Physicians Assistant or MD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She could also get into DO schools, like the one in Philly. You are still a doctor, won't get into the very highest paying specialties, but I know a DO who does very well for himself.

DO as a profession is going to do very well. This is definitely something that more and more people will seek because of how much better they treat patients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Niece is a junior at a top-20 SLAC on a pre-med track. She had a rough start and her GPA is 3.5 overall, biology major. Her father is a Harvard educated doctor and they always talk of her following in his footsteps. I don’t think her GPA is competitive and she may do better trying for a PA program. Anyone in similar situation? Is 3.5 too low for respectable MD programs?

From what I hear a 3.5 is too low for most PA programs - with the only exception being people who have been working in medical field for some time. If you are coming in with a minimal (1000 or less patient contact hours), the GPA I'm seeing are up in the 3.85 range for overall and science GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PA school all the way! Less work, same reward. PA licensing has been opening up over the past 20 years and it's a solid investment without dedicating as many years to residency and fellowship.

From a family with an endocrinologist, an ophthalmologist, a ARNP and a paramedic.... Go to PA school.

We've seen and experienced all facets of this conversation- debt, years in training, relocation etc....

No I will not see a PA. Have seen them. Never again. Nor an OD

It is a DO not an OD. Their training is just as rigorous as an MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always felt that NPs have better training than PAs, bc NPs have to earn their RN first - it’s the prerequisite for NP school I believe. But correct me if wrong…

I work with NPs from very top programs. All NPs get their RN degree as part of their NP training but never work or have any bedside experience as an RN. They aren’t even trained to draw bloods or put in an IV. They have no knowledge in pathophysiology and their education consists mainly of memorization of basic protocols. In some NP programs, the vast majority of their education is online with little to no clinical experience and they definitely don’t do a residency.

Can NPs with little clinical experience get a job after completing their NP program?

Yes. And they do.

And it is a problem.