Cardiologist here for 27 years. Finally gave up 3 years ago and got out of the system. Great video and well thought out. We go into medicine to help people. Current administrators never understand that!
Thanks for sharing this! So true. That's because most administrators aren't healthcare providers. I've seen the best success in places being run by MDs/surgeons and those who understand the science and medical processes.
PAs, MDs, Nurses, Physical therapists, etc are never paid enough for all the mental/physical strain that is endured in healthcare. Wish you all the best sweetheart
Compensation for 'all the mental/ physical strain endured' probably can not be monetary. Rather, you enter the healthcare field more as a vocation than a career. It makes all the difference.
Consider surgical PA if you can. Most of the PAs I have worked with in the OR like what they do. I think it does depend on if you find a good doc to work with. Luckily most surgeons are decent, surprisingly. Can't speak for cardiology though.
I have been a FNP for 14 years and my trajectory was similar to yours-even worked at a FHQC for a few years. This is such a real and accurate overview of the current state of things!!! The stress, the trying to work in a system that drains the life out of you with less return. The turmoil because you want to help people but the system is designed that you do it at your own mental health risk…I completely relate. Good luck in your next chapter!
@@queenawill3542 I live in a very expensive state and can't relocate due to my spouse's job. And I'm factoring in cost of living while in school (lol yes I got real nerdy when I factored everything in). Edit: I mean to say the schools in my state are expensive and only 3 to choose from.
@@queenawill3542 please let me know where you have seen that price for school! I have been looking for potential programs and all I see are 110,000 or more. 😩😩😩
Thank you for sharing your story from this healthcare angle. Unfortunately that is the same story I hear from many people in different occupations. Employees are overworked, underpaid, depressed , and lost.
We are living the same experience, PA, from an immigrant background, I hate being a PA and I hate the medical system and I’ve only been practicing for 1 year. Looking for jobs that are non-clinical at this point, and I’m not going to let fear of failure or disappointing my family hold me back from pursuing a better lifestyle. Thank you for being so honest!
Thank you so much for sharing! Getting over the fact I might disappoint my family was hard and brought many tears. I finally moved through that and realized they will love me no matter what, and ultimately, they just want me to be happy. I hope you found a better job
@@krystenvazquezWhat kind of job are you doing now? I worked in healthcare as a PTA, which you would think is a lot easier and less stressful….wrong! I think anything in healthcare now is a train wreck.
Question for you, would you be looking into administrative, research, or more public health roles ? Update us if you can and when you find your new role.
Current PA and just started a new job that have unfortunately highlighted my burn out symptoms. This was very well worded and deeply resonated with me. I have lots to ponder about my career and personal happiness going forward. Thank you for sharing!
Congrats on taking the brave leap! I am in your same corner…I work in pain management and it definitely takes a HUGE toll on me mentally and emotionally. And the worst thing is the time it’s taken away from me being able to be with my family. I haven’t taken a single mental health day all year but I only have 2 more days left that I’m “allowed” to take off for the rest of the year. It’s AUGUST!!! And like you said, it’s not about the money. If it was about money, I’d be fine to stay where I am. But my family and my peace of mind mean WAY more to me than money.
This was so powerful! Thank you for having the courage to share your story. I could feel how much your patients and parents affect you. I have immigrant parents and I struggle with others’ illiteracy in healthcare, too. Stay strong! Hope you are in a happier place since you have posted this.
I couldn’t relate more! I’m 5 years as primary care PA. 3 years in private practice and 2 years in corporate medicine where I’m at currently. I have been grappling with burn out for all the exact reasons you have mentioned. It’s so grim where our health care is and there is no wonder the patients have distrust.
As a PA I felt this whole video...Thank you SO MUCH for sharing.. I quit a month from today from my burnt out overworked position.. I'm just being right now...
Love to hear this! I have been there! There are other options out there! Will post another update soon! Sending much love and healing to you and enjoy the time off!
This is truly amazing! In recent months, this is the 4th very touching account of a similar experience with a medical professional that I have received. Thank you very much for the courage to share your situation. What will it take for the system to stop & do an effective self analysis with a view towards fixing this situation! This is beyond broken & needs intervention to prevent a catastrophic collapse. I hope something is done real soon. Once again, thank you very much.
