long story with a few questions.

[Sivik]

Okay. my name is josh. and i have been killing my blackberry storm reading over this site this week while im in the hospital. i am a 23 year old male whose had 1/3 of his life spent in the hospital. i feel like times are going to get better for me soon and i want to give back what i was given during my time. ive looked and looked. studied and studied. and i think i have it down at a level to where i can comfortably say i want to be a physcian assistant. now your probably asking why am i asking on a nurse forum. you guys really know your stuff. i have learnt alot here and applied it to my visits and impressed the staff with my will to learn. mind you, my conclusion to become a pa has taken a rigorous adventure in thinking, watching, researching. its taken me a few years. now there is no site as resourcful as this one and you guys/gals seem like a family. that i can trust. my prior education is only a high school grad. only one in my family id like to add. but i want to push for more. anyway. wht would be the best approach to take into becoming a pa? what books would you suggest i pick up? i want to get a head start before i actually go to college.after a few yearsof being a pa, how hard or long would it be to become a full physician. a family one. sorry if this post sounds weird im typing from a blackberry storm. and its not acting right

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I think we have a PA or two who participate here, who might be able to answer your questions. The first thing I would do is start looking around at PA programs to see what their requirements are, and figure out how you're going to finance your education. Best of luck to you!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Also, consider becoming a nurse pracitioner. In my state they have more autonomy than PAs.

Step one for either is to tale to an advisor at a college and ask.

:)

[Midwest4me]

There are PA programs that you can look into. to pursue being an MD, of course, you'd need to attend medical school---LOTS of schooling but worth it, I imagine, if your heart is in it. Good luck!

[SteffersRN87, BSN, RN]

I would research PA programs in your area. Maybe even talk to a few PA's. The education is a 5-year program. I would recommend trying to take some general education and science courses at a community college then transferring (if possible). Good luck!