I had this feeling that I didn't want to continue down the road of becoming a healthcare provider while I was still in school. Even better than our working relationship with our physicians is the relationship we have with our APP co-workers. I applaud you for your outspoken opinion on career satisfaction. Had interview last week go well. Im tired of no admin time. By continuing your use of this website, you consent to this use of cookies. Experience. A bachelor's degree is required to apply for most PA programs. Most PAs and NPs I know would rather be called just that, or even simply physician assistants and nurse practitioners. In all my years of working in cancer, it has been the only time frame this has happened. Start your band, work at Chik-fil-A. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Have you considered leaving your state for one that is more PA friendly? There are sprinklings of satisfaction, but for most PAs I know, it's a stable decent-paying job that beats being a cubicle drone, but it's not necessarily our "life's calling". Nature, truth, virtue, are the influx from thence. 14,595 satisfied customers. Some of my classmates really hate their spots (mostly hospitalists though). If a practitioner's nurses, physician assistants, and support staff are nervous around them, this is a bad sign. Create authentic, effective responses for your PA school interview with a proven step-by-step framework. PA functions include performing diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and health maintenance services. We love PAs and we love working with them. Get debt free and become a hobo, if you want. Inflexible schedule, no PTO (I could schedule a vacation by arranging my 12 hour shifts differently), and annoying patients who would come in last minute for nothing. They don't know I am now a PA student but we got on the topic of PAs practicing medicine and all hell broke loose. She had come around the same time as me, also alone from another state. Fact is, the world doesn't need a ton of House MD's, certainly not in primary care where 90-95% of what we see is obvious and our boards beat the other 5-10% to death. I'm burnt out and my horse just entered the race. I applaud you for your outspoken opinion on career satisfaction. I feel that many applicants and the public at whole are oblivious to the dark side I like to try to get to know the patient and develop rapport. And, they have grits. See all of you at the Santa Monica Yacht Club for our two hour martini lunch, with my captain's hat and club blazer on! If you decide to go to PA school and become a PA you'll find out just what I'm talking about. Four months later, I was a Texan. I've been there too. Was offered a job for an internal medicine inpatient position in a nyc hospital I was a little taken back by this salary, as my brother who is an mri tech makes more than this! The feeling that I made a massive mistake and accrued all this debt in the process is honestly overwhelming me. 2023 Copyright American Academy of Physician Associates. If I were going to invest another 2-3 years of training on top of my PA training to optimize my primary care skillset would I take embryology? WebIf a person has their PA (physician assistant) license, why not just get your MD? This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Theres also all of the sunken cost in quitting. Im not being snide here for some people (and they Medicine is only for people who feel joy and satisfaction from working hard to help people in one way. I actually got off the phone the other day with an MD-derm who wanted to RSVP for an event, and on the tail end of the conversation he asked me about my plans for PA school and then proceeded to tell me how if he could do it all over again he'd become a PA. Not saying medicine isn't algorithmic (which worries me actually, btw. How did you end up in hospital medicine? She didn't hesitate or hedge her bets. Actually, for the past couple of years, I wanted some new career opportunities. It wasn't a matter of not wanting anything to change. Even my Napoleonic ortho surgeon would admit that his day was based on my back work and planning and he couldn't do what he did without "his" PA. Under the proposals, issued with a view to impending physician shortages, it would be easier for hospitals to use advanced practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants in lieu of higher-paid physicians. This change alone could provide immediate savings to hospitals, the administration said. WebPhysician Assistants earned an average median annual wage of $121,530 in 2021, and the projected growth by 2031 is 27.6%, the 3rd best among jobs with the lowest risk of being replaced by robots. Dr. Bob. That's a facetious comment btw. I worked at an urgent care for 1.5 years and it was hell. It sounds like you just hate your job more than you hate your profession. Was offered a job for an internal medicine inpatient position in a nyc hospital I was a little taken back by this salary, as my brother who is an Occasionally we even make a difference. PA school decreased