God bless you. You addressed all my fears and concerns on becoming a PA. I’m getting ready to apply in april, I work as a PTA in home health make 100k and have zero debt. I’m really thinking the grass is greener on the other side. Been working towards PA for the past few years that I felt was the path, but I’m afraid I’m going to trap myself in a regretful situation
The grass is truly greener where we water it! I will say, being a PA you most likely will be paid more than as a PTA, but with at least $150k in debt, not sure if it's worth it. Especially with the uncertainty of the future of healthcare and the economy! Godspeed!
Can you share what you didnt like about the PTA field? I always thought that Physical Therapy would have been a good choice, but again thats always looking at it from the outside.
Enjoy your new chapter in your continued journey and thanks for sharing! My mental health deteriorated working in corporate America since graduating college - depression, fixation on suicidal thoughts, burnout, etc. I pulled the trigger like you in Sept 2020 and have been able to recovery some sanity, but still struggle to this day. Mental health is everything. I hope this change helps you find peace of mind. ✌🏽 🦅
Krysten, thank you for your insight here and your vivid recounting of the perils and limitations of the postmodern field. Can you please tell me how your mentor there handled his 15 minutes of care with each patient for a positive outcome? 15 minutes is just stunningly inadequate. I can't imagine doing that. In the hospital as a nurse we were glued to the computer screen madly checking boxes while asking the patient questions and trying to fit in all that we had to do. It started to get like that in 2018 with the EHRs. An impossible situation so I got out of corporate healthcare and into private duty care which was basically out of the rat race until I retired in 2020. I just found it hard to go for a 12 hour shift wearing a mask having my breathing restricted like that
I quit clinical medicine. I leveraged my medical degree and now I work in administrative roles, medical expert witness and other non-patient care pursuits. That's right. If only I could use my powers for good instead of evil.
I've been a PA for 18 years and like you I am seeking non clinical rolls. Can you tell me how you got into those roles so that I can possibly do the same and put my years of experience to good use?
Wow, I definitely resonate with this and I haven't even entered the medical field/PA school yet but have always been on the pre-health path. I definitely want the medical knowledge that PA school can provide me so that I CAN make a difference, even if that looks different than what the traditional PA-C career would entail post-graduation. I resonate with your statements a TON and that's why I've always considered perhaps choosing a more holistic, naturopathic route, which would look like (so far) 1) either pursuing an ND (they tend to spend a longer time with their patients in their offices, yet I still want at least a balance between western and eastern/more holistic medicine), 2) being in the medical field as a PA but practicing in integrative or functional medicine or 3) maybe even becoming a health coach or nutritionist - I feel like that combined with the medical knowledge you already have may be extremely valuable (not that any of these would significantly help with the pay situation to what I'm aware of :/). I echo what someone else mentioned here in the comments that the skills you gained in PA school coupled with your genuine passions are worth a TON. It's a truly unfortunate time we live in, but I hope you can sleep well at night knowing that the only reasons why you even have these concerns and predicaments in the first place is because you ACTUALLY care and wish to make a difference, whereas maybe someone else in your shoes would not care to this extent and just work for the money. I rather be haunted by my passions to figure out how best to truly heal and help others appropriately than to either 1) not care at all for it or 2) be completely oblivious to it. At least at the end of the day I hope you can relish in the fact that you have this self-awareness and love, not just for your patients and people around you, but for yourself to be able to make these decisions and to have these conversations. I hope you find a comfortable way to consolidate and address all of your concerns and plans in the near future. I wish I could offer advice but I only recently graduated from undergrad so in terms of experience and wisdom it seems there's not much I can offer. I am still struggling with this same exact path myself. I doubt I have ever commented on RU-vid before, but again, your message truly resonated with me so I felt called to - I'm also a fellow Latina here (guatemalan :)) trying my best to support our people and find a way to bridge the gap in our system. I wish you all the best and thank you for all your hard work in the field. (btw I see you've also continued yoga like you said you would in the video, I hope that's going well!)
