what is the scope of PA (physician assistant) ,salary and the job prospects?

Question

and do people think that PA's job is like nurses?

I'm talking about the US

Answer 1

Different countries pay their PA differently. So, where are you from?

Answer 2

The scope of practice of a PA ranges depending on the specialty area that you choose. For example, in Family Practice, a PA will take a history, exam the patient, make a diagnosis, and in most states prescribe meds, (though it's not called prescribing....that's really what it is). PAs also perform procedures in office like removing lesions, joint injections, casting or splinting, and suturing.
Basically the same for ER or Urgent Care.
But in surgery, a PA may assist in surgery, perform part of the surgery (like harvesting veins in cardiac surgery) and also see patients in clinic and hospital settings.
One of the greatest things about PAs is that you can do so many different things....and if you get tired of one....you can just move on to the next.
Salary ranges from city to city, state to state. One reason the range is so wide is because PAs come from very different backgrounds and some who may not have made much money in their previous career may be excited for 50K and accept it without a hassle. Overall, this can bring down the average, but the truth is....if you are firm and fight, you should be able to start a lot higher than that.
Job prospects are phenomenal. Sometimes it will depend on the area you are interested in and/or if you're willing to relocate. Overall though, it's a great position to be in.
As far as what other people think....a lot of people really don't know what PAs are, so if you decide to become a PA, you will have to help educate the world. Many people ask. Some think it's like nurses, some think it's like a medical assistant. Most of the patients will call you doctor, no matter how many times you correct them.
There's an article coming out in the next couple of months in Newsweek about PAs. Check it out.
Money Magazine has recently had some articles about PAs and how fast the profession is growing.
Like the other post says, www.aapa.org is a great place to get info.
Hope that helps! Good luck out there!
V

Answer 3

Physician Assistants is the third fastest growing occupation with a predicted growth rate of 59% over in the next ten years. PA's can specialize in any field such as: Primary Care, Surgery, ER, Pediatrics, etc.

A great place to learn all there is to know is the AAPA:
http://www.aapa.org/

PA's are above nurses are are more like NP's. The difference is that NP's are trained in the nursing model while PA's are trained in the medical model in medical school. Salaries range from $65K-$120,000.

CNN Money recently listed as the number 3 best job to have over the next 10 years!

Answer 4

Hi I am a doctor and we hire our PA's for about 50 to 60 K. But we are cheap. I have seen PA's get closer to 70 to start. remember you should ask for more as If you are helping a doctor who otherwise make enough money get home earlier to be with his family etc. you have done him/her a big favour. He can keep working and minting money but if he has no time to spend it whats the point. get the drift.

Good luck

Answer 5

The salary/remuneration for a particular job is the market value for a particular profession and designation at the city/town where the office is located. Job postings at websites like Monster, Yahoo HotJobs and Careerbuilder carry information about salaries. The Govt Dept of Labor, (www.bls.gov) Bureau of statistics has information about median salaries for different professions and details of additional compensation offered. Other online resources are salary.com and payscale. Your salary will also depend on your educational qualification and how you handle your career.
More details and links to relevant websites available at http://tinyurl.com/rndxq