Why Do You Want to be a Physician Assistant?
You will be asked many different times: "Why?"
"Why do you want to become a physician assistant?"
"Why don't you just go to medical school or NP school?"
"You will make more money as a physician; you will have more prestige and recognition as a physician."
Your response to these questions and your final decision to apply to a PA program will depend on how thoroughly you research an answer to these questions.
Here are 20 answers given by passionate pre-physician assistants along with a couple practicing PAs who are members of my Facebook community.
Cast your vote for your favorite at the end!
1. Nick Baron: I want to be a PA . . .
'To save lives while securing a good life for my future family!'Click To Tweet2. Noelle Harford: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because I want to help save lives. I want to advocate for those who might not have anyone to stand up for them. I want to study harder tonight so that tomorrow I do something for the better. I'm a team player, I will value the support and trust my future primary physician will have for me and I will work hard to maintain a strong positive relationship even in the face of adversity. I want to be a PA because to me there is no greater profession, very few more rewarding both financially and mentally...and I can't wait to finish and call my current incredible faculty, colleagues.'Click To Tweet3. Ashley Duckworth: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because I want to make a difference in this world and in the field of medicine, to be a game changer and to help heal people. I want to be an inspiration to my patients and to show them that they can count on me.'Click To Tweet4. Rachel Hofmaier: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because I love science and medicine and I want to be part of a healthcare team. I love the idea of being able to collaborate with and learn from physicians. I also like that as a PA; I will be able to switch specialties, to further my education at any point in my career.'Click To Tweet5. Lyndsey Eaden: I want to be a PA . . .
'So I can promote health and wellness on a personal level and make a difference in people's lives. I want to help empower the public to take charge of their wellbeing and do everything I can for those in my care. I also want to set an example for my children by setting high goals for myself and achieving them by trying hard every day.'Click To Tweet6. Ibad Ahmed: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because all my life I wanted to be a doctor but backed away because of the tuition. However, a PA is a path that can fulfill my desire to be a doctor in a less expensive way. It is a way where I can feel the satisfaction of helping someone but in a different way. A kind of help that will be felt by the giver and receiver life long. Being a pa is an opportunity to try many fields such as Pediatrics, surgery, geriatrics, etc. It is also a way where I don't have to devote all my time to my job but to my soon to be beautiful family as well.'Click To Tweet7. Taylor Cook: I want to be a PA . . .
'I was originally preparing for the MD route when I underwent Open Heart Surgery. After my recovery, I met an excellent PA that showed compassion, care and listened to my concerns. I decided that I wanted to become a PA and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I can't wait to become an advocate for my patients, showing them care, compassion and truly listening to their needs to help make a difference in someone's life.'Click To Tweet8. Andrea Renae Evers: I want to be a PA . . .
'Becoming a Physician Assistant is so much more than the pretty white coat and the countless hours spent studying for such a profession. It's getting to explore all the different specialties and choices that are available in the palm of your hand once you graduate. It's going into PA school with your heart dead set on being a PICU PA, then going through clinicals and discovering that your passion actually lies in Dermatology. The opportunities are endless, I have the freedom to choose, and the freedom to switch things up down the road. I want to be a Physician Assistant because I will be turning my passion into my career and I can't think of anything more wonderful than that.'Click To Tweet9. Jennifer Livingston: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because it allows me to care for patients on a level that meets or exceeds the patient's expectation. They walk in... oh you're just a PA. Well guess what, I know about illnesses, appropriate testing, interpretation of laboratories, treatment of most ailments. I am also smart enough to know my limitations and when to seek the help of a specialist. I can do all the work of a doctor and I didn't have to attend all those extra long grueling years of training and laborious residency. Why should I? I love caring for patients and helping them through the illnesses, tribulations, joys, and sorrows. I have the time to attend to my patients and meet their needs and I am grateful for my chosen profession.'Click To Tweet10. Beth Rushing: I want to be a PA . . .
'So others can focus less on their illness and more on the things in life that make them happiest! As a person living with chronic illness for many years, I know how it impacts the things I enjoy. My illness is made less scary thanks to not only medication, but thanks to education and knowledge of the disease, afforded to me by my health care providers. As a PA, I hope to provide that comfort to others through patient care and education.'Click To Tweet11. Danielle Giovannagelo: I want to be a PA . . .
'To make a difference in someone's life. Growing up I had wonderful doctors that made me feel comfortable but I have heard some terrible stories that creates anxiety when going to see your provider. I would love to be that difference in someone's life where they feel absolutely comfortable coming to me about anything. In hopes this will catch diseases early and treatment will be easier.'Click To Tweet12. Linda Castillo: I want to be a PA . . .
'I want to be a PA because it FEELS right. Of course, reasons such as ability to change specialties, high quality patient care, and teamwork in healthcare apply.. but ultimately my decision is based on the fact that the PA life calls me! Everything else feels wrong! I couldn't be happier with my decision!'Click To Tweet13. Rachel Weaver: I want to be a PA . . .
'I want to be the advocate for the voiceless, the caregiver for the forgotten, and the listener to those who are hurting. Becoming a PA is my chance 'to do my little perfectly,' in order that the people I treat might be healed, not just medically. Too many people living in underserved areas are being passed over for basic medical services. I hope to always treat others as I would want to be treated.'Click To Tweet14. Hannah Kambo: I want to be a PA . . .
'I want to be a PA because I feel it is the best of different worlds in medicine. I will get extended time with patients, and the flexibility to change specialties- keeping the career fresh and interesting- while having diagnostic and prescription capabilities.'Click To Tweet15. Kerri L Orwig Connell: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because I realized I could fulfill my dream of medicine before I reach 50. I had made a career as a CPC, but still desired the art of medicine. So after 20 years in an office, I went back to school. Terrifying, yes! Exhausting physically and emotionally, absolutely! Fulfilling to work in this capacity? Every single day!'Click To Tweet16. Rita Tolchynska: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because I am an immigrant, and my 'American Dream' is a lifelong quest for knowledge and skills to serve and alleviate suffering. As a PA, I will contribute to the society that once gave me shelter in my moment of need.'Click To Tweet17. Patty Chun: I want to be a PA . . .
'I've always wanted to be a physician. However, as I got older, I realize becoming a physician will not offer me the other joy in my life which is to be a mom. A mom who is always available for her family. It is this reason that I looked into other health professions. Being a PA offers me the satisfaction of a career in the health profession and home life where I'm not missing parts of my children's life.'Click To Tweet18. Nick Baron: I want to be a PA . . .
'To save lives while securing a good life for my future family!'Click To Tweet19. Timona: I want to be a PA . . .
'After spending time shadowing and working in healthcare I've come to determine that I needed to have a scope of practice that gave me more autonomy. I want to do more than just take orders. After researching and comparing physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, I felt that becoming a PA is exactly what I wanted to do. The length of time in schooling, the cost of schooling, the level of autonomy, the ability to change specialties, respect amongst staff/peers, annual salary, and training under the medical model are just a few reasons why becoming a PA is the most appealing to me compared to the other provider roles and allied health fields.'Click To Tweet20. Monika Duda: I want to be a PA . . .
'Because I could never imagine doing anything else!'Click To TweetDo you know your why?
Please take a moment to share your answer in the comments section.
- Stephen Pasquini PA-C
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