Physicians and surgeons are beacons of the healthcare system who are assisted by other equally important healthcare professionals. An important sect among these professionals are physician assistants who work under a licensed physician or a doctor. They perform both clinical and administrative duties within a hospital, clinic, hospice facility, or public health center. Although there are similarities between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant, there are some differences in the scope of work. The former worked under the supervision of a physician and not solo. Whereas in some states nurse practitioners can work independently to check patients and oversee prescription refills. A large percentage of PAs who are certified when they clear the PANCE exam work in primary care followed by family and general medicine.
The healthcare industry is revamping its working structure and is increasingly stressing assigning tasks based on specializations. Hiring more PAs will reduce the burden of physicians and surgeons who can concentrate on complex cases and give undivided attention to patients who need their time. As a result of these changes, the role of physician assistants is expanding and there is demand for more certified professionals. PAs are now taking on more responsibilities reflecting their irreplaceable role in clinical teams. The median salary of PA has increased at a decent pace surpassing $120000. In high-demand areas such as cardiovascular departments, PAs can command even higher pay, underscoring their critical contributions to patient care in specialized fields.
If you are looking for a clinical role that is not as time-consuming and difficult as a doctor who has to clear years of preparation then you should prepare to be a physician assistant. To be one you need to complete your bachelor’s degree, gain clinical experience, and graduate from an enlisted and accredited PA program. Once you complete the program, you can prepare to be certified by passing the PANCE exam and preparing for a job interview. The duration for a PA program can differ between different course providers and ranges between 2-3 years.
If you ask seasoned PAs they will tell you that the exam is not easy yet not so difficult to clear. Consistent practice of the preparation material will help a person with all the exam hurdles. The exam is conducted by NCCPA; so it is a good start to familiarize yourself with the exam’s structure or format. A steady and regular study approach is ideal for any exam that is competitive and tests the proficiency of a professional. Here are some tips that will help you clear the PANCE exam successfully and the recertification PANRE exam if you are applying under the continuing education program:
This is a computer-based exam in MCQ format which is structured into 5 blocks of 60 questions each. This totals 300 multiple questions and each block has to be completed in 60 minutes with a 45-minute total break time between blocks. The questions cover various clinical and surgical topics related to patient care. This is an exam that tests your critical thinking and logical reasoning based on clinical scenarios. The NCCPA provides the master questionnaire or blueprint of the exam to all the applicants. This is an important stage as it outlines the content and weightage as per the topic.
Current-day PA aspirants have more resources than their peers in the past. The medtech platforms offer interactive videos with complete animation and visual aids for better comprehension and assimilation of difficult-to-understand topics. One can answer smart quizzes for quicker recall while they are commuting and use their passive time more purposefully.
The more the merrier as these exams are the closest simulation to the actual test day conditions. Besides, you will get honest feedback about your preparation level, so that you can work on the weak areas and strengthen your hold on those topics before approaching for the exam.
There are positive sides to using your fellow students to form a study group and help each other through sharing best practices for better performance. Your friends are going through the same challenges as you and this feeling will help everyone stay motivated by watching each other’s persistence and grit to study hard. Exchanging notes, dividing topics to prepare flashcards, and general motivation to stay consistent are some of the positives of being a part of a study group.
It is difficult to remember a lengthy syllabus unless one is using active learning methods to memorize and remember for a long time. When you are studying, break down the concepts and actively recall them, so that you can remember the points. You can quiz yourself or explain the points to others for this method. Using spaced repetitions is regarded as a good method for memorizing substantial study notes. You can use flashcards and mnemonics during study group sessions for better retention of difficult topics. Enacting a topic as a role play is a fun way to remember the points.
Your surroundings matter when you are preparing for a high-octane exam. Keep your room lively and let some light in for ventilation. If you stay in a cold place, clean your space and declutter it regularly. Looking for a book from a pile or pulling a sock when heading for your day are not ideal conditions where you can feel calm and composed.
- Self Love Before Anything
All work and no play will not help you or anyone. If you are preparing for a profession where you will be advising patients to stay healthy through a good diet and ample exercise, then you need to practice it as well. Each a balanced and nutritious diet, avoid junk food, and stretch a little after every thirty minutes. Stay hydrated and take regular breaks.
Conclusion:
Healthcare is one sector where professionals can move into the clinical research or education side after working in the core capacity for a while. Experience physician assistants are working in large pharma companies. Based on the endless opportunities, get your journey as a PA kickstarted.