Looking into a Physicians Assistant was a revelation. After getting another bachelors degree to complete the prerequisites I'd need for a P.A. program, three years later I'd be a practicing P.A..
A Physicians Assistant. does almost everything a doctor does but has to report to a doctor for approval of the treatments. This means the doctor is responsible for the treatments I'd have to prescribe. That means less overall liability. A P.A. is considered a step above a Nurse Practitioner. In fact many N.P.'s are now becoming P.A.'s.
P.A.'s are now in a boom. The model makes sense, hire a bunch of P.A.'s at a lower cost than an MD and have them report to one MD. Many doctors office's employ them so one doctor can now treat multiple patients with a higher degree of professionalism.
And the total cost? Most colleges are $35 - $40 thousand per year with the final year being the year you work to bring in clinical hours. Three years, that's it. About $120,000. That's assuming you don't attend Harvard or MCPHS. MCPHS is a staggering $180,000.00 (not including living expenses)! Once considered the one of the best schools to attend, it has been faced with financial issues and accreditation problems due to not enough professors or room for students. But don't just take my word for it: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/28/boston-pharmacy-program-put-probation/3dNvtwhYj1oYhToqfMpK2N/story.html
I contacted their admissions program and the person I talked to was possibly the rudest admissions person I have ever encountered. I was made to feel like dirt for asking some of the basic questions. It upset me enough that I left a Google review along with the woman's name. I of course never received a response.
Happily, I discovered there are more and more programs being offered all over the not just the northeast, but all over north america. I didn't have to decide on one as I would have to apply to many in hopes of being accepted. A Physicians Assist degree for me seems to be the perfect fit. The first step, going back to college.
A Physicians Assistant. does almost everything a doctor does but has to report to a doctor for approval of the treatments. This means the doctor is responsible for the treatments I'd have to prescribe. That means less overall liability. A P.A. is considered a step above a Nurse Practitioner. In fact many N.P.'s are now becoming P.A.'s.
P.A.'s are now in a boom. The model makes sense, hire a bunch of P.A.'s at a lower cost than an MD and have them report to one MD. Many doctors office's employ them so one doctor can now treat multiple patients with a higher degree of professionalism.
And the total cost? Most colleges are $35 - $40 thousand per year with the final year being the year you work to bring in clinical hours. Three years, that's it. About $120,000. That's assuming you don't attend Harvard or MCPHS. MCPHS is a staggering $180,000.00 (not including living expenses)! Once considered the one of the best schools to attend, it has been faced with financial issues and accreditation problems due to not enough professors or room for students. But don't just take my word for it: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/28/boston-pharmacy-program-put-probation/3dNvtwhYj1oYhToqfMpK2N/story.html
I contacted their admissions program and the person I talked to was possibly the rudest admissions person I have ever encountered. I was made to feel like dirt for asking some of the basic questions. It upset me enough that I left a Google review along with the woman's name. I of course never received a response.
Happily, I discovered there are more and more programs being offered all over the not just the northeast, but all over north america. I didn't have to decide on one as I would have to apply to many in hopes of being accepted. A Physicians Assist degree for me seems to be the perfect fit. The first step, going back to college.