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Why become a doctor v.s. a nurse or even a physician assistant?

Any tips, advice, or guidance would be extremely helpful. It would also be nice to hear anyone's own experience on why they made their decision.

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Thank you comment icon This three profession are different and with different eligibility criteria,however you have to have passion for patient care for all of them since youl be dealing with patients. Each has a different career path for advancing so you need to know what career advancement you want as to know the option to pick. Godfrey Magawe
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MARY’s Answer

The choice between becoming a doctor, a nurse, or a physician assistant depends on individual preferences, career goals, and personal strengths. Here are some key points to consider for each profession:

Becoming a Doctor:
1. Extensive Education: Doctors typically undergo more years of education, including medical school and residency, to become fully licensed physicians.
2. Autonomy: Doctors often have more independence and authority in decision-making regarding patient care and treatment plans.
3. Specialization: Doctors can choose from various medical specialties to focus on specific areas of medicine.
4. Leadership Opportunities: Doctors can lead medical teams and be involved in research and academia.

Becoming a Nurse:
1. Education Options: Nurses can pursue various education paths, such as associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, or master's degrees, allowing for flexibility in career advancement.
2. Patient Care: Nurses are hands-on caregivers, providing direct patient care and assisting with various medical procedures.
3. Diverse Settings: Nurses work in various settings, from hospitals and clinics to schools, community centers, and home healthcare.
4. Collaborative Role: Nurses often work closely with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.

Becoming a Physician Assistant (PA):
1. Education: PAs typically complete a master's degree program, which is shorter than medical school, making it a quicker path to practice medicine.
2. Collaboration: PAs work under the supervision of doctors but have a degree of autonomy in patient care, diagnosing, and prescribing medications.
3. Specialization: PAs can choose specialized areas of practice and have the flexibility to switch specialties if desired.
4. Work-Life Balance: PAs often experience a better work-life balance compared to doctors due to fewer years of education and training.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your interests, career aspirations, and willingness to invest time and effort in education and training. Each profession offers unique opportunities to contribute to the healthcare field and make a positive impact on patients' lives. It's essential to research each role, gain relevant experiences, and consider your personal goals before making a choice.
Thank you comment icon Hi Mary, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed response! I will take this advice into consideration for the future! Ali
Thank you comment icon This is a great response but I would also like to add that the role of a nurse practitioner is also an option. In many states such as Alaska, nurse practitioner are able to practice independently so I am not required to have a collaborating physician. I see patients in a clinic, obtain histories and do physical exams, order tests, interpret lab results, perform procedures, and order medications. Marybeth Patterson
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jami’s Answer

The difference is the level of responsibility. The nurses do more hands on with patients. Pa's work under a provider, and physicians have their own practice.
Thank you comment icon Hi Evanne, I appreciate the input. Thank you for responding! Ali
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Autumn’s Answer

I am a PA. My choice was because as a PA you get to work in whatever specialty you like and can switch back and forth to try different opportunities. As a physician, you go to residency for a specific thing and then practice that or go on to a fellowship to practice that. PAs have the ability to jump from one specialty to another because they are trained and do clinicals in multiple things. I like that it is 7-8 years of school total rather than 10-15 for MDs/DOs. Really it is about preference.
Thank you comment icon Hi Autumn, thank you for your response! I appreciate the additional info that compares the amount of schooling between the careers. I will make sure to consider that. :) Ali
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John’s Answer

Mary's feedback is outstanding, and I'd like to build upon it by saying that some career paths can open doors to different roles in the future. I've had the privilege of working with paramedics who later chose to transition into roles as RN's, PA's, and even doctors. Additionally, I've witnessed numerous RN's who decided to further their education to become nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. Your unique journey might begin in one field and lead you to another. Remember, careers are a marathon, not a sprint, and it's perfectly okay if your goals evolve over time. You're not required to make a decision now that will determine your role for the rest of your life. The medical field is constantly advancing, and so are the professionals who dedicate their lives to it. So, embrace the journey and the opportunities it brings.
Thank you comment icon Hi John, it was really nice to hear about your experiences and I greatly appreciate the life advice! Ali
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Madison’s Answer

Three awesome careers but you want to consider a few things. The differences in time to get your degree, cost of each degree, and then what your role in patient care will look like after you get that degree as well as differences in work/life balance. For some the shorter time period to become a PA vs a doctor is appealing and also costs less, however, in the end you may make slightly less and have different restrictions in care you can provide.
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