WARNING: Physician Assistants are Unhappy. Here's WHY
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- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2024
- Physician assistants are unhappy. WHY?? Why is everyone quitting their jobs? Quitting medicine? Why are they angry? Are they underpaid? What's the underlying issue?
In this video, we uncover why PAs are unhappy. We uncover the truth about the business of medicine, provider burnout, and how money plays a role in our careers.
Here, I share my experience as a decade old physician assistant in primary and urgent care . Let's talk about the ugly truth.
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:23 - You Will Never Get Paid the Same Amount as a Physician
2:02 - Your Pay Will Not Increase
3:19 - PAs Lack Autonomy
4:49 - Why are You Unhappy
5:45 - Identify the Problem
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Love this video! I am starting PA school this week and I kind of already have your ideas in mind. Can you make a video on travel PAs and a video on owning an urgent care or med spa as a PA? Just some video ideas that I'd love to see from your POV!! Keep up the good work 😊❤
Tha k you!! I can’t give any advice on owning a med spa as I’ve never done it! But I will say, you’re still trading time for money when you become a business owner- unless you build up the business to run without you. That’s passive income. If you plan to open your own med spa, start building your personal brand now. People will follow your journey and come to you if they decide they want cosmetic work done! It’s really hard to compete with large corporations if you decide to open your own urgent care. ❤️ good luck!
@@samingoshow its interesting you know the truth. trading time for money is not the best way to go
To be honest I wonder if the money part is really the problem. I'm a physician and many of my colleagues are also plagued by the "I wish I could make as much as the cardiologist" bug. I think being a PA I can get the wanting to make more money especially when being surrounded by higher earners all the time (physicians). But physicians do this also.... I rarely think it's an earning problem when you're over $100k, but rather maybe just the environment you're in surrounded by higher earners. If you are like me and focused on making "more money" it's more how much more can I save and invest in hopes I earn more that way. That's what will lead to more happiness earnings wise I feel.
On the wage stagnation it's true for us physicians also and is an unfortunate reality in medicine I wish I paid more attention to before school.
The control over your career I understand also. But rest assured being a physician sucks even more.... lol. I'm mainly writing this to prevent any PA who is thinking about medical school to tell them to NOT pursue this path for more "autonomy". Only pursue medical school if you want more knowledge of medicine. Physicians barely have autonomy these days because we're controlled by insurance companies, pointless middle managers who know nothing about clinical care, etc. You won't have much more autonomy as a physician other than technically leading the team which management will tell you you're doing it wrong anyways along with insurances companies.
That's my 2 cents.
This is so refreshing. Thank you for your transparency!
wow wow wow wow
As long as you’re working for a corporation there will always be a cap to your income. Owning a practice might be a good way to do it. That’s one advantage you physicians have.
@@jakd2962Private practices are on the decline as well. Every year they get bought out by bigger entities, this is primarily due to wage stagnations, cost of operations going up, etc.
I really love your comment
It's very refreshing to see healthcare providers beginning to talk about these sort of issues. Medicine is a business, often profits over people.
Unfortunately it is 😭 Definitely pluses and minuses in every industry
It's important to remember that PAs are necessary now. If I make an appointment with my doctor, I might have to wait two months. But if I see the PA, I can go in next week. I don't mind, because she is super sweet and she's smart. A doctor has to sign off on some of her stuff, like prescriptions, but that doesn't bother me. It seems that I get the same level of care either way.
So glad you’re happy with your PA! Btw, Doctors don’t have to sign off on any of our prescriptions. As PAs we have our own prescribing license and we can prescribe any drugs we want without permission.
@@samingoshow I should have been more specific. I have a work restriction at the post office. The PA had to take the note to my doctor, who was with another patient, and have him sign it. The post office would not accept a work restriction order that was solely signed by a PA. She was able to renew my blood pressure meds herself.
What abou nurse practitioner
If PAs are paid less, who is pocketing that $ difference when we see a PA or NP as a provider?
@@MNP208 In some spaces, Insurance actually reimburses the organization less for a PA /NP visit in comparison to a MD/DO. So the visit charge to the insurance company actually cost less. But in general, PAs/NPs do provide a decent profit margin if we are talking about managing overflow capacity where people would end up leaving and not being seen due to extreme wait times or inability to get an adequate appointment.
