Listen, this is probably going to sound snooty or something. But, IMOHO, your PA (and I'm sure he is a very nice, well meaning person) isn't the one you should base this decision on. Do you know how much schooling you have to do to become a PA? My husband was going to become one just a few years ago and I was so surprised to find out that it's only a TWO YEAR PROGRAM. If your cardiologist and pulminologist are one board (hey, Dr. Atkins is a cardiologist, that counts right?) then I would side step the PA's advice. He is proabably like a lot of RNs - they know what they've been taught and they can regurgitate it on queue but they aren't really in the habit of ... well... I'll just leave it at that.

Please, if you are reading this post and are an RN or PA, please don't be offended. I know there are always exceptions to every generalization.


Heather