2 answers
3
Updated 471 views

Is PA school worth it for the cost?

I'm currently a high school senior, unsure of which career I should pursue. #Fall25

medicine healthcare fall25 graduate-school financial-planning graduate
Answer This
3

2 answers

1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Hwal’s Answer

Rylie,

As a primary care internal medicine PA in the U.S., I can say PA training was worth the cost to me. I was awarded a full tuition scholarship in return for primary care practice in underserved communities after graduation though, so I'm referring little to the financial cost of PA training here. The time and other costs of PA training are considerable, but I feel that you could say the same about several other professional training programs that lead to similar kinds of skills, knowledge, and responsibilities, such as law and education. If you're interested in medicine, science, and humanism, I would encourage you to explore the PA profession. I recommend this blog by a fellow PA who documented their own journey to become a PA:

https://doseofpa.blogspot.com/?m=1

Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.

Good luck!

Hwal
1
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Vanessa’s Answer

In 1997 after graduating Medical School, I chose Internal Medicine and fellowship in Geriatrics. My parents were baby boomers, and the demographic shift and healthcare demand was foremost in my decision to care older adults. What we know is that by 2030, the number of Medicare-eligible individuals is projected to reach approximately 69.7 million, nearly doubling from 2000 figures when I entered the work force as a Geriatrician. We are in dire need of physicians as well as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. The years of training is less and cost much less than medical school. When I moved to California, I chose to work in a nursing home setting, this was a setting that was entirely new to me. My mentor was a stellar physician assistant who had an impeccable bedside manner, great knowledge of her patients and excellent rapport with the interdisciplinary team. Assess what matters most to you, your values, your wishes about personal time and family. Physicians and PAs do the same function; the PA pathway is shorter and less expensive and equally rewarding.
0