Career Spotlight: Physician assistant

[jhout978]

very well said.

[shollo12]

If you're a nurse stop bloody whining. I'm a nurse and there is no point in being bitter and twisted OR having mindless optimism that everyone will suddenly realise how wonderful you are. If you don't like it, train to be something else, that's what I'm doing.

[whygeorgia10]

i didn't take medical terminology... I know what edema is... since freshman year lol

[townkevin59]

Physicians Assistants (In my Opinion) are a fuckin' pain in the ass. I would rather see an actual Doctor rather than some understudy elf that thinks they know as much as the actual Dr. I am truly sick of the way this world has become & the bad part is, it's only going to get worse!

[musicrocks9]

Thank you so much for this information!

[backtoharmony]

All NP’s are general Practitioners as well. NP’s are NOT limited to their specially! NP’s-are 1st trained & licensed as BSN RN’s with minimum 4 yr medical education/training. NP's regardless specialties are graduate school trained & certified in general med as well as in their specialty. NP's have a demanding 2 full semesters of Pharm as well as 2 semesters in Physical Exam & Diagnosing all diseases. Are Board Certified via AMA endorsed National Medical Exam & have prescriptive authority.

[nightfire4107]

@backtoharmony PA require master's as well?

[uvidga]

@nightfire4107 yes it requires a masters

[uvidga]

@backtoharmony If you read the AMA scope of practice series on nurse practitioners, you should find that their recommendations are that NP's do not practice outside of their specialty due to the lack of "adequate clinical and

didactic content to support the [acute care] NP for a broader role in outpatient primary care diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up."

[TheShowCalled]

do you have to be a chick to be a pa?

[MatchCard]

@TheShowCalled No. You can be a male nurse, male pa, male whatever.

[nightfire4107]

Great video! Helped me a lot. Like the way how you speak, very clear and informative. Smart!

[backtoharmony]

@nightfire4107 Video is Not Accurate. PA’s are excellent practitioners. But NP’s are more comprehensively academically prepared/trained & are licensed RN’s first. PA's are surly worth their salt once they get significant on the job training & experience. Many state's provide PA’s prescriptive authority as do NP’s. The bottom line is NP’s are Master’s prepared, rigorously trained & certified & must undergo recertification every 5 years. NP’s & PA’s do share many privileges - comparable salaries.

[xxjen829]

is this a hard course?? Im thinking about doing it in college

[Nyguenify]

@xxjen829 Yes. It is a hard course. The 1st year is as hard as any year in med school. Being happy as a PA though depends on who you work for (good luck), and what your expectations are (they change). If I had to do it all over again, I would have went to Naturopathic School, as I am doing now after 13 years as a PA. Allopathic medicine is a joke. Treat and cure a SYMPTOM? Come on now. You can't make money on herbs and diet and therefore it's shunned. Doesn't matter who you are (cont)

[Nyguenify]

@xxjen829 MD, PA, NP...we aren't taught about nutrition. We are taught how to diagnose and write a prescription! For me, I need more. I don't feel that I know anything about how to HELP people permanently. Hippocrates said let food be your medicine. Go watch Fat, Tired and Almost Dead to see the effect of just juicing alone in people's health! People know that eating BK isn't good, that salmon and Omega 3 is. But when you begin treating people with diet, you are a quack. (cont)

[Nyguenify]

@xxjen829 People want to say that naturopathic medicine is pseudoscience, and these people haven't one iota of experience or first hand knowledge, yet they condemn it. As Einstein said, Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance. Just go to nccam.nih.gov and you can find study after study validating holistic medicine. But they, I guess everyone has a choice to make. Hopefully, you make the right choice for you.

[xxjen829]

@Nyguenify thanks for your advice, appreciate it.

[spider23000]

When she's talking about medical terminology: "...Pre-operative; post-operative...", er, you don't need a Master's to know what those things mean.

[captiannn]

@spider23000 I knew what hemmorging Hemorrhaging was when I was 10

[teamjohntiger]

They are a bunch of idiots with Napoleon complex. They ACTUALLY think they KNOW more than most doctors!!! WOW. Be afraid of these people!!! ALWAYS REQUEST A REAL DOCTOR!!!!

[anthonymoore001]

Check out Bonus and a Raise

[PhysiologicAli]

STFU and stop talking about blow jobs since this only shows how sexually frustrated you are.

