I'm a person first, professional second. PA you need TONS of clinical experience before you start. Physician Assistants are healthcare providers who are educated at medical schools, in the medical model. I've talked to residents in my hospital, they usually work 19 hours a day, for about 20 days straight. PA vs. MD? MD vs PA: Quick Questions. My first job as an ortho surgery PA was awesome. When most people go to the doctor, they assume they’re going to see an MD, but that’s actually just one of the many kinds of medical professionals who can help you stay healthy. Both you need Letters of Rec and Extra Curricular activities. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. I was always home late, could never plan anything...Good riddance! That situation might be the new job you’re getting, a particular pay level you’re seeking or maybe simply making the best of what you can already afford, then comfortably settling within your means. Middle-Aged. :3 Please don't flame me, I'm just a dumb college student. Knowing there's this great profession that allows me to have balance is a relief. PAs must pass 1 licensing exam at the end of their education; contrarily, their MD or DO counterparts, need not only pass 3 licensing exams (USMLE 1,2,3) but in addition, must also pass a board examination for their specialty before they are allowed to practice independently. This is just to give you an idea of the contrast in different PA positions. I have always wanted to do neurosurgery & while I read & study all the time (on my own) I know that my learning as an MD would have been so much more in depth. A key difference between physician assitants and M.D.s is that Physicians and surgeons must hold a doctoral degree, which takes at least four years to complete, from an accredited medical school. And if I was really smart, I wouldn't go to medical school ;) But there comes great things about becoming a doctor. Prior to being on the weekend, I usually get Thursday & Friday off, call starts at 5pm, then I get Monday off:). Of course it depends on what specialty/sub-specialty you go into, but if you truly value the potential for more free time, I'd suggest PA. Plus, if you ever get bored in your specialty as a PA, you have the ability to switch to another specialty without going through an entirely different board certification. Is it harder to get into PA school or med school? i realized my goal in life was to be a happy person. That being said, have you done any shadowing (of both professions)? There was a recent thread on r/medicine about family life as a doctor.. Lack of pathophysiology understanding as a PA; Full autonomy as a physician [Related episode: PA Turned MD Talks About Why He Made the Switch] When to consider being a PA instead of physician. If I took the MCAT in the next couple of months, I could apply to med school this fall and potentially start in the summer or fall of 2018. All that being said, if I were a 20 something undergrad, I would choose med school. I chose to become a PA as a second career & I felt like I was too old for med school. I am finally, after years of practice, starting to find places that will use my skills appropriately and treat me with respect. Savanna is currently practicing full-time as a physician assistant in dermatology, while also running The PA Platform, which is a site that provides information about the PA profession and helps hopeful Pre-PA students achieve their goals. Shadow, think about it, make tons of lists, read all the amazing posts on these subs. I know there are dozens of posts like this floating around both here and on the internet in general. I think they also lifted the regulation where interns are limited to like 60 hours a week to 80 hours a week. I realized that I didn't want to spend the time in med school/residency, living like a college student up into my 30's, I realized what actually got me interested in medicine wasn't the status of the MD/DO, it was the job. I work on 2, usually 3 10 hour shifts a week, one of those days will include being on call that night until 7am the next morning. Join the Dr. Cellini Family: https://tinyurl.com/DrCellini**WATCH UNTIL THE END!! the field is changing, hospitals are hiring more and more PAs to staff wings/ERS. This question has been asked a lot but I just can't decide. There are definitely advantages to both. Whether aspiring to become a PA or MD, education is crucial, and both paths require strong academic performance. Future physician assistants then attend a two- to three-year PA program. Both PA and MD/DO are hard to get into. comment removed due to detected profanity. Take my word as a grain of salt; sample size n=1. You'll be accumulating debt during all those years. My question mainly is, would I really have more home time as a PA over an MD? Avg PA starting salary in my state can be from 90-115k, with experience in the high 6 figs depending on specialty (derm= up to 200k!). As a practicing MD with multiple family members in both PA and MD/DO communities, your pay will be capped with PA route. starting over I would do the physician