Physician Assistant Careers: For PAs, Location Matters
Summary
But after completing their certification, one of the most important decisions a newly minted physician assistant must make is where they want to practice. Do they want to work for a large health system, an outpatient medical center or a small physician’s office? This is because physician assistants nearing retirement age are more likely to practice in underserved rural areas where there is less competition for promotions and more opportunities to move into senior roles. Perhaps because younger PAs are more likely to choose to work in busy urban areas, where the workload and stress can be significantly greater. But a physician assistant who can choose to practice anywhere will want to weigh the pros and cons when it comes to their desired work-life balance and their own mental health.