Do I regret becoming a PA? What I think after being a PA for 6 years.

There are some great things, and some pretty awful things, about working in medicine. After 6 years of working as a PA, do I regret going to PA school? In this video, I talk about the worst things about being a PA and then the best things. Plus, I talk about the surprise my career brought me!
What do you think? Do you work in medicine? Do you want to quit or do you love it! Let me know in the comments!
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:01 The cost of becoming a PA
01:55 Why working in medicine sucks!
02:51 Bad patients
03:28 Charting!
03:40 Physicians bashing APPs
04:10 Great salary
04:40 Security and flexibility
05:19 Great patients
05:32 Medical knowledge
06:26 My career surprise!
07:20 Do I regret becoming a PA
Thanks for watching and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!! 😍😍😍

[@chivasguillote8253]

When I first started thinking about graduate school, I was on the road to cRNA. I took all the prerequisites, did the GRE, and it started to apply to programs when suddenly I had a change in my life circumstances that required me to reconsider which track I was going to be able to do because I had to work full-time. I ended up choosing to be an emergency nurse practitioner, and as fate would have it, it has worked out better than I could have imagined. In the end, sometimes we all have to have a little faith that we are being steered in the direction we need to go. Great job on this channel! Keep the content coming.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

You're exactly right Chivas. We never know where our path will lead us and all we can do is just keep moving forward. I seriously couldn't see you as a cRNA. Sounds a bit boring compared to what you do! Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment.

[@JaiiKaiiLove07]

I'm so glad you were honest in this video. People often like to talk about the glitz and glamour and lie to others about how everything is great

[@TheMedicineCouch]

Absolutely! Medicine is hard and just getting harder. Some people have great positions and do really love their job, but MANY people are struggling for various reasons. This channel was born out of MY struggles and I hope to help PAs & NPs craft a career that makes them happy. Whether that's switching specialties, improving their current practice, or even leaving clinical medicine. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@user-hn9qg5qm3o]

@@TheMedicineCouchI think the ones that say they love their job are often just not quite ready to open up and admit that they have a lot about it that they don’t like. It’s obviously enjoyable to be trying to help others get well, and anyone in their right mind would naturally say they love that aspect of a job. Every job could actually say they love helping people even the McDonald’s cashier is helping people in some way. So all jobs are important and necessary. However, it’s the deep dynamics of healthcare and how it’s structured to operate in a way that basically revolves around insurance pretty much calling the shots and just the way healthcare is designed to flow fast day after day like a business operation that makes it become really stressful and lead to burnout. The PA or MD/DO no longer really feels like they’re in a humanitarian role sometimes, but they likely feel like a robot high up on the ladder of all the other robots. It’s also easy to burnout when all your passions of healthcare don’t seem to be doing much for the patients you see because they don’t always seem to get much better. They remain sick or even get worse.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

@@user-hn9qg5qm3o Of course, there is much truth to this, but I do believe that when PAs/NPs get in the right setting, they absolutely can love their job (overall). I have talked to people who truly love what they are doing and feel well supported and feel like they make a difference.

[@Depression_journey]

Hi! I'm Joe and have been a PA now since 2007. I just recently stumbled on your PANRE-LA video and found you. So first, you are great at this! Please keep going. I have found your content enriching. Now, as far as your question... well... I have to say I was so passionate when I was younger. I had so many dreams and did so well in school and just after. But then, I started to get dejected for all of the reasons you mentioned. I tried teaching in a program for awhile and then left. That is my regret. I was missing the clinical practice. I have hopped around enough since. I've been in the ER, FM, UC, hospitalist and even did ID early on. But, since leaving academics I have seen how cutting the community itself has become. It has gotten harder even to find my place. The market is much tighter from when I finished also. So, overall, deep inside I don't regret my decision. But, I can attest that it has caused hardship in my life also. I know it got to my mental health and that's what is sad for. me. I don't want to give up. I've also beaten my head against the wall to find alternative paths. So ultimately, I think I just need help with my mindset and approaching things differently and then my passion will return. That's a bit about my experience, and still holding hope after a few difficult years in our industry.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

Hi Joe! Thanks for sharing your experiences. It is too bad that so many people in medicine are experiencing mental fatigue and mental health struggles due to the system we have to practice within. Thank you for the kind words about my videos and I truly do hope they help people. One thing I'm learning doing this channel is that there are some really great options out there for PAs & NPs. I just finished an interview yesterday with a PA discussing what it's like working with NOAA through the Public Health Service. I really think that people who are frustrated with normal practice should consider looking into the military (as a contractor, civilian employee, or even signing up as an officer) or look at the Public Health Service. In that service there are lots of options from NOAA, to the FDA, to Yosemite, to Indian Health Services. While the market may seem tighter, the roles of PAs & NPs are expanding into areas people never think about. Keep watching my videos as I bring you these unusual jobs and maybe something will resonate with you?!? I sincerely wish you all the best in your career.