The number one reason anyone is not happy in any profession is because they didn't take the time to really understand what they were getting into.
The PAs I know that are not happy either have financial issues (living a lifestyle way beyond what they can afford) or more specifically didn't really understand the role of a PA.
The MD's I work with that are unhappy were romanticized to the profession and normally felt pressured to pursue the profession. What I felt was strange was that while all my physicians that I works with acknowledged that they were all paid well more than the average person, very few thought they were paid enough for the current stress they always have or the loss of time they can't get back.
I always tell people that more than anything, you need to choose the profession that best compliments the lifestyle you want, or you will become a slave to your profession. Every profession comes with drawbacks, and you have to make sure that the benefits outweigh the setbacks.
Other than the money (relative to the work they do), another downside is the name of the profession itself, and the lack of awareness of the career. PAs have to keep educating and correcting people about their career. There's so much misinformation. I've heard so many false things like PA school being easy to get into or PAs not learning a lot (so ridiculous because it's literally the opposite. PA school is very competitive to get into and you have to learn so much in 2 years). People constantly underestimate and disrespect them because of the "assistant" name and lack of awareness about the career. You'll also have to deal with jerks who say you weren't smart enough or hard working enough. Or they say you're "just a PA" or "you're not even a doctor" instead of congratulating you on what is actually a huge accomplishment. One that note, if you're reading this, and someone does that to you, cut them off from your life. If they disrespect you and downplay a huge life achievement like becoming a physician assistant then they don't really care about you and they're not worth being around with. Period.
Valid points! PA school is actually more competitive than medical school
@@samingoshow Umm.. I hope that was a joke or exaggeration.
@@samingoshowis that sarcasm
@@samingoshowhaha more people apply, because the entry requirements are much lower than med school.
Ps you can’t run clinics or manage patients if you can’t prescribe.
I’m a senior in university going the PA route and this video actually talked about a few things that were in the back of my mind the closer i am to graduating. Love the video ❤️
What are the conditions for Physician assistant to work in the United States?
Just found your channel! I’m a undergrad student about to graduate and looking to get into the PA program! Thank you for this video!
Awwwh thank you so much!! ❤️❤️ Good luck on your PA journey!
great insightful video , thank you for clearing up a lot of queries i had about pursuing the PA role.
YES! So glad this video provided you with clarity!! 🙌
WOWW ! Amazing video! Got me really thinking.
I’m currently studying for the MCAT and aiming for April exams. Thank you for the video, I was thinking the same thing between PA and MD .
Good luck on your MCATs! Do you, boo boo!
I'm a first year college student on the PA path but also considering becoming a Optometrist because of some of the reasons in the video. Thanks for the pointers and giving me other things to think about!
Of course! Thanks for watching!
Love my life as an OD! 🤓 just make sure you choose a school with cheap tuition!
@@Corey25 how long was optometry school for you?
@@xrispi 4 years after ungrad! Our school does have an accelerated 3 year program
@@Corey25 I was looking into it, was it easy to find a job? Is your job enjoyable?
This is a GREAT discussion on our health care system. As a RN, I have realized that I'm going to make the same hourly pay whether I run a whole department or just administer vaccines. Now I look for the least taxing job I can find, even it it's boring. How can becoming a scribe work as a side hustle? They make less $ than a RN. Also, it 's not a "passive" job.
It's a TERRIBLE side hustle if you have the potential to make any real money, like as a RN. It pays barely above minimum wage. Source: former scribe and current PA
I have been a PA for 14 years and I am DONE! I make good money but the stress and lack of respect from my employer has burned me out so badly over the years that I am transitioning to non clinical roles and may even leave the profession completely
Ooohh! I’m so sorry to hear that! Medicine is a really tough profession. Stress is very high and unfortunately, it never gets easier 😭.
