What are the pros and cons of being a physician's assistant?

The pro's include a good salary (if can obtain a position), respectful career and being able to change and potentially save lives. Some con's include having such a great responsibility of others' lives even though one works under the direction of a physician, potentially limited number of places to find work and a vast amount of emotional (and perhaps physical) stress.

FYI: spell it "physicians assistant:--its plural not possessive. The cons have to deal with the state of general medicine --many lawsuits; long hours, the risk of being wrong, very bad tempered, angry patients, and stress. The pros: mental stimulation and challenge, the feeling that comes from doing something really worthwhile (making a correct diagnosis, helping a patient, etc ), the ability to work anywhere and in a huge variety of locations, specialties, and practices, hours that you pick (somewhat). Meeting some really great people.

you are an assistant. enough said.

Great Salary and lots of hands on experience = pros Cons - very limited number of higher learning institutions offering; lots of loans to pay back, you get to do the "dirty work"