What do you think about becoming a physicians assistant?

[Riprorin]

If I lose my job (no immediate threat of that happening), I'm thinking about going back to school to be a PA.

I have a BS in Chemsity/Biology (from a long time ago), so I have all of the prerequisites.

My alma mater (LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY) appears to have a pretty good program.

PA Program at LeMoyne College

Any thoughts about this as a career?

 

[C'DaleRider]

Decent choice. While you have to work under the "supervision" of an MD, any competent PA will be essentially left alone to practice just like an MD. You do have restrictions on what prescriptions, procedures, etc. can be written/performed........varies by state.

There are much worse career choices out there......PA is good. Can also enter the military as a warrant officer and be left quite alone and practice much more in a physician-like mode...........the military gives PAs much more responsibility and latitude vs. the civilian world. You'd almost be a "real" MD in there. And being a WO, you're given a comissioned-officer's privilidges without being caught up in that world of dog-eat-dog. WO's are not comissioned so the "real" officers don't pay attention to them, not enlisted and are "above" them......best of all worlds in the military. Not a bad option to seek after you get your degree.

 

[Riprorin]

I'm 43 so the military probably isn't an option for me. Good advice though for those starting out.

 

[Vette73]

PA and RN's are in high demand due to cut backs and HMO's. So yea that is a good choice. Of course anything medical is good right now.
90's = computers to 2000's = medical

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: prereq's
Minimum 1000 hours hands-on patient care

Jebus how do you get that?

 

[GasX]

Top PA's can make well over $100K, so it can be quite lucrative for a two year degree. Average salary is in the $70's. Specialists is surgery and emergency care make the most money (and in my mind have the more interesting jobs)

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Doctors can be assholes to work for.

My mother is a nurse-practiioner and loves her work, but is always bitching about the way clinics are run and how doctors tend to be assholes. Not all, but many. Condsider it a job hazard.

 

[StageLeft]

Hmm never heard about this line of work, but medical is where it's at.

 

[Zebo]

What are you doing now with your degree? No way i would but I dislike the whole medical field. keep in mind you credentials are typically time sensitive for marticlation purposes. Good luck.

 

[SLU MD]

hey now. yes some doctors are a$$holes, but its the same as any other profession, some are nice and some are assholes. i wouldnt take that into account in your decision. PA school is much shorter than med school and you still get paid a high salary. i'd go for it if you are interested. just be ready to study.

SLU MD

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: Zebo
What are you doing now with your degree? No way i would but I dislike the whole medical field. keep in mind you credentials are typically time sensitive for marticlation purposes. Good luck.

I work in R&D as a coatings engineer for a Fortune 100 company. I make about about 100k so the pay cut may not be too drastic. I'd have to go back to school for a couple of years though.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Zebo
What are you doing now with your degree? No way i would but I dislike the whole medical field. keep in mind you credentials are typically time sensitive for marticlation purposes. Good luck.

I work in R&D as a coatings engineer for a Fortune 100 company. I make about about 100k so the pay cut may not be too drastic. I'd have to go back to school for a couple of years though.

Do you have a local volunteer fire or ambulance company?

You could work with them and get EMT training. It will help you decide if being a PA is for you AND it will help you get accepted if you apply (most candidates have healthcare experience)

 

[Trevelyan]

If I remember correctly, you aren't required to be an intern either, like physicians.

However, it can help... my sister is a resident right now in an ER, becoming a physician's assistant.

And, yes, the money is pretty good.... we're talking starting $60,000 maybe.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Zebo
What are you doing now with your degree? No way i would but I dislike the whole medical field. keep in mind you credentials are typically time sensitive for marticlation purposes. Good luck.

I work in R&D as a coatings engineer for a Fortune 100 company. I make about about 100k so the pay cut may not be too drastic. I'd have to go back to school for a couple of years though.

www.lockheedmartin.com
www.raytheon.com
www.boeing.com
www.basf.com


etc etc etc.

No way should you start over with those creditials and the way the job market is in materials engineering right now. We should chat. My major is the same as your but with MS in materials..

 

[Pliablemoose]

I work with 5 in a clinic setting & 2 nurse practicioners.

Money is OK, $60-100K is about right for the salary. (I'm an RN & make more than about 1/2 of the folks I work with, but I've been an RN for nearly 20 years)

Dr's can be & sometimes are a$$es.

The repititiveness can be mind numbing & honestly some patients are just stupid & non-compliant, you haven't lived till a drug seeking patient or a double digit IQ family member/patient raises hell with you. Have to admit though that some patients are pretty nice.

Health care is becoming like a fast food franchise, much different than when I started 20 years ago... It's all about saving $ & volume now

PA schools have many applicants nowdays, but many non-traditional students are becoming PA's so you'd be far from the only non-traditional student.

 

[AdamDuritz99]

I use t want to do the Dr. thing but after working in the med field some, there is no way in hell i would want that job. The cons just out way the pro's, for me. But i'm leaning toward PA. The med field is growing which is nice, but in this line of work you put up with BS everyday. As long as you can handle the idiots (which there are definintly no shortage) becoming a PA could be a good career change.

peace
sean