[luyendao]

Always sucks to be a woman in the health industry, it's a total boy's club and yeah before you to start thinking of your favorite porn scenarios with a nurse, well sorry, it doesn't work that way.

[Chery869]

3:33 She's not bored of thi$, means she gets paid well enough to not wanting to go back to school.

[muhaiminify]

quick question, does anybody know the current status of the bridge program from PA to MD?

[1369jeejee]

This chick is smokin

[MichaelHunter2]

Hey I found a great site with a lot of information on the PA profession in case anyone is interested. It is called the PA Forum and is located at PhysicianAssistantForum Com

[RizAbella10]

Yeah, not every female assistant has to "blow" someone to get a job, pigs.

Maybe YOU do.

[bomberfun1]

@RizAbella10 every female does, including you, sex sells.

[Zenome]

I bet she blow the doctor's dick to get that job. She looks like the type. lol.

[Vykkdraygo713]

@Zenome every female ssisstant blows the doctor. its common knowledge. xD

[runtubefantasy]

@Zenome

she actually went to school. but wouldn't you like to blow someone off for a job?

[nathanlurie]

I have to do a paper on 3 things I might want to be when I get out of high school in 2 years.

PA was one of the things on my list.

Can someone please tell me how much money a PA makes, the requirements to become one, and possibly 3 colleges/universities I could go to in order to get the job?

[jeffkeysar]

bomber, where do you work, and why does your info not match up with that of every article I've ever seen about PA's?

[bomberfun1]

Don't go to a PA school!!! Biggest mistake ever, do nursing instead or go become a teacher, engineer or a lawyer. Stop watching Grey's anatomy or Doctor House. It's all Bull s. I am a PA and I hate my job, the pay is around 35 K and after 12 years of experience you get a raise from 35K to 55K MAX. Plus you need to pay license fees every year (around 3000 bucks).

[sophisticatedmay]

@bomberfun1 Hi. I am an acute care nurse practitioner. I have to say it is one of the best things I have ever done. I was a nurse for 20 years before I became a nurse practitioner and they are two totally different jobs. I work with a critical care pulmonologist and teach as a university professor and make twice than your MAX. I'm busy, yes, but I love what I do. What type of work are you doing if you don't mind me asking?

[sophisticatedmay]

@bomberfun1 do you have prescriptive authority? We have to pay the DEA number fees as well every 3 years and as well as your license fees. At first, I was just breaking even.....paying university tuition made me feel that I made less than a nursess aid. However, after 3 years, I'm having no regrets.

[thesweetmolasses]

@bomberfun1 oh wait...you're from bulgaria....do they even have PAs there?

[KawaiyoKoji]

@bomberfun1 Excuse my language, but where the FUCK do you work?! One of my friends from college just finished PA school and landed a job, they told her the starting salary would be 110,000. STARTING. I live in New Jersey by the way. 

[LuckyDukeSeven]

@KawaiyoKoji

That 110,000 is Starting and Ending unfortunately. She got a fantastic deal. From the Physicians assistants I've talked too that have been working for a few years, their salaries (Chicago area) are about 90k. The national average is 80k. Undeserved areas typically have higher rates of pay for people in the medical field. The post-residency salary for a Doctor in your friend's area would probably be around 200k, while mine's gonna be about 180k. But that goes 10-15k a year.

[LuckyDukeSeven]

@KawaiyoKoji

The person you replied to might be a 1) Medical assistant. These are idiots they hire to shuffle paperwork from office to office and adjust beds. Or 2) a physician/medical student, who dislikes PA's because some of them call themselves Docs. Most of the med students I went to school with see PA's as another element of healthcare, like Nurses, but with more authority and insight. SOME see PA's as characters taking a "short cut" to being a doc- which really gets to them.

[Nyguenify]

@LuckyDukeSeven LOL at 1). I think there is a big difference between MD and PA, and that is you are NOT the boss. For me, this is everything. I dislike being told what to do, having to worry if I'm 3 min late. I mean seriously, give me a break. If you are in the surgery field, get ready for a difficult time IMO. Attitude from OR nurses, no respect, cranky fat nurses on the floor who stuff their face with pies and cakes and hate you b/c of whatever, and typically overbearing surgeons.

