4 answers
Sam
Student
Mesa, Arizona
12
Questions
Asked
552 views
I'm very indecisive on what I want to be. I know that I want to work with Pediatrics! I want to either be a Pediatrician or a Pediatric Physician Assistant! How could I choose? Am I choosing the wrong choices? How could I choose the best one for me?
I'm in 12th grade!
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4 answers
Rita Chuang
Physician
206
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
For Pediatrics, you would need to go to medical school. So your timeline is the following:
finish high school
go to university (4 years)
go to medical school (4 years)
internship/residency (3 years)
This will be long and hard.
For PA school, I know it's shorter. One good thing about PA's is that if you don't like Peds, you can change to another field. The negative is that you will not make as much money.
I recommend everyone interested in medicine to work as a medical scribe. You basically type the notes for the physicians. This allows you to shadow a doctor and see what doctors do. You get paid and this will make schooling so much easier because you have been exposed to the field. If you can shadow a doctor, that's even better but I don't think you should just go during their working hours. You should shadow when they go to work so if they start seeing patients at 8 am but go to work at 7 am, you should too. If they leave at 7 pm, you should leave at that time. This way, you get the full experience. If that means you will miss something, I want you to realize this is how medicine will be. You will be missing "fun things", activities, etc because your patients need you. If you don't want to do this now, then don't go into medicine.
finish high school
go to university (4 years)
go to medical school (4 years)
internship/residency (3 years)
This will be long and hard.
For PA school, I know it's shorter. One good thing about PA's is that if you don't like Peds, you can change to another field. The negative is that you will not make as much money.
I recommend everyone interested in medicine to work as a medical scribe. You basically type the notes for the physicians. This allows you to shadow a doctor and see what doctors do. You get paid and this will make schooling so much easier because you have been exposed to the field. If you can shadow a doctor, that's even better but I don't think you should just go during their working hours. You should shadow when they go to work so if they start seeing patients at 8 am but go to work at 7 am, you should too. If they leave at 7 pm, you should leave at that time. This way, you get the full experience. If that means you will miss something, I want you to realize this is how medicine will be. You will be missing "fun things", activities, etc because your patients need you. If you don't want to do this now, then don't go into medicine.
Stephanie Stogner
Registered Nurse
13
Answers
Louisburg, North Carolina
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Pediatrics is the best!!
As far as becoming a PA or a physician, I would recommend really diving in to what is important for you.
PA school is shorter that medical school. However, you may not have as diverse of opportunities as going to medical school. Don’t get me wrong though, there would still be so many opportunities!
I would look into your state’s information about practicing as a physician assistant and what all that requires. You would be supervised by a physician in my state.
I think either option is great! I always recommend looking for shadowing opportunities or volunteering in a hospital. Another great option is to get your CNA and work in the setting you are interested in (if possible).
As far as becoming a PA or a physician, I would recommend really diving in to what is important for you.
PA school is shorter that medical school. However, you may not have as diverse of opportunities as going to medical school. Don’t get me wrong though, there would still be so many opportunities!
I would look into your state’s information about practicing as a physician assistant and what all that requires. You would be supervised by a physician in my state.
I think either option is great! I always recommend looking for shadowing opportunities or volunteering in a hospital. Another great option is to get your CNA and work in the setting you are interested in (if possible).
Kathie Zhao
Sr Analyst
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Kathie’s Answer
Hi Sam,
It's fantastic to see your clarity about your career path! Both these professions will need further education. I suggest you explore the educational routes for both these careers, and consider them throughout your undergraduate journey. I've seen many friends start with pre-med tracks in college, only to pivot to PA school or even a completely different career. The beauty of your current stage is that you're not bound to a final decision! You have the luxury of time to gain more knowledge during your undergraduate years and even change your mind.
It's fantastic to see your clarity about your career path! Both these professions will need further education. I suggest you explore the educational routes for both these careers, and consider them throughout your undergraduate journey. I've seen many friends start with pre-med tracks in college, only to pivot to PA school or even a completely different career. The beauty of your current stage is that you're not bound to a final decision! You have the luxury of time to gain more knowledge during your undergraduate years and even change your mind.
Courtnee Alston
1
Answer
Updated
Courtnee’s Answer
Weigh your options out and your pros and cons of eqch to determine which you would like more.. its best to go with what you could see that interest you more because you love your job just that much more