If you know you want to get into the medical field, and every aspect of it seems like your perfect fit, I have just the profession for you. Become a physician assistant! Not only will you be able to dabble in every area of medicine, but the demand for PAs is higher than ever. On the other hand, being a PA comes with a lot of responsibility. So, how can you be sure this is the right path for you? Well, stick around and we’ll give you all the dirt on PAs.
Today, we’re exploring every aspect of PAs, including:
- What is a Physician Assistant?
- Why Should You Become a Physician Assistant?
- And What Are the Best Colleges for Physician Assistants?
Without further ado, let’s get learning!
What is a Physician Assistant?
Physician assistants (or PAs) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. PAs have lots of different responsibilities because they work in so many different fields and settings. Patient care, for example, is a big one. Physician assistants are expected to:
- Take Health Histories
- Perform Physical Examinations
- Make Diagnoses
- Treat and Manage Patient Health Problems
- Order Tests
- Prescribe Medication
- And Assist in Surgeries
Of course, they also must partake in research, administrative services, and educational opportunities in order to help as many people as possible and really speed up the care process. PAs really are jacks of all trades, but with so many responsibilities, why should you become a physician assistant?
Why Should You Become a Physician Assistant?
If you’re looking to make a difference, look no further. As we’ve already mentioned, PAs do it all. But by doing anything and everything PAs do, you’d be making a real impact on people and the healthcare system as a whole. The flexibility of a physician assistant makes them indispensable. You could be ordering labs one second and assisting on a cardio-thoracic surgery the next.
But if that’s not enough for you, it is also one of the most in demand and fastest growing professions in the U.S. That means you’re more than likely to receive a job upon graduation and will have the opportunity to practice straight away. The American Academy of Physician Associates even claims that the profession is in such a high demand that three quarters of PAs receive multiple job offers after completing their schooling.
What Are the Best Colleges for Physician Assistants?
Now that we know what PAs do, why they’re so important, and why you may want to become one, let’s figure out the best college to attend for a PA program. These are the three best schools for physician assistants in the United States!
Duquesne University
As a Pittsburgh resident myself, I can assure you that Duquesne’s PA program has a stellar reputation. Duquesne University is an average sized private university in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has an acceptance rate of 79% and has a retention rate around 90%. But its PA program is the real star of the show.
The program receives such high praise due to its focus on both academic and clinical training and the preparation graduates get in order to have successful careers as physician assistants. Plus, the faculty is full of highly qualified clinical practitioners, and students have a reputation for doing well on the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (which is required to become a PA). With its amazing reputation, Duquesne earns its spot as one of the best colleges for physician assistants.
Baylor College of Medicine
Based in Houston, Texas, Baylor College was ranked 3rd in the country for its PA program. The program is heavily research based and is widely known for striving to improve the overall understanding of patient care practices through said research. The college is one of the only private medical schools in the Southwest, making it well-equipped for any and all research and patient care facilities.
One of the best perks Baylor has is its location within the Texas Medical Center (the world’s largest medical complex). The staff and other students are focused on supporting and uplifting others, so you’ll have a built-in support system from day one. With so many great resources and an amazing reputation, you really can’t go wrong with Baylor, which is why we’re labeling it as one of the best colleges for physician assistants.
Duke University
Duke cements itself as the best medical school in the country time and time again. And their PA program is obviously top-tier. But did you know that Duke is actually the birthplace of the entire physician assistant profession? So, of course, you’re getting the best education you could possibly get with Duke’s program. Duke is an all around medical power-house, so if you’re sure you want to pursue medicine, this school is truly the best of the best.
And, what’s great about their medical programs, is that it's so geared toward fitting the needs of each individual student. The facilities and faculty are top-notch, and you’ll receive some great hands-on training at Duke. Its consistently high-ranking position in the medical field is exactly why Duke wraps up our list of the three best colleges for physician assistants.
Those Were Our 3 Best Colleges for Physician Assistants!
Duquesne, Baylor, and Duke all have some amazing PA programs. And with them spread across the United States, there’s something out there not too far from home! No matter which school you choose, you’re sure to receive a quality education from the best faculty at the greatest facilities across the nation. Get out there and save some lives!
