Why Physician Assistant School May be Right for You

Nicole,

Both physicians and physician assistants are trained to be generalists. It is only after school that each professional chooses a specialty. With regard to physicians, this takes place in the form of a residency; however, this is not the case with regard to PA's. Although residencies do exist for PA's, there are few of them, and the majority are not accredited. Therefore, most PA's that specialize learn as they go and gain responsibilities with time (sounds like a residency, although it does not bare the title). In terms of advanced practice nursing, the education is specific to a particular type of medical practice (although family practice NP's are trained as generalists as well). Furthermore, no residency options are available for nurses. I think you may be confusing a residency with clinical rotations; however, these are very different. In the 3rd and part of the 4th year of medical school, and the 2nd year of PA school, students rotate through several different medical specialties as well as general practice clinical experiences. Because nurse practitioners specialize within their curriculum, they do not rotate through specialty practice clinicals, but rather spend 3-4 months in one particular area of practice.

Jason of UT 12:46PM June 11, 2011

(*branching out)

Nicole of ID 8:38PM March 19, 2011

Well Angela you do get what you pay for, that is very, very true. With that six figure salary I make as a PA-C (apparently one who only knows a few smattering of pathologies) I bought my son this awesome looking radio controlled car (with my six figure salary) and it broke within a day.

So it is true you do get what you pay for.

Guillhome P Pa-C of PA 10:38PM March 11, 2011

I am responding to Angela of il

I have been a PA for 12 years working in emergency rooms and urgent cares. I believe that when a pa graduates, he she probably is at an interns level. However, you must consider the medical experience they may already have when entering school. I have worked in hospitals since I was 18years of age. Many are RNs, paramedics, military corps men ect. Have years of experience before they even apply To disregard that medical experience, and how that affects the learning curve would be a mistake. Also keep in mind that after 3+years of practice in an area of medicine many are up to par with most physicians. Also all studies regarding PAs show that their pt outcomes are in line with the outcomes for patients seen by MDs.

In response to you get what you pay for, actually most PAs I know make great money as we are in high demand. Yes it is less then a physician, but only specialties like neurosurgery and cardiovascular surgery have large disparities between PA and MD salaries. In areas such as family practice, pediatrics, and urgent care the difference on average is usually around 30% less then the physician. But I also had only one third of the school loans to repay. also remember, the more you make, the more taxes you pay. The other day at work, a physician and I calculated that I make more then him in take home pay because he pays 30%alimony to his ex wife. It's all relative. And no one should go into medicine to make money anyways. Much easier ways to make money.

Finally, it has been my experience that when someone speaks the way you did, they have already made up their mind about the profession without doing their homework and looking up any actual data or stats on PAs. I wish you the best of luck in your career, and maybe someday you will meet a PA who might open your mind further to the profession.

Brian of NV 1:26AM October 30, 2010