PAs in surgery?
PAs in surgery?
In my journey to learn more about the PA profession, I have a question about the areas for which a PA typical works. It seems there is a huge need for PAs and NPs; where I'm seeing that need is in the clinic setting. My interest is in surgery, not family practice. While I've heard PAs can assist in the OR, is this a small percentage of where PAs are employed?
Last edited by jkbush_22 on Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PAs in surgery?
Actually, there are a lot of PAs who go into surgery. PAs are the first assists in surgery, even before another PA. They also work (basically) independently in the hospital rounding on patients, and doing lesser surgical procedures, like putting in chest tubes, centrals lines, etc. We\'ll have an article on it in the near future, if all goes well.
PAs in surgery?
I needed to hear that... My heart (as of right now) is with surgery. I\'ve observed quite a few surgeries and it\'s absolutely the most amazing thing to me. I was concerned that PAs were being pushed into general practice and working in the clinics. Looking forward to that article on surgery!
PAs in surgery?
I can tell you a few of the drawbacks that I\'ve observed in my surgery PA friends (of course there are great benefits too):
1) long hours, often on call at all hours
2) long hours on your feet, or standing over an operating table. These people often complain of shoulder pain and fatigue
3) The surgeon mentality/personality is much more A-type than the others (on the whole). When in school, get ready to be \"pimped\" (put on the spot with quiz questions from attendings, etc.) They can be pretty unforgiving of mistakes - being yelled is sometimes considered just a part of the job. Obviously, this depends a lot on who you are working with.
If you really want to know how good a match you are for surgery (and the other specialties), be sure to read our post, Physician Assistant Specialties: Which One Is Right For You?
1) long hours, often on call at all hours
2) long hours on your feet, or standing over an operating table. These people often complain of shoulder pain and fatigue
3) The surgeon mentality/personality is much more A-type than the others (on the whole). When in school, get ready to be \"pimped\" (put on the spot with quiz questions from attendings, etc.) They can be pretty unforgiving of mistakes - being yelled is sometimes considered just a part of the job. Obviously, this depends a lot on who you are working with.
If you really want to know how good a match you are for surgery (and the other specialties), be sure to read our post, Physician Assistant Specialties: Which One Is Right For You?