This is really scary hearing... Like, imagine if you could tell yourself this the moment you got accepted into PA school... At that moment you were probably so happy that you got accepted into PA school just to find out all this. Wishing the best for you
@@miguelcortes04 If I could turn back time I definitely would not go to PA school...for me it was a huge mistake...thanks for the well wishes ❤️
@MaskedJoeeey I'm on that boat right now. Currently applying to PA school and hoping to get in this cycle. I'm well-prepared for the job responsibilities to come. I have heard pros and cons from the working PAs, but if money was my basis to become one, I would definitely not want to pursue it. It's one of those that I might regret if I won't try.
@@nikiedmonds6236 Sorry to hear. Hope it all goes well for you. Can I ask what you would recommend instead after being in health for so long?
Hi Sami, what are your thoughts on independent contractor PAs (1099 employees)? I have an interview for an IC job at a psych office and I'm not sure whether it's a good idea or not because of not having benefits, although it is in my preferred specialty appears to have adequate pay with a flexible schedule. (I'm a new grad btw).
1099 jobs are only beneficial if you have a very high income to compensate for no benefits or if you have health insurance coverage from your spouse . Think of all the extra costs that comes without having benefits- retirement accounts, disability insurance, bonuses, PTO, etc. A good benefits package is anywhere from $20-50K.
Dont choose a job base on a specialty. That’s the fastest way to burnout.
@@samingoshow thanks for the reply!
period! love this
Thank you! I've been a PA fo 30 years, I've worked in multiple areas of medicine there were times when I was unhappy but always reminded myself why I chose medicine as a PA and that's because I wanted to help people in a unique and practical way. I'm thanking you because if there are those in my profession that are only there for the money, being miserable because they feel underappreciated financially then they should not be given opportunities to be so intimately involved in the patients life. It is a privilege to serve my fellow humans. They are NOT my CASH COW!!
What are the conditions for Physician assistant to work in the United States?
amazing video!
hey ,
Am little confused,the reason is am graduated pa course in kerala,I just want to go abroad ,so what can I do next ? For going abroad any another courses I choose next or directly for job?
Because, without even watching the video:
-People go into this considering primarily only the salary, the title, the glory that they will receive from others, without truly realizing the enormous responsibilities that they will constantly carry on their shoulders as they care for patients' lives. It's not enough for most people to just want the materialistic aspects. It will bite them in the ass if they manage to even become a PA because they will hate their role. You have to really want to serve others and society.
If you want money and moving up, go into business or something not a field that demands every aspect of you for the sake of others.
Well said. Expectations are high. Job satisfaction is low. Mostly due to poor lack of understanding of what is expected in the profession. But also, expectations over time as you age and your needs differ.
That's why you gotta know what you want.
I’m a paramedic student thinking about PA . I’ve done extensive research on this profession, like the history and all . Im highly interested in getting off these 24’s from the fire dept and working in a urgent care or something with nights at home
Great video
PA Salaries will be increasing significantly in the next 10-20yrs, the system which is already overwhelmed is going to get waaaay worse with the extremely rapid rise in the aging population, combined with the amount of Physicians that are retiring or just leaving due to not adapting to the new technologies. The amount of physicians coming out of med school is waaaaay to low, PA is the main solution. 200k-300k is what PAs will be earning in 10-15 years, simple supply and demand.
Optimistic, but no I don’t think they will. Physician salaries haven’t risen in decades because no insurer is bending over to pay more for anything. Wages may go up slightly, but we’re graduating more physicians than ever before and more PAs than ever before I don’t think it will lead to increased pay. It’s not a simple supply and demand issue in some areas the PA profession is slightly saturated it’s not as wide open as it was 7-10 years back.
@@drdumbo9124 this information came straight from a CEO of one of California’s largest healthcare organizations. He first brought it to my attention about 5years ago, where I didn’t quite see it then, but now I do. My wife is an RN making 190k and I’m a PTA making 115k
@@Njliving22 I’m a Physical Therapist assistant. I’m applying to PA school this next rotation. My wife definitely recommends nursing, but it’s much different work than a PA.
@@xrpnick6828 Do they pay that much for PTA? I’m also a PTA and only make under 60k here.
@@qtran1788 that’s what I make doing Home Health. 60k is extremely low in any setting including outpatient, I encourage you to do further research and push to renegotiate your salary, or look for a new job, we are in extremely high demand, you need to know your worth.
