I would like to know what are the advantages and disadvantages of being a PA compared to being a doctor.
Thanks
Nev
Thanks
Nev
PA Vs. M.D/D.O
- Thread starter nev
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md: more knowledge, more respect, more money(range 90k-infinity)but significantly more debt and more time in school.
pa:more free time, less debt but
less knowledge, less respect,less autonomy and generally less money(60k-250k: >110 k puts you in the top 5% so not a lot of folks up there and all in specialties er/ortho/surgery). a good specialty pa can make more than a primary care doc in some settings. in my area starting for an outpt clinic only fp doc is 90k. starting for an experienced er pa is 80k with a rapid rise to 110-125 k.
pa:more free time, less debt but
less knowledge, less respect,less autonomy and generally less money(60k-250k: >110 k puts you in the top 5% so not a lot of folks up there and all in specialties er/ortho/surgery). a good specialty pa can make more than a primary care doc in some settings. in my area starting for an outpt clinic only fp doc is 90k. starting for an experienced er pa is 80k with a rapid rise to 110-125 k.
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http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=175835
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I would suggest shadowing both practitionaers in many different settings before you decide...thats what I did.
Personally, I dont think I would have been happy as a PA. I would always want to take the extra step and would not necessarily be able to do that without a medical degree.
I think much of it also depends on where you are starting from...age, prior medical experience, other responsibilities, etc.
It is difficult for 40+ year old people with kids, a mortgage, etc to pick up and start medical school. I see it in my class and I am hella proud of those people, but I also see the same situation in the PA students on campus and they have a much easier time with that sort of adjustment.
Personally, I dont think I would have been happy as a PA. I would always want to take the extra step and would not necessarily be able to do that without a medical degree.
I think much of it also depends on where you are starting from...age, prior medical experience, other responsibilities, etc.
It is difficult for 40+ year old people with kids, a mortgage, etc to pick up and start medical school. I see it in my class and I am hella proud of those people, but I also see the same situation in the PA students on campus and they have a much easier time with that sort of adjustment.
