mercyone Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Hi everyone, As a potential pre-PA student considering PA school among other possible career options, I am hoping to gain some insight about why current pre-PAs/PA students/PAs chose to be a PA over other careers. Hopefully this will be helpful to others considering becoming a PA as well. Specifically, why did you choose PA...+ Rather than MD/DO or NP (Cost/time/responsibilities/flexibility? What factored most into your choice?) + Rather than another healthcare practice profession + Rather than another healthcare-related profession (Administration/policy/research/etc?) + Rather than other degrees/careers that interested you + Rather than to continue in a past degree/career field Also, have you been satisfied with your choice? Why/why not?Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMD16 Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 I suggest you do a search. Most likely, topic has been discussed or answered in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 14, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 14, 2014 I was a paramedic with a BS degree who was afraid of taking ochem and the mcat. I should have sucked it up and applied to med school. I've done well as a PA, but it hasn't been easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 ^^^, except I was an EMT at a time where paramedics were still somewhat new and non-fire department training was almost unheard of (all the municipalities were trying to train their fire staff). Also, I recall med school admission being more competitive back in the late 70's/early 80's since there were fewer schools at the time in my state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 14, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 14, 2014 ^^^, except I was an EMT at a time where paramedics were still somewhat new and non-fire department training was almost unheard of (all the municipalities were trying to train their fire staff). Also, I recall med school admission being more competitive back in the late 70's/early 80's since there were fewer schools at the time in my state. If I had known about DO programs back then I would have pursued that option and done a dual EM/FP residency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Six of seven males in the class ahead of me (out of twenty five total students) went back to med school. In my class, out of nine males (class of twenty four students) only two of the nine went back. I don't recall any females in either class going back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunedain Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Some could argue at my age (25) I should just gun for med school but I have chosen PA for a couple reasons: I don't have the desire to be completely autonomous and enjoy a collaborative framework I already have HCE experience as an RN and being a PA fits that mold nicely I can't take the pay cut for 4 years of med school and 4 years of residency. Totally possible but I just don't want to. I HATE the curriculum in NP school HC admin or management is life-sucking and I am not too fond of any of the admin drones around the hospital who haven't been in the trenches for years if at all... Bedside nursing is not sustainable for life unless you are a masochist or love being in a self-deprecating state Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 14, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 14, 2014 many pa jobs are not sustainable for life unless you are a masochist or love being in a self-deprecating state fixed that for you.....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunedain Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 fixed that for you.....:) Say it ain't so! :((((((( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 14, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 14, 2014 Say it ain't so! :((((((( depends on the setting. there are a lot of good pa jobs out there and a lot of crap pa jobs out there where you will not receive any teaching and just be expected to move the meat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACdan Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 ...crap pa jobs out there where you will not receive any teaching and just be expected to move the meat... I'm assuming these are the big, for-profit healthcare corporations, the doc-in-a-box chains / UCs, etc.? I never shadowed PAs in those settings, and plan to avoid working in them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 14, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 14, 2014 I'm assuming these are the big, for-profit healthcare corporations, the doc-in-a-box chains / UCs, etc.? I never shadowed PAs in those settings, and plan to avoid working in them too. good idea... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 I'm assuming these are the big, for-profit healthcare corporations, the doc-in-a-box chains / UCs, etc.? I never shadowed PAs in those settings, and plan to avoid working in them too. Me either ... Speaking of which Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torshi Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 would settling down earlier with a family be a valid reason to note in a personal statement or no? Because one the biggest differences between MD and PA are the length of programs obviously. Some of my reasons include: 1.) Wanting to serve as a .mil PA and the .mil history/roots of the career fits my personality 2.) greater impact/autonomy on decisions affecting Pts life - wanting to transition from nurses aide to PA 3.) settle down with family earlier? 