Career Resources
AOP Guide
Explore a new career direction or specialty with this collection of AAPA and partner resources, salary data, and CME on various practice areas, including Administration, Dermatology, Education, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Telemedicine, and Urgent Care.
The Ups and Downs of My First Year as a PA
When Diana Anderson, PA-C, graduated from her PA program, she landed an exciting job in urgent care. But her first months of practice were filled with unexpected events. She candidly shares the ups and downs of her first year as a PA.
PAs on the Front Lines: Alyssa Zantello Helps New York City During COVID-19
As the COVID-19 surge began in the U.S., Alyssa Zantello, PA-C, who practices orthopaedics in Michigan, found she couldn’t sit at home and do nothing. Forty eight hours after a conversation with her mentor, she was on a plane to New York City.
Day in the Life of a Texas Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgical PA Fellow
Pediatric Surgery Community Fellow at Texas Children’s Hospital, Devon Gersh, PA-C, describes a day in her life during the rigorous 12-month program at Texas Children’s community hospital in The Woodlands. Fellows get the opportunity to rotate through multiple subspecialties of surgery.
What PA Practice Looks Like in Neuro-Oncology
Young-Bin Song, MCHS, PA-C, describes his practice at a multi-disciplinary neuro-oncology/radiation oncology brain tumor clinic at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Communicating with the patient population, he relates, requires preparation, practice, and patience.
A Career in Orthopaedics: Why I Love the Specialty
Almas Abbas, PA-C, grew up playing sports – and getting injured. Her on-field experiences inspired an early interest in how the body works and how best to treat herself, and eventually led to a career as a PA in orthopaedics.
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Country Living: Working as a PA in Rural Healthcare
Things are different in the country, and healthcare is no exception. PAs who leave the big city to work in the country are in for a unique and rewarding experience. Here’s what a few PAs had to say about working in a rural setting.
PA in Critical Care Shares 4 Crucial Tips
Erin Stutz, PA-C, started her career in hospital medicine and currently works in critical care in upstate New York. With her experience in both specialties, Stutz shares her top four tips for any PA who is caring for a critically ill patient.
Long-Time PA Leader Josanne Pagel Shares Motivations and Career Journey
Josanne Pagel, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, AAPA past president, recently shared her thoughts about her career journey with AAPA’s Andrea Lowe, MHA, PA-C. Pagel reflects on everything from her days in the Peace Corps to her current role at the Cleveland Clinic.
Profile of a PA Specializing in Cardiac Electrophysiology
Ever wonder what a PA who specializes in cardiac electrophysiology does? David J. Bunnell, MSHS, PA-C, Lead Medical Center PA at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center tells us about his current role and why he changed specialties mid-career.
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Why I Changed Specialties as a PA
One of the major advantages of becoming a PA is that it is relatively easy to change from one specialty to another without the need for new certification. More than 50% of PAs will change specialties during their careers, according to AAPA’s Salary Report.
A Day or Night in the Life of an Emergency Medicine Fellow
Stephen Lewia, PA-C, has spent the past few months as a Vituity Emergency Medicine PA Fellow at Arrowhead Medical Center in Colton, California. He shares his insights about the experience and about balancing life with being a new PA.
How PAs Can Use Their Skills in Disaster Medicine
Interested in using your skills to help communities in need after a disaster? Four PAs offer their best advice for getting involved, from participating in trainings and minimizing harm to being patient throughout the process.
A Day in the Life of a PA in a Medical ICU
Erin Stutz, PA-C, works in pulmonary critical care in the medical ICU at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). She shares what her days are like, and why the upcoming Adult Hospital Medicine Boot Camp is worth your time.
From Riding Bulls to Seeing Patients: Former Pro Becomes a PA
Wiley Petersen, PA-C, spent 12 years of his life as a professional bull rider. When it came time for his next career move, he decided to become a PA. Going back to school seemed like an insurmountable challenge, but Petersen persevered.