Mitchell Bliss MPAS, PA-C, NRAEMT, April Alumni Spotlight
Mitchell Bliss graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in 2010. After serving six years in the US Army he returned to the Treasure Valley to pursue a career in health care. It was a career-changing decision one he is grateful for the opportunity to have. He came to Boise State as a post-baccalaureate student and completed all the necessary admission requirements to be accepted and attend Idaho State University’s Physician Assistant Program in 2019, after which he graduated in the Summer of 2021. He currently is working in the Boise area as a PA in Urgent Care.
Mitchell describes himself as:
Determined, Focused, Loyal
Do you think Boise State prepared you for Physician Assistant (PA) school?
Yes
What resources did you use at Boise State to prepare you for PA school?
Pre-PA advisor (Erin Colburn), discussions with professors who had clinical experience
What do you wish you would have known before becoming a PA student?
School will essentially be a job and require the same types of hours put into class time as a regular professional job would, sometimes more.
What would you tell yourself now knowing what you know now about applying to your professional school?
Your experience counts more than your prerequisite grades, but both are important.
What is it like being a professional / student during a pandemic?
Busy, stressful at times. It has been important on days off to prioritize doing the things that recharge the batteries; for me, that’s time with family and friends and being outdoors.Â
What do you think was the most important experience you had at Boise State?
Meeting other older students who were also executing career changes.
What are you most grateful for:
My family and friends.
What are you reading right now?
“Undaunted Courage” by Stephen Ambrose
What would you tell yourself now knowing what you know now about applying to your professional school?
Your experience counts more than your prerequisite grades but both are important.
Would you like to talk with Mitchell more about his experiences? If so, please contact Erin Colburn.