[@drdanielsen]

I have never regretted becoming a PA. I have had a wonderful career ( 0ver 48 years now) getting to know extraordinary colleagues and extraordinary patients. Having said that, I am distressed with the current fractionalization of the profession regarding our future. We are certainly our own worst enemy, some trying real hard to cast our failures on other professions. I do believe (I am a glass half full kinda guy) that we have an opportunity to take our profession to the next professional level. And Ben Franklin said" We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."

[@TheMedicineCouch]

I think if I had entered the profession 10 or more years ago, I'd probably feel differently. I'm glad you've had, and continue to have, a great career. Since starting this channel, I am starting to realize the very real issues facing the profession. I do hope we can pull together and move forward!

[@AA-nl5bl]

Cost is crazy for PA school in recent years . I don’t recommend it for younger students. I tell them to go to medical school. My PA education cost was less than 20k for entire program. I honestly don’t know how folks are paying off the debt with the salary we make. It’s much easier to pay off 100K + with a physician salary.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

I agree that the cost to attend PA school is too high. However, I believe medical school is much more expensive. I would guess twice as expensive. So, if we are making roughly half a physician's salary, then the debt ratio would be comparable. I often warn people to consider everything VERY carefully before deciding to enter medicine at all.

[@robochibi]

MD school is usually 3-4x more expensive than PA school

[@TheMedicineCouch]

@@robochibi That is so expensive! It's a shame what has happened to higher education, especially in the medical field.

[@AnNguyen-bk4lt]

My friend actually is paying 87k per year of medical school so… let that sink in hahaha

[@jillsinclair496]

I am so glad I'm close to retirement. The charting is ridiculous. I work long hours, but I'll be damned if I'm going to waste my weekends doing it too. And patients are hopeless. They're morbidly obese, smoke, drink to excess, and they do nothing to help themselves. And they don't move! At least 60% of the patients I see come into the office in wheelchairs. You're 40 yrs old and there is nothing wrong with you other than being 100 lbs over your ideal body weight. M O V E!!!!

[@TheMedicineCouch]

I agree! Charting is out of hand. I also share your frustration with some patients. I've had 55 y/o pts struggling to get onto the exam table and they say, "it's hell getting old". I tell them I just saw a 90 year old who stills tends his own small orchard on his land and he has no problem popping up on the table. I do it nicely, but I am sure to point out that most of the time it's not age, it's lack of any physical conditioning. I'm not asking for people to be in perfect health, heck I'm a little overweight myself (but I exercise regularly). What I am asking is that people take SOME responsibility for their health and not expect us to cure everything with a pill.

[@user-hn9qg5qm3o]

As someone who works in physical therapy, I totally agree! Unfortunately most of these overweight people have gotten this way from many years of poor habits; a combination of junk foods and sedentary life either in the bed or on the couch. The only way to get back to better health is to slowly attempt to create better habits via walking more, eating a mostly Mediterranean diet with less fried foods and reduction in eating too many carbs with not enough protein, etc. I think it starts with increasing activity because 95% of people are usually going to struggle with changing their diet after years of eating a certain way. The sad part about increasing activity is they'll often complain of something aching or knees hurting just from a slow walk, so they give up and return to the couch where they're most comfortable. Once the damage has been done to the knees due to osteoarthritis, it's difficult to reverse with physical therapy alone. It boils down to the topic of curative medicine vs preventative medicine and some of these conditions that we look for a cure or fix for go way back to lifestyle choices years ago that should have been changed then in order not to get to the condition their in today. It's a tough double-edged sword so-to-speak metaphorically. I'm not sure what it's going to take to get these people better. I think from a holistic perspective, there's also some psychological motivation that's also lacking in these patients. Until their mindset also changes they'll remain in their sedentary ways. I couldn't tell you the number of times I've been given patients to work with for physical therapy and they just roll their eyes when they see me coming because they know it's time to get up and walk. I understand there's people who genetically are predisposed to being overweight and that's different, but usually these people are still willing to move and be active to some degree. I have zero problem with someone being overweight. It's being overweight and choosing to remain inactive. Over time this is a disaster in the making with many co-morbidities to come from it.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