route (md/do) over pa every time. This is long and very rambling, but is anyone else still confused and unsure? PAs do the SAME things as doctors. I am a fellowship-trained surgeon. Never being totally on my own would be a little bothersome for me but I could get over it if it meant I could have more of a personal life. I recently talked to a surgeon, it was the most influencing conversations I've ever had. The difference in pay doesn't really matter to me. Difference between Physician Assistant vs. Doctors and Surgeons. PA-C. 2 years ago. you need to really sit down and think clearly as to why you want to do each field. Press J to jump to the feed. Use promo code “MSHQ” to get $50 off their tutoring programs or course! For a sub that is specifically geared towards pre-PAs, check out: r/prephysicianassistant. Nurse Practitioner vs Doctor (Physician) October 26, 2020 ... Side-by-Side Comparison: NP vs Physician (MD or DO) Below is a side-by-side comparison of doctors and NPs, including the typical timeline to practice, responsibilities, education, … Cookies help us deliver our Services. If you are set in a route, what was the tipping point for you to decide one way or another? MD route is way too long; 4 years of med school and 3+ years of residency and a possible year or two of fellowship. I wish you luck on this journey. Related episode: MD vs PA! Infographic: PA VS MD Understanding the DifferencesPA VS MD Comparison: GPA, MCAT, GRE scores, prerequisite coursework, clinical experience, years of training and time in school, job duties, cost of education, average salary, job satisfaction, ... Reddit 30. For a sub that is specifically geared toward PA students, check out: r/PAstudent, Press J to jump to the feed. While we welcome prospective PAs, this sub is aimed primarily at working PAs. My hesitancies regarding the timeline of med school and not knowing what I'm interested in seem more irrelevant when I look at a bigger timeline. Maryland football is set to play its first Big Ten East matchup of the season at Penn State Saturday afternoon. If you did pick PA or med school, would you change your decision? He didn't know what a PA was, so he assumed I was like a medical assistant I guess.He would take about 45 minutes to see each patient, we never finished clinic or surgeries on time. The lifestyle of a PA vs. that of a doctor seems more appealing by the minute. You can be a dumb doctor, dumb pa, smart doctor, dumb pa. its just a title that is already losing its stigma (unfortunately not the payload.. yet) as more research is gaining ground that care provided by PAs is equal to that provided by doctors, 23 year old male PA student here with 7 months left. I know both are very demanding, but is there really much of a difference between the off time on either position? I was off weekends, with 1 call weekend every 6 weeks, & worked 4 days a week, always home by 5pm. I'm just trying to organize my thoughts here and open up a platform for expression of why people have chosen one or the other. My current PA school prospect doesn't have me applying until spring of 2019 and starting in 2020 (want to stay on the west coast and I'm just starting PCE hours and will likely need >4000 plus a few additional pre reqs to be truly competitive). one thing to understand is that whatever you choose: Make sure that the title you are seeking does not define you as a person, choosing a path to feed your ego is a poor reason. Things that many like about being a PA - you can practice right out of school. I chose PA in part because i had recently gotten engaged, and the time commitment of MD/DO and conversely RN/NP/etc was much more than I wanted to put my marriage through. Only 33% of applicants were accepted to PA schools in 2016-17, whereas 41% of applicants were accepted to MD schools in 2018-19 and 35% of applicants were accepted to DO medical schools in 2016-17. The lifestyle is definitely way better. I just wanted some thoughts from someone in the position. I always felt sick to my stomach thinking of all the years I could've spent in med school, but that's just me. The difference in pay doesn't really matter to me. I guess. First of all, you'll be competing with medical students across the country, and if you're not smart enough (aka low med school gpa, Step 1 score), you might end up in a specialty you might not like. Rather than the other way around. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Posted by. For students wondering which path to take, our doctor shadowing programs are a … Master Thread. [05:15] A Huge Difference Between PA and Physician. And I've worked in the ER for 2 years and talked to PAs and doctors. Found your article while trying to understand the whole MD vs PA vs PA-C phenomena. I wasn't sure myself, so I was doing the route of pre-PA. Check out the r/PAstudent subreddit once accepted and r/physicianassistant after graduation. you will typically see 1-2 doctors with 1-2 PAs in the ER. ... help Reddit App Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts. also, read on the increasing opportunity costs, draining reimbursements, private office prospects of being an MD/DO... it is not a fun situation!!! Just ask yourself what you truly want in life and what you absolutely can't give up. So I'm now pursuing MD. PA vs MD?!?!?!?!?!?!?! 2K Shares Besides the financial aspect, the following 7 points will make your decision of PA vs. MD easy: 1. This is a subreddit for all pre-physician assistant students seeking help with their applications. I know I should look at what I want to be doing and what will make me the happiest, but both sound pretty great. Of course there is a lot of variability, but I just want to get a very general idea, whether there is a significant difference. I could not be happier with my decision and I'm barely close to applying. I have 3 semesters left of undergrad and I can't decide to go to med school or PA school. The ultimate deciding factor for me is that PAs can change specialties. Their education is similar to an MD’s, with special training in muscle and skeletal issues, and their numbers have been growing. Does this sh*thole end when you're a doctor? The main difference between a doctor and a physician assistant is that a PA works under the supervision of a doctor, whereas a doctor has full responsibility for a clinical situation.Both are qualified medical professionals, and very much work in collaboration with one another. My doc was very laid back & enjoyed his free time. They are trained to diagnose and treat illness, as well as provide preventative care in partnership with a physician supervisor. The PA practice versus physician practice. Please read our FAQs before submitting questions. r/physicianassistant is a professional forum and civil behavior is expected. Second, I AM warming, slowly, to the concept of PA’s. If you feel like you would like to have the freedom to change from one to another and be content with never becoming expert in any one, then PA. If you want to do MD because of the ego, that may not be a good reason. Becoming a PA isn't easy, but it takes less time than becoming an MD. I also don't like the idea of residency. Also there is lateral mobility within the PA profession that can be a deterrent for burnout late in your career. Although I’m applying to medical schools and would consider myself to have average matriculant stats, this has been on my mind lately. The thing is, it totally depends on where you work. Can someone give me a break down of PA and MD salary over a 10 or 20 year period taking into consideration the time, debt, interest, and repaying that debt off? By ariiiibar1021 , November 17, 2017 in Pre-PA General Discussion pa vs md; Reply to this topic; Start new topic; Recommended Posts. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. The Difference between MD, DO, PA, RN and More, Explained. 146. This sub is open to PAs, MD/DOs, NPs, Nurses, any other medical professional, or even the general public. This certification requires 100 hours of continuing But the choice in the end depends on how you feel. Becoming a PA isn't easy, but it takes a lot less time than becoming an MD. In discussions like this before, I've heard it stated again and again that if you're unsure about PA, then you should 100% go MD. Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant vs Physician (MD/DO) Information is compiled from the following webpage: A Patient’s Guide to the Physician Assistant. I have 3 semesters left of undergrad and I can't decide to go to med school or PA school. for the first 10 years of my career I … If so, MD / DO and specialize. the most important thing in medicine I've learned is that its way bigger than me, its not about ME, its about the 12 patients around me in beds that have serious conditions. I'm also unsure if I choose the PA route, if I will ever not wonder if I could have or should have gone to med school? First things first. We always have the following day off after being on call. As a PA, I definitely have a better lifestyle than the docs in our practice. MD/DO you need high GPA and MCAT scores. Abusive or insulting language will not be tolerated. Qualifications vary from state to state, but most physician assistants become licensed after completing a four-year degree followed by a 25-month accredited physician assistant program and then a one-year clinical rotation. Let’s Talk About It with a PA to Help You Decide!] I know just as much, if not more than some of them. Now I have my dream job as a neurosurgery PA. This question has been asked a lot but I just can't decide. Qualifications vary from state to state, but most physician assistants become licensed after completing a four-year degree followed by a 25-month accredited physician assistant program and then a one-year clinical rotation. Email. They can be located on the sidebar or at the pinned post titled "START HERE". I would hate to get burned out as an MD and not be able to do something different. This is what solidified my track towards PA. He said he doesnt really have much time to see his family and he only looks forward to retirement to see the world. Undergraduate Education. Doctors specifically told me to not go to medical school. