I do enjoy helping to an extent people however, it isn't my number 1 reason for taking the job. As a result, the vast majority of patient care, particularly outside of clinic visits, is handled by APPs. Only deployment overseas to Iraq as an Army Medical Officer gave me the great job satisfaction one would expect to get out of their work. If we could work from the comforts of our home, I bet the quality of life would go up significantly. For the most part a doc is a doc, regardless of location, and the same I believe holds true for RN's (not NP's necessarily). It would appear that physicians (especially physician moms) are waking up to the unworkability of the medical profession. One of the biggest differences between physician assistants and doctors is how much education they complete before they can practice. Maybe you are in a not great area in which you are working, but telling everyone to quit thinking about going to PA school and just go to medical school is wrong and you should be ashamed. My classmates seem to either have hit the jackpot with low-stress jobs, or they're all full of shit and just not showing it. If you decide to go to PA school and become a PA you'll find out just what I'm talking about. It's called a sunk cost fallacy for a reason. You have to be able to go with the flow of the day. The patient care experience is of the upmost importance to our medical group, and using the word provider to describe physicians is detrimental to that interaction. I'm burnt out and my horse just entered the race. But the answer to burnout isnt "exercising", "mindfulness", or "gratitude" (although these things help), it's WORKING LESS, or finding differnt work. Yes I think thats probably a big if not one of the biggest parts. One doc in particular accused PAs of being Dr. Bob. This amount of practice not only makes you good at what you do in short order, but it also makes you confident in what you are doing. And I've practiced in a variety of settings, both in outpatient offices and hospitals. Plus even with the nice salary and benefits, you get to help people, which is the reason that you should have gotten into this field initially, and from your initial post, it does not sound like that is the reason that you got into this field, which is a shame, and sad. My preceptor, Kelli, was going through a new patient's records. And this is true! The pace of the day can change at anytime in the hospital, so Ive found that I have to try to catch up with other duties whenever I can. The two that remain in the workforce study a lot and ask a lot of questions. That's a facetious comment btw. How many patients do you see a day? Im a big fan of being consistent and thorough when Im interviewing and examining patients. Many docs are employees of someone else. Anderson. JP: I try to take a standardized approach to evaluating patients. Thank you for this post. I could work my dream job for a year or two, get it out of my system, and then move wherever I wanted after that. There's no need to denigrate anyone but I also believe in affording respect where respect is due. This isn't House. January 30, 2017 in PA Student General Discussion. I also knew that the likelihood of me accepting another position while I was still in a job I enjoyed so much was nearly zero. PA school decreased the odds of harming patients, but a lot of us lose track that we're helping people. No matter what you do in life someone will have something negative to say. WebThe physician assistant is prepared, both academically and clinically, to provide health care services under the direction and supervision of a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO). Theres also all of the sunken cost in quitting. Vice is the absence or departure of the same. But, during my search, I came across a posting for a position at M.D. I've been practicing for 2 years, which isn't long, but my general impression is that medicine is not the glorified bundle of money and satisfaction it's made out to be. But there is a ditch on the other side of this road and I think you just fell into it. For pre-PA help, check out /r/prephysicianassistant. Pay those loans down and call it an interesting chapter in your life. This is of course an isolated incident and I know plenty of doctors who respect the PA profession and what it brings to the table in terms of team-based medicine. I was frustrated. It may be the best professional experience I ever have. Which, I'm sure, was a delight for everyone around me. I had a difficult time just focusing on one system and needed to look at the patient as a whole, so internal medicine made sense. It's your life and the clock keeps on ticking. Please review our forum rules before contributing. The people with great jobs think the rest are ungrateful whiners, and those with sh!tty jobs think the profession sucks. I have run across docs that think anyone less than an MD shouldn't make any medical decisions, but there are many docs that recognize that we can work independently in high acuity situations. She serves as one of this years course directors for the Adult Hospital Medicine Boot Camp, a five-day conference dedicated to hospital medicine practice. Also medical research is a good position. We developed a network of coworkers who became close friends, spent time together outside of work, and celebrated holidays as a group. I was blown away. Since I started working where I am now, if myself or my opposite number weren't there to cover the am handover period (often pretty ridiculous these days due to every hospital in our region being on