shao Posted July 11, 2011 1. I didn't know better2. I was afraid of o-chem that's exactly what the chief PA said when I met him. The only reason why he's not a doctor is o chem.
Jason09 Posted July 11, 2011 That's kind of ironic on my end... I was required to take O chem for PA school and initially was the reason I choose PT over PA. For me personally I made a list of reasons to go to med school over PA school and came up with 1) Title of MD/ Top of the totem pole 2) More money 3) More invasive procedures and deeper understanding of medicine. For me the reasons I listed weren't strong enough or important enough to justify going to med school. The only one for me that was really important was #3. However, I think initially the large gap between PA and MD knowledge will narrow with time and experience. For me personally I am the type of person who likes to balance working hard with enjoying life in my spare time. I think PA school tends to attract this type of person and is not necessarily a result of the profession. I'm sure this view will get bashed but it's my opinion and everyone has one.
Guest TerryF Posted July 11, 2011 The navy sent me to PA school through the U of Nebraska. The navy never ever brought up sending me to medical school....;-))
annakathryn77 Posted July 11, 2011 O-Chem is waaaaaay better than gen-chem! at least I thought it was easier. Don't let O-Chem scare you off, but fair enough either way. A lot of PA programs require it though it seems.
Moderator ventana Posted July 11, 2011 Moderator didn't get into med school and didn't know what else to do....
Moderator ventana Posted July 11, 2011 Moderator most times - 2 issues I struggle with - insurance companies and administration that lumps me in with the nurses and thinks I am not a primary care provider; related to this the "glass ceiling" about us not being doc's - 'no you can't buy into this practice as we only have physicians as partners" - also works into pay issues - I generate the exact same amount for my practice as all the doc's yet only get a fraction of what they get (less then 50% of the doc's pay) - having a different standard - a doc misses something it is just an unfortunate happening - we miss the same issue and it is a mojor issue with a lack of training - although I think this is slowly getting better would I do it again - YES YES YES it is a great field
Guest guthriesm Posted July 12, 2011 I want to work with patients. It is faster than going to medical school.
convulsed Posted July 12, 2011 Just as it reads above. And, I mean no offense by it. Are you preparing for an interview.
Joelseff Posted July 12, 2011 3 reasons: Wife and 2 kids. Didn't want to be away from them that long. PA school was hard enough on them and my marriage confirming I did the right thing! AM I happy? I just started my second PA job (I am a noob PA just 6 mos out of school) and LOVE it so far! First job, not so much.
ohiovolffemtp Posted July 12, 2011 Didn't want to spend 7-8 years in school & residency, so chose 2.5 years in school. Had I been 10-20 years younger when I was making this decision would have tried to get into DO school. I'd be working to 65-70 to break even on DO vs PA. Would rather be a DO than an MD.
Jason09 Posted July 12, 2011 Just a heads up these are not "interview appropriate" answers so don't take them that way...
physasst Posted July 12, 2011 O Chem never scared me....I went to PA school because I was torn between economics, finance, and healthcare. Wasn't sure if I wanted to do Medicine for my whole life...(Still not sure)....and didn't want to invest the time for med school. I got accepted into NEOUCOM, but decided against it. Still thinking about business over Medicine....but then I know I could go full business and want to go back to medicine.. Basically, I'm never happy.
pharmtech21 Posted July 12, 2011 I believe the versatility of becoming a PA is a very nice perk. You don't have to go back to school if you decide you want to work in a different field. No additional schooling, no residencies (of course, no extra money investments!). And the obvious less time spent in college. Also, if you are an MD/DO and own your own practice, that can be extremely stressful since you may spend the majority of your day at the office. While a PA wouldn't have to worry about it, since they can't run their own practice (bad and good thing). I've shadowed a PA and MD and the PA went home at 5..the MD did not. Just depends on your personal judgment and what you feel has the better positives. Good luck to all. :)
Guest guthriesm Posted July 12, 2011 Just a heads up these are not "interview appropriate" answers so don't take them that way... You mean being scared of O-chem doesn't look good for Adcomms?
Swole2112 Posted July 12, 2011 Author most times - 2 issues I struggle with - insurance companies and administration that lumps me in with the nurses and thinks I am not a primary care provider; related to this the "glass ceiling" about us not being doc's - 'no you can't buy into this practice as we only have physicians as partners" - also works into pay issues - I generate the exact same amount for my practice as all the doc's yet only get a fraction of what they get (less then 50% of the doc's pay) - having a different standard - a doc misses something it is just an unfortunate happening - we miss the same issue and it is a mojor issue with a lack of training - although I think this is slowly getting better would I do it again - YES YES YES it is a great field Your points being mentioned, do you ever feel as though the docs for whom you work think less of your opinion because you are not "one of them?" Do THEY put you in the same category with the nurses?
crieman Posted July 13, 2011 I ask myself this question nearly everyday. If I could find a night shift so that I could finish pre-med during the day, I would do it in a second.
chatcat Posted July 13, 2011 I discovered the PA profession and never looked back.. nor do I have any desire to be an MD. If I do have a second career in my future it won't be in medicine.
Contrarian Posted July 13, 2011 ... if you are an MD/DO and own your own practice, that can be extremely stressful since you may spend the majority of your day at the office. While a PA wouldn't have to worry about it, since they can't run their own practice (bad and good thing). I've shadowed a PA and MD and the PA went home at 5..the MD did not. Just depends on your personal judgment and what you feel has the better positives. Good luck to all. :) Are you... according to your profile already a Physician Assistant...??? I ask because the assertions above seem contrary to those known to be true by PAs.
JFarnsworth Posted July 13, 2011 Didn't want to deal with the business side of medicine. Liked the idea of switching specialties with relative ease (and I've done a lot so far), and I did ok in O chem but didn't want the huge debt of a student loan... wanted to have a family and actually see them, wanted to feel like I could go home and forget about work, wanted to be able to pick up and move and find a job without having to worry about setting up a new practice, residency was intimidating (this was before the 80 hour a week law), and I like to work hard but I also like to play hard. I like that I don't have to be on call ever if I don't want to-- I did it for a while and now I don't. I don't get called on weekends and when I go on vacation, I don't worry about how I am going to pay the overhead and staff salaries. And call me a wimp if you will, but I do like that I can hand off that patient with DM/HTN/obesity/CRF/PVD/LE edema/CHF/A fib/depression/hepatitis/neuropathy/lupus/psoriasis off to the doc. Just sayin.
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 13, 2011 Moderator . While a PA wouldn't have to worry about it, since they can't run their own practice (bad and good thing).:) in many states pa's can own and run a practice. they just hire an sp as an employee to meet state requirements for supervision. this can vary from distant chart review only and the doc never sets foot on the premises to a full time employee there seeing pts every day.
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