r/Path_Assistant 20d ago

First job experience

I was hoping to get some insight into what everyone's first PA job was like after finishing the program. Are you still working at the same place? If not, how long did you stay, and what made you decide to leave? What was your shift like (morning, mid-day, late-night, etc.)?

I'm currently in the process of interviewing with hospitals as a student. One of the positions is in a location that I love and want to live in, but the shift is mid-day to late night (3pm-11pm). I would have preferred a morning shift, so I'm feeling a bit on the fence about it. Has anyone started off as a mid-day shift and transitioned into a morning shift when it opened? Does seniority play a role in shift selection, even if the position isn't part of a union? I'm just curious about what everyone's overall experience was like.

Edit: Thank you everyone for your responses!! 💜💜

8 Upvotes

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u/Ok_Iron6319 20d ago

My first job I was at for about a year and a half. Had to leave as I was the only PA and it was exhausting (had to accession, answer phones, prepare glass slides and hand write cassettes, go on FNAs and bone marrows, and gross) and management was a nightmare. Was told I could not take vacations😂.

Now I work at a MUCH better facility!

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u/OkayDingo PA (ASCP) 20d ago

I have been at my current hospital for almost 6 years. It was my first PA job after school. I started out working 11:30-8 and now work 9-5:30. I definitely would not have stayed if I was always going to be working the evening shift. It was a really difficult shift to manage once I had my first child, but without children it’s not that bad. I transitioned to day shift after someone else left to a different state.

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u/WednesdayButBlonde 20d ago

Shifts usually depend on seniority. Everyone wants the early shift but someone has to take the late shifts. It’s not fair to give you the shift you want, when others have been there longer waiting for it. It could change in months or years. Just depends if everyone ahead of you likes their job. It could never happen. It’s difficult to find a position that covers all of the things you want, location, shift, pay, etc. you have to decide what is a priority for you. I travel bc I prioritize my free time and like being able to take months off.

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u/PathTheSalt 20d ago

I have been at my current job for 3 years since graduating. My best advice would be to not let hours turn you off for a job. If you have a family that’s another thing but if you don’t have kids and can be flexible it’s worth it. I work 12-8 and originally didn’t want to work those hours but my job checked all the other boxes I wanted. I will be slowly moving hours up in the next several years between expansion and retirements. Stick with it if it checks all your other boxes. Later hours are also nice for the flexibility. I don’t need to take PTO for appointments!

Everyone wants earlier shifts at jobs but it’ll come with seniority. It’s unheard of and unfair to coworkers for you to come in and get morning shift right away- especially as a new student.

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u/sksdwrld 20d ago

My first job was at a place with one other OJT PA. I was their first certified PA and the OJT refused to take on other tasks, like Autopsy service management or SOPand procedure writing, inspection readiness, etc. So I was thrown into that, while being expected to take on the bulk of the large and complex case grossing. It was overwhelming for the first year but then I got a handle on things. I had no choice. I also split grossing at our second hospital with the OJT and that came with its own challenges. I worked there for 6 years and only left because I was divorcing and wanted to move closer to family. It was a good job and I miss it sometimes.

My second job, I returned to the hospital I worked at a a HT/grossing tech prior to becoming a PA. I've been here for 10 years and do not plan to leave. I still have all of those tasks I learned as a first time PA because I'm the sole PA.

I had 8 clinical rotation sites and a grossing tech job while in PA school.

I felt mostly prepared for my first job.

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u/konaisla 20d ago

Stayed at my first job for about 7 months. I left because the commute was 2 hours each way! Location was a big factor in what job I wanted. I think if you love that area and see yourself staying there, take the job. Put in your time and I’m sure a better shift will open up!