applying for licensure. This may vary by state. I’ve hired 1 PA and 1 NP in the past 2 years and; it’s much easier to get credentialing done in Oregon for PA’s (done through state medical board rather than board of nursing).
The PA has been with our group 2 years and is phenomenal. She contacted us because she wanted to move to our area. We were thrilled to interview her - she was already trained in our specialty. It’s been win/win.
No matter your level of interest in surgery it will take a long time for you to become independently functional, so you won’t have as much negotiating power with your first job, but will thereafter.