Any PA's, NP's, or anyone that know anything about the career of Physician's Assistant? Any feedback is good!

What do PA's do? What is the enrty-level pay? What is the pay after 2-3, maybe 5 years? What is the job like? What are the advantages of the job? What are the disadvantages? What do you like the most? What do you like the least? What are the qualities it takes to be a good at this job? Also, if you work this job, what made you choose it and is there anytime you feel lost because you can't figure out what's wrong with a patient and have you ever misdiagnosed a patient? Do PA's have to deal with IV's, giving shots, or taking blood, any of the nurse duties, do PA's have to do any? Do PA's have to deal with wounds, blood, etc.? And finally, if you are a PA or a NP is there any advice you would give or tell an aspiring PA? Thanks

Wow. where do I start...

Exactly what a PA does and the pay depends greatly on WHERE you work and in what part of medicine. I get paid more than a family practice PA, but less than a PA in CT surgery.

I think the average starting PA is around $60,000. But you also have to factor in the cost of tuition, etc.

My job consists of rounding on our patients in the hospital, admitting new patients, and doing consults. I rarely work past 5pm. Other days, I see office patients.

Advantages : good pay, respect, satisfaction of helping patients.
Disadvantages ; can be stressful and hectic

I chose it because I didn't want to spend 4 years in med school, 4+ years in residency/fellowship, and 20 years paying it off.

Do I ever feel unsure of what's exactly going on with a patient, sure. The first thing you learn in school is 'First, do no harm.' You cover the worst possibilities, and hope that none of them are the case.

IVs, shots, blood draws I leave to nurses.

As for wounds/blood, you learn to deal with them in school.

Final advice?
#1) Check out AAPA.org
#2) study hard. Ace your prerequisite courses. Get some health care experience with actual patient contact.

Good luck.

I am an ER PA and I do just about everything as I am often "a last resort" for problem IV starts and blood draws etc. I give shots when there is no RN available. I see whatever comes in the door. I have delivered babies in the parking lot, cracked open trauma patient's chests, started central lines, intubated, sutured just about everything, done codes, flown in helicopters, you name it. There are many times when you do not know what the diagnosis is but you know how to help get there and who to ask for consultation. When there is an emergency I become so focused that years to training automatically kick in and the blood etc just fades away and all you see is the task or the life at hand. And, yes, I have misdaiagnosed--everyone does--that's why there is a team. Advantages are the breadth of jobs out there and the ability to make your own schedule & go anywhere. Disadvantages? Stress, lawsuits, long hours, weekends on, patients.
Hope this gives you some more insight along with my colleague's answer