Lol I'm a Physical Therapist Assistant and will be applying to a PA program this cycle. I do want more autonomy in terms of patient care. I also like the fact that it's flexible. I can work in ortho and cardio at the same time. Money is money. My husband is finishing his NP and God willing I'll be a PA. I'm sure we'll live comfortably and then some 😌
Best of luck to you. I’m also a PTA and been working as a therapist for 10 years. I just got accepted into a PA program today. Hope you will also make your dream come true.
YES one reason why I like the role of the pa is because theres flexibility!
I have a question can't you be a PA and become a manager of a facility? Thus, making you more money. I already have a few income streams becoming a PA now is to help people.
I’m a pharmacy technician NOW thinking about becoming a PA and I wish i would have started this sooner. I am in my thirties and I hope it’s not too late for me to do this as I still have a lot of energy left thank god. I love your energy and thank you for your output in this profession
I AM 27 YEARS OLD. WE ARE NOT TO OLD. LETS DO IT! IM A CNA AND JUST QUIT NURSING SCHOOL, I NOW AFTER 11 YEARS KNOW MY CALLING! 💗😊💗
Im a pharmacy tech as well and I’m think of PA but im kind of terrified myself
Go and do it :) never too late
High five!!! I am a pharmacy senior tech who has been working in outpatient for 15 yrs n I’m currently in CNA program now to learn some basic nursing skill. 😝 I was thinking to go to the nursing school but I changed my mind. I’m 40 yr old n I hope it’s not too late for me to start all over again to be a PA. 😂🙏🏻
from Joel: As a Vietnam veteran, I started PA school at age 40 and finished at age 42. So it can be done -- or at least it could in the late 1970s. No regrets at all!
very true!
What is the minimum qualifications to join PA course..?
For The Happy PA Academy, you have to be a PA student or have graduated from PA school. Enrollment is open in 2 weeks!! DM me if you have additional questions
yourpamentor.mykajabi.com/happy-pa-academy
Im graduated bsc anaesthesia....now im looking for msc pa either in finland, Netherland, uk which country will better to study and job opportunities and salary if u know please rply plzz....
I have friends that NP/PA and I make more as a ER nurse
Can I ask, are you burnt out? Is it a job satisfaction issue or money issue?
A PA and a MD do different roles and their roles would never be the same. No matter how you slice the dice.
PAs are needed and necessary in the field :)
I feel very conflicted now. I want to become a PA but idk if I want to become a NP or a physician. This makes me start thinking what I should become. I mean working in the medical field you can make good money but you are also putting in a lot of time to take care of patients. And yes PA's seem to be more in the middle, can't they get opportunities to try different fields instead of sticking to one? Evan if they only learn small amounts PA's can do a lot right? While your supervisor the physician only has expertise in one field. Idk I might be stressing it evan tho I just started HS, there's a lot to think about ahead for the future, for school, collage/university, where to study. Sorry if this seam's like nonsense stuff I'm writing but would studding internationally be good?
I was in your boat too... Try shadowing PAs in specialties ur interested in. Also shadow NPs, respectively.
lmao i was taking your comment seriously until you said you're still in HS... lmao just focus on getting good grades for now. its WAY too early to be worrying about which career path to take when you haven't even started college yet
Do you think becoming a PA back then was better than what is has become today ? In terms of hosptial greed and technology
In retrospect, everything is better “back then”. I don’t think things have changed significantly, but i do think more people are aware of the problems that we, healthcare workers, face. We are also more open to discuss the downsides of corporate greed and technology on social media. I do think that Covid was the catalyst that allowed healthcare workers to speak up!
Can we open our own clinic after completing msc PA
This depends on the state you’re working in! Some PAs can open their own clinic with a supervising physician on board
It honestly sounds like you came into the career wanting to be a doctor to be honest.
I actually declined medical school and applied to PA school 4 months later. I never wanted to be a doctor. But I don’t think doctors have more autonomy than PAs. It’s the nature of the healthcare game.
I really like your videos. I'm a Physician Assistant (PA) in Ghana🇬🇭, how do I migrate to the US and work as a PA?? ‼️‼️‼️‼️
Really, I'm a Ghanaian and I don't think there is a PA in Ghana. Is it a private hospital?
