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Original poster

Physician's associate career (or nursing?)

82 replies

ladybirdsaredotty · 01/10/2018 13:02

I had a thread a while ago about possibly training to be a children's nurse and you lot were so helpful. I've mainly been put off doing that although a bit of me really wants to do it (I do a related job and love aspects of it). Anyway, my local uni now runs a Physician Associate Studies masters which I could potentially apply for (although my 1st degree is old so I would need to check). Happy to stand corrected but it seems like Physician Associates do specific tasks usually done by doctors and it's a way to save the NHS some cash on doctors and senior nurses (they start at band 6 or 7 but it's quite a flat career structure). As I have 3 DC under 7 I am keen to try to do a qualification that will result in a good job but I am a bit worried that, as the role is fairly new, the whole idea may get shelved, or there will be an excess of graduates chasing very few (my local trust has only just advertised for its very first Physician Associate roles). I am wondering if nursing may be the way forward after all. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks for reading Smile

I have a genuine interest in both of these careers, just trying to work out what's the best way forward for my family Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 01/10/2018 13:04

(I'm 37 and for numerous reasons an actual medical degree doesn't seem a realistic idea, although I probably should have done that at 18 instead of the related-but-largely-useless degree I actually did!)

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Liz79 · 01/10/2018 13:08

Nursing will open many many doors. It's not just staff nurses on the wards. However it'll take you 3 years to qualify and then at least a couple of years to become band 6/junior sister. You could work your way up and become a specialist nurse which may not be dissimilar to the physician associate. You could probably go from nursing to PA once the PA role is more established. If PA role falls flat on its arse you'll be a RGN and always get a job

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 01/10/2018 13:18

Thank you Liz, those are definitely some of my thoughts. Obviously nursing is far more established as a career and role. But the PA course is 2 years not 3 and I'd go in at a higher pay grade (assuming I could get a job, which is a major worry). I'm not sure I would/could swap from nursing to PA as it would mean doing a third degree and I'm already 37 but it is a good thought Smile

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NordicNobody · 01/10/2018 13:24

I'm planning to do the PA msc in a few years. I did medicine originally but dropped out halfway through when I fell pregnant with DS. Will hope to start the course once he starts school at which point I'll be 33. There a good fb group you should join called Physician Associate UK Applicants which has lots of great advice in funding and career paths from people already on the course/ doing the job. I think it sounds like a brilliant career personally and, whilst not as established as nursing, has the massive benefit of sociable hours 9-5, mon-fri. It sounds very family friendly :)

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 01/10/2018 13:41

Nordic that's brilliant, thanks, I'll look up the fb group! See I swing from feeling like you to feeling like I should do nursing. Good luck with it, it sounds like you've got a good plan Smile

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DownstairsMixUp · 01/10/2018 17:49

I would go for the pa course. Nursing isn't what it used to be and it's quite a toxic environment

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 01/10/2018 20:22

Downstairs thank you. I actually dropped out of a nursing course several years ago so do have a bit of insight and do sort of know what you mean. Something else to ponder, thanks.

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DownstairsMixUp · 01/10/2018 21:28

Yes, me to. Best thing I ever did. Unfortunately, along with the cuts to the nhs and the scrapping of the bursary, it is very bad. Lots of bullying. Definitely avoid.

MrsFionaCharming · 01/10/2018 22:56

I’m about to start a PA course for the same reasons listed above: 2 years of training instead of 3, more chances for sponsorship / funding, higher starting band, better hours.

It does slightly worry me that it’s not a well established role, but I figure that as long as I get the guaranteed 2 year training post, it’ll have been worth the extra student debt!

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 01/10/2018 23:18

Fiona how exciting, good luck!

I should probably just go for it! I think I'm just so risk-averse in case it all goes wrong and I don't make any money for my family, but I'm so worried that it's stopping me from making a decision...Confused

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DreamingofSunshine · 02/10/2018 07:43

Exciting Fiona I'm hoping to apply in the next few years.

Defrack · 02/10/2018 08:01

Do you have a degree already?

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 02/10/2018 10:03

Defrack me (the OP)? I have a 2.1 in a biological sciences subject, but it's pretty old!

OP posts:
Defrack · 02/10/2018 11:05

Ok just asking, as to be one you need a degree to get on the course.

scaredofthecity · 02/10/2018 11:13

I'm not sure I'd do it. As PP stated it's not very established and very much trust dependant. I'd be worried about getting a job after, as obviously thats not guaranteed.

I think they are more likely to appoint senior nurses as they come with lots of relevant experience. AFAIK there is very little between a PA and a senior specialist nurse.

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 02/10/2018 11:14

Defrack thanks. I've actually emailed the admissions team at the uni I'm looking at applying to, to check if they'd accept my degree or if I'd have to do some more recent studying first...

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mylittlefidget · 02/10/2018 11:16

Go for it. We're just about to start training PAs, and would potentially employ one in future (GP practice).

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 02/10/2018 11:17

scared thank you. That is my major worry, especially as the whole point of doing the course would be to get a job! I also worry that I'd have to travel miles to get to work even if I did get a job, as presumably there's a lot of competition for the (currently) few jobs available. But in future this should change...I wish I had a crystal ball!

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Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 02/10/2018 11:20

mylittlefidget good to know, thanks! It's just the not knowing if it really will become an established career or if it will become one of those government plans that doesn't quite pan out that's worrying me, I suppose. I'm definitely interested in it as a career apart from those worries!

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xlexiix · 02/10/2018 11:29

I think PAs have been about for a while my best friend was one of the first to qualify and has been doing it for about 10 years I think.

She has moved around the country freely and always seems to get a job

scaredofthecity · 02/10/2018 11:40

Its a difficult call. Could you talk to somebody from the association of PAs (i think that's what they're called) about your concerns.

I know it's not the same but a few years ago there was no paediatric nurse vacancies in Scotland. I worked with many who had to move to London to get a job. And these were good nurses, not the ones who just scraped a pass.

There was a similar issue with radiographers as well.

mylittlefidget · 02/10/2018 12:20

I think with the drive to an ever cheaper and more efficient workforce there will be more and more opportunities for allied health care professionals. I'm sure it also helps that there are already plenty of PAs working in the States, so the model isn't a new one.

Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 03/10/2018 09:22

scared good call, I'll try that, thanks.

Yes, my friend is a SALT and had similar issues getting a job several years ago. It would be children's nursing I would do Smile

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Original poster
ladybirdsaredotty · 03/10/2018 09:24

mylittlefidget very true about the USA, good point.

I'm also worried about doctors/senior nurses maybe feeling a bit...resentful? As PAs only need 2 years of training and haven't necessarily got their experience to be working at that level (although obviously with limited scope).

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SleepingStandingUp · 03/10/2018 09:36

When DS was in hospital mid 2016 our pads surgeon had a PA and she moved elsewhere in the country towards the end of our stay so def established in some areas. We were at BCH

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