Members of the ADVANCE for Physician Assistants editorial advisory board have always provided us with insight into the PA profession and unparalleled advice in subjects that matter to you. That is why we decided to check in with our editorial advisory board members and ask them to share with readers of ADVANCE certain aspects of their personal and professional experience.

Every few Web updates, we will ask a handful of our trusty advisors to respond to a different question, so keep your eyes peeled for more Q&A articles like this one in the future.

This month, we asked four editorial advisory board members to tell us what drew them to the PA profession and whether or not they would pursue the same career path again, if given the chance. Read on to see what they had to say.

Seeking Respect and Independence

I wish I had a wonderful story to tell about an intelligent and terrific PA who inspired me, who treated me with compassion and respect or who saved a loved one's life, but I don't. Honestly, I became a PA because I didn't like being yelled at.

To understand, you need to appreciate that I became a PA the non-traditional way, straight out of high school. As a junior in high school I asked myself, as many others do: "What do I want to do when I grow up?" I knew that I wanted to do something to help people, but the thought of 10 to 12 more years of school to become a doctor was inconceivable. Therefore, I could choose to become a nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist or psychologist. 

My mother felt that nursing would be perfect for me, because, naturally, all women need a career to fall back on in case their husband dies, so they'll have a way to support their children. (I guess I disappointed her--I'm not a nurse and produced no grandchildren.) So a friend and I signed up to be candy stripers at the local hospital. After completing the required training, I hurried through the door of my assigned floor to learn about my chosen profession. That is when the door of reality smacked me in the face.

The nurses I observed were treated like feces. (Mom would be proud that I didn't say the "s" word!) Physicians, patients, family members and even other staff members shouted at them constantly. I decided right then and there that I could not deal with that sort of treatment for the rest of my life.

I relayed this information to my mom, who suggested I become a teacher instead. Teaching, in her mind, was the only other acceptable fall-back profession for a woman. Realizing even then that I am not teacher material, I continued my search for an alternative career.

As a member of the Medical Careers Club at my high school, I toured various colleges and universities to evaluate programs and curriculum. When we visited Alderson-Broaddus College and learned about the physician assistant profession, I immediately knew it was perfect for me.

After a few arguments with mom and a lot of assistance from dad, I was successful. I could pursue this career, my mom said, because Alderson-Broaddus College was a private institution where I could meet a nice, rich man to marry. My degree wouldn't matter. (I graduated from college summa cum laude and entered a wonderful profession--without a husband. Another blow to poor Mom.)

So here I am, 26 years after graduation, married to a coal miner with a chocolate lab for a son, and I am asked, "Would I do it over again?" My answer is this: ABSOLUTELY, YES! As a PA, I can see the difference I make in the lives of my patients and their families each and every day. What more could a person want? (Besides grandchildren--happily, my brother and sister both provided for mom.)

Pamela Moyers Scott, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, is the owner of Physician Assistant Medical Services, Williamsburg, Va.; past president of the Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History; and past president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.