@@priscillayeboah6916 We are in the Government, Private and CHAG Hospitals. You'll mostly find us in the consulting rooms and on wards.
Oh that’s really great! 😊. Can you join “Alpha hour” prayers by pastor Elvis Agyeman. I believe it will help migrate here in U.S. just put in prayer and God will send someone to help you!
Unfortunately the US doesn't recognize PAs trained in other countries. You would have to redo PA school in the States :/
No, you have control over how much you work and how much you get paid -if they abuse you and overwork you - please look for a new position with appropriate boundaries that protect you . And you have to negotiate and say NO. It is that simple. You cannot have a sheep mentality and just go along
10000% correct. Negotiate anything and everything. Don’t allow for workplace abuse.
Ayo 100K is cool w me, nothing to complain being a PA
That’s the best way to live life 🙇🏻♀️ But for me, $100 million would make it easier for me build schools, fund charities, and help millions of others build wealth. Money is simply a tool and a resource to rise others up. Nothing more.
If making six figures a year isn’t enough then i don’t know what is
6 figure salary will allow you to live a comfortable life, but you will always trade time for money. A 6 figure salary will never allow you to impactful changes on the world and build schools, create job, and give low income families a free college education while working a full time job and managing 2 kids. If you have bigger dreams in life, you need a higher income to make those dreams a reality.
@@samingoshow sounds like it’s never going to be enough for you Sami, thank you for your input though
@@Art_Of_Stew The point of building wealth is to give it all away- so you’re right. It’s never enough- there’s too many people out there who need a helping hand and if we can all come together to help each other, we make the world a better place. That’s why we build millionaires.
I would argue that people who think that 90-110k a year is a lot of money for what we do might have no idea what they're talking about. The level of schooling rigor and clinical year experience we go through is pretty stressful alone, then we are thrown out there on our own with sometimes very little support to treat patients, and it is highly stressful. No one can understand that until they do it.
I'm a PA and I can hardly pay rent where I live, I'll probably pay on my student loans forever. But I'm working my ass off to be a good provider for you and your family. Being able to actually make a good living in today's economy as a PA is not a huge, unreasonable ask, and people who think a good living given the amount of debt we accrue to do this is 100k are plain wrong. Sorry to say. Keep in mind net incomes are significantly stunted and not all of us have parents that helped with our education costs.
@@exactified I currently work as a medical assistant at an urgent care where I help PA’s. I make $19 an hour and sometimes we see 100 patients a day. Should I not be trying to become a PA? It seems most people pay off their debt in 5 years or less, and not with their parents help. I understand diagnosing is more stressful, but working as an MA is already stressful and I barely make any money. Where do you live that $100,000 a year isn’t enough to pay rent?
I think it’s hilarious how she so easily says “Go back to medical school…” as if that’s such a simple to do task, like no problem at all…just go back to medical school lol😂
LMFAO 🤣🤣🤣
Can you be a PA and work in a holistic and alternative care setting?
Yes, you can be a PA in almost any field, including alternative medicine!
I am a DPT and I rather be a PA. Should have done that
Hay quá
PAs being upset that they aren’t paid as well as physicians is insane. If you’re one of those people, stay mad. 😂
Just asking not to be rude btw
I opened my dropshipping store online 3 years ago before I graduated high school
Those side hustle ideas are terrible, especially considering the imminent climate collapse. I can't believe you all don't consider moving to a rural area, buying a large farm, putting in an orchard, keeping bees, etc.
That’s a great idea for those who wants to do it! Not all ideas are great ideas and not all ideas are terrible ideas. It’s all preceptive.
Why are you complaining about autonomy wouldn’t you actually be getting payed for doing less
Autonomy to make better decisions that affect our jobs and our patient care. Everybody wants more autonomy in every aspect of their lives. Autonomy equates to more freedom of choice.
Great salary, more time for you, less responsability... its just to good to be real. Almost all the videos is about complaining about salary, if you want money just get into realstate... that simple. Having a great salary as a PA really helps you to start investing early.