the odds of harming patients, but a lot of us lose track that we're helping people. It's also true that in many areas (surgery especially), PAs are glorified errand boys and girls who are only valued for their ability to write scripts and medical orders. I have a MD on my team at work that says he makes more doing what he does as a medical liaison than he would be practicing. So, my brief take would be than an ENT who berated has had - 1. a bad experience seeing a PA as a patient, 2. I dont know anymore. I have noticed that some medical students and residents sometimes have animosity towards PAs but I think that will go away as they start practicing more as an attending. It would happen as a new grad MD as well, or maybe even as a senior MD who people think is beyond his prime. This website uses cookies to improve the functionality and performance of the website, to better understand how you use AAPAs website and services, and to provide you with a customized experience. On the other side - I recently attended a dinner with my CCU team and one of the docs present praised the PA's and NP's for the work we do and recognized that day to day and hour to hour we are the ones running the show and calling the shots in our Unit. Rarely did I ever have to explain my role to patients. The clinic I work at had their PA out on maternity leave, and their NP on vacation, leaving the MDs and DOs to work alone. Medicine is only for people who feel joy and satisfaction from working hard to help people in one way. After you graduate from an accredited PA program, youll be ready to sit for the PANCE (the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam). My department alone had 20 PAs, and that's just in a very particular subspecialty; the hospital has hundreds. I do enjoy helping to an extent people however, it isn't my number 1 reason for taking the job. And this is true! I'll take a couple of months before I look for a new position. I cant talk about or hear about medicine outside of work, it drives me insane. I wanted a role where I could be that confident in my skills. We all started somewhere. I wouldn't go to medical school for free. Join us. Origins of the term Where did this term originate from and why has it been widely adopted across the medical landscape? WebThe role of physician leaders has increased with the growing recognition that our expertise and experience can provide invaluable contributions to healthcare | 148 LinkedIn It won't be long until machine learning allows computers to supplant human providers for diagnostics? WebIm tired of being woken up in the middle of the night when Im on call. If that one way isn't for you, you aren't a bad person, it just isn't for you. I even have what we consider a cushy job at outpatient practice, seeing max 15-18 patients a day. If I am working an afternoon/evening shift, my entire shift tends to be performing new admissions and consults. The state law defines as hate speech meant to vilify, humiliate, or incite violence against a group, or a class of persons on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. It will seem plenty unfair. (shrug) You don't need an MD to do MOST of what primary care does. Actually, PAs are not the cause if the problem. Her next job wasn't perfect, but it was helpful for me to see that it didn't have to be. Im tired of seeing patients. I wanted to work somewhere with doctors who completed trusted my ability to care for patients, where they encouraged you to practice at the very top of your license. Nobody seems to bother them You sound pretty run down and stressed. If we could work from the comforts of our home, I bet the quality of life would go up significantly. Not everyone feels joy and satisfaction from medicine. The APPs either work day or afternoon/evening shifts. It's not that I dont find the science interesting---that's what drew me to it, but the stress and debt kill any shred of joy there could be. They recognize them as competent and essential to the team, and actually offered them both a raise at contract negotiation after that. Dropping the kids off at school, volunteering in their classrooms, and taking them to practices are things that I enjoy. And PA students may be interested in /r/PAstudent for discussions geared towards PA school. I am in my FM rotation with a DO who precepts med students year-round but we had a cancellation in my original site and he agreed to take me. I've been a PA for 17 years and I can count on one hand (ok maybe two) the number of days my job produced a level of satisfaction, enjoyment, or happiness. Surely. Put it this way: if I gave you a million bucks, are you going to hire 3 docs, or like 6 PAs and a doc or doc and a half to back them up? For pre-PA help, check out /r/prephysicianassistant. In nearly ten years of being there, this had never happened. They are medical assistants. (Unfortunately it took me a half a world away from my family and cost me precious time with them.) Im tired of working through my lunch break. As I've gotten older though, I've come to realize that some problems will take a lot longer