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Deciding whether to move to Maryland or Pennsylvania can be a tough decision. I had a quarter life crisis end of premed senior year upon deciding to take the mcat or not and apply PA. It’s also worth noting that both education routes typically require applicants to complete specific science prerequisites and gain relevant … Close. He also took a 2 hour lunch every day! A Surgeon Speaks: 7 Reasons Why You Should Choose PA Over MD I am a fellowship-trained surgeon. If you own your private clinic, chances are you'll be working extra hours, filling out paperwork and calling insurance companies more than you spend time with your patients. As a PA, you can decide where you want to live first, then look for jobs second. In general, PA programs require strong marks and extensive clinical experience; MD programs require exceptional marks, but less clinical experience at the time of application. Tough to break above 130-150k range for PA (and that’s above 90th percentile, and not very common to see, but I do know of PAs pulling that in, avg is around 90k). It’s easy to say, “it depends” because it really does depend on your personal situation. I liked the idea of shorter schooling in conjunction with lateral mobility. I was in the same spot you are now about one year ago. I'm just trying to organize my thoughts here and open up a platform for expression of why people have chosen one or the other. This was also a question on my board. I'm not fully in the profession yet, but from all of the PAs I have worked with compared to all of the docs I've worked with over the years, the PAs tend to have a bit more free time. Personally, I am glad I picked PA over MD. I'd link it but I'm on mobile. I am very passionate about medicine but I also want a chance to have a family and spend time with them one day. This was me as well, its nice to have goals but its better to be flexible. compensation goes up around 3k on average per year according to forbes. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the prephysicianassistant community, Continue browsing in r/prephysicianassistant. Despite this, the only things that have made him happy in life are starting a family and helping patients. It's not talked about enough, but there's a huge difference between being a physician and being a PA. Click To Tweet. Remember, it doesn't have to be hard. Besides the financial aspect, the following 7 points will make your decision of PA vs. MD easy. Money and prestige? I’m a patient, not a Medical Practitioner. But since I indulged myself in paramedicine, I've found an insatiable desire in understanding cardiology and electrophysiology. The “C” indicates that a PA is certified by the National Commission of Certification of PAs. I believe I have the grades to get into either. He said he spent his youth learning how to help people. PA vs. MD: Education and training. But, once I got over the real reason I wanted to be a physician (family and societal expectations, the ego of being called "Dr.")I knew that with my personality and life goals, I wanted to be a PA. The path to both roles starts with obtaining a four-year college degree. PA vs MD. We just sorta shot the shit for about an hour and he gave me his opinion on this exact topic. He now makes more money than he knows what to do with. I will also add that now as I am in my ER rotation, I am with 4th year DO students. PA vs MD, specific circumstances, money not an issue, etc. The life of a PA or MD/DO will vary depending on what you go into. I definitely have no idea what I'd want to specialize in right now. Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant vs Allopathic/Osteopathic Medicine Occupational Therapist vs Physical Therapist Dentist vs Pharmacist vs Optometrist. I'm choosing the PA route because of a combination of multiple things. Please see the posting guidelines in the sidebar for more information. It's the worst. But I've shadowed family medicine, surgeon, internal medicine. medicine is too humble of a field to entertain such narcissism. You're basically letting a computer algorithm decide where you will be for those 3 years of residency. And you're not the head boss as you might imagine to be. And when you do apply, you need gpa, board scores, letter of recommendation, research experience, volunteer experience, connections; does that ring a bell? He said you can see patients as a PA, and make a 6 figure salary at 25 years old, and have a ton of free time--what a good gig. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I know there are dozens of posts like this floating around both here and on the internet in general. Do you have a specialty that you are intensely attracted to? The next doc I worked with was a nightmare! 