What Is a Physician Assistant (PA) — And Why Is the Profession Growing So Quickly?

Published by Andrea Nguyen on May 17, 2026

Many people grow up viewing healthcare careers through a very limited lens, often believing the only options are becoming a doctor or a nurse. It was not until I entered college and joined the University of Houston’s Pre-PA club that I was introduced to the Physician Assistant profession and everything that came with it. The more I learned, the more I realized how much I connected with the profession’s collaborative approach to medicine, ability to enter the workforce sooner to help meet growing healthcare needs, and the flexibility to switch specialties without having to return to school or complete an entirely new certification pathway.

As healthcare continues to evolve, more students are becoming interested in careers like the PA profession because of its growing scope of practice, versatility, and role in improving access to care. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 20% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for most occupations. Yet despite how quickly the profession is growing, many people still do not fully understand what a PA is or how the profession even began.

What drew me in most was learning that the PA profession was created out of a time of urgent healthcare need. From the very beginning, PAs were designed to help expand access to medical care and support underserved communities — something that still remains incredibly important today.

To understand why the profession has become one of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare, it helps to first look at where it all started.

If you have any questions, reach out: andreatnguyen0416@gmail.com

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