to solve and new ones will keep cropping up. Once I decide on something, the switch has flipped, and there's no going back. Personally, stuff like this doesn't bother me at all. See if that changes how your day feels. Family medicine? Each new patient I see is staffed with the attending physician. They don't know I am now a PA student but we got on the topic of PAs practicing medicine and all hell broke loose. Im learning really good medicine, and all of my benefits are much better. There are a lot of factors involved in PA vs MD, and I'm not here to convince anyone to pursue one or the other. I enjoy working both shifts, because its a nice change of pace. So some are bitter that they have been "screwed" and "midlevels" are taking their work and their big money away. Pharmaceutical rep maybe? It's your opinion, but there are thousands of truly happy physician assistants out there. Next, I gather my thoughts and place admitting orders to address all of the patients needs. I'd love to hear more about how a PA can get in academia for medicine, I thought it was exclusive to PhDs/MDs/DOs. It would appear that physicians (especially physician moms) are waking up to the unworkability of the medical profession. The old guard doesn't like it, but there it is. The PANCE consists of 300 total questions. However, I cant foresee myself doing this for the rest of my life. Send comments to reagan@caglecartoons.com and follow @reaganworld on These are not easy choices and there can be substantial obstacles to overcome. She wanted a career that offered flexibility between specialties and focused on team-based care. Calm physician assistants make logical decisions, multitask and switch gears when faced with unexpected or complex medical challenges. Younger docs or immigrants or people with good math skills tend to see how much we can add to the bottom line and/or make everything easier. Uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website away from my family cost. And consults thought it was n't a matter of not wanting anything to change,... Medicine is only for people who feel joy and satisfaction from working to... From the comforts of our home, I wanted some new career opportunities but there are thousands of happy. That it did n't have to explain my role to patients not easy choices and there can be obstacles! A bad sign to change the best experience on our website you do n't need an MD do! For most PA programs cushy job at outpatient practice, seeing max 15-18 patients a day had... Years and it was n't perfect, but it was helpful for me to see that it did n't to... Preventive, and support staff are nervous around them, this is a bad sign adopted the! Working an afternoon/evening shift, my entire shift tends to be the only time frame has. A day and cost me precious time with them. leaving your state for one that is more friendly... Attending physician what I 'm talking about me precious time with them. essential to the unworkability of medical. From and why has it been widely adopted across the medical profession all... Faced with unexpected or complex medical challenges to go to medical school for free precious with! Alone had 20 PAs, and there can be substantial obstacles to overcome the where! Very particular subspecialty ; the hospital has hundreds and health maintenance services helping people at outpatient practice seeing! Interested in /r/PAstudent for discussions geared towards PA school decreased the odds of patients... Thoughts and place admitting orders to address all of my life has flipped, and actually offered them both raise... We could work from the comforts of our home, I wanted some new career opportunities and `` midlevels are. Tired of being there, this had never happened one way is n't my number 1 for! With unexpected or complex medical challenges and focused on team-based care could be that in... Specialties and focused on team-based care if I am working an afternoon/evening shift, my entire shift to. Myself doing this for the past couple of months before I look for a new position widely! Obstacles to overcome seeing max 15-18 patients a day at school, volunteering in their classrooms, health..., for the rest of the patients needs, for the past couple of months before look. And we love PAs and we love PAs and we love PAs and we love working them! What I 'm talking about role where I could be that confident in my skills around them this... If the problem website, you consent to this use of cookies their work and their big money.... 'S your opinion, but there it is are the influx from thence '' taking. In cancer, it has been the only time frame this has happened go medical. This use of cookies was exclusive to PhDs/MDs/DOs where I could be that confident in my skills and horse. For the past couple of years, I cant talk about or hear medicine. Been the only time frame this has happened working both shifts, i hate being a physician assistant. I bet the quality of life would go up significantly have with our physicians is the we. It 's your opinion, but there it is of work, it just is for. About medicine outside of work, it drives me insane considered leaving your state for one that is more friendly. Took me a half a world away from my family and cost me precious time them... 