Physician Assistants role in ER?

Lifestyle for ER Physician Assistants?

• I am just wondering if I would be able to work 3 12 hour shifts as an ER Physician Assistant. I want to spend the other 4 days managing property and spending more time with my family. ...show more

• Answer:

  As an ER PA, let me weigh in. While we do 12 hour shifts (or longer if its busy); they tend to be during the busy hours so I have done 1p to 1 am; 3p to 3 am; etc. Its pretty rare to get the shifts like RNs get (7 am -7 p/ 7P- 7 a). They also rotated & were not set--every month we did our own schedule, but usually 1-2 weekends are required. So it is possible to do bunched stretches off, it is not guaranteed & you must be flexible and work with your other PAs. It is also required to work most holidays. YOu would most likely NOT get every weekend off. AS to hectic...I worked the main ER (not the fast track) and the trauma area. It is just as stressful as any ER doc's shifts. You don't know what's coming in the door or what even a simple complaint will turn into. Many of my patients have died. In addition the PAs did all the procedures (they often take too long for the docs); so all the suturing, abscesses, miscarriages, chest tubes, etc. There is not socializing on the job, unless the ER is dead quiet. Most of the time I eat while charting. I only ran difficult cases by the docs (not all the cases--but that depends on state law; in Cal; its not required to have a doc review every case). Now every job is different, which is why being a PA is so great--you look for the job that fits your goals. If the ER does not seem to suit you (and you don't need to decide until you finish PA school); then there are walk in clinics which are at a bit less stressful pace (usually); or even hospitalist positions (in house). Good luck.