Thank you so much for your beautiful words and heartfelt response! I was just in your beautiful country studying with the Mayan T'zutujil people! One of my favorite places I've traveled thus far! I am uploading a video about where I'm at right now because I didn't realize so many people felt similarly. My knowledge was definitely given to me for a reason and I'm still figuring it out day by day! The health coach route (which is what I tried initially) is not all it's cracked up to be. I feel like you need thousands of followers to have steady clientele or you need to charge $500/session to sustain yourself. For me, it didn't feel aligned or like my true calling, so I got my certification and used it a handful of times. I think functional/integrative medicine is the way to go, I just haven't found a place that is affordable and inclusive of those who aren't wealthy or with top tier insurance. I hope you found some clarity on your path! But even if you haven't, I feel like many of us don't either! We're all just walking around figuring it out and helping each other along the way
OMG. THAT WAS THE MOST HONORABLE THING THAT YOU DID. I GIVE YOU PLENTY OF CREDIT FOR YOUR CONCERN TO PREVENT RATHER THAN TREAT ILLNESSES AND DISEASES. I have been doing ENEMAS, PILATES, YOGA AND YOGALATES for preventing diseases and illnesses and to treat them if I should get sick, detoxing, fitness, health and wellness since 1995 when I was 13 years old. My channel is based on my personal experiences doing enemas, pilates, yoga and yogalates.
I wanted to go to medical school to help my community but I gave up on it. Now I don’t know what other career would give me the opportunity to help the Latino community.
Krysten, your video has made me tear up. I am pre pa and applied this cycle and my acceptances are still in the air but there is resistance I’m feeling about being a pa. It doesn’t feel Right for all the reasons you stated in This video. And because it’s a “dream” I’ve had for a while now. But the truth is I don’t dream of this and I’m passionate about other things that have to do with preventative care. But I thought pa was a more stable job that would guarantee me money. Thank you for this video because you literally put all my thoughts into this video and I’m glad others are going through the same thing.
Yep! I'm realizing it's not all about money. What good is money if your mental health is in the toilet and you can't leave the house? Pursue what brings you happiness and joy. I'm at a point where I realize happiness isn't what we're sold as high schoolers. If you do what you love, people feel it and are able to receive the genuine energy you share and your passion and will support you.
Imposter Syndrome. Is real. I’m a longtime Cardiology PA…. I literally told my wife tonight (before I saw this) that I’m ready to walk away from medicine..
Thank you for sharing this! Sometimes I read people's reaction comments to this and I think to myself "they either have never worked in healthcare or they're robotically working in healthcare". May you find peace and fulfillment!
I can completely relate to you! I had a very similar PA school experience in a homogenous PA program, and felt like the odd one out. My first job out of school was at a FQHC...I loved my patients, but management and my SP were about RVUs, getting patients through, and could care less about them. The whole environment made me depressed and made me question why I went into medicine. I appreciate seeing your journey and your openess to talk about it, thank you and good luck!
Thank you for sharing, Kathryn! I appreciate you. FQHCs really need an entirely new infrastructure. It's pretty sad. There are DEFINITELY better options out there and I hope you found a better job
What's crazy though is that they bill the insurance companies more when you see an MD vs seeing a PA at many places, even though many times, we often do the exact same thing. We're in need of some serious improvement in our healthcare system.
Did you ever explore opportunities to work holistically as a PA? Anyway, congrats on making a big decision for you. I believe strongly in preventative/holistic medicine as well.
Why do they have kids if they are struggling so much though? This world isnt fair, if you know your born poor maybe its not the best idea to put yourself behind the eight ball by bringing more children into poverty.
It’s kind of an interesting phenomenon. When you’re poor, you hang on to the hope your kids will do better than you. The more wealthy you are, the more educated and “self aware” you are and you kind of just want to enjoy your life, rather than focus on raising the next generation. ALSO, you have to invest A LOT into kids education if you want them to be equally or even more successful in richer areas of living compared to poorer countries. (Take with grain of salt, I have no direct research backing this up)
I really appreciate her input!right all the money in the world will not cure your issues. America is distortly confused! This girl tells the real! The best life style.... Eat raw food, yoga and fresh loving life!!! A simple life is the best life! No pressure
I never realized how lucky I was to live in Canada, where they have universal healthcare. We have very good people in the US, but they don't make it easy with our insurance.
Thank you for sharing. I am a Pre - PA student with 5+ years of healthcare experience and am always researching the good, the bad and the ugly with this and other careers. I’m wondering about pursing the PA profession via the military route and taking a role in infectious disease or surgery.