4.) How can I word my desire to still play a collaborative role in medicine rather than be the sole decision maker? - I know in many cases with your patients as a PA, you make decisions on your own, but I'm speaking overall considering everyone has an SP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAdmission Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Autonomy in medicine is mostly a theoretical construct. Even if you are a solo practice MD in the boondocks there is probably some insurance company making decisions for you. Physicians have been among the most generally miserable people I have ever encountered. Most of the ones I encounter spend their day watching their stock portfolio and dreaming of the day they can get out. The grass is always greener... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 16, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 16, 2014 . Physicians have been among the most generally miserable people I have ever encountered. Most of the ones I encounter spend their day watching their stock portfolio and dreaming of the day they can get out. The grass is always greener... depends on the specialty and the group. most of the em docs I know work 10-12 days/mo, make > 300k/yr and spend a lot of their free time traveling all over the world, driving their fancy cars,eating at fancy restaurants and going to plays and concerts on a regular basis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will352ns Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Retired from the AF. I was an Independent Duty Medic and I still liked medicine...kind of the next logical step. Applied and now attending PA school. The end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAdmission Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 depends on the specialty and the group. most of the em docs I know work 10-12 days/mo, make > 300k/yr and spend a lot of their free time traveling all over the world, driving their fancy cars,eating at fancy restaurants and going to plays and concerts on a regular basis I guess it is just about the money, then? As far as autonomy, someone else probably makes their schedule, the formulary tells them what to prescribe, some billing admin chases after their RVUs, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 16, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 16, 2014 I guess it is just about the money, then? NOPE, also better scope of practice, more autonomy, and more respect. one of the sr docs writes the schedule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACdan Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 depends on the specialty and the group. most of the em docs I know work 10-12 days/mo, make > 300k/yr and spend a lot of their free time traveling all over the world, driving their fancy cars,eating at fancy restaurants and going to plays and concerts on a regular basis Emergency physicians have one of the lowest mean annual hours worked, compared to all other specialities: http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1105820 I guess that's a "perk" of someone entering the speciality, if they're able, from medical school. But what if you (as a senior EM PA) worked a similar schedule? Any issues other than a pay cut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 16, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 16, 2014 Emergency physicians have one of the lowest mean annual hours worked, compared to all other specialities: http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1105820 I guess that's a "perk" of someone entering the speciality, if they're able, from medical school. But what if you (as a senior EM PA) worked a similar schedule? Any issues other than a pay cut? if I worked 100 hrs/mo I would take almost a 50% pay cut. it wouldn't change the autonomy, scope of practice or respect. I would just make less money. probably be happier though with more time to run/bike/spend with family, etc. although I couldn't afford my grad porgram or trips to Haiti. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAdmission Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 NOPE, also better scope of practice, more autonomy, and more respect. one of the sr docs writes the schedule. Hmm... According to this article, doctors need to make a lot of money to afford all the Prozac they need. Apparently not a lot of respect here, either: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/14/how-being-a-doctor-became-the-most-miserable-profession.html As to scope of practice, last I checked my docs took the same ACLS, etc. that I took. For me, I am happy to: be a PA drive a beater not travel overseas (to visit a bunch of quasi-socialist lands) consider a really good hamburger as the zenith of culinary talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 16, 2014 Moderator Share Posted April 16, 2014 As to scope of practice, last I checked my docs took the same ACLS, etc. that I took. on a day to day basis in almost all specialties except primary care a doc has a far broader scope of practice than a pa. compare what a typical em doc and em pa can be privileged for. how many em pas do you know who can do all of the following: thoractomy, nasopharyngoscopy, thoracentesis, paracentesis, perimortem c-section, transvenous pacers, cervical tongs, burr holes, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAdmission Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 on a day to day basis in almost all specialties except primary care a doc has a far broader scope of practice than a pa. compare what a typical em doc and em pa can be privileged for. how many em pas do you know who can do all of the following: thoractomy, nasopharyngoscopy, thoracentesis, paracentesis, perimortem c-section, transvenous pacers, cervical tongs, burr holes, etc. I'm not sure I know too many ER physicians that would attempt all of those procedures. Under extreme circumstances, I would probably take a stab at any of them except for maybe the burr holes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I would probably take a stab at any of them except for maybe the burr holes... OUCH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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