I've put in several PA applications and I've shadowed and talked to many different PAs- l was curious to see what the users on this forum had to contribute.

1) What made you follow the PA route to becoming a clinician instead of either nursing or medical school?

2) What has been your greatest achievement as a PA thus far? Has the job been fulfilling to you?

3) Do you ever wish you had followed any different path in the medical field? If so, what was it?

Thanks for all the contributions. I am looking forward to any .

Hi!
1. l went the PA route because l loved the medical model of education & hated nursing school. l have not regretted this decision at all. l just identified more with docs (many friends, BFFs, boyfriends etc) than l did with nurses. The areas l also worked in (PICU, ER) were more conducive to the PA education as well.
2. l think it was giving a presentation of my original research on sepsis in children at a national conference & a poster presentation. Overall, it has been been fulfilling (although partially retired now) & enjoyable.There r many small triumphs when l made a diagnosis that had eluded others --that is really satisfying. l also received medical resident of the month while in an ER residency; & that included all the PA residents & the medical residents--so that was also very satisfying.
3. May be l would have finished med school; hard to say. It is hard to think ''what if'' since it did not happen; although the higher pay would be nice right about now..;)

Good luck!