Physician Assistants (PA) are a critical part of the medical team, providing a unique and valuable role in healthcare. As a PA, you have the privilege of providing patient care while working as part of a collaborative team with physicians. While the job of a PA is rewarding, it also comes with many challenges. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of being a Physician Assistant, so that readers can determine if this is a career path they want to pursue.
Being a PA can provide a rewarding and fulfilling career. It offers the opportunity to work in a medical team setting and to build relationships with patients in a meaningful way. PAs are able to utilize their specialized medical knowledge to diagnose and treat patients. They can also provide education to both patients and other medical staff on a variety of health topics. PAs have the potential to advance their careers, as they can specialize in certain areas of medicine and pursue leadership roles within their organization.
- Pro: You have almost as much responsibility as a doctor with about half the educational requirements. …
- Con: You still have to go to school for a long time—and it’s not easy. …
- Pro: You can make really great money. …
- Con: The hours can be awful.
Pros of being a physician assistant
There are numerous benefits to working as a physician assistant, both professionally and personally. Here are some pros of this health care profession:
High earning potential
Depending on your employer, you might also receive benefits like flexible scheduling, paid time off, health insurance, and relocation help in addition to a sizable salary.
Job security
For physician assistants, the BLS predicts 12,200 job openings between 2020 and 2030. Many of these positions might be filled by professionals who leave the workforce or switch to other professions.
Different disciplines
You have a variety of academic options when you decide to become a physician assistant. Having a variety of options can help you further personalize your career, boost your job satisfaction, and make your job more enjoyable overall. As a physician assistant, you can choose from the following disciplines:
Helping your community
Like many other health care careers, working as a physician assistant allows you to make a difference in people’s lives. When you offer your knowledge and medical assistance, you frequently assist people at their most vulnerable moments. Having this chance can boost your sense of fulfillment and job satisfaction.
What is a physician assistant?
A physician assistant is a health care expert who works under a doctor’s direction. They carry out many of the same responsibilities as doctors, but not to the same extent. Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat a wide range of patients while working in all areas of medicine. Here are some of a physician assistants main duties:
Cons of being a physician assistant
While there are many benefits to being a doctor, it’s important to also think about any drawbacks. By doing this, you can assess whether the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. Here are the disadvantages of being a physician assistant:
Demanding work schedule
Many physician assistants work more than 40 hours per week on full-time schedules. As a doctor, you might work sporadic shifts, including nights, weekends, and even on holidays. Your employer may also mandate that you work “on call,” which means that you are expected to respond to work requests from them immediately.
Working under supervision
The expectation is that you will work under the direction of a physician even if you have the same skill set. This implies that you won’t have full control or your own practice as a physician assistant. Remember that the autonomy levels for physician assistants may differ depending on your state.
Additionally, you won’t be paid nearly as much as a doctor. Despite this, you can still work in this field and make a good living.
Recertification every six to 10 years
Every six to ten years, physician assistants must retake a certification exam to keep their licenses current. Other healthcare professionals only need to pay a fee to renew their licenses every few years. Despite this requirement, the study you do to get ready for the test can help you advance your knowledge and make you a better physician assistant in general.
Lengthy education requirements
You need to have experience working with patients and a master’s degree to become a physician assistant. Additionally, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination and fulfill the licensing requirements set forth by your state. A physician assistant program typically lasts between 24 and 27 months, as opposed to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, which can be obtained in about six years. This indicates that it will take you about eight years of education to earn the title of physician assistant.
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Stressful work conditions
As with other medical professionals, working as a physician assistant can be demanding and stressful. This role essentially holds you responsible for your patients lives. Given the nature of the work, even though you provide patient care while under a doctor’s supervision, you might still experience stress. The pressures of the job are further increased for physician assistants because they have a lot of tasks to complete on time. Thankfully, there are a variety of approaches you can use to encourage relaxation, like going out to dinner with friends after work or taking a quick stroll outside for some fresh air.
Physician Assistant Pros and Cons
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of being a physician assistant?
- Long work hours. On weekends, holidays, and in the evenings, PAs may be required to see patients.
- Limited opportunities for advancement. Without more education, there are few chances to obtain a position with different responsibilities or a higher salary.
- Same work, less pay? …
- Physically demanding.
Is being a physician assistant worth it?
As a physician assistant, you will always be in demand. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that physician assistants have excellent employment prospects. This profession is expected to grow by 31% by 2029. Compared to other professions, this one is experiencing faster job growth.
What are the advantages of being a physician assistant?
- Versatility. PAs work in every state, in every type of hospital, and in every medical specialty, increasing patient access to and the standard of care.
- Work/life balance. …
- Competitive Salary. …
- Length of school. …
- Ability to give back to the community. …
- Develop relationships with patients. …
- Team-based care. …
- Continuing education.
What are the pros and cons of physician?
- Versatility. PAs work in every state, in every type of hospital, and in every medical specialty, increasing patient access to and the standard of care.
- Work/life balance. …
- Competitive Salary. …
- Length of school. …
- Ability to give back to the community. …
- Develop relationships with patients. …
- Team-based care. …
- Continuing education.
