<p>I love kids but which is better, being a Pediatric PA or Pediatrician? I know the salary is very different but is the salary a really huge difference, I feel like pediatricians don't make as much as assumed due to needing and paying for more insurance and the sue rates are higher. I'm very familiar with the Pediatrician edu. requirements but the PPA is a bit confusing, some colleges have it as a major and others require you to have a BA with work experience.</p>
<p>Just so you all know I plan to either attend college in either here in Florida, Tennessee, or Philippines. </p>
<p>What are the difference between them both?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>There are 3 ways to become a PA</p>
<p>1) combined 5 year program (BS + MS)–you need to be admitted directly from high school into the program. The undergrad portion of the program is compressed into 3 years. (You won’t have time to take any courses except those required by the program.)</p>
<p>2) a 2 year MS degree earned after completing your BA/BS</p>
<p>3) a career changer program for individuals holding certain health profession certificates (RN, EMT-P, etc) plus extensive health care experience (usually 10+ years) like this one at Red Rocks CC outside Denver</p>
<p>[Red</a> Rocks Community College :: Physician Assistant Program](<a href=“http://www.rrcc.edu/pa/]Red”>Physician Assistant Program | Red Rocks Community College)</p>
<p>Here’s a list of accredited PA programs:
[ARC-PA</a> / Accreditation Programs](<a href=“http://www.arc-pa.org/acc_programs/index.html]ARC-PA”>http://www.arc-pa.org/acc_programs/index.html)</p>
<p>Only you can decide which track is better for you. </p>
<p>Medical school is longer (4 years undergrad + 4 years med school + 3 years residency + 1-3 years optional fellowship) and more expensive. </p>
<p>Being a MD gives one more autonomy than being a PA.</p>
<p>Pediatrics is a whole lot more than loving kids. You have to love the process of learning (medical school) and have the people skills to deal with the parents. Medical school doesn’t provide you a short cut and loving to learn will make it fun. PA school is a short cut when compared to med school and thus you will have limitations in your practice and knowledge. In fact, you will be limited to practicing under the direct supervision of a doctor. Btw, don’t always believe the compensation surveys. My close friend, pediatrician, clears $300K per yeat.</p>
<p>I have known PAs who were way more helpful than their bosses (MDs). But it is an experience of one person. I have been especially very impressed by one very young PA, after being dissapointed (for no reason), that I am being seen by PA vs. my Primary Care Physician (who has not been helpful in a past at all). This PA diagnosed the skin condition that was very rare in our region and was a result of vacation in Mexico. It was not even a Derm office, it was my Family Physician office. She was so young (much younger than MD - her boss), and it took her literally no time for diagnosis and absolutely correct treatment that has worked right away. I have seen her once, she is not there anymore, could have moved to a better place for her employment.
Would not $300k / year for pediatrician be on a very high end and unusual to the point that others may dismiss it as an example? Just a question. Unless MOST of pediatricians are making around $300k…, but are they?</p>