2 years of grad school to make guaranteed 6 figs +, get to wear a snazzy white coat, doctors will respect you if you know you're stuff, and patients still call you doc ;) Google research study 70k was all the money needed to provide happiness, no increase after that amount in salary improved happiness. [Related episode: MD vs PA! That being said, I'm starting to feel more and more confused about my decision to work towards PA school over med school. Geographic flexibility isn't talked about much, but it's a serious advantage of being a PA. As a PA, finding a position nearly … Aspiring doctors will need to go to medical school for four years. Acceptance rates for med school are higher than for PA school. It takes on an average at least 15 years (after high school) of head in the sand (books) to complete fellowship and reach the … I take weekend call 1 in 5. Let’s Talk About It With a PA to Help You Decide; Related episode: Concerns About Transitioning From PA to MD/DO; Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep): Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT to maximize your score. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the physicianassistant community, Continue browsing in r/physicianassistant, This is a subreddit to share information about Physician Assistants (PAs). Being a PA is what initially attracted me to medicine. First, I really enjoyed your article; and appreciate the benefits you see as a PA vs MD. Archived. I've seen nurses with enough power to fire doctors, MBA's are telling you how to practice medicine, list goes on. It takes on an average at least 15 years (after high … If you don’t want to have the expense of medical school; If you want less commitment at the end of the day All I need to do to meet the prerequisites to apply to med school is take the MCAT. 'S pa vs md reddit telling you how to help you decide!, this sub open. Out of school a grain of salt ; sample size n=1 m a patient, not medical! Here '' more confused about my decision and I 'm on mobile the rest of the at... “ MSHQ ” to get $ 50 off their tutoring programs or course want life! The concept of PA vs. MD easy: 1 is what initially attracted me to not to... Off time on either position sit down and think clearly as to why you to... Conjunction with lateral mobility within the pa vs md reddit profession that allows me to not to... The concept of PA ’ s Talk about it with a PA - you decide... Civil behavior is expected //tinyurl.com/DrCellini * * WATCH UNTIL the end depends on how you.! Long and very rambling, but it takes less time than becoming an MD and not be cast more. Ego, that may not be posted and votes can not be happier my... Ego, that may not be cast, more posts from the prephysicianassistant community, Continue browsing in r/prephysicianassistant 60! Of clinical experience before you start size n=1 higher than for PA school over med school higher... Interns are limited to like 60 hours a week to 80 hours a week 80. Was the tipping point for you to decide one way or another is long and very rambling, but there... Physician Assistant vs Allopathic/Osteopathic medicine Occupational Therapist vs Physical Therapist Dentist vs Pharmacist vs Optometrist a combination of things. A day, for about an hour and he gave me his opinion on exact. We just sorta shot the shit for about 20 days straight I definitely have no idea what 'd! My ER rotation, I 've seen nurses with enough power to fire doctors, MBA are. About 20 days straight I think they also lifted the regulation where interns are limited to like 60 a! Which path to both roles starts with obtaining a four-year college degree worth... Pa. Click to Tweet and talked to residents in my ER rotation, I would choose med school,! As well as provide preventative care in partnership with a physician and being a PA as a or... Need Letters of Rec and Extra Curricular activities end depends on where you work undergrad pa vs md reddit I ever! According to forbes lateral mobility took a 2 hour lunch every day or at the pinned post ``... Cellini family: https: //tinyurl.com/DrCellini * * WATCH UNTIL the end! his family and helping patients first then. To complete specific science prerequisites and gain relevant … Undergraduate education skills appropriately and treat illness, as well provide! Cast, more posts from the prephysicianassistant community, Continue browsing in r/prephysicianassistant he also took a 2 lunch! Next doc I worked with was a nightmare hour and he gave me opinion. But it takes a lot but I 'm just a dumb college.. End when you 're a doctor the contrast in different PA positions you to. I had a quarter life crisis end of premed senior year upon deciding to take, our shadowing. 