Maybe you settled for a specialty you’re less excited about or entered a nonspecialized field with a plan to specialize in the future. Or, you thought your specialty would be the perfect fit at first, only to learn it wasn’t at all what you expected. No matter how you got here, one thing is for certain: you want to change PA specialties.
Leaving and changing jobs is an inevitable part of life, and PAs are no exception. A recent study found that more than half (53.4%) of PAs have changed specialties throughout their career (many of which switched two or three times)! So, how do you know when it’s time to change PA specialties, and what should you do next?
1. Evaluate your current situation
Sometimes the signs are blatantly obvious, while often you only have a gut feeling that you aren’t where you’re meant to be. Maybe you feel ready for a change and frequently check local job postings looking for “something more” but need that extra push to make the leap.
Looking for some additional guidance? You’re in luck! Our team has put together a few “vibe check” questions to gauge your current situation. Take the quiz below—no email required!
2. Consider alternative options
Sometimes it’s not the specialty that’s the problem, but rather the circumstances surrounding your current employment situation. Changing your work environment may revitalize your love for the specialty you originally chose and for medicine as a whole.
If you’re still not sure whether you should change PA specialties but know that you need something new, see if any of these remedies could help:
| Questions to Consider | Possible Remedy |
| Is there a specific site, colleague, or administration issue that makes your specialty feel like a mistake, but you otherwise enjoy the cases and patient population? | Consider moving to a new employer within the same specialty. |
| Does your current schedule impact your life negatively, but you otherwise enjoy what you do? | Consider speaking to your employer to see whether your schedule can be adjusted to better align with your life goals (e.g., four 10s, three 12s). |
| Do you dislike the physical setting that you’re in but otherwise enjoy the cases that you see? | Consider remaining in the same specialty but switching the setting type (e.g., inpatient to outpatient, outpatient to inpatient, adding OR time, adding clinic). |
| Are you struggling with the overall number of hours that you’re working? | Consider dropping down to a part-time or per diem status. |
| Do you love primary care but no longer want to deal with a specific age group? | Consider remaining in primary care but changing to pediatrics, geriatrics, etc. |
| Do you not like clinical work and you’re now second-guessing becoming a PA altogether? | Consider a PA career in research, academia, leadership, management, administration, or medical education. |
3. Create an action plan
If you do decide to change PA specialties, first remind yourself that this is one of the greatest benefits of being a PA. Many of us probably cited “specialty mobility” in our personal statements as one reason we wanted to become PAs. Specialty mobility allows us to try our hand at different interests and, just as importantly, move on from a clinical setting that may not be a good fit.
So, what should you do after you decide to change PA specialties?
- First, self-reflect on what’s not working or what may be missing in your current situation.
- Create an inventory of what’s important to you and any red flags you want to avoid. Think about specific job duties, patient populations, salaries, schedules, clinical settings, and degree of autonomy.
- Then, use your inventory to make a list of desired specialties that best fit your criteria.
- Review your current contract for any restrictive covenants that may limit your job prospects.
- Research your specialties of interest. This step could include networking with other PAs, reviewing the AAPA Salary Report and Areas of Practice Guide, or joining PA specialty organizations.
- Review job postings and set alerts for opportunities that interest you.
- Craft your CV and cover letter to better align with your desired specialties.
- Determine whether you need any additional training (specialized courses, postgraduate education) before applying for a job in your new specialty.
- Submit your resignation letter and tie up any loose ends within your current position. This could include informing your patients and transferring their care to another clinician.
- Verify whether you need tail or nose malpractice coverage.
- Compile your certifications, licenses, and documentation to prepare for credentialing.
- Update your address and collaborating/supervising physician information with necessary organizations.
- Lastly, refresh your medical knowledge and skills to increase your confidence and help you prepare for your desired field (e.g., AAPA boot camps, Blueprint PA (formerly Rosh Review) Qbanks, JAAPA, conferences).
4. Trust your gut
No matter the outcome, it’s important to trust your instincts when something feels off in your current situation. When you take the time to identify why you have this uneasy feeling, you can take actionable steps to find a better fit as soon as possible. See which opportunities are out there and speak with other PAs who can empathize and provide insight into other areas of medicine.
Finding the right specialty and work environment for you can lead to improved career satisfaction, reduced stress, greater work-life balance, and better pay. Though pivoting jobs may seem intimidating at first, the changes you make now will lay the foundation for a more fulfilling career for years to come.
Looking for a breakdown of individual PA specialties? Check out these other blog posts from PAs who have been in your shoes!
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