[Nyguenify]

@KawaiyoKoji Don't believe everything you hear. Sorry, but no PA out of school is making that much. If I were you, I would place a large wager and settle it upon receipt of her bank statement. After all, it should be nothing personal, you already "know" how much she is making. 110K a year starting. Seriously, you have NO IDEA of what you are even talking about. You are being lied to.

[strawberriesncandii]

@Nyguenify What do you think the starting salary will be for a PA who specializes in dermatology in NYC? I'm looking into this but I have no one to talk to.

[WeiSugarD]

@strawberriesncandii I also want to be a PA in dermatology :)

[TheBratcat1]

@bomberfun1 What about Physical Therapy? Is it better?

[mzluvwhytechocolat]

i would like to know if you can specialize in a particular area as a PA?

[lliifvee]

WOW, first you have to take a national exam for each sub-specialty and on TOP of that, every 6 years a test is required to re-certify? does that only sound hard to do or is it easy! I need help, thx

[lliifvee]

Can i still be a Physician Assistant if im not really fluent in English! I can speak it but i don't know any big words or how to speak fluently! Thanks

[Famida1]

@lliifvee

Of course you can; the most crucial thing is to take all the prerequisites for Physician Assistant school, and most include classes in the sciences (microbiology, organic chemistry, physics...) You don't need to speak perfect English but you definitely need to be able to communicate with the patient and know all the medical terms which you usually learn during either medical school or PA schools.

[lliifvee]

@Famida1 thx a lot

[mehiael]

Thumbs up to petition for a name change to "Medical Therapist" !

[ThePAcoach]

Thanks for sharing. I love my job as a PA too. I also help those who want to want to become PAs. I offer FREE video training on my channel. Go check it out now. 

[babyangelxox]

I really want to be a PA but I'm horrible at math, is there a lot of math required?

[ThePAcoach]

Thanks for the great video. The PA profession is awesome and I really enjoy it. I also love helping those who want to become PA's. If this is you, feel free to visit my channel. Good luck to you.

[tonyaterrellgilbert]

PA's do not work "under the license of a physician" it is under the "SUPERVISION" of a Physician. We are individually licensed in our prospective states.

NC Physician Assistant

[jeffkrtg]

Such an important part of our present and future healthcare-go to youtube:superjknottt

to see intersting and slightly humorous but important information on nurse practitioners

[icunurse01]

This isa great explaination of the field. I might consider this career.

[kieyky]

seatress, that is an ignorant comment. PAs are trained in the medical model just like the med students and residents. NPs are an extention of nursing. I work with them . Their knowledge of the pathophysiology, physiology and the disease process of medical problems are pathetic

[jeffkrtg]

Good to have this explained...people just don't know and all have important roles.

Look at youtube:superjknott

Alfie cartoon character explains how important they are and to listen to them-the segment with Alfie dressed in his blue summer duds.

[miitherm]

thanks for the vid. really helpful

[coloravon]

What steps did you take to become a PA

[Tishapooh2009]

My PA is the Best!

[rationalityProvider]

generally factual... but she oversimplifies the difference between NP and PA..

many NP programs allow free movement between age groups. Some do require added certifications to move into subspecialty like GYN or Critical Care, but so do many PA programs... to move into some specialties, added training is required for credentialling into an area of expertise.

[backtoharmony]

@rationalityProvider Actually her comments on the difference between PA’s & NP’s are dead on target down to the smallest detail my friend. It’s clear she has tons of actual experience to base her comments. The truth be known, she was being kind to PA’s, as NP’s are generally paid much better & have much more independence & respect due to the fact they are educated, trained & licensed & recertified via approval by the AMA on all fronts.

[uvidga]

@backtoharmony So I am only responding to these posts to make sure that anyone interested in PA is not misinformed. There are a lot of forums out there that try to say why one is better than the other. At the end of the day, we both do virtually the same job. People end up in front of us because they have a need. Both NP's and PA's assess patients, determine the best course of action, and implement the best plan for the individual.

[backtoharmony]

@rationalityProvider Actually her comments on the difference between PA’s & NP’s are dead on target down to the smallest detail my friend. It’s clear she has tons of actual experience to base her comments. The truth be known, she was being kind to PA’s, as NP’s are generally paid much better & have much more independence & respect due to the fact they are educated, trained & licensed & recertified via approval by the AMA.

