Amelia PA Blog

It seems as though there is now a requirement for prospective PA students to shadow a practicing PA for 100 hours prior to applying to PA school.  My feelings on this are essentially positive.  It is a great idea to expose the prospective student to what it is really like to be a PA.  I know of a PA or two who have changed professions after starting to practice because they did not like the nature of the job.  This shadowing requirement will allow the student to be clear about his or her expectations.  However, a 100 hours of shadowing seems a bit unrealistic.  I have taken a prospective PA student under my wing to allow him to shadow me.  Unfortunately, having someone shadow you can also take time away from your patients and this can become an issue for some employers.  In other situations, it seems difficult for anyone applying to PA school to find a hundred random free hours as well a willing PA.

Overall, the shadowing requirement is a great idea, the number of hours as an absolute requirement is not realistic.