Vision, Mission & Goals
Vision
The vision of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program is to expand and enhance access to health care for all Nevadans through PA workforce development and advocacy for the profession.
Mission
The mission of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program is to train flexible and committed primary care clinicians dedicated to strengthening health care in their communities.
Goals
Based on these vision and mission statements, the goals of the program are:
Goal #1
Prepare clinically skilled PAs by providing an educational environment that fosters learning and prepares students to meet the primary care workforce needs of underserved and rural Nevada.
Key Performance Indicators with Targets:
- Graduates that remain in Nevada. Target: 60%
- Graduates that choose primary care as their initial practice setting. Target: 20%
- Graduates that practice in underserved or rural settings. Target: 30%
Program activities to support the goal:
- Six, 4-week primary care focused clerkships
- 4-week clerkship in medically underserved populations
- Clerkship opportunities throughout rural Nevada
Assessment Mechanism:
- 1-year post-graduation surveys of practice settings
Results (updated 9/6/2022):
|
Graduates (n=71) (Class of 2020, 2021, 2022) |
Target |
Performance Response Rate 86% (61/71) |
Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduates that remain in Nevada | 60% | 80% (49/61) |
including surrounding communities |
| Primary care as initial practice setting | 20% | 29% (18/61) | |
| Practice in underserved or rural settings | 30% | 45% (28/61) | |
[Benchmark sources: 2017 Statistical Profile of Recently Certified Physician Assistants; 2017 Statistical Profile of Certified Physician Assistants by State; 2018 Statistical Profile of Certified Physician Assistants; Nevada Rural and Frontier Health Data Book - Ninth Edition and Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)]
Goal #2
Provide educational and training opportunities for non-traditional students, particularly those from rural and underserved Nevada communities, and those with military service (active duty, reserve, guard, veteran).
Key Performance Indicators with Targets:
Matriculated students meeting one of the following characteristics of a non-traditional student. Target: 30%
- Age over 25
- Financially independent for financial aid purposes
- Is a veteran
Matriculated students from:
- Nevada Target: 80%
- Rural Target: 30%
Matriculated students with:
- Military service. Target: 5%
Program activities to support the goal:
Website and informational sessions that provide candidates with program goals. The admissions process to screen and identify candidates with these characteristics.
Assessment Mechanism:
- Admissions data
Results:
| All Matriculants (n=120) | Target | Performance | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Traditional Students | 30% | 100% (120/120) |
|
| From Nevada or Nevada Heritage | 80% | 83% (100/120) | See below |
| Rural | 30% | 42% (50/120) | See below |
| Military service | 5% | 7% (8/120) | See below |
| Five most recent COHORTs (n=matriculants) |
| Class of 2020 (n=24) | Target | Performance | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Traditional Students | 30% | 100% (24/24) |
|
| From Nevada or Nevada Heritage | 80% | 88% (21/24) | (CA: Truckee, Kings Beach, Bishop) |
| Rural | 30% | 21% (5/24) | Elko, Lyon, Douglas, Truckee, Kings Beach, Bishop |
| Military service | 5% | 4% (1/24) | Army |
| Class of 2021 (n=24) | Target | Performance | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Traditional Students | 30% | 100% (24/24) |
|
| From Nevada or Nevada Heritage | 80% | 79% (19/24) |
(CA: Truckee, Blairsden, NV City, S. Lake Tahoe) |
| Rural | 30% | 42% (10/24) | Fallon, Susanville, Norden, Minden, Alamo, Eureka, Blairsden, NV City, S. Lake Tahoe, Truckee |
| Military service | 5% | 4% (1/24) | Air Force |
| Class of 2022 (n=24) | Target | Performance | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Traditional Students | 30% | 100% (24/24) |
|
| From Nevada or Nevada Heritage | 80% | 79% (19/24) | (CA: Truckee, S Lake, Olympic Valley) |
| Rural | 30% | 54% (13/24) | Fallon, Gardnerville, Elko, Truckee, S. Lake Tahoe, Portola, Mammoth, Auburn, Olympic Valley, Antelope Valley, Isleton, Park City) |
| Military service | 5% | 0% (0/24) |
| Class of 2023 (n=24) | Target | Performance | Characteristics |
| Non-Traditional Students | 30% | 100% (24/24) |
|
| From Nevada or Nevada Heritage | 80% | 79% (19/24) | (CA: S Lake Tahoe) |
| Rural | 30% | 58% (14/24) | Gardnerville, Fallon, Ukiah CA, Griswald CT, Cedar Ridge CA, Loomis CA, S. Lake Tahoe, Dayton NV, Red Bluff CA, Truckee CA, Placerville CA, Jackson CA |
| Military service | 5% | 25% (6/24) | Marine Corps, Army, Air Force |
| Class of 2024 (n=24) | Target | Performance | Characteristics |
| Non-Traditional Students | 30% | 100% (24/24) |
|
| From Nevada or Nevada Heritage | 80% | 92% (22/24) | |
| Rural | 30% | 33% (8/24) | Stateline, Fernley, Dayton, S. Lake Tahoe, Auburn, CA, Angwin, CA, June Lake, CA |
| Military service | 5% | 0% (0/24) |
[Benchmark sources: Non-traditional Student definition adopted from: http://www.nodaweb.org/?page=network_non_trad;
Rural Nevada; Underserved communities as defined by Nevada Rural and Frontier Health Data Book - Ninth Edition and Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs); Physician Assistant Education Association. Student Report 2 (published July 2018, updated April 2019)]
Goal #3
Recruit qualified applicants who will successfully complete medical education as a PA.
Key Performance Indicators with Targets:
- Graduation rate. Target: 100%
Program activities to support the goal:
- Analyze admissions and program data and apply it to revise the admissions process. Identify and recruit candidates that are statistically successful in our program.
Assessment Mechanism:
- Admissions and program data.
Results:
(ARC-PA Standard 5th A3.12i)
Goal #4
To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to be successful, competent PAs.
Key Performance Indicators with Targets:
- Maintain a PANCE First Time Pass Rate at or above the national mean
- Graduate ratings on preparation for entry into PA practice upon graduation. Target: 3.5 or greater (surveyed six months post-graduation)
Program activities to support the goal:
Provide high-quality rigorous education through a solid curriculum, interprofessional educational experiences, and strong alignment with the Department of Family and Community Medicine and community partners. Develop program procedures to exceed self-assessment requirements leading to continuous program innovation and improvement. Faculty development to ensure that instruction is in line with current trends through evidence-based techniques. Early identification of students who may be at academic risk and providing the necessary support.
Assessment Mechanism:
- PANCE reports. Student surveys of program and faculty.
Results:
- Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination Five Year First Time Taker Summary Report (ARC-PA Standard 5th A3.12c)
- Survey question: Reflecting on when you graduated, rate the extent to which you felt prepared for entry into PA practice.
| Preparedness for Entry to PA Practice | Target = Mean of 3.5 or greater |
|---|---|
| Class of 2020 (n=24) | 3.4 (18/24; 75% RR) |
| Class of 2021 (n=23) | 3.6 (21/23; 91% RR) |
| Class of 2022 (n=24) | 3.8 (15/24; 63% RR) |
| Class of 2023 (n=XX) |
[Based on a 5-point scale where 1=Not at all prepared; 2=Not very prepared; 3=Somewhat prepared; 4=Very prepared; 5=Extremely prepared; benchmark set to 3.5/ 70% confidence of preparedness]