I’ve been reading about both but can’t decide. I am sure either would give a satisfying career but I still can’t decide on one. Being a physician pays more, is more intensive and takes more school, and is probably more gratifying. The other pays plenty, takes less school and gives more flexibility which makes me think of the fact that I would like kids some day but I still can’t decide. Any helpful information from anyone would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Piranha –

Great question. A great way to learn more about what both jobs are like is to volunteer or intern in a hospital. You’ll get the chance to talk to both physicians and physician assistants to find out what they like and don’t like about their jobs. You can learn more about getting volunteer experience here: http://www.healthjobsstarthere.com/resources/getthejob/experience

Also, another thing to consider besides training and salary is projected demand. Physician jobs are projected to have steady job growth, but physician assistant jobs are expected to have even higher growth than both physicians and most jobs in the state.

Finally, if you haven’t already gotten a chance to look over our physician and physician assistant pages, here are the links for you to check out:

Physician: http://www.healthjobsstarthere.com/resources/job/Physician.html
Physician assistant: http://www.healthjobsstarthere.com/resources/job/Physician-Assistant.html

You can also read about Atul and Renata who both work as PAs — and Atul decided to go on to medical school:

http://www.healthjobsstarthere.com/dayinthelife/atul/
http://www.healthjobsstarthere.com/dayinthelife/renata

Good luck! – Health Jobs Start Here

Pirahna, We passed your question along to Renata, a PA, to see if she had any advice and here’s what she said. Let us know if you have any more questions! - Health Jobs Start Here

---

HI. You have a good list of pros and cons for each profession started. It’s a tough choice. I was med school bound and applied to both. I decided to go ahead with the PA profession and I’m happy I made that decision.

Starting off with school, it is a much shorter time spent in school. This is good and bad, of course. But good in the sense that you can get out in the workforce and start helping patients and using your medical knowledge.

Being 2 job on cnn’s money list of best professions, allows us to be able to select professions from all over the country and to choose between various departments of medicine. (Physicians also made the list) I work in ER but I have interest in other areas and I feel confident I could get a job in family, derm, urgent care clinics, etc.

You mentioned the fact that MD’s make more money... TRUE. But also think about the amount of loans they have to pay back. PAs make a pretty decent living too, don’t forget. And our malpractice is usually provided by the MD you work with or with the group.

In the workplace, I like being a PA because I like to consult with the MDs. It gives me a sort of reassurance, when I’m not 100% sure on something. I must admit, there are times that I wish I would have gone to med school to be able to have "that amount of knowledge" they do, but I also tell myself, I can and will learn a lot on my own and through my own experiences. Perhaps my opinions are different too, because I’ve been working for only about 1 1/4 years. 2.5 yrs in PA school does not quite equal the years of residency you’ll get as an MD.

I like the support I get from the MDs and my peers. I like that if I have a real "sickie" I am consulting with MDs and therefore I am not the sole provider (and therefore, not the only provider responsible).

If you want to have the final say in a person’s care, then you might want to consider med school. Both professions are going to be very rewarding. THink about how it is going to fit in your lifestyle. I don’t have a family yet, but going through PA school with a family is a little easier than medschool/residency. Once one is done with residency though and he/she becomes an attending, then the lifestyle can be "more normal". Your daily work schedule of course will depend on the field of medicine- if you work in family, then you’d be 9-5pm 5 days a week (unless you split the days with other MDs). If you work in ER, then your schedule can be fixed the way you want it. So, as a PA, I did my undergrad, then 2.5 years in PA school, then I’m in my ’normal" life now, getting plenty of time with friends/family and doing fun stuff.

So here are my thoughts. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision. And know that whichever direction you choose, the field of medicine is a very exciting, rewarding, dynamic, and fun place to be a part.

Renata