[uvidga]

@backtoharmony This is an untrue statement. PA's receive a Master's degree after completing an accredited program taught in the medical model similar to the training of physicians. Also, the most recent Bureau of Labor statistics regarding salaries lists PA's median as $81,230/year while NP's are listed at $76,000. Even more recently (2010), CNNMoney lists PA as the #2 ranked job in America, with median income at $92,000. You will find NP on the list as well, at #65 with median $86,000.

[uvidga]

@backtoharmony To wrap up my rant, if you are already a nurse, be a nurse practitioner. If you are in another health care field, maybe PA is better for you. Either way, you will assess, diagnose, and treat patients autonomously. As a PA, you have a physician supervisor. He/she does NOT have to be present for a PA to practice medicine. As a NP, you "collaborate" with a physician. Same damn thing. PA's and NP's are equally well-respected, contrary to your implication above. Bottom line: TEAM.

[1013Razor]

All Nurse Practitioners must re-certify every 5 years. PA's may take Boards in pediatrics and others but the level of education does not automatically give them the expertise in that area. Going from a cosmetic surgeon's practice to a pediatric practice or any other specialty should require additional education. Nurse Practitioners may have several specialties, but are required to take Boards and re-certify in each every 5 years

[HollaGeo]

I heard that P.A.'s are a dying breed because of R.N.F.A.'s.

[lisax852]

@HollaGeo Lol? Um, no.

[XTREEMMAK]

Great video, dont think it's the proper career for me.

[MichaelHunter2]

Great video! Thanks! Heard about it over at the PA Forum. BTW...it has additional info on PAs. Great site with lots of information! Thanks for the video!

[runtubefantasy]

i heard they don't pay much

[crafmanable]

hey umm ples help me DO ALL PA's DO they same job ???

[abiah10487]

No all Pa's don't do the same job..its different depending on what you specialize in!

[seratress]

NP's can practice autonomously with their OWN license, vs PA's can ONLY Practice UNDER a physician.. NPs have more prescriptive authority, and physicians would rather hire an NP because they have actual medical experience, compared to a PA that could potentially have an art degree, or a kinesiology degree.. or hopefully a bio/chem degree.

[jesse5284]

PA's take classes like gross anatomy and are required to have more clinical hours (working as a nurse does not count, sorry). NP's take classes like "death and dying" or "nursing theory". The simple fact that you think mid levels SHOULD be able to own their own practice and work autonomously is just not safe and is a perfect example of the declining quality of health care. Mid levels have their place, but when they can't handle a case, they should know when to hand it over to a physician.

[JoeORMERO]

True PA's have to take responsibility for working within their limits. They have a foundation in the most common medical conditions and so are generalists. It has been shown that the more generalists that work in healthcare the better the health care. The generalistic nature of the PA will often compliment the specialistic nature of those working working around the pa.

[rationalityProvider]

@jesse5284

wow you sound angry, dissatisfied, ill informed AND frustrated.

[jesse5284]

Oh and, by "physician", I don't mean someone who has completed an "online" DNP program.

[delco714]

@seratress lol@you, haha someone lied to you, you are generally misinformed or overzealous.

[JoeORMERO]

PAs do have to to prescribe under a DOC because they prescribe to a higher level.

Most PAs have a BSc actually so have an awesome foundation in science. They actually have more exp than nurses because they 1. have to have some clinical exp to get on a course and 2. because they spend a whole year getting different exp in all different medical specialities. You will never get someone choosing between the 2 unless they don't understand. You want to be a nurse be a nurse you want to do Med be a PA

[organelle67]

@seratress UHHH.....NO. PA schools only look for people who have hands on medical experience...such as nurses, respiratory techs, xray techs, EMTs, etc.

[InnocentyInsane]

Medical assistant's have to recertify every 5 years...

[DarkThug13]

@InnocentyInsane it's 6 years

[MichaelHunter2]

@InnocentyInsane Medical Assistant's ??? You're off topic here. We are not talking about Medical Assistants. We are talking about Physician Assistants. Get it straight!

[kguerrero2010]

Thanx i like this vid because I wanted to e a pediatrician but the years of school is alot, I wanted to be a PA but I have heard many different things about it and now I am more convinced

and thank god I got my major in biology

[Azizuzb]

okay i am confused, some people say that PA's can't prescribe and diagnose, however, in the video she clearly says that she prescribes and diagnoses?

[LunaLovegood281]

@Azizuzb

A PA's ability to prescribe medicine depends on the state and the limitations they have under their supervising physician, I believe

[kguerrero2010]

@Azizuzb

Ok it depends where you live Some states have laws that may or may not let you

Also it may depend on the doctor that is supervising you..

