Discover The Pros & Cons of Being a Physician Assistant

Key Takeaways

• Physician assistants (PAs) earn competitive salaries and benefit from strong job market growth.
• PAs can switch specialties — such as surgery, cardiology, or emergency medicine — without additional years of education.
• PAs work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and telemedicine, often with flexible schedules. 

If you’re passionate about healthcare and looking for a career that combines hands-on patient care with flexibility and strong job prospects, becoming a Physician Assistant (PA) might be the perfect fit. PAs play an essential role in the medical field, working alongside doctors to diagnose and treat conditions and provide direct care for patients in hospitals, clinics, and even virtual healthcare settings.

This profession offers numerous advantages, including high salaries, job security, and the ability to switch specialties without additional years of education. However, it also comes with challenges, such as long hours, high responsibility, and ongoing education requirements.

In this article, we’ll discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of being a PA and highlight the key skills and demands of this profession, helping you decide if this dynamic and rewarding career is right for you. 

What Is a Physician Assistant?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are integral healthcare professionals who work under a physician’s supervision while playing a key role in patient care. Their responsibilities include conducting physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing treatments, and assisting in surgeries.

The primary difference between a PA and a doctor lies in their education and autonomy. Doctors complete medical school and residency, allowing them to practice independently. Meanwhile, PAs undergo a shorter and more specialized medical education designed for collaborative practice. Despite working alongside physicians, PAs exercise a degree of autonomy, making important decisions and providing essential healthcare services. This partnership between doctors and PAs enhances patient experience by ensuring well-rounded and timely care. 

Pros of Being a PA

A career as a PA offers several benefits, including competitive salary, job security, growth opportunities, flexibility, and meaningful patient impact. Let’s explore each of these advantages in more detail.

Competitive salary & job security

PAs earn a competitive salary compared to other healthcare professionals with similar education levels, such as nurse practitioners. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for PAs was $130,020 in May 2023. 

Additionally, the field is expected to see a 28% increase in employment from 2023 to 2033, with approximately 12,900 job openings annually. This high demand ensures job stability and low unemployment rates.

Growth opportunities

PAs encounter different growth opportunities working in various fields, from surgery and emergency medicine to dermatology and cardiology. Unlike physicians, who must pursue residencies or fellowships to switch specialties, PAs can transition between fields without undergoing additional educational requirements. This flexibility not only expands their professional horizons but also enables them to adapt to different healthcare demands and align them with personal interests. 

On the other hand, those seeking to become medical doctors (MDs) must follow a few required steps, including completing an MD program, making the process more time-consuming and rigid in comparison.

Flexible work environment and schedule

PAs have the opportunity to work in different environments, including hospitals, private practices, urgent care centers, and surgical units. Their schedules vary depending on the work environment, ranging from standard office hours to shift work in hospitals. 

Many PAs choose part-time, per diem, or telemedicine roles, which further support work-life balance and allow professionals to align careers with personal needs. 

Patient impact

PAs spend significant time with patients, which helps build trust and rapport. Their involvement in patient care improves efficiency in healthcare delivery by reducing wait times and improving overall outcomes. 

Moreover, many PAs find their work deeply fulfilling, as they contribute directly to patients’ recovery and improve their quality of life. 

Cons of Being a PA

While a career as a PA offers a variety of advantages, there are also some challenges to consider, such as high levels of responsibility and stress, demanding work hours, rigorous educational requirements, and the potential for burnout. Below are some of the cons explained in more detail.

High levels of responsibility and stress

Being a PA comes with a lot of responsibilities and stress, especially since PAs are often tasked with making critical medical decisions and managing complex cases. They work in fast-paced environments where they must assess, diagnose, and treat patients, especially in high-pressure or emergency situations. Balancing patient care, documentation, and collaboration with healthcare teams can be significantly demanding. 

These aspects require strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work well under pressure. 

Demanding work hours

PAs working in hospitals may face 10-12+ hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Those in high-intensity specialties, like surgery or emergency medicine, may also be on-call for urgent cases, demanding immediate availability. Although PAs have the opportunity to create flexible schedules, long and unpredictable hours are common, especially in environments where patient care is always a priority.

Rigorous educational requirements

Becoming a PA requires completing a master’s degree from an accredited PA program and passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Additionally, PAs must meet continuing medical education (CME) requirements and recertify every ten years.

Continuing education requires a lifelong commitment to learning and professional development, helping PAs stay up-to-date with medical advancements.

Potential for burnout

PAs often manage high patient volumes per shift, leading to mental and physical exhaustion. In addition to patient care, they’re also responsible for handling paperwork, electronic medical records (EMRs), and other administrative tasks. The combination of these responsibilities and demanding schedules can contribute to burnout, making work-life balance a persistent challenge. 

Many healthcare organizations have introduced wellness programs and mental health resources to support PAs in maintaining a healthier work-life balance. 

Key Considerations Before Pursuing a PA Career

A career as a PA can be both rewarding and challenging. Before pursuing this path, it’s crucial to assess your strengths, long-term goals, and the demands of the profession. 

Key skills

Lifestyle and responsibilities

Beyond these skills, it’s also important to take into consideration the demands of this profession, including lifestyle and responsibilities. PAs often work long hours, including evenings, weekends, and on-call shifts. The workload can be intense, and high-pressure situations are common, making stress management an essential skill.

Continuous learning 

Continuous learning is the foundation of a career as a PA. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, requiring you to stay up-to-date with new research, treatments, and technologies. Commitment to lifelong learning not only supports professional growth but also ensures you meet industry demands.

Long-term career goals

Lastly, it’s important to reflect on your long-term career goals. Ask yourself:

• Are you comfortable with the level of responsibility that comes with being a PA? 
• Can you manage the demanding workload and potential stress? 

Assessing whether this career aligns with your aspirations will help ensure a fulfilling and sustainable professional journey.

Conclusion

A career as a PA offers strong earning potential, job security, and the flexibility to work across various medical specialties and settings. PAs are essential in patient care, building trust, improving efficiency, and making a meaningful impact on healthcare.

Nevertheless, this profession also comes with its share of challenges, including demanding work hours, high levels of responsibility, and the need for continuous education to maintain certification. Despite these challenges, the ability to directly impact patients’ lives makes this career deeply rewarding.

If you’re passionate about healthcare, eager for hands-on patient care, and ready for a fulfilling career, explore your opportunities with AUAMed by applying today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a physician assistant (PA) and a nurse practitioner (NP)?

PAs complete their master’s program based on a medical model similar to that of physicians, while NPs are registered nurses who advance their education with a focus on patient-centered care. Additionally, NPs may practice independently in many states, whereas PAs usually work under a physician’s supervision.

Can a PA become a doctor?

No, a PA cannot simply transition into a doctor. Despite their clinical experience, they must complete medical school and a residency program to become a licensed physician.

How long does it take to become a physician assistant?

It generally takes 6-7 years to become a PA. This includes completing a 4-year bachelor’s degree, followed by a 2- to 3-year accredited master’s program, and passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) for certification.