looked back.

Show notes: Episode 15

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

New Grad Questions! Q&A #2

Thanks for all the great questions; submit yours to: questions@pastartup.co

  • Salary vs. RVUs
  • Negotiating salary for first job
  • Contract vs. Offer Letter
  • Residencies
  • Surviving vs. Flourishing in school

Show notes, links, and more info: Episode 14

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!) 

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

A Day in the Life: Cardiothoracic Surgery

Welcome to the first “day in the life of” series. This is probably my favorite type of podcast episode I have planned and want to offer you as listeners of the PA start a podcast.

When I was a student, I always wanted to know what my life would be like working in different specialties. The goal of this series is to shed some light on what an actual position in these specialties might entail.

This episode with with Eric, PA-C--a cardiothoracic surgery PA. Check out more info here: Episode 13

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Fundamentals: Negotiating

Negotiating sounds like it’s only for contracts or getting a job, but you’ll find you will have to negotiate in every aspect of your career: getting your job, finding common ground with patients, managing teams or even being managed, outside administrators, work life balance, the list goes on and on. Excellent show notes (humble brag much??): Episode 12

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

CONTRACTS and STUFF TO CONSIDER

Contracts and/or offer letters are something you usually only see once, so it’s hard to get up to speed on what should be included, and if you miss an opportunity to include something, it’s usually too late by the time you realize it. Check out things you HAVE to have and things that are good to consider in the show notes here: Episode 11

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Lessons Learned the First Year In Practice

The learning curve is steep right out of school. Often times we perceive something that is challenging but when you look back it was something different entirely. Show notes: Episode 10

Support the PA Startup Podcast!

Free 30-Day Audible Trial (free book of your choice!)

PA Startup Shirts!--Free shipping, represent your future/current profession!

Give us a follow!

Instagram: @PAStartup

Twitter: PAStartupDOTco

View Details

Preparing For the PANCE/PANRE Exam: Conversation with Certified Medical Educators

The thing standing between you and becoming a PA, other than school of course, is the PANCE exam. The Physician Assistant National Certification Exam is the ultimate goal of your PA training; it is THE comprehensive review of everything you learned in PA school. Passing this test is the last hurdle to becoming a Certified Physician Assistant and getting started in your career.

There are multiple tactics people use to best prepare for this test, so for today’s episode I asked Mike Nowak PA-C, director of Certified Medical Educators and a practicing PA to join me on the podcast. Mike has trained thousands of PAs over the years during his three- and five-day review courses and shares his best study tips and test recommendations with us.

Find Mike Nowak, PA-C and Certified Medical Educators here:

FACEBOOK: CertMedEd facebook page

WEBSITE: Certified medical educators

Links from Episode 9

Amazon links are “affiliate links” which means I earn a couple of dollars if you purchase using that link at no extra cost you. It’s a great way to help support PA startup, the podcast, and helps us continue our efforts.

NCCPA blueprint

Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, Comprehensive book (The “Blue Bible”)

  • 2019 Edition-https://amzn.to/2HWpY5O
  • 2018 Edition-https://amzn.to/2FKjfbV
  • Flashcards–https://amzn.to/2WJVgk2

CMDT Specialty Guides

  • Family Medicine–https://amzn.to/2FJabE2
  • Cardiology–https://amzn.to/2HVUbSy
  • Surgery–https://amzn.to/2WKgwGd
  • Pediatrics–https://amzn.to/2CQJdJX
  • OBGYN–https://amzn.to/2Id1WTL
  • Geriatrics–https://amzn.to/2FKM1Jf
  • Orthopedics–https://amzn.to/2I3Hkx7
  • Gastroenterology–https://amzn.to/2I3HKDH
  • Emergency Medicine–https://amzn.to/2FTt5cx

HIGHLIGHTS—Time stamps of pertinent info for quick reference:

  • 0:03–Killer Intro Music
  • 0:27–Chris Darst, PA-C Has a Cold (er, Upper Respiratory Infection)
  • 6:03–Hawaii Review Course!
  • 10:20–Setting up a Study Schedule
  • 13:40–Strategic Studying
  • 15:08–Lag Time for New Information
  • 17:53–Board Review Courses
  • 18:43–Differences Between PANCE/PANRE
  • 20:22–When Should Studying Start?
  • 23:40–Variety with Studying
  • 26:15–Why People Fail the PANCE Exam
  • 29:24–Best Study Advice I’ve Heard
  • 30:49–Test Taking Tips
  • 35:30–Looking Forward: Preparing for your next boards

View Details

Shadowing is an exceptional way to learn more about the PA profession and stay motivated throughout your academic journey. It can help you explore the PA profession, find letters of recommendation, arrange elective rotations, and even a potential job in the future.

In this week's episode of the PA Startup Podcast, we look at the benefits of shadowing, with reasons why it’s hard to arrange, 4 ways to find shadowing opportunities, and what to do before/during/after shadowing.

Here are the timestamps for the various topics we discuss in today’s episode.

  • Benefits of shadowing (3:07)
  • Reason shadowing is hard to set up (8:48)
  • What shadowing is not for (don’t go into experience for these purposes) (10:43)
  • 4 ways to search for shadowing (12:35)
  • Preparation for shadowing (17:56)
  • At shadowing (22:19)
  • After shadowing (26:32)
  • For more info (28:42)

Subscribe to the podcast here on iTunes, here on Google Play, and here on Stitcher Radio.