[Bostons617]

the guidelines vary from state to state.

[blackiemagic0235]

Every state lets PAs prescribe medications, and I believe the majority of states allows PAs to prescribe schedule II medications as well.

[rationalityProvider]

@blackiemagic0235

I think you should check your practice laws... there are several states that still restrict prescriptions for PAs to needing cosignatures on all scripts, or no narcs.

same for NPs... some states still have less than full prescriptive authority.

[organelle67]

@Azizuzb PAs can prescribe in almost all states...but WHAT they can prescribe is a little different from state to state. PAs can diagnose, and also do most things that an actual MD does...albit under the supervision/practice of an MD.

[thebomb35]

very helpful video,thanks ,Omkar

[thebomb35]

great helpful video,thanks,Omkar

[Rw7451]

i hope i get a hot assistant or a good lookin one like this

[jessicabloom1]

;o good O.o

[mpmcd81]

It's Physician (not Physician's) Assistant. "Assistant" is the accepted word for the profession, but it really isn't truly descriptive. PA's practice medicine, though they do it under the license of an MD.

[jmm121884]

They arent UNDER the License of an MD. PAs have either own license to practice medicine their own DEA numbers. but are supervised and work for MDs.

[mpmcd81]

That is correct. PA's become licensed in most states after completing PA school (usually MPAS or equivalent) and passing PANCE. In most states they can write prescriptions.

[organelle67]

@mpmcd81 PA's DO NOT practice under the license of an MD, PAs have their OWN license issued by the Medical Board that they practice under. PAs do however practice under the supervision of an MD.

[stagelightingkid]

Ok I dont know why people argue on here. I know for a fact it takes four years. My cousin is in his first yr of college. Two years of college and two yeras of med school.I want to be a Physician Assistant When i grow up but i want to work in a hospital

[mpmcd81]

To become a PA:

4 years in undergrad, 12-15 months didactic phase of PA school, 12-15 months of clinical rotations, PANCE

~ $100,000 in debt

~ $80,000 salary

~ $600/yr malpractice premium

To become an MD

4 years of undergrad, 2 years of didactic work, 2 years of clinical rotations, 3-5 years of residency, optionally 3 years of fellowship. Pass USMLE Step 1, 2, and 3

~250-300K in debt

~30-125K in annual malpractice premiums

~150-500K salary, depending on specialty

[rotena25]

I thaught it was 2 years undergraduate.

[mpmcd81]

No, the vast majority of PA's have a bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Physician Assistant or Physician Associate Studies.

[yodizzlefoshizzle]

@mpmcd81 The salary of a PA depends largely on the setting he/she works in, the specialty, and the capabilities of the PA. The current average salary for a PA is $93,105, and this varies by state. I personally know a PA who works normal hours at a busy clinic in urgent care who makes $130,000. He has colleagues working as PAs in dermatology who make close to $200,000. It all depends on the specialty, the patient load, how good you are, the company you work for, etc.

[nurseprittie]

Many PAs have master's degrees, but this is NOT a national requirement. She is correct that NPs specialize in adult, pediatric, geriatric, acute and women's care. But that does not mean you can't ever change specialties...in fact many NPs are family specialists. Oops.

[jmm121884]

Yeah its called a Family NP. FNP.

Masters is currently the entry level.. Some programs still have less but it doesnt matter... Everyone needs a bachelors except for some of the older pas who didnt need one back in the day.

[afarmboy76]

Sorry... another missed point is that NP in most areas must have a Masters to practice whereas this is a rare requirement of a PA.

[premedlove3]

a masters degree is now required for a P.A.

[jmm121884]

For all new programs entry level is Masters.. some other programs have other degrees or certs. but pretty much everyone will be masters.. the majority are at the moment.

[afarmboy76]

Maybe if you're in 1 of the couple states that require a masters it may be required, otherwise ONLY A PA CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED! There are STILL certificate ONLY programs (NO degree at all required) there are still associate programs and there are still Bachelor programs. Go visit some PA specific forums or the "studentdoctor" forum to learn about this stuff. Too many ppl here give bad info.

[afarmboy76]

Note Nursepretties comment a few posts above.

[jmm121884]

entry level degree will be a dnp.. cant call them doctors in clinical practice however...