What are the pros and cons of being a PA?

Pros:

• Job security: Choosing a career in the healthcare industry today is a secure choice. Healthcare professionals are in high demand and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession will grow by 31% over the next five to seven years.

• Decent salary: While not comparable to that of a doctor, a physician assistant will earn an above-average salary. The average base salary for a physician assistant last year was approximately $113,000. Compare this salary to other professionals who have earned a master's degree, $70,000, and a 60% difference separates the two.

• Shorter training time: The path to becoming a physician assistant is considerably shorter than the path to becoming a medical doctor. PAs must earn both a bachelor's and master's degree prior to taking certification and licensure exams. With a total education time of six to seven years, it is much shorter than the ten years of education required of a medical doctor.

Cons:

• Expense: The typical public physician assistant program will cost you between $59,000 and $90,000, with some programs costing as much as $130,000. While less expensive than the cost of becoming a doctor, PA training is still very expensive.

• License recertification: Much like a doctor, a physician assistant must recertify their license. Unlike doctors, a PA must pass an exam every 6 to 10 years in order to maintain their license in the state that they are practicing. Additionally, continued education is required of a physician assistant. A minimum of 100 hours of medical continued education is required every two years in order for PAs to maintain their license.

• Unusual work hours: While there are clinic-related jobs that follow a traditional 9-to-5 schedule, most PAs work nontraditional hours. Working evenings, weekends, and holidays is a characteristic of many healthcare professions as medical diagnosis and treatment are often needed 24/7.