Feb
18
Pros and Cons of being a Physician Assistant
ByI received an email from someone considering the PA profession. The person was wondering about PAs and NPs and the pros and cons of being a PA. I sent him a reply and I am adding it here.
I have enjoyed being a PA and find these items to be the PROs:
- the pay has progressed from so-so to excellent
- acceptance and understanding of the profession is very good and has made being a PA very pleasant
- the working conditions are great and you get to work with the best and the brightest most of the time
- the work is challenging everyday, although some of it is routine, the responsibility never is
- I get thanked for what I do much more than 10% of the time
- I am delegated as much responsibility as I can accept. I have worked in clinical medicine my entire career
- there is great flexibility in what a PA can do. It is generally no hard to find a place to work if you choose to relocate. American PAs are sought after in Great Britain
The CONs
- I have to get at least 50 hours of CME a year. You can get junk but high quality is expensive and time-consuming
- You will never be “independent”. Even if you own the practice – you have to hire a doctor to be the supervisor and medical administrator
- Your skills should be as good as an M.D. but you will always be paid less.
- You have to take and pass a National Certifying Exam every 6 years.
The first time that I was treated by a PA I was a bit uneasy. I thought, “who is this guy”? PA’s do not seem as rushed. Bruce has a kindness/calmness about him which is something that I appreciate greatly at this point in my life. My time has come. I am going to be the best me that I can be.
Peace and greetings,
I finished Howard University’s PA program in 2000 and did my MPAS at the University of Nebraska while working full-time. I love being a PA! I share the same “cons” as those listed in the above comment. At times, it can irk me a bit when a doctor may disregard what I have to say. However, they usually don’t know about PAs (this only happens very rarely). I have worked very hard to become exceptional in my field (Internal medicine w/ a specialty in HIV medicine). I am working towards a doctorate in Health Education (DHEd), plan to get certified as a health education specialist and continue to lecture and write about health care topics. Thus far, being a PA has gotten me on television (a co-host talking about community health issues), paid as guest lecturer, radio spots talking about HIV, and a published author in a peer reviewed journal. I am currently completing a book about the PA field. I would recommend being a PA to anyone who loves clinical medicine but does not want to spend the next 12 to 15 years of their lives in school/training only to accrue >$250,000.00 worth of school loans and end up working for a hospital or HMO.It’s a great career accompanied by a great life. My patients really appreciate me and I feel well-respected by my peers and supervisors. I work at a small out-patient clinic which is within walking distance from home. I make about $95,000.00/year. My days are usually quite relaxing. I see on average 4 to 6 patients per day (we’re supported by a government grant). You can’t ask for much more job satisfaction than that. Here’s my number if anyone wants to call me for questions. (202)549-7136
Thanks for your story, info and contributing to The PA Path website!
Elizabeth,
What has been the most challenging aspect so far for you at Emory?
Hey Shaun, thanks for your question.
I think the most challenging aspect has been keeping endurance. The nature of PA training is very quick. At times I will spend a whole weekend preparing for an exam, take the exam, then turn around and put in the same amount of hours for another exam a day later.
It is very challenging but it is one of the few things in life that I think is worth that much time and commitment.
Please feel free to ask any more questions.
Elizabeth,
I agree with you about it being one of the few things in life worth the time and commitment. I try to keep that same mindset as I continue to work my way towards my Bachelors degree and prepare for applying to PA school in the distant future. It seems so far away but I have to stay focused on the big picture. I have a couple more questions for you. How many classmates do you have that are married with children and what is the age range of your classmates? Thanks for all your responses, I find them both informative and inspirational.
Thanks,
Shaun
Good Evening,
Could any of you tell me what life is like being a PA? I’m not *quite* sure if this is for me – but it’s one of my top options. One of the reasons I’m attracted to this is because I can get a very good medical training (The human body is SO interesting), without having to work insane hours. How many hours a week does the average PA work?
Thank you,
Alexander
It is very different depending on your area of concentration. I worked as
an independent contractor for years and worked 12 hour shifts in ERs
and Urgent Care clinics. It was up to me how much I worked. I think
most full time jobs are 40 hours of patient contact per week and up
to 10 hours more per week of admin time with charts and paperwork.
I’m considering P.A school. but I am wondering how demanding it is. Will I still be able to take a day off to go to my kids field trip? Will I be home on time to take them to soccer practice? Or can I expect it to be as demanding as a doctor.
Very Demanding. No, it is like any professional school, you are on their
schedule until you finish.
Ifound this book at Barnes and nobles about PA Getting-into-the-Physician-Assistant-School-of-Your-Choice by Andrew-J-Rodican
But i still dont know wich are the states that dont required a bachelors degree. Im going to keep looking around and i would contact to this site later.althout i would like to know if theres such a thing like PA in England
I think there may be a school or two that still does an associates degree
but I am not sure they are approved schools. You have to graduate from
an approved course and pass the national exam to practice in every state
now. There are PA’s in the UK, they hire American PA’s now but are training
their own. Canada and Australia are also starting training programs.
Rodican’s book is one of the best to help you prepare for the interview.
It is one Laura recommends and used herself.
I believe Malcom X College in Chicago, IL has a PA program that accepts an Associates along with a couple of years experience in health care and a list of prerequisites fulfilled. That’s where I’m hoping to apply in the future.
Malcom X College and Stronger Hospital are changing the program there
according to their website. You need 47 hours of college credit and 1000
hours of direct patient care experience to apply. I wish you well in your
journey. Is there anything You need to assist you?
I have applied to multiple pa programs this year, should I wait and see if I get accepted to more than one program or should I just go to the first school I am accepted to?
You won’t get in without an interview. If you get into your number one school
then go with it. Otherwise, wait to see. I received my acceptance to Duke (1976)
after I received acceptances to 2 other schools. I went to Duke. but at least I knew
I had some options. If your number one school does not interview you, you aren’t getting in there.
If a couple of your second tier schools come through, then again you have options.
Hi Bruce,
I am currently taking the pre-reqs required for PA school. I have not shadowed anyone yet and I really need some more exposure to the medical field to make sure that this is the right decision. As of now, my interests are leaning towards areas in critical care (ER, ICU,etc.). What do you recommend as the best source of healthcare experience that will both help me make that the right choice and also satisfy the requirements of experience hours for PA programs?
Thanks,
Elliot
Elliot,
If you want to know if medicine is for you get your feet wet. Take a basic EMT class at your local
community college. Most have some ER time required where you watch what is happening in codes
and do supervised vital signs etc… After you have spent some hours in the ER where there will
almost certainly be a PA or two to talk to about the profession, you will have a better idea.
You might also want to read my report “Is the PA Path Right for YOU?”
It will be available soon under the Pre-PA tab. Good Luck.