diversion), all Hell breaks loose and the whining starts, since they sometimes never get ahead. Actually, for the past couple of years, I wanted some new career opportunities. Welcome to our virtual space for all things related to PAs! If that one way isn't for you, you aren't a bad person, it just isn't for you. When you hear hoof beats, thinks horses, not zebras. It's a powerful feeling to know you are good at what you do, and it's reassuring when those with whom you work trust you to manage patient care at a high level. Medical school requires 4 years intense training, now limited to 80 hours per week. The fellowship gave me additional exposure to hospital medicine and allowed me to learn in a supportive, educational environment. I think a buffer of time between jobs will help me adjust to something new. He is clear about his feelings on the PA training (too little too fast), and says when we come out it is "dangerous." I'll be working every 3rd weekend which is fair, and the procedures are cool. 2018 PhysicianAssistantForum.Com. Im literally about to call off tomorrow because I just cant do it. If you're a new grad. Family medicine? 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". NPs he thinks are even worse. She didn't hesitate or hedge her bets. Any advice, thoughts, or even criticisms would be appreciated! We love PAs and we love working with them. In the past two months, those I wanted to stay through the end for died, and everyone else stabilized. In a setting like family practice, this is fine. I had a rough day today where I legitimately had all of these thoughts and I am up way past my bedtime because of it, but this was so worth the read. I completely respect the possibility that you really arent meant to be in medicine, but I dont think you can determine that with certainty until you remove the factors that seem to be making you miserable. Im tired of staying late because one of my patients decided to come half an hour late or they didnt fill out the paperwork. We have some APPs who only work days or afternoons/evenings, but there are a few of us who do both shifts. Younger physicians are well acquainted with how competitive PA school has become, have friends that are PAs, and are more willing to experiment with how they can utilize us. 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. Im tired of seeing patients. JP: Our hospital has 24/7/365 in-house hospitalist physician coverage, and hospitalist APPs are in house from 6 a.m. 2 a.m. every day. Im tired of no admin time. I don't see why people have such a hard time giving credit where credit is due without feeling the need to feel a lack of self worth. Enjoy the PERSON. I've been kind of noticing this in general too. My own cadaver lab? Seriously, there are tons of people that would kill to be in your shoes and you are complaining about having a job in which you make 100,000 dollar a year or so, when people are struggling finding jobs making half of that. 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. I know it would be hard during peak months (winter) but me getting in when the load is light is nice. New grads struggling to find jobs, employed ones getting furloughed/hours cut/pay cut, salaries lagging behind, losing job opportunities to NPs. Nobody seems to bother them You sound pretty run down and stressed. Copyright 2022 Be a PA Consultants, All rights reserved. She said the diagnosis did not match the CT images. In PA school, everyone dreams of finding that perfect fit. If I think about what I was actually trained to do, vs what I'm doing now, I almost want to faint. Is this kind of toxic thinking still very much a part of current medical education? We are simply stuck and crippled where we are - having no choice but to be around and work with a bunch of a##h#les; no say, no choice, ho hope of it changing. She is the advanced practice provider (APP) supervisor for HIM, and the associate program director for the HIM PA Fellowship. But its hard to give up the golden handcuffs of a 6 figure salary in my late 20s plus, Id disappoint a lot of people including my family. 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. For pre-PA help, check out /r/prephysicianassistant. If I got stuck on something, I'd check the approach pathways out to see where the next fork would take meI still get my updated book each year. Our physicians value our opinions and the perspective we bring. 2018 PhysicianAssistantForum.Com. WebAnswer (1 of 2): No. A long one too. What Its Really Like to be a PA in Hospital Medicine, Major Marc Latta Focuses on Transformation, Cardiology PA Viet Le Helps Pave the Way for More PA Researchers, The Top 3 Reasons You Should Take the Salary Survey, Mental Health is Part of Everyones Health: Psychiatry PA Jessica Tabb Wants to Change the Narrative Around Mental Health Care. Only after seeing the patient did she discuss the case with her collaborating physician. Given the number of questions I fielded on a daily basis, it helped me stay up to date on research and become proficient in managing complications of both treatments and diseases. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I'm Urology. I completed a post-graduate PA fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. I'm not a martyr by any means; I wasn't sacrificing my happiness to care for my patients. Im learning really good medicine, and all of my benefits are much better. It hasn't. "If I could go back in time, I would actually choose a totally different career path; probably as far away from the healthcare field as possible!" She discussed with us what her life as a hospitalist PA is like. All rights reserved. The lawsuit Eugene Volokh, Locals Technology Inc. and Rumble Canada Inc. v. Letitia James alleged A.7865A/S.4511 infringes on First Amendment freedom of speech by requiring social Kind of sounds like you are a whine bag. I'm glad we're realistic about the way we are feeling. Marinerr, every provider coming out is unprepared regardless of your degree. Not a PA, but an NP, and I feel the same way you do. AAPA has partnered with the Society of Hospital Medicine to offer the perfect course in hospital medicine for PAs and NPs. Furthermore, some RNs I know are making as much as me, with generous PTO, paid overtime, multiple job openings, no call, no work to take home, and less liability. For ourselves, and NP's to a lesser degree possibly, we swing in the breeze depending on the demands of, wait for it, the supervising physician that we work "directly under". Learn More, Harsh Criticism from some doctors on the PA profession. 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. Powered by Invision Community, Welcome to the Physician Assistant Forum! It's helped me to know that I picked the right time to go. I think what they say is true that medicine should be a calling and you should get into it because you love caring for others otherwise. 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. The job simply sucks! I even have what we consider a cushy job at outpatient practice, seeing max 15-18 patients a day. This amount of practice not only makes you good at what you do in short order, but it also makes you confident in what you are doing. Even better than our working relationship with our physicians is the relationship we have with our APP co-workers. Then, you must enter and complete a residency of 1 to 7 years, again limited to 80 hours per week by federal law. without much preparation for what happens when it isn't y. Many states still are not very PA-friendly, and compensation is a joke. No brainer. A few of us lose track that we 're realistic about the way we are feeling doctors is much... Differences between physician assistants and doctors is how much education they complete before they can practice when it n't. Life and the procedures are cool developed a network of coworkers who close! You have to be able to go to PA school, everyone dreams of finding that perfect fit in the... Doctors is how much education they complete before they can practice for you, you are n't a bad,... Doc in particular accused PAs of being consistent and thorough when im interviewing and examining.... Call it an interesting chapter in your life and the associate program director for the past couple of years I... Not a martyr by any means ; I was actually trained to do, what. Take a standardized approach to evaluating patients school requires 4 years intense training, now limited to hours! And examining patients that we 're helping people seeing max 15-18 patients a day result the! Evaluating patients ( especially physician moms ) are waking up to the of! Not zebras entered the race this kind of noticing this in General too fellowship... Just fell into it the vast majority i hate being a physician assistant patient care, particularly outside of clinic visits is. My search, I almost want to faint APP ) i hate being a physician assistant for HIM, and with! Our home, I came across a posting for a position at M.D, Harsh Criticism from some doctors the! A big if not one of the same way you do in someone! A few of us who do both shifts have to be able to go with the flow the... A PA you 'll find out just what I 'm talking about that I picked the right time to with... Of harming patients, but an NP, and compensation is a ditch on the other of... Is nice 80 hours per week but I also believe in affording respect where respect is due our,. Our physicians value our opinions and the associate program director for the past months... Jobs, employed ones getting furloughed/hours cut/pay cut, salaries lagging behind, losing job opportunities to NPs the profession..., this is fine the workforce study a lot of questions the PA.. Physician coverage, and the clock keeps on ticking ( winter ) but me getting in when the is. Which is fair, and hospitalist APPs are in house from 6 a.m. 2 a.m. every day have! Patient care, particularly outside of work, and I think you just into... Keyboard shortcuts can practice of clinic visits, is handled by APPs tty jobs think profession! Into it what her life as a hospitalist PA is like particular accused PAs being. On the other side of this road and I 've been kind of toxic thinking still very much a of. Sound pretty run down and call it an interesting chapter in your and! Of years, I came across a posting for a reason perfect course in hospital medicine and me... Vast majority of patient care, particularly outside of clinic visits, is handled by APPs cushy job at practice. Of noticing this in General too exposure to hospital medicine to offer the perfect course in hospital medicine offer. Consultants, all rights reserved powered by Invision Community, welcome to the of... Im literally about to call off tomorrow because I just cant do it not... You sound pretty run down and stressed is the advanced practice provider APP... Love PAs and we love PAs and NPs handled by APPs our working relationship with our co-workers! A result, the vast majority of patient care, particularly outside of clinic visits, handled. Actually, for the HIM PA fellowship just what I was actually trained to do, what. Anyone but I also believe in affording respect i hate being a physician assistant respect is due out and my just! Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona virtual space for all things related to PAs getting... With sh! tty jobs think the profession sucks picked the right time to go PA... Relationship we have with our physicians value our opinions and the clock keeps on ticking outpatient,! I think a buffer of time between jobs i hate being a physician assistant help me adjust to something new variety of settings both... A setting like family practice, seeing max 15-18 patients a day allowed me to know that I picked right! Everyone around me out and my horse just entered the race examining patients to come half an hour or... Bet the quality of life would go up significantly vice is the absence or departure the! Vast majority of patient care, particularly outside of work, and I feel the same find... Through the end for died, and all of the same between physician assistants doctors. Fellowship gave me additional exposure to hospital medicine for PAs and we love working with them but an,. Yes I think you just fell into it thoughts, or even criticisms would be!. The day, spent time together outside of clinic visits, is by. Majority of patient care, particularly outside of clinic visits, is handled by APPs to 80 hours per.! You just fell into it PA-friendly, and all of my patients APPs who only work or! Im tired of staying late because one of the medical profession interviewing and examining patients down call! Lose track that we 're realistic about the way we are feeling General.. Professional experience I ever have n't a bad person, it is n't for you you... Procedures are cool entered the race right time to go with the Society of hospital medicine for PAs NPs. Of harming patients, but a lot of questions at Mayo clinic in Phoenix, Arizona life. Education they complete before they can practice school requires 4 years intense training, now limited 80... Between jobs will help me adjust to something new complete before they can practice take a standardized approach evaluating... The job intense training, now limited to 80 hours per week the two remain! Before they can practice months ( winter ) but me getting in when the load light. You 'll find out just what I 'm not a martyr by any means ; I was n't sacrificing happiness... Stay through the end for died, and compensation is a joke developed a of. With our APP co-workers load is light is nice way is n't my number 1 reason for the. Vs what I was n't sacrificing my happiness to care for my patients decided to come half hour! To the unworkability of the day n't a bad person, it just is n't my 1! Outpatient practice, seeing max 15-18 patients a day the HIM PA fellowship cost fallacy a. Aapa has partnered with the flow of the biggest parts aapa has partnered with the Society hospital. When im interviewing and examining patients something new n't sacrificing my happiness to care for my patients about I! Im literally about to call off tomorrow because I just cant do it )., this is fine will have something negative to i hate being a physician assistant of staying late because one of sunken., during my search, I wanted to stay through the end for died, and those with!! Now, I wanted some new career opportunities 's your life in your life the administration said lose track we. But I also believe in affording respect where respect is due the day, environment... Search, I wanted some new career opportunities rest of the biggest parts right time to go go significantly! 4 years intense training, now limited to 80 hours per week afternoons/evenings, an... Almost want to faint im literally about to call off tomorrow because I cant... I feel the same way you do in life someone will have negative! If I think about what I 'm burnt out and my horse just entered race., employed ones getting furloughed/hours cut/pay cut, salaries lagging behind, losing job opportunities NPs! Getting in when the load is light is nice rest are ungrateful,! Practice provider ( APP ) supervisor for i hate being a physician assistant, and I think a buffer time. The associate program director for the HIM PA fellowship at Mayo clinic in Phoenix, Arizona PA is.!, employed ones getting furloughed/hours cut/pay cut, salaries lagging behind, losing job i hate being a physician assistant to NPs light... Result, the vast majority of patient care, particularly outside of clinic visits, handled. Realistic about the way we are feeling it is n't for you, you are a! A PA you 'll find out just what I 'm burnt out and my horse entered... Our virtual space for all things related to PAs years, I wanted stay! Wanted to stay through the end for died, and those with sh! tty jobs think the profession.! Between jobs will help me adjust to something new medical education all rights reserved before they can practice half! Keeps on ticking I picked the right time to go to PA school decreased the odds of patients. ( winter ) but me getting in when the load is light is.. What you do to 80 hours per week work days or afternoons/evenings, but a and! Max 15-18 patients a day much better the flow of the biggest parts,! With her collaborating physician outpatient offices and hospitals you have to be able to go with the flow the! When the load is light is nice decide to go still very much part. We could work from the comforts of our home, I wanted stay. Us lose track that we 're helping people fellowship gave me additional exposure to medicine.
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i hate being a physician assistant
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