Physician Assistant

Officially a PA-C

December 22, 2023August 25, 2025Julia6 Comments

Hello beautiful peopleeeeee!!! Let me catch you up on life, because sis has been through it. So much has happened—moving to a new state, starting a new job, quitting that job just five weeks later, failing my board exam, and eventually passing it. Yes, I said I failed my board exam and talk about a hit to my ego. I felt disappointed in myself and carried a lot of shame around failing. In those moments, I even questioned my competency as a physician assistant. Surprising I had not shared this openly—until now. However, I had to be honest with myself and accept that I hadn’t studied as much as I should have.

Frankly, after graduating from PA school, I was exhausted and just wanted to spend time socializing with family and friends. Sis was in these STREETS! I’m talking about US and internationally lol. I underestimated the exam and failing was a wakeup call. I since have passed and am now a certified PA-C! I’ll be starting a new job next year, which I’m really excited about. I feel this position will be a better fit for my personality and provide the work-life balance I desire.

If I were to offer any advice to those on this PA journey, especially those in their clinical year preparing to graduate—it would be….

I Graduated PA School!

June 19, 2023October 5, 2025JuliaLeave a comment

Hello beautiful people. I am officially done with PA school. I graduated this past weekend. I awoke this morning still in disbelief I am officially a Physician Associate. This 11 year journey has come to an end.

I started this journey in 2012. For the longest throughout undergrad I was conflicted between pursing MD vs PA and when I decided on PA postgrad I put my all in. I retook undergrad classes I didn’t do well in to improve my GPA. I began taking the prerequisite classes for PA school at a local community college. I worked jobs where I was over qualified and underpaid to gain the required healthcare hours. At one point I was working two jobs, a side hustle and taking classes. Back then there wasn’t much standardization amongst PA programs so each year it felt schools were adding new requirements.

I first applied to PA school in 2018. I received one interview invite, but sadly the interview was cancelled because the school did not receive accreditation. I applied again in 2019, not a single interview. I remember reaching out to a mentor for advice and was told I should focus on building my career in public health, to “go get a PhD” instead. Although this mentor was trying to help I hung up that phone call and cried.

When I applied to PA school in 2020 I felt it in my spirit I was going to get in.
Shadowing hours ✔️
GPA requirement ✔️
Healthcare hours ✔️
Community service ✔️
Volunteer hours ✔️
Publications ✔️
Research experience ✔️

I kept faith and knew I had did the work. I prayed and knew at that point it was up to God.
I applied to 12 schools, 5 schools invited me to interview, 2 schools I interviewed at. Both schools sent an acceptance letter, one school I accepted.

My grandfather use to say “if there’s a will there’s a way” or as I like to say “if a will you have, a way you will find.” As I reflect on how far I’ve come I hope as a reader you feel inspired. Follow your passion, chase your dreams. Strive to persevere and learn. Grow from your challenges and take those lessons with you throughout life. It’s hard for people to see your vision because it is not their vision to see. To my fellow prePAs I understand the journey can be daunting, but do not give up.

Next stop passing my certification exam followed by starting my full time position, but first vacation! Lol. Slide show pending.

Remember, you are loved ❤️

Why the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2021 should pass

July 25, 2021October 5, 2025JuliaLeave a comment

The Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2021 (HR 2274) was introduced to the House of Representatives on March 29, 2021, by California’s 37^th district representative, Karen Bass. The bill aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand education opportunities for physician assistant students and physician assistants. Some advantages of HR 2274 include (1.) increasing Subsidized Stafford Loan (SSL) limits and loan forgiveness programs (2.) increasing grants awarded to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic programs (3.) increasing enrollment of minorities and students from rural areas in PA programs and postbaccalaureate PA programs.

Over the years the cost of higher education has increased while salaries have remained stagnant. Millions of Americans have student debt and the number continues to rise with minorities and women being disproportionally affected¹. Tuition for PA programs continue to increase with tuitions ranging between $30,000 to over 120,000. Many PA students fund their education with student loans, specifically federal aid. Currently graduate students can apply for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (USL) which caps at $65,000² which is less than what most PA programs cost. If a student needs additional aid, they can apply for the GradPlus Loan which is a federal loan that requires a passed credit check. To my knowledge this is a common route students take, but for students who do not qualify private loans are the next option. Thus, increasing the SSL limits would allow students to receive loans with no or lower interest rates and forgo high interest rates that come with private loans. Furthermore, expansion of loan forgiveness programs will grant more students the ability to take advantage of these programs and minimize their education debt.