What are the pros and cons of being a physician's assistant?

Question

I am saving up money to go back to school and I'm thinking about switching my major to the physician's assistant program. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone knows anything about the specific program at University of Texas: Pan American, that would also be really helpful. Thanks in advance. :)

Answer 1

The Pros.
Nice work environment
Professional attitudes among other health care workers.
Acceptable salary, with potential for increases dependent on experience
Job stability
Versatility
Cons
Responsibility
Possible call
Often treated as a "scut monkey"
Constant need for continuing education with limited time and funding.
Dependent on position, inability to leave immediate area.

Salary in the Texas Valley area is currently an expected starting salary of $57-60,000. An average salary of $64,726 with 2-4 years experience. The max currently reported salary in the valley area is $105,405.

The amount of education a PA recieves in school does not prepare them for the resposibilities placed on them, especially if they end up in a rural clinic without a constantly available physician consultant.

An example is Newton, Texas has a rural health clinic staffed by a PA. Their staff physician comes one afternoon a week. Otherwise, when the morbidly obese patient with malignant hypertension walks in the door without an appointment for a walk -in appointment, threatening stroke, and you have no medications to treat the patient with and the closest ambulance is 40 minutes away, you have to deal with it. I know someone who was in this position during a temporary assignment.

However, if you are in a staffed clinic or ER with support it is a very enjoyable career.

The only question I would have you ask yourself... is... if you don't like being a PA...what would you do with that particular degree?

Sorry I don't know of anyone who has worked with any PAs who have gone to UT, P-A

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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RE:
What are the pros and cons of being a physician's assistant?
I am saving up money to go back to school and I'm thinking about switching my major to the physician's assistant program. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone knows anything about the specific program at University of Texas: Pan American, that would also...

Answer 4

The pro's include a good salary (if can obtain a position), respectful career and being able to change and potentially save lives.

Some con's include having such a great responsibility of others' lives even though one works under the direction of a physician, potentially limited number of places to find work and a vast amount of emotional (and perhaps physical) stress.

Answer 5

Great Salary and lots of hands on experience = pros

Cons - very limited number of higher learning institutions offering; lots of loans to pay back, you get to do the "dirty work"

Answer 6

The physicians assistant makes six figures but does not have the responsibility of the doc. Sounds good to me.

Answer 7

FYI: spell it "physicians assistant:--its plural not possessive.
The cons have to deal with the state of general medicine --many lawsuits; long hours, the risk of being wrong, very bad tempered, angry patients, and stress. The pros: mental stimulation and challenge, the feeling that comes from doing something really worthwhile (making a correct diagnosis, helping a patient, etc ), the ability to work anywhere and in a huge variety of locations, specialties, and practices, hours that you pick (somewhat). Meeting some really great people.

Answer 8

you are an assistant. enough said.