Explore the PA Profession

Posted By: Paul

9 Reasons To Become a Primary Care Physician Assistant

Whether you’re just looking into a career as a physician assistant, or you’re already in PA school, it’s never too early to start thinking about a specialty. But what about the biggest specialty of all - Primary Care? Primary Care has had a bit of a public relations problem for decades, but today we’re going…

Posted By: Paul

Physician Assistant Specialty: Inpatient (Hospitalist) Medicine

What does a Hospitalist Physician Assistant do? In October, I was fortunate enough to get a week off of work to attend the California Academy of Physician Assistants annual conference in Palm Springs, California. It was a blast, and I ran into my friend and former PA school classmate, Jevon, who is now a physician…

Posted By: Paul

Physician Assistant Salary Update

Well, it’s time again to review the numbers for physician assistant salary. I won’t try to keep you in suspense - they’re promising! And what’s more, if you follow these stats you begin to learn some interesting things about the field, the economy, and more. I hope you find it helpful (if you like it,…

Posted By: Paul

Physician Assistant Career Dislikes #1: The Giving Tree

Posted By: Paul

PA Student Interview - Joshin

Today on our PA Student Interviews Page I interview Joshin, a second year PA student at UC Davis School of Medicine’s PA program. Joshin is a sharp student who has worked as a pharmaceutical representative, which he touches on in the interview.  He has a solid understanding of pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics, and he’s a caring…

Posted By: Paul

What is it Like Being a PA?

What is being a Physician Assistant really like?  Now that I am licensed and working, I will begin to tell you as I have wanted to for some time now - from the inside… 

Posted By: Paul

Physician Assistant Job Search: Learn From My Experience

Today I’m sharing my physician assistant job search tips in the hopes that they will save a few of you some heartache, and maybe snag you the job of your dreams.   Yes, I have accepted a physician assistant job.  I will be working in Urgent and Primary Care in Carmichael, California, a suburb of Sacramento. …

Posted By: Paul

Do You Faint at the Sight of Blood?

Do you feel faint at the sight of blood?  If so, you’re not alone.  The most recent reader who was concerned about it wrote to me:

Posted By: Paul

Physician Assistant Salary Report 2011

It’s been a year since we last wrote about physician assistant salary and that of nurse practitioners, and in that time there have been large changes in our profession, in health care, and most importantly in the economy. Not surprisingly, these changes have had a great influence on mid-level provider income, and more interestingly, the…

Posted By: Paul

My PANCE Exam Results

Well, after keeping me waiting for a week (some of my friends found out the next day), the NCCPA finally communicated to me the results of my Physician Assistant National Certifying (PANCE) exam.  This is pretty much the final true hurdle before becoming a PA.