Which path should i choose? Emergency Medicine or General Surgery

[nursetopa]

Hello to all. I have a question. I am currently a registered nurse working in the ICU. I really am not happy with my profession and I want to pursue my PA certificate which I will be starting May 09. I am very interested in general surgery and emergency medicine. What are the major differences and duties and hours in both of these tracks?

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[core0]

Hello to all. I have a question. I am currently a registered nurse working in the ICU. I really am not happy with my profession and I want to pursue my PA certificate which I will be starting May 09. I am very interested in general surgery and emergency medicine. What are the major differences and duties and hours in both of these tracks?

You might take a look on the PA forum in the EM and surgery sections:
http://www.physicianassistantforum.com/forums/

From a surgery standpoint it depends on what service you are working with. For surgery some PAs work for hospitals and work shift work. Most work for private practice. Generally you work clinic and in the OR. Most surgical PAs also take call. For more information on surgical PAs look here:
http://www.aapa.org/gandp/issuebrief/surg.pdf

For EM it is mostly shift work. Depending on the practice you may work fast track or main ER. For more on EM PAs look here:
http://www.aapa.org/gandp/issuebrief/emergency.pdf

David Carpenter, PA-C

 

[deleted6669]

also see www.sempa.org for more info on em pa's

 

[core0]

also see www.sempa.org for more info on em pa's

Here is the AASPA site for completeness:
http://www.aaspa.com/

David Carpenter, PA-C