You should speak for yourself. Sounds like your main motivation in life is money. And that is fair. You do you.
I am literally speaking for myself. It’s called YOUTube- meaning everything in my videos are my own opinions.
You didnt day "I am not happy." You said "PAs are not happy.
Yea. Absolutely correct. It is my opinion that PAs are unhappy.
MOST PAs on here seem quite happy.
PAs and nurse practitioners are an integral part of the healthcare system, especially nowadays with the massive physician shortage. At the same time, it is important to remember that PA stands for physician assistant. Nurse practitioners have more clinical experience and, ultimately, more thorough training, than physician assistants, generally. The program is two years long and does not require a residency. Physicians take 3 board exams before they’re even eligible to sit for their specialty board exam and have a full medical license. They go through 4 years of medical school and at least three years of residency training. When a nurse practitioner or PA has a question about a patient or pathology that he/she has never seen before, they generally reach out to their physician. I think it is ridiculous that PAs and nurse practitioners are complaining about their pay. Not many other professions that require only two years of post baccalaureate training offer the type of autonomy, job security, job/lifestyle, satisfaction, and pay that these PA/nurse practitioner programs allow one to experience. Furthermore, the job of a PA, nurse practitioner, or physician should center around patient care, rather than pay and increasing autonomy. I believe that if an individual wants to become a physician, they should become a physician. If they want to become a PA, they should become a PA. I think it is ridiculous when a PA complains that he/she doesn’t have the same luxuries or responsibilities as a physician, yet they go through only a fraction of the training and carry a fraction of the legal and financial responsibility, as well as complex clinical decision making, as a physician does. I suggest applying to medical school. You will most certainly be excepted and given your clinical experience as a PA. Then, you can have all the autonomy and pay you can possibly imagine. Otherwise, this sounds just like a lot of job dissatisfaction and lack of gratitude for the privilege of treating patients.
PAs get more clinical experience and training than NPs. I’ve wrote about this many times because you’re not the first person I had to correct (not by a long shot). I’ve put too much time into correcting people about this and I’m getting tired of having to type this out every time so to put it simply, PAs finish school with over 2000 hours of clinical hours while NPs only have 500. They also need 2000-2500 hours of patient care experience before they even apply to PA school (to be considered competitive for applications). Their schooling is also more rigorous and intense than NP school. You have to be a great student to handle the pacing and vast amount of information in short time (that’s why they’re notoriously competitive with 2000 applications for only 50 seats being the norm. An acceptance rate of 2.5%).
NP schools legit take no or 500 PCE what are you talking about???
@@avan9639 Are you talking about PCE when applying or clinical hours during school? Average PCE to get into PA is 2,500 and the average clinical hours to graduate a program is 2,000.
PAs actually require quite a bit more clinical experience and quite a bit more credits in training than an NP.
I like how you say pa’s are integral to health care but ultimately end up implying that they should “shut up and take it”. Hospitals are trying to hire more ps’a anyway because they can pay them less but work them the same. Also “privilege to treat patients” ??? We see the amount of people leaving health care and you have that attitude, not saying we should forgo the standards we set for what we want out of any of our clinicians, but there are root problems that must be addressed within the healthcare system as to avoid this exodus of healthcare talent.
I’m not even in the medical field, but was curious since my daughter’s interest is Nursing. Watched this video and not once did she mention patient care😏
Holy, moly! As much as I enjoyed listening to her style of speaking she was on my last nerve BITCHING. I stand corrected, but isn’t there an oath for human compassion & care? When you give lovingly, the Universe reciprocates. Perhaps it’s time to move on to other endeavors, exclusively.
I find your comment to be rather ironic, isn’t it? Let’s practice human compassion and love by NOT leaving hateful comments on free content. When you speak with kindness and compassion, the universe reciprocates. 😃
First
😂😂 I love this Gen Z “first” thing. You’re the best ❤️❤️❤️
@@samingoshow ❤
Shocking that a career which is selected by people who intrinsically are not committed enough to become actual doctors would turn out to not be so fulfilling.
There’s a lot more that goes into it and for you to make that comment and likely not be on a medical route yourself is very ignorant.
You swing your hands too much...
ni hao