Why do you want to be a PA?

PAs also usually get to spend more time on patient care than in similar healthcare roles. While doctors and PAs perform similar duties, PAs have a great focus on patient care because they do not have the stress of budgets and business bureaucracy. A greater percentage of their time is spent learning who their patients are and their needs.

PAs also have the benefit of typically having more flexible hours than doctors. PAs tend to be able to work their assigned shift and clock out with very little spillover into their off-duty hours. There are also fewer barriers to becoming a PA versus a nurse practitioner (NP). This is due to the fact that you must be a nurse first for an NP.

A sample answer might be:

Although my current role allows me to connect with patients, I want to play a larger role in their care. I want to work on the frontlines for patients who experience social, geographical, and economic barriers to care. As mid-level providers, PAs ensure that the gaps between patient and provider are bridged.

While shadowing PAs and MDs, I have found that PAs have a greater focus on patient care and fewer bureaucratic tasks. In addition, the workflow and teamwork of a PA are more suited to my personality. Beyond the balance of autonomy and collaboration, becoming a PA will offer the flexibility of switching specialties.