Yes I was interested in that too! The military offers a lot of benefits like loan repayment or free tuition if you go to school after serving. Specialty practice is definitely the way to go until we undergo some serious healthcare system renovations in this country! There was a former Army vet in my PA class who now works in the pediatric ER and he loves his job. Got all his tuition, books, etc for free. Pretty sure he had no regrets. All the best!
Try again … dentistry / dental hygiene good work life balance great pay! Or CAA anesthesia assistant similar to PA but in anesthesia 2-3 yrs school $200 up pay. There’s also clinical research they need medical professionals . There’s project management for healthcare projects they all 6 figures less stress physically or mentally
By any chance, did you happen to work for urban health plan????? You’re describing EVERYTHING I went through . I worked with them in peds and school health. Very humbling…. Yes! Forever job… no. Made some lifelong friends for sure. Wish you all the best
90k in NYC as a PA is complete robbery. For all you new grad PAs do not take anything less than 100k, even in non HCOL states that is a low ball. I was getting 120k in kansas at an ortho practice when i started out and the cost of living here at a 140k pop. city was 950$ for a good apartment on the best side of town. My advice is to just avoid NYC, it is ridiculously expensive and they don’t pay their workers worth shit, atleast california pays up. Nurses in NYC in like 2021 had to go on strike for better pay, now they get 120k as new grads. My second advice would be to get out of primary care/urgent care/EM. All of these places are high burnout specialties. I suggest going to a subspecialty private practice, they usually give good benefits, pay, and the workload is very manageable. Dermatology, for example, has very high pay and great worklife balance.
The fact that there are no Americans in Miami is exactly why I don't like it. And how do you know the Black Women weren't American? And aren't white Cubans in Miami super racist?
Your skills are worth more than anything money will ALWAYS be there as long as you live. You only need enough to live it’s about your time and how you spend it. Mental health is key I don’t let anyone make me feel that way. You’ll be okay just be human it’s not natural to work until you don’t want to live anymore. Fuck that. Buy that plane ticket leave see the world and what is out there the USA is just a prison wether it’s financially or physically it never wants you to stop working. Sometimes you got to choose yourself.
Western medicine is only good for emergency medicine and surgery, any chronic ailments that are not life threatening acute conditions, western medicine is ineffective. Pharmaceuticals are not for long term consumption for the human body.
Hi, Just wanted to know does PA grads have opportunities right after their PA school. I already worked as doctor in other country but here I’m trying to learn about PA school and the career. I am very much interested in medical oncology PA if you can provide me with insight it would be really helpful. Thank you!
There is a huge demand for PAs and most health care workers in US. You would have no problem finding a job. However, the U S health care system is in trouble. Insurance companies control a lot what care a patient receives. Health care is very expensive and those with no insurance often get no care because of money or no insurance. Things are not ideal at all but learn about things here, be realistic and listen to this lady’s experiences for guidance. Good luck
Hi! Yes, you graduate, take your boards exams and if you do it proactively, you can have a job waiting for you when you pass your boards. That was my experience. Here in the US, especially very busy cities that have too many patients and not enough providers, PAs are very autonomous and see patients and perform procedures on our own. Here in NYC, places are always hiring, especially for primary care and urgent care, just depends specialty, time of year, turnaround of the place you're applying to, etc. Hope this helps!
Here in New York City, they are always MD or DO based on the legalities. And my supervising MD is an incredible human btw! He still works there and is a superstar! It's just the way the system is setup at FQHCs makes it impossible to make changes in a productive/efficient/timely manner. God bless him.
Some of “these people” have never had the opportunities that you list. Take that into consideration. Meet the patient where they are at in life, this includes their comprehension level, stress level (if you’re making 6 figures and stressed out, think how stressed they are making zero).
You can't teach people about how to eat right and exercise if that is not your background. That is not what your training is in. Salad is not healthy at all. But this is a great video. Thanks!
Who are “these people?” How about calling them “patients?” Using the term “these people” is kind of judgy and insensitive. Why are you even in medicine. Quit and go into law enforcement. “These people” are such a burden. Keep working on yourself.
As a healthcare professional, you lost me when you called COVID "hyped up." We were filling freezer trucks in our parking lot without our community members bodies.
I hear you, I was there too, but the majority of these people had multiple comorbidities or were morbidly obese. The amount of people that were completely "healthy" without underlying issues that died of COVID were nowhere near as high. The data is out there.
At 15:00 mