6 answers
Sarah
Student
Augusta, Georgia
1
Question
Updated
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Is becoming a Physician Assistant a wise career choice?
I would like to know this because I am very interested in become a PA but want a little more information about how to become a PA from current Physicians Assistants. I job shadowed a PA this past summer and enjoy what the job entails, but still want more information. #medicine #PA #PhysicianAssistant #healthcare
#hospital-and-health-care
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6 answers
Linda Tambascio Gibbons
Physician Assistant
8
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Linda’s Answer
Hi Sarah. I am a Physician Assistant and have been practicing for 18 years. I enjoy my work and my relationships with my patients. PAs work in many different specialties such as neurosurgery, emergency medicine, general medicine, labor and delivery, cardiothoracic surgery, rheumatology and many more. You can see how varied physician assistant's job descriptions can be. What so you like about the PA profession? Linda
Othilia Jackson
Experienced Medical Laboratory Scientist
3
Answers
Updated
Othilia’s Answer
yes it is a great profession. less schooling and less tuition work almost like doctors with minimum doctor supervision.
Leo Martinez II
Certified Surgical Technologist II at Methodist Dallas and CST PRN at Childrens Medical Center of Dallas
10
Answers
Updated
Leo’s Answer
I'd say it is, you can round/ chart on patients, you can assist in surgery!
You will have to work under a surgeon's employ as many hospitals may or may not hire p.a.
Mary Kate Larimer
Physician Assistant Student at Nova Southeastern University- Fort Myers
3
Answers
Updated
Mary Kate’s Answer
I'm not a PA yet, but I am a PA student. So I can definitely speak on what it is like these days getting into PA school.
First off, it's really really competitive. Every year, more and more students are applying. Unfortunately, it's not the kept secret of the medical field like it used to be. So please don't go into the career as an "easier med school" type of thing. It is very challenging to get into and extremely challenging during the schoolwork too. You take just about all the same classes as medical students, but crammed into half the time. It is a grueling experience. Trust me... I'm there now.
Okay, so you've decided you are definitely sure you want to apply. Congratulations! You've chosen an awesome career path.
There are two main parts of getting into PA school: grades and medical experience.
Grades: You want your overall GPA and science GPA to be as high as you can get them. But more importantly, you want to really do great in your prerequisite classes. Every PA program is different, so make sure to check the one's you're thinking about applying to.
Medical Experience: This is what makes applying to PA school so unique. Nearly every school requires some kind of hands on medical experience. This can be as a nurse, paramedic, EMT, medical assistant, etc. The more hours you can get in a true hands-on medical experience, the better. Some programs accept scribe-work as hours, but some require that the experience involved putting your hands on the patient. I worked as an EMT; it was a great experience, and it did the job to get my into school.
In addition to grades and medical experience, you'll need a pretty good GRE score (but this doesn't seem to make or break people), volunteer hours in a healthcare setting, shadowing hours (so good for you for starting that), and letters of recommendation. You'll want to get the letters from a variety of mentors. I think a good formula is one professor, preferably from a prerequisite science course (but if you have a better relationship with one from a different class, use them), one PA (from work or shadowing), and then someone who worked above you in the medical field (MD, DO, PA, NP, etc), who can attest to your medical knowledge and work ethic.
First off, it's really really competitive. Every year, more and more students are applying. Unfortunately, it's not the kept secret of the medical field like it used to be. So please don't go into the career as an "easier med school" type of thing. It is very challenging to get into and extremely challenging during the schoolwork too. You take just about all the same classes as medical students, but crammed into half the time. It is a grueling experience. Trust me... I'm there now.
Okay, so you've decided you are definitely sure you want to apply. Congratulations! You've chosen an awesome career path.
There are two main parts of getting into PA school: grades and medical experience.
Grades: You want your overall GPA and science GPA to be as high as you can get them. But more importantly, you want to really do great in your prerequisite classes. Every PA program is different, so make sure to check the one's you're thinking about applying to.
Medical Experience: This is what makes applying to PA school so unique. Nearly every school requires some kind of hands on medical experience. This can be as a nurse, paramedic, EMT, medical assistant, etc. The more hours you can get in a true hands-on medical experience, the better. Some programs accept scribe-work as hours, but some require that the experience involved putting your hands on the patient. I worked as an EMT; it was a great experience, and it did the job to get my into school.
In addition to grades and medical experience, you'll need a pretty good GRE score (but this doesn't seem to make or break people), volunteer hours in a healthcare setting, shadowing hours (so good for you for starting that), and letters of recommendation. You'll want to get the letters from a variety of mentors. I think a good formula is one professor, preferably from a prerequisite science course (but if you have a better relationship with one from a different class, use them), one PA (from work or shadowing), and then someone who worked above you in the medical field (MD, DO, PA, NP, etc), who can attest to your medical knowledge and work ethic.
Hi Mary! I was wondering if you have finished with your PA schooling and how it went? Also, do you know anyone who did a combined BS/MS program straight out of high school? it's something I'm interested in but I don't have too much information on what it's like, Thank you.
Arisa
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
203
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Hi Sarah,
I see you posted this a while ago, so I wonder what you have decided about your career path. I'm a family medicine PA in my third year of practice, and I'm happy with my decision. Let me share this information on what PAs do:
https://www.pasdothat.net/
https://www.aapa.org/about/what-is-a-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with. Good luck!
Hwal
I see you posted this a while ago, so I wonder what you have decided about your career path. I'm a family medicine PA in my third year of practice, and I'm happy with my decision. Let me share this information on what PAs do:
https://www.pasdothat.net/
https://www.aapa.org/about/what-is-a-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with. Good luck!
Hwal
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4721
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Sarah,
Is becoming a Physician Assistant a wise career choice?
Becoming a Physician Assistant (PA) can indeed be a wise career choice for many individuals. PAs are healthcare professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They are trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, and they work in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.
Advantages of Becoming a Physician Assistant:
Growing Demand: The demand for healthcare services is increasing, leading to a higher demand for qualified healthcare professionals like PAs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 31% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Job Satisfaction: Many PAs report high levels of job satisfaction due to the meaningful work they do in helping patients and making a positive impact on their lives.
Flexibility: PAs have the flexibility to work in various specialties and settings within the healthcare field, allowing them to explore different areas of medicine throughout their careers.
Competitive Salary: PAs typically earn competitive salaries, with the median annual wage for physician assistants in May 2019 being $112,260 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Work-Life Balance: While PAs may work long hours depending on their specialty or setting, they generally have more predictable schedules compared to physicians.
Steps to Become a Physician Assistant:
Education: To become a PA, you must complete a bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s program in physician assistant studies. These programs typically take about two years to complete.
Clinical Experience: Most PA programs require applicants to have healthcare experience, such as working as an EMT, paramedic, nurse, or medical assistant.
Certification: After completing an accredited PA program, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to become certified.
Licensure: Once certified, you must obtain a state license to practice as a PA. Licensure requirements vary by state but typically involve passing the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) every ten years.
Continuing Education: PAs are required to complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification and stay up-to-date with advancements in medicine.
In conclusion, becoming a Physician Assistant can be a rewarding career choice for those interested in providing direct patient care under the supervision of physicians while enjoying job stability, competitive salaries, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA): The AAPA is the national professional society for PAs in the United States and provides resources on education, certification, advocacy, and professional development for aspiring and practicing PAs.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS is a federal agency that provides data on employment projections, wages, and occupational outlooks across various industries including healthcare.
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA): The NCCPA is responsible for certifying and recertifying PAs through standardized exams and setting standards for PA education programs in the United States.
God Bless You, Richly, JC.
Is becoming a Physician Assistant a wise career choice?
Becoming a Physician Assistant (PA) can indeed be a wise career choice for many individuals. PAs are healthcare professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They are trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, and they work in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.
Advantages of Becoming a Physician Assistant:
Growing Demand: The demand for healthcare services is increasing, leading to a higher demand for qualified healthcare professionals like PAs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 31% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Job Satisfaction: Many PAs report high levels of job satisfaction due to the meaningful work they do in helping patients and making a positive impact on their lives.
Flexibility: PAs have the flexibility to work in various specialties and settings within the healthcare field, allowing them to explore different areas of medicine throughout their careers.
Competitive Salary: PAs typically earn competitive salaries, with the median annual wage for physician assistants in May 2019 being $112,260 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Work-Life Balance: While PAs may work long hours depending on their specialty or setting, they generally have more predictable schedules compared to physicians.
Steps to Become a Physician Assistant:
Education: To become a PA, you must complete a bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s program in physician assistant studies. These programs typically take about two years to complete.
Clinical Experience: Most PA programs require applicants to have healthcare experience, such as working as an EMT, paramedic, nurse, or medical assistant.
Certification: After completing an accredited PA program, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to become certified.
Licensure: Once certified, you must obtain a state license to practice as a PA. Licensure requirements vary by state but typically involve passing the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) every ten years.
Continuing Education: PAs are required to complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification and stay up-to-date with advancements in medicine.
In conclusion, becoming a Physician Assistant can be a rewarding career choice for those interested in providing direct patient care under the supervision of physicians while enjoying job stability, competitive salaries, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA): The AAPA is the national professional society for PAs in the United States and provides resources on education, certification, advocacy, and professional development for aspiring and practicing PAs.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS is a federal agency that provides data on employment projections, wages, and occupational outlooks across various industries including healthcare.
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA): The NCCPA is responsible for certifying and recertifying PAs through standardized exams and setting standards for PA education programs in the United States.
God Bless You, Richly, JC.