Why would someone want to be a PA?

As a PA, you will have the opportunity to truly make a difference in their quality of life. You'll be able to assess and treat patients and, while doing so, you'll get to hear about their lives: about their grandkids, vacations, relationships, etc.

How do you answer why do you want to be a PA?

How to answer, "Why do you want to be a PA?"
  1. Give specific reasons for choosing your career field. ...
  2. Provide some insight into how your skills are best suited to the role of a PA. ...
  3. Highlight your core values and relate them to the company's. ...
  4. Describe a personal experience that influenced your decision.


Why do you like being a PA?

As a physician assistant, you'll be working with people every day, all day. Working in primary care or in specialty areas, you'll have the unique ability to enjoy personal interactions with your patients and grow relationships that'll enrich their lives and yours.

What does being a PA mean to you?

A physician assistant (PA) is a licensed medical professional who holds an advanced degree and is able to provide direct patient care. They work with patients of all ages in virtually all specialty and primary care areas, diagnosing and treating common illnesses and working with minor procedures.

Why did you choose PA over MD?

While shadowing PAs and MDs, I have found that PAs have a greater focus on patient care and fewer bureaucratic tasks. In addition, the workflow and teamwork of a PA are more suited to my personality. Beyond the balance of autonomy and collaboration, becoming a PA will offer the flexibility of switching specialties.

Three Unusual Ways to Answer Why Physician Assistant (PA)



Why did you choose this PA program?

The best answers use your past experiences as a base to project what you want from a PA program, even if you might change your mind when you get there. For example, if you have a lot of experience working at free or mobile clinics, you should focus on finding similar ways to help the underserved at the PA program.

How do you stand out at a PA school interview?

How to Make Your PA Interview Stand Out
  1. 1) Laugh at yourself. Find a way to laugh at yourself; pretty much anything self-deprecating will do. ...
  2. 2) Empathize with your interviewers. ...
  3. 3) Impress them with the Thoroughness of your Research. ...
  4. 4) Have a greater vision. ...
  5. 5) Bring a Few Good Questions for them.


How do I ace a physician assistant interview?

Here are ten steps to help you conquer it:
  1. LEARN ALL YOU CAN ABOUT THEM. ...
  2. KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. ...
  3. PREPARE FOR THE MOST ASKED QUESTIONS. ...
  4. EAT. ...
  5. DRESS PROFESSIONALLY. ...
  6. FOR INTERVIEWS, ON TIME IS LATE. ...
  7. BUT I'M TERRIBLE AT INTERVIEWS! ...
  8. DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU CARE.


How long do PA interviews last?

The entire experience will usually take the better part of a day— say 9 AM to 1 or 2 PM, with the actual interviews usually lasting less than 30 minutes each. This means much of your time will be spent on things other than your “actual” interview. Call the PA school and ask them what their interview process is like.

How do you stand out in PA school?

How to be a Competitive PA School Applicant
  1. Finding Resources. ...
  2. Apply Early. ...
  3. GPA. ...
  4. Healthcare and Patient Care Experience. ...
  5. Volunteering and Shadowing. ...
  6. GRE. ...
  7. Personal Statement. ...
  8. The Interview.


What questions are asked in a PA interview?

PA Interview Questions
  • Why do you think you'd be a valuable PA for our company? ...
  • What motivates you most about being a PA? ...
  • How do you prioritise tasks and organise your day as a PA? ...
  • What have you done to strengthen your skills and further your experience as a PA? ...
  • Why are you wanting to leave your current role?


How do you nail a physician assistant interview?

How to Totally Crush Your Next NP or PA Job Interview
  1. Get Your Resume in Gear… Including Your E-Mail Address.
  2. Dress to Impress.
  3. Anticipate the Questions Your Interviewer Will Ask.
  4. Address Your Application Weaknesses.
  5. Ask Your Own Questions.
  6. Don't Accept an Offer On the Spot.
  7. Be Confident… or at least Fake It.


What do I do if I get rejected from PA school?

What To Do If You Didn't Get In
  1. First, take some time. Rejection hurts. ...
  2. Reassess your motivation. When you've had time to clear your head, it'll be time to ask yourself an important question: is this still what I really want? ...
  3. Reassess your application. ...
  4. Resist the urge to personalize it. ...
  5. Make a plan. ...
  6. Get help.


What are your strengths PA interview?

"My greatest strengths include my clinical work experience, which has taught me commitment, communication skills, empathy, and maturity."

Is becoming a PA worth it?

As a physician assistant, you will always be in demand. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for a physician assistant is excellent. This profession is expected to grow by 31% by 2029. This is a faster than average job growth than other professions.

What is the easiest PA school to get into?

7 Easiest PA Schools To Get Into (2022 Updated)
  1. Barry University Physician Assistant. ...
  2. Marquette University Physician Assistant School. ...
  3. Missouri State University PA School. ...
  4. The George Washington University Physician Assistant School. ...
  5. Rosalind Franklin University PA School. ...
  6. University of New England Physician Assistant School.


Is PA school hard to get into?

Like many other medical schools, physician assistant programs are notoriously difficult to get into for most students. According to the PAEA, the average acceptance rate into a PA school is around 20%.

What are the odds of getting into PA school?

Getting accepted to PA programs is not easy. According to the latest data, the overall PA school acceptance rate in the United States is 31.6%, compared with about 40% acceptance rate for medical schools.

What can I expect from PA school?

At most schools, there will be several rotations that every student has to do, as well as about 2 months of “electives”. Required rotations usually include things like family practice, internal medicine, general surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.

What are good questions to ask a PA?

“How long have you been working as a PA?” Again, something it helps to know, and invites them to talk about themselves. “What do you like most about your work?” Gives you things to look forward to… “What about your work would you most like to change?” Helps you see the other side, for a reality check.

What motivates you as a personal assistant?

Why would you make a good personal assistant? My attention to detail, passion for excellence, and love for helping others be their best would make me a great personal assistant. My two years of experience as an administrative assistant will also serve me well going into this position.

What qualities make a good PA?

18 Qualities That Make PAs Great
  • Adaptability. Successful PAs need to be able to shift their focus from one issue to the next quickly. ...
  • Approachability. A good bedside manner is critical to competent patient care. ...
  • Calmness. ...
  • Collaboration. ...
  • Communicativeness. ...
  • Compassion. ...
  • Confidence. ...
  • Curiosity.


Why be a PA and not nurse practitioner?

So what does that mean? In essence, physicians and PAs train on the medical model and focus on the diagnosis, testing, and treatment while NPs train on the nursing model and concentrate on the impact of the diagnosis, testing, and treatment on the patient.