Links:

  • Physician Assistant Forum
  • AAPA
  • Scribe America—How to become a medical scribe

View Details

Today we talk finances with Mike “The Finance Fellow”. Mike writes a blog (www.thefinancefellow.com) about his journey from the financial world to now being a Trauma PA, discussing all different types of financial info for pre-PAs, current PA students, and practicing PAs.

More info on the show notes HERE.

Information on this Podcast does not constitute true financial advice, please seek the opinion of a financial professional before making your own personal financial decisions!

Find Mike here:

Twitter: @thefinancefello

Blog: www.TheFinanceFellow.com

Email: Thefinancefellow@gmail.com

Send Q&A questions to us: questions@pastartup.co

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play! And we’d love a rating and review!! Hit the website at pastartup.co to get updates on guides, webinars, and more!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast above, follow us on Twitter (@PAStartupDOTco), and sign up for email updates below. Man, am I bossy or what?

Also, submit your questions for our NEXT Q&A episode to questions@pastartup.co.

View Details

Congratulations to all the graduating PA students out there!  Way to go!  You did it...just pass that exam (you'll do great) and start that career!

Show notes for this episode HERE.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast above, follow us on Twitter (@PAStartupDOTco), and sign up for email updates below.  Man, am I bossy or what?

Als0, submit your questions for our NEXT Q&A episode to questions@pastartup.co.

Ok, ok...that's all!  Thanks for coming by...I appreciate it!

View Details

Welcome to our first Q & A episode! These questions were submitted via email at questions@pastartup.co.

We have four excellent questions today, I didn’t have time to feature everything that has been sent in, but please keep sending questions and we will get to them in a future episode.

Brett asks how to decide between a more expensive but highly regarded school vs. a local, more affordable program.

Emma didn't get into school this time around; what should she do now and if it looks silly to reapply to the same programs next year.

Allison asks what to do if a preceptor is “pimping” you—should you answer I don’t know if you aren’t certain of the answer or should you try even at risk and looking dumb?

Victor has a job offer but doesn't think he has much to negotiate with as a new grad, but his offer is a little lower than he'd like.

Check out these questions on Episode 5 of the PA Startup Podcast; submit your questions to questions@pastartup.co

Show notes HERE

View Details

Job interviews

Just like cover letters and resumes, job interviews are an art form. Practice makes perfect, and this episode has several different tips to help you perfect that art.

The whole purpose of the job interview is to show whoever is hiring why you were the best fit for the job. That goes both ways, you need to make sure that the job is a good fit for you as well.

There are two choices when it comes to jobs, and their importance is up to you. Most people have to decide between what specialty they want to do versus where people want to live. If you know one specialty is the only thing that will feed your soul, you might have to be willing to move to make that happen. If you know that you need to remain in one location, you have to have more willingness to try different specialties, at least at first.

It’s rare to get your dream job in your dream location right out of school.

But put in the work upfront and with your experience, you can make your dream job your reality.

I hope this episode is hopeful for those of you out looking for jobs and interviewing. We touch on phone interviews and in person interviews, red flags to look for during your interview, and tactics to prepare before going into it with you to set you up for success.

Show notes for episode 004 can be found at www.pastartup.co/episode4

View Details

Today’s episode is all about getting the job!

FREE RESOURCES: pastartup.co/resume

Subscribe on iTunes; leave us a rating and review!

The whole purpose of going to PA school is to get a job as a practicing PA. But before you can start treating patients, you have to actually be offered a job. The medical community is small, so it pays to make a good impression with your preceptors.

The first thing you need is a strong resume followed by a good cover letter.

A resume shows your qualifications, your cover letter introduces your potential employer to who you are as a person. Show notes for today show are at PAstartup.co/episode3.

I also put up a page with free downloadable resources for both resumes and a sample cover letter. Check out PAstartup.co/resume

View Details

Episode 002--Going From Good To Great

It's not uncommon to finish school, land your job, then get in a routine of checking off your daily routine. The trouble is, you're selling yourself short. Finishing school isn't the end of your growth-you've got a ton of potential to grow into. We can all be good…but what if we want more? What takes you from good to great?

It's a mindset.

Show notes: www.pastartup.co/episode2

PA School Application Essay Workbook available on Amazon: Writing Your PA School Application Essay

View Details

There are a lot of different allied health positions or provider roles can choose from; how do you know if the PA profession is right for you? In today’s episode, we dig into FIVE reasons why you should be excited to become a Physician Assistant.

Do you have questions? I want to know where you’re at in your training, what you were dealing with, and how PA Startup can help you on your journey. Shoot me an email at questions@pastartup.co.

As always, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and leave us a rating and review.

Sit back, relax, take some notes if you want… Then get out there and get started.

Show notes: www.pastartup.co/episode1

View Details

In this inaugural episode of the PA Startup Podcast, we answer the important question: What is PA Startup all about?

We are helping pre-PA students, current PA students, and new grads start their careers ahead of the curve as Physician Assistants! Not sure if the PA profession is right for you? Having trouble staying motivated or choose a specialty in school? Having problems with your job search? PA Startup can help with all this and more.

Hosted by Chris Darst, MPAS, PA-C, a practicing PA with over 10 years experience, the PA Startup Podcast explores the features of PA School and starting practice as a PA that aren't taught elsewhere. Chris has hosted hundreds of shadow students, is a preceptor for several PA students on rotation in Cardiothoracic Surgery each year, and has trained multiple new grads during which he found there were a lot of similar questions that needed answering about applying to school, staying motivated in school, boards, job search, graduation, and beyond.

Check us out more at PAstartup.co!