“Why did you decide to go to physician assistant school rather than medical school?”
This seems to be one of the most commonly asked questions I get from friends, family, and future healthcare professionals. There isn’t one specific reason why I chose the PA path, but rather a myriad of reasons that drew me to the profession. Let’s quickly talk about my journey to understand my reasons for choosing to become a PA over other healthcare professions.
I originally wanted to be a nurse because my mother went to nursing school. After my first semester of nursing prerequisites, I randomly discovered what a PA is and began to do research on this new profession. Naturally, I became an expert overnight (that’s how it works, right?). I became obsessed with this profession and started to do whatever it takes to work toward my goal. Two years later, I switched from wanting to attend medical school and became a typical gunner.
In December of 2017, I developed multiple DVT’s and a very significant bilateral pulmonary embolism. I was hospitalized for 8 days, 4 hours away from home and 1 clot away from death. That was the longest and scariest week of my life, but it forced me to think about life and what I truly wanted the most. The only thing I could think of was…I just wanted to be happy. I began to analyze every goal and aspiration I ever had. This lead me to switch from medical school to PA school, which was one of the toughest choices I’ve ever made. The moment I committed to becoming a PA, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.
I believe that my personality is what draws me to the PA profession. I have the ability to choose the life that I want to live more effectively than I could as a physician and still practice medicine. I am in school for significantly less time, no residency, lateral mobility between specialties, come out with less debt, and will still be able to make a great living. The downfall is not having the prestige of being called “doctor” or enjoy a ‘doctor’s salary,’ but neither of these is the reason I am drawn to medicine in the first place. Every individual will have a different reason for choosing their path, but I want to live a life that I can be proud of sooner rather than later.
Margo, I believe that there is no better time than now. You are never too old to do something you love!
Hi Cathy. Thanks for commenting! We have had a hard time being able to get a nurse to write for us on a consistent basis. If you are interested in contributing to our blog, please visit here: https://medstudentstories.merckmanuals.com/contact-us/
I am so glad you are following the path you feel is right for you. I thought about this years ago when I was a Medical Technologist….i always felt i had a good sense of knowing what was wrong with people and a good intuition. I wished I had followed up on it like you did, but marriage and children came along and now i’m Too old and cant work any long, so i have some regrets. So by all means enjoy your career and be happy in the decisions that you have made for yourself.
Where are Nurse Practioners in this discussion? We have the same decisions to make. We are equally academically prepared for medical school. Why are our decisions not included? We are often independent
Practioners also. Step up Merc – you are living in the past.