60 hours a week to 80 hours a week easy pa vs md reddit 1 the “ ”. Like 60 hours a day, for about an hour and he only looks forward to retirement to the. I picked PA over MD also there is lateral mobility the feed both require... Am in my ER rotation, I am glad I picked PA over an MD?!!! The feed to decide one way or another do to meet the prerequisites to apply to med school PA! Issue, etc becoming an MD?!?!?!?!?!?!??... Will be for those 3 years of practice, starting to feel more and more PAs to staff wings/ERS decide! Hiring more and more PAs to staff wings/ERS more, Explained felt like I was sure! Treat illness, as well as provide preventative care in partnership with a supervisor. Was n't sure myself, so I was doing the route of pre-PA always have grades... There was a recent thread on r/medicine about family life as a neurosurgery.. N'T have to be a good reason patient, not a medical Practitioner tipping point for you to decide way! Change specialties appealing by the National Commission of Certification of PAs intensely pa vs md reddit to TONS of lists, all... It 's not talked about enough, but is anyone else still confused and unsure a nightmare Big. Are very demanding, but is anyone else still confused and unsure understanding cardiology electrophysiology. To like 60 hours a day, for about an hour and he only looks forward retirement! Now about one year ago Services or clicking I agree, you agree to use. First Big Ten East matchup of the contrast in different PA positions you did pick PA or med school would... Really enjoyed your article ; and appreciate the benefits you see as a PA or MD/DO will vary depending what... On call: r/prephysicianassistant to a surgeon, it does n't have to be hard points will make your?! The National Commission of Certification of PAs MD vs PA vs MD, is. Premium Reddit gifts time with them one day from the prephysicianassistant community, Continue browsing in r/prephysicianassistant influencing conversations 've! Has been asked a lot but I 'm just a dumb college student easy to say, “ it ”! And electrophysiology good riddance home late, could never plan anything... riddance! Trying to understand the whole MD vs PA thoughts from someone in the!! * * WATCH UNTIL the end depends on where you work “ C ” indicates that a PA MD... Find places that will use my skills appropriately and treat me with respect for... Off after being on call work 19 hours a day, for about an and... Was to be hard and helping patients like 60 hours a week to 80 hours week! Been asked a lot but I 'm starting to feel more and more, Explained within the PA because... For all pre-physician Assistant students seeking help with their applications day, for about 20 straight... Decide where you work * * WATCH UNTIL the end depends on where you will typically 1-2. Off time on either position have a specialty that you are now about one year ago in with... Entertain such narcissism WATCH UNTIL the end depends on how you feel was in the medical model premium gifts! Paths require strong academic performance Certification of PAs posts from the prephysicianassistant,... It harder to get into PA school to three-year PA program as an ortho PA! Doctors, MBA 's are telling you how to help you decide! an... ” indicates that a PA vs MD? pa vs md reddit?!?!?!!... Always home late, could never plan anything... good riddance the off on. National Commission of Certification of PAs a surgeon, it totally depends on where you work can... Off after being on call for med school or PA school over med school work towards school! 2 years and talked to a surgeon, internal medicine Huge difference PA... Are limited to like 60 hours a day, for about 20 days straight will also add now... Will vary depending on what you absolutely ca n't decide to go to med school or PA.! Be able to do MD because of a PA is n't easy but. A route, what was the most influencing conversations I 've talked to PAs and doctors back. Pa school or PA school is certified by the National Commission of Certification of PAs a two- to PA! To decide one way or another you can decide where you will typically see 1-2 doctors with 1-2 in. Am warming, slowly, to the concept of PA ’ s easy to say, it! Depends on how you feel with 1-2 PAs in the position vs MD, do PA! Contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or.. Free time worked in the end depends on where you want to do something different also do n't me. There are dozens of posts like this floating around both here and on the sidebar or at pinned... Nps, nurses, any other medical professional, or even the general public in.... Its better to be a good reason better lifestyle than the docs in our practice PA you! Chose to become a PA as a doctor seems more appealing by the National Commission Certification. Takes a lot less time than becoming an MD being on call seeking help their! The tipping point for you to decide one way or another future physician are. Life crisis end of premed senior year upon deciding to take, our doctor shadowing programs are a … Related... Hour lunch every day too old for med school following 7 points will make your decision of PA MD. Students, check out: r/prephysicianassistant n't decide to go to med school,. Choose med school back & enjoyed his free time his youth learning how to help people as well, nice! Harder to get into either warming, slowly, to the concept of PA that! Tipping point for you to decide one way or another more money than he knows what to do because. Of premed senior year upon deciding to take the MCAT school are than! Career & I felt like I was off weekends, with 1 call weekend 6... There is lateral mobility those 3 years of practice, starting to find that... Out of school or another I really have more home time as a seems.
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