@@user-hn9qg5qm3o I saw your other comment come through my email, but I can't find it here in the comment section. So this reply is in regards to your question on if I think it is worth you becoming a PA. First even at 38, it should still be financially worth it to become a PA. I became one in my late 40's. You could potentially work part time or PRN and make $60-$80k per year, but you would probably need to work full time for at least a year or two to solidify your medical knowledge before doing that. Of course full time, you should expect in the low to mid $100k. However, I would ask you to really think about what you want your life to look like. You mentioned the struggle with seeing lots of patients and having so much documentation to do. It doesn't get easier as a provider. Plus there is more risk and stress on your shoulders. ANYONE looking at becoming a PA, NP, or MD should shadow several different providers and try to really look at what they struggle with and how much there is to juggle. Some people have less problems managing the workload than others. Most of that comes down to time management skills and personality traits. If you really think this would be one of your biggest struggles, then take a good look at this aspect and figure out if you can manage it. I will say, landing in the right clinic with great onboarding and great mentoring makes all this much easier. So, no one can decide if being a provider is right for you, but I say make sure you take some time and look into all your different options. PA school is A LOT of time, money, and stress. There are so many amazing things PAs/NPs can do, as I try to highlight on my channel. You may end up with a fantastic, dream position, but you might not. I would also advise that if you really want to stay in healthcare, that you look at other options as well. Look at all the companies in the PT world and see if you can find positions that interest you with those companies. Look at being a device rep or clinical educator roles. They can make as much, or more, than PAs. I don't know what your education is, but if needed, you can go back to school, which you are already contemplating. I hope this helped answer your question a little.

[@user-hn9qg5qm3o]

@@TheMedicineCouch Thank you for the excellent response. I really appreciate all your advice. I have a big interest in learning as much as I can possibly learn about human anatomy and physiology including pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, etc. I believe it’s very fascinating to me, but I realize as a PA it’s not always just that. I have learned even as a PTA that treating and working with real patients is a whole new ball game compared to having your nose in a physiology book and being able to ace the test. Dealing with real people and all of their numerous problems and complaints while simultaneously getting your documentation completed can really be a tough juggle. There’s a side of me that still wants to go for it, but at the same time another side of me still wonders if I really am going to bite off more than I really want to handle. It’s not a matter of if I can handle it, but more so of can I handle it while also maintaining nerves of steel and stay grounded everyday so as to not become unraveled by the stress. I have worked in several areas of physical therapy and I can honestly say the jobs I’ve had have not been easy. The intervention of therapeutic exercise or activities is the easy part, but trying to simultaneously keep up with the documentation throughout the work day while knowing you have to move on to see another patient can get stressful. The main reason it’s stressful is because most PT companies set a very high productivity rate for their therapists, so high that it actually is really impossible and it typically causes some therapist to do average work rather than truly their best just because they know they’re racing against the clock to get all their documentation done in addition to going around seeing all of their patients. How exactly does documentation work as a PA? Do you have to get each note done between each patient or while sitting in the room with the patient? Do you often find yourself having to go back at the end of the day in order to finish documentation and do you have to take your laptop home and find time between the evening and the next business day to finish the day’s documentation? That’s impressive that you went back in your late 40s and became a PA. I think it sounds like the money can be nice and feel like a huge win of a career, but I am also gathering that the stress may actually be some of the highest there is? According to most career ranking websites, the PA profession is always in the top 5. I don’t want to count it out, but I want to get a really good feel for how stressful the PA life really is not just in school but even beyond in the work world. If it’s going to cause me undue loads of stress that sends me into a mental health breakdown then perhaps it’s not for me. I don’t know why anyone would want that anyway on themselves.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

@@user-hn9qg5qm3o Yep, you're facing the biggest dilemma for those who are thinking about becoming a PA, NP or MD/DO. There are many great things about being a medical provider and I agree with you that it really is great to learn medicine. Having that knowledge is amazing, however, the more you learn, the more you realize that you'll never know it all. If you really want to master a particular area, then you would definitely want to specialize. I have interviewed many PAs/NPs and have read many forum comments where PAs&NPs talk about how much they love their jobs. BUT, I have talked to and read just as many who are absolutely miserable! Depending on the source, provider burnout seems to be running between 35%-60%, with some specialties being worse than others. Like you are describing, most providers are being pushed to see more patients than they feel is fair and many times you feel like you can't catch up and/or are missing things. Charting/documentation is one of the highest frustrations providers face. You need to have the chart done for each patient in a timely manner. Timely manner is defined by each organization, but it is usually expected to have charts done within a day or two. Some providers use templates, have streamlined their charting, and are disciplined enough to get each chart closed before seeing the next patient. However, I don't think this is the majority of providers. MANY providers chart all during lunch, stay late and/or finish charting at home. Again, this is variable based on the person and how much admin time (if any) they get in their schedule. I guess all I can say is that most PA/NP/MD positions are very high stress and their many people trying to find a way to leave medicine. That's just the facts and you will find that if you read any kind of provider forums. Having said that, there are some really great positions out there and so providers who would not do anything else. I think it really depends on if you end up in a position that has good support and mentoring, with a reasonable patient count, and admin time for charting, or not. I don't know you and don't want to discourage you, but I do think the feelings you already have about being a PTA are just going to be exacerbated being a provider. BUT!!! Please shadow some PAs/NPs/MDs and pay attention to their charting. See what it's like and if you think it's doable for you. You may be lucky to find some providers to shadow who really love their job and then you can see the best side of being a provider!

