Does the idea of spending four years in medical school intimidate you? Not to mention at least three years in internship and residency? In spite of these fears, do you still have a strong desire to practice medicine?

Do you already have experience working in health care?

If these questions describe you, becoming a Physician Assistant may be the perfect option for you.

US News and World Report describes it as one of the 31 Careers with Bright Futures in 2008. Here’s what they have to say:

Don’t confuse physician assistants with medical assistants, who aren’t qualified to do much more than take your blood pressure. Physician assistants do 80 percent of what doctors do: conduct exams, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, even assist in surgery. While PAs are supervised by physicians, they have considerable autonomy. And while pay isn’t doctorlike, it’s far from sickly.

The Physician Assistant career is one of fastest growing occupations in the country.

How much training is required?

Most Physician Assistant programs are 2-3 year masters programs. A few exist as Bachelors degrees or just certificates, but these are becoming less common. The masters programs start at the beginning of the summer and go straight through, no breaks.

What is the average salary of a Physician Assistant?
The middle 50% of Physician Assistants make between $70,000 and $85,000. Specialize a little more, gain a little bit more experience and you’re bound to make a great salary with a schedule and benefits that few careers can match.

How can I learn more?
Check out the American Academy of Physician Assistants website.

The PA Forum also has some great information. Here you can discuss the field with PAs and PA students.

Pre med students should consider the PA path. I work with PAs in the ER and have only had great experiences with them. They love their work.

I gave it strong consideration, and it still is a possibility in my mind, although it is becoming more and more unlikely. Do some research, talk with some Physician Assistants and maybe you’ll find that it’s the path for you.

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Looking for help applying to PA school? Check out this book: Getting Into the Physician Assistant School of Your Choice

There are two Physician Assistant program in Alabama. They are located in Birmingham at UAB and Mobile at University of South Alabama.

Learn more about the programs here:

Surgical Physician Assistant Program at UAB

University of South Alabama Physician Assistant Studies Program

Apply to the Physician Assistant programs in Alabma through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

Good luck!

Looking for help applying to PA school? Check out this book: Getting Into the Physician Assistant School of Your Choice

Unfortunately, there are no Physician Assistant programs in Vermont. The closest programs geographically are in New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine.

New Hampshire Physician Assistant Programs

New York Physician Assistant Programs

Connecticut Physician Assistant Programs

Massachusetts Physician Assistant Programs

Maine Physician Assistant Programs

Looking for help applying to PA school? Check out this book: Getting Into the Physician Assistant School of Your Choice

There are two Physician Assistant programs in West Virginia. One is at Alderson Broaddus College in Phillipi, WV and the other is at Mountain State University in Beckly, WV.
Learn about the programs here:

Alderson Broaddus College Physician Assistant Program

Mountain State University Physician Assistant Program

Good luck!

Looking for help applying to PA school? Check out this book: Getting Into the Physician Assistant School of Your Choice

Unfortunately there are no Physician Assistant programs in the state of Wyoming. For the closest programs geographically check out programs in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, South Dakota or Nebraska.

Colorado Physician Assistant Programs

Idaho Physician Assistant Programs

Montana Physician Assistant Programs

Utah Physician Assistant Programs

South Dakota Physician Assistant Programs

Nebraska Physician Assistant Programs

Good luck!

Looking for help applying to PA school? Check out this book: Getting Into the Physician Assistant School of Your Choice

There is only one Physician Assistant program in Washington State. It is located in Seattle at the University of Washington campus.

Learn more about the program here:

MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies

Apply to the Physician Assistant program at University of Washington through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

Good luck!