Hiya! So this is the start of my journey to becoming a Physician Associate. Perhaps you'd like to know a bit more about me first? PA's often have a range of backgrounds so I think it's quite interesting.
I'm a recent Human Biosciences graduate, having gained a first class degree (woop!) Originally leaving school, I had wanted to do Medicine however I didn't quite get the grades and decided to do a science degree instead. I like to think everything happens for a reason and I think my degree confirmed to me that I don't particularly want to work in a lab doing research my whole life (although I did find it interesting!) Combined with various work experience, volunteering and my part-time job the three years at university really showed me I would like to work in a setting where I got to interact with people more and having always leaned towards working in healthcare I knew I had various options.
My degree also gave me the time to consider whether I really wanted to do Medicine still. Whilst the idea of being a doctor was still appealing, I just wasn't sure if another 4 years of study and then junior doctor training after that was for me anymore. After finishing my final year exams I quite quickly found a job working as a trainee cardiographer in the Cardio-Respiratory department of my local hospital. This was really great as my manager hired me on the premise of training me up first as a cardiographer and later as a full cardiac physiologist.
Whilst this is great, and I'm really happy to be working with patients finally I was contacted by the university I graduated from about applying for the PgDip in Physician Associate Studies. I had heard of the course before (it had started at my university in my final year) but hadn't considered it an option if I would have to fund the tuition (£18,000 for the two years!). The email I received stated that they were offering 24 sponsored places i.e. an NHS trust local to the university would fund your tuition in return for a 2 year contract to work in that trust upon graduating. As soon as I knew about the funding I applied immediately.
The PA role really appealed to me, allowing me to practice medicine (something I had always been interested in) within 2 years. Although the profession is relatively new and is still being developed, I thought this was an excellent time to apply and contribute somewhat to how this role is utilised and perceived in our healthcare system. The day after submitting my application I was offered an interview, at quite short notice, for the next week. I'm now really excited to have been offered a place starting January 2016.
Whilst there are more interviews with the NHS trusts offering sponsorship I'm really excited to see how this goes and will keep you updated!
Caroline
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