PAs, or physician associates (or assistants), are licensed clinicians who provide medical services to patients of all ages and stages of life while under the supervision of an MD or DO. As this essential profession becomes more popular and the number of PA training programs increases, let’s take a moment to answer the most frequently asked questions about this rapidly growing healthcare profession.
What are the prerequisites for a PA program? Is there a pre-PA degree?
Similar to other healthcare professions, there are prerequisite classes needed for PA school, such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. The good news is that any bachelor’s or four-year degree will work as long as you’ve completed the prerequisite courses!
What’s the format of PA school?
Each program has a slightly different format, but there are generally two phases: didactic and clinical. During the didactic phase, PA students are in the classroom and studying the basic sciences of medicine. During the clinical phase, students spend most of their time in healthcare settings, interacting with patients while working to understand the clinical nature of medicine and make an accurate diagnosis. Some PA programs also have a research-specific phase where students conduct a study.
What are the best resources I can use to study in PA school?
Great question! Each program will have different ways of testing on various subjects. However, a few great resources exist, including the Osmosis PA Suite. My favorite resources are the Osmosis Flashcards and Practice Questions, but the platform is terrific at integrating different learning styles to master medical material. I typically start with an Osmosis video on a topic, go through a round of flashcards, and then move on to practice questions to make sure I have the material down.
Why did you choose to become a PA?
When choosing a career path in healthcare, one of the most important aspects for me was caring for patients in a variety of age groups and stages of life. It was also really important to me to have lateral mobility, or the ability to change specialties easily, which the PA profession offers! I had some amazing PAs as providers, which also helped me decide to become a PA.
There are many reasons to pursue this fulfilling career, from job security to travel opportunities. And while PA school does have its challenges (like any other career in healthcare), it’s also an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s been the best experience of my life, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who wants to become a healthcare clinician!
What’s the job outlook for PAs, and how much do they earn?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for physician assistants (PAs) is very positive, with employment projected to grow by 28% over the next decade, which is significantly more than the majority of occupations. The median pay is $130,020 per year or $62.51 per hour.
About the Author
Madison Donnelly is a PA student at Hofstra University in her final semester. She’s especially passionate about neonatal critical care and obstetrics and aspires to make a difference in PA education, leadership, and advocacy. Outside of the classroom, you can find her baking sweet treats, enjoying a nice cup of coffee, and watching Disney movies.
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