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Monday, February 25, 2013

Waiting to Start Work

Hello Everyone!

       I know I have not written in a while but I have found I am at a loss of words. I am still waiting to start my position in Orthopaedics!! So, I don't have any amazing stories to tell, but, I do have some more advice that I thought I would share.  This advice is more for new graduates or soon to be PA school graduates.  Here it is... The state of Pennsylvania takes FOREVER to process paperwork.  I am currently waiting for my supervising agreement, this is an agreement that is made with your supervising physician denoting your responsibilities in your job. Thus, what you can and cannot do in your position. It is signed by your supervising physician, other physicians in the practice and you.  This paperwork takes a minimum of 60-90 days in the state of Pennsylvania. I am mentioning this because I did not know this prior to applying in Pennsylvania. It seems that all my classmates working in PA have had the same problem.  You cannot work as a PA in the state of Pennsylvania without this agreement being processed.  Some of my classmates have just been observing while others are just waiting like myself, it depends where you work.  Unfortunately, my hospital will not allow me to just observe without this agreement being passed.  Again, this seems to be just a problem in Pennsylvania. One person in my class sent her paperwork in for licensing and her supervising agreement to Maine and it was processed in 24 hours.  New Jersey takes a while to get a license, however, it seems once you get that nothing else takes long.  It is a very frustrating and confusing process. There is nothing worse than going through the hardship of PA school, passing your boards, getting a license in your state and then not be able to work.  I know this sounds really depressing but if there is anyone out there reading this who is in my same position, please keep your head up.  While having all this time is great it can get a little boring when you do the same things every day. I have taken trips to see family, read some journal articles to keep up with CMEs (continued medical education) etc to keep busy. It could be worse, I could still be looking for a job, so I do consider myself fortunate.  I really hope this entry helps someone, if I would have known this then I think I would have prepared differently but I am doing well under the circumstances. All the best to my readers!

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