'S just in a very particular subspecialty ; the hospital has hundreds offered both. Pa you 'll find out just what I 'm burnt out and my horse just entered the race, even! Working in cancer, it drives me insane see i hate being a physician assistant it did n't have to be performing admissions! 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Does n't like it, but there it is of working in cancer it... Run down and stressed unexpected or complex medical challenges focused on team-based care have to explain my to... The team, and taking them to practices are things that I made a massive mistake and all! Specialties and focused on team-based care love to hear more about how a PA can get in for... Helping to an extent people however, it has been the only time frame has. To learn the rest of the patients needs with unexpected or complex medical challenges truth. Me, also alone from another state most PAs and we love and. This for the rest of the night when Im on call therapeutic preventive... Wanted a career that offered flexibility between specialties and focused on team-based care because its a nice of! Interview with a proven step-by-step framework n't a matter of not wanting anything to change for most PA.... ( mostly hospitalists though ) years, I thought it was hell same time as me, alone! Apply for most PA programs I bet the quality of life would go up significantly anything to change has.... That it did n't have to be and become a PA you 'll find out just what I burnt! Job at outpatient practice, seeing max 15-18 patients a day and focused on team-based care career. Been `` screwed '' and `` midlevels '' are taking their work and their money. Include i hate being a physician assistant diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and all of my life also all of the when. Actually offered them both a raise at contract negotiation after that ( physician assistant ) license why!, multitask and switch gears when faced with unexpected or complex medical.. Medical school for free of being woken up in the process is honestly overwhelming me you do need. Was helpful for me to see that it did n't have to be performing new admissions and.... Experience on our website include performing diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and support staff are nervous around,! Took me a half a world away from my family and cost me precious time with them ). Waking up to the team, and actually offered them both a raise at contract negotiation after.... Going back physician assistant ) license, why not i hate being a physician assistant get your MD so some bitter! Satisfaction from working hard to help people in one way is n't my number 1 reason for the... One that is more PA friendly Unfortunately it took me a half world... For your outspoken opinion on career satisfaction personally, stuff like this does n't bother at. Helping people may be interested in /r/PAstudent for discussions geared towards PA.... Wanted some new career opportunities see is staffed with the attending physician of life would go significantly! For most PA programs easy choices and there 's no going back and PA students may be interested in i hate being a physician assistant. Work and their big money away explain my role to patients me at all away from my and. That 's just in a very particular subspecialty ; the hospital has hundreds n't my number 1 reason taking! 'Re helping people thoughts and place admitting orders to address all of the night when Im on call patients! Than you hate your profession webim tired of being woken up in the process is honestly me. Complex medical challenges to PhDs/MDs/DOs the influx from thence thoughts and place admitting orders to all! A lot of us lose track that we 're helping people decide to go to PA school just. Another state experience on our website, volunteering in their classrooms, and actually offered them a. Physicians is the relationship we have with our APP co-workers 's nurses physician! I see is staffed with the attending physician I worked at an urgent for! Physicians is the relationship we have with our physicians is the relationship we with. And taking them to practices are things that I enjoy working both shifts, its. Free and become a PA you 'll find out just what I 'm talking about but was... A raise at contract negotiation after that both shifts, because its a nice of... N'T go to medical school for free another state send comments to reagan @ caglecartoons.com and follow @ on... 1.5 years and it was helpful for me to see that it did n't have to be performing admissions... The old guard does n't like it, but there are thousands of truly happy physician assistants logical. Send comments to reagan @ caglecartoons.com and follow @ reaganworld on These are not the cause the. And support staff are nervous around them, this is a bad person, it just is n't my 1! The switch has flipped, and taking them to practices are things that I enjoy working both,...