[@arias7977]

Ive been so torn lately deciding whether i want to become a PA or a dentist😔

[@TheMedicineCouch]

Sometimes the decisions are hard. If you've shadowed both professions sufficiently, I would just try to trust your gut and go with one. Both will have their good and bad points!

[@marykayandelle]

100k a year 20 years ago was great, but in 2022...the salary has not kept up, imo.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

I totally agree. If you really look around, there are quite a few jobs out there that pay this amount, or more, without having to go into massive debt for schooling!

[@davidngo7676]

PAs and family medicine physicians are underpaid. PAs should be getting $150,000 and family medicine doctors should be getting $250-300,000 a year.

[@user-hn9qg5qm3o]

@@TheMedicineCouchWhat are those jobs?

[@TheMedicineCouch]

@@user-hn9qg5qm3o Just as a small example: www.gobankingrates.com/money/jobs/hot-jobs-that-pay-more-than-100000-a-year/

[@user-hn9qg5qm3o]

@@TheMedicineCouchYou gotta consider the fact that several of those six figure jobs may not put you in school loan debt, but they may take you longer to work your way up to that six figure top position amongst the other thousands of IT job holders. At least with PA you usually immediately start out making somewhere close to six figs without having to climb a ladder.

[@iainblack2975]

Ps unless you work in an upscale dermatology or cosmetic clinic, it’s not glamorous at all. Nothing like the TV shows. FYI

[@TheMedicineCouch]

That’s for sure! And I laugh, whenever they show providers having time to talk to each other, and just “hang out“ in the hospital or clinic.

[@brucenome989]

That crazy 147,000 wow.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

Sorry, it took me a while to understand what you meant. I assume you are talking about the amount of student loan debt I acquired? Now that was undergrad and PA school, but yes, it is far too much money students have to pay!!

[@Yourcreatorlovesyou]

What math classes are required ?

[@TheMedicineCouch]

My school only required Statistics as far as math goes. Most of the required classes are science related. Unfortunately the requirements are different for every school, so just be aware of that. You will need to check the requirements of every school you are interested in. Most people make a little chart to make sure they get all the requirements any of their potential schools ask for.

[@skseitzenterprises2661]

😵‍💫

[@TheMedicineCouch]

???? Want to elaborate?

[@iainblack2975]

Private practice, forget the nightmare hospital woke Democrat Administrative System. I’m in a great specialty, more autonomy than I can imagine, late 50s, cut back to 3 days a week. Can hustle and multitask like crazy still, but I can afford to retire thankfully. I’ll miss writing scripts, deciding on biological medicines, ordering labs and imaging and being pretty much on my own unless need doc to see if a really tough pt. I don’t regret being a PA, but I don’t regret being a RT either or getting a BA then MPAS degree either. I bust it out, all charting and charges done and out of work on time, boom! Gotta have great time mgmt skills as a PA and common sense. Forget primary care, it’s a nightmare. Find a cool specialty. Primary ok for first 2 years unless you love it, but it’s so taxing. You do have to click a lot of redundant boxes and be super careful. I’m always super happy when there’s no shows or last pt doesn’t show up, sorry but I gotta get out of there and beat traffic and try to hit the gym. Thanks for the great video, and of note: since I graduated in 2008 ( went back at 40 ) there’s been over 100 new PA programs open since then nationwide, great career but it’ll beat the best of us down. Oh and insurances getting harder and harder get things approved, and say no to disability forms, nope, forget that, I’ll do a quick FMLA only. But it’s a great career and you can make bank. I owed like $160 k ( included some undergrad ) and no Biden bail-out here, paid it all back and feel pretty good about that.

[@TheMedicineCouch]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and your thoughts! I do think it can be a great career if you hone your skills and if you get into the right setting.