From work-life balance to a service-based and fulfilling job, these are important reasons that make being a certified physician assistant (PA-C) the best profession in the country.
On January 12th, a seemingly typical Tuesday in the midst of a global pandemic, the country exploded with the news that PA (physician assistant) swept the #1 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Jobs rankings.
While phones blew up with congratulatory texts from family and friends, prospective PA students tweeted the news endlessly on social media, and the media went wild with job scores and statistics, those of us currently a part of the profession shrugged and went back to work. PA being the top job in the world wasn’t news to us- we’d known it for years! And now everyone else finally did too.
How did physician assistant go from a somewhat obscure career where we were asked “What’s a PA?” multiple times during the work week to the renowned top job in America?
Here are 5 reasons why being a PA became the pinnacle of jobs:
Work-life balance
With more and more data emerging about the importance of mental health and self-care, most people are looking for a meaningful career that allows them to make a living… while also having time for friends and family. Being a PA can offer a perfect blend of family time and work time. Easily switching between full-time and part-time employment is especially important for those wanting to have both a career and kids.
Pay
According the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), the medium salary for a PA in 2019 was $112,260. With the job growth projected to be “faster than the average” in the next decade, being a PA is a well-paid profession and we expect the profession to continue to expand rapidly in the future.
Flexibility
The PA career allows for almost unlimited flexibility. From the ability to move from specialty to medical specialty (lateral mobility), doing shiftwork or being a salaried employee, PAs can work in an variety of settings like hospitals or outpatient clinics…The options are endless which makes it a perfect career for those who enjoy the ability to pivot and adapt as their lives and needs change.
Making a Difference
If you have a desire to serve or crave deep meaning in your work, you will find both of these are abundant in the PA profession. Helping, healing, and having an impact are the core of our vocation and often a main draw for those wanting to create lasting impact.
School
With student loans a hot topic in the news and the cost of tuition rising at an alarming rate, students are drawn to pursuing degrees which are useful and economically feasible. Unlike physicians, who endure 4 years of medical school followed by a few years of residency or internship, the average PA spends around 2.5 years in graduate school before entering the workforce. Less student loans and a shorter path to practice make it an excellent career choice.
The secret is out about this amazing and fantastic profession and all eyes on are on us. Students are flocking towards PA schools and the career is continuing its global surge as more people become aware of our profession. How long will PA keep the #1 job spot? Right now, we don’t see anyone else on the field in sight!