If you asked me what I wanted to be in the first grade, you might be surprised to know that I aspired to be a pet store helper / fashion designer. Soon after that short-lived dream, I then planned to be a meteorologist, which may or may not have had to do with my crush on the local weatherman at the time, Sam Champion. As I got older though, I took an interest in science courses and decided that physician assistant (PA) was the right career choice for me.
1. The Ability to Develop Patient Relationships
Although my career choices as a child were questionable, I never saw myself sitting behind a desk all day. And when I got to high school, I learned that when it comes to the healthcare field, there are so many different opportunities. Through my involvement with the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) as well as the hands-on learning experiences I gained through my high school, I was lucky to be exposed to many different health careers at a relatively young age. One of the main aspects that stood out to me about the physician assistant profession is the ability to help others in a clinical setting and hands-on way while also being able to maintain a work-life balance if desired.
2. Work-Life Balance
Shadowing an orthopedic PA was definitely one of the determining factors for why I decided to major in Physician Assistant Studies. I thought it was awesome that she was able to make a difference in patients' lives in the office as well as play a vital role in the operating room. She was highly respected by her patients and colleagues and really seemed to love her job. I also thought it was amazing that she was able to balance her demanding career with her personal life and family.
3. Specialization Without a Residency
ABCWhen I first started learning about the PA profession, I was surprised to find that it is quite common for PA's to go beyond primary care and into specific subspecialties. Although I definitely see myself specializing as a PA, I am not sure if I would be satisfied in only one area for my entire life. Luckily, physician assistants are not required to complete a residency, or additional training that focuses on a specific area of study. This is one of the major differences between MD's and PA's, and it will allow for more flexibility throughout my career without having to complete additional years of schooling. One of the drawbacks to this, however, is that the national certifying exams for PA's (the PANCE and PANRE), cover all medical specialties regardless of whether or not you work in these areas.
4. The Ability to be a Team Player....
PA's have the privilege of working as part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. They see patients on their own, but can always use their overseeing physician as a reference if they want to check on something further. The PA I shadowed worked with patients throughout pre-op all the way to post-op which really helped her form a deeper relationship with the people she was treating. She worked with a variety of other professionals beyond the physician such as the surgical nurses, anesthesiologists, and office administrators.
5. While Also Maintaining a Sense of Autonomy
Although PA's are required to work under a licensed physician, they have a wide scope of practice ranging from seeing and treating patients autonomously to their ability to prescribe medications in many states. Although PA's cannot lead in surgery, the PA I shadowed played a major role in the OR through being the main assist to the doctor as well as being responsible for closing the surgical wound.
6. A Decent Salary
Although PA's do not make as much as MD's, they are generally compensated fairly well for their work. According to US News, the median salary for a physician assistant in 2017 was $105,000. However, like nearly all professions, this varies based on specialty, location, and years of experience among other factors.
7. The Ability to Help Minimize Healthcare Disparities
Since the profession's start in the mid-1960's, its main mission has been to expand people's access to quality healthcare, especially in rural areas where there are often shortages of primary healthcare providers. The profession has been and is continuing to evolve, but still has not lost sight of its original goal to improve healthcare across the United States and increasingly throughout the world. I am beyond excited to be part of this growing profession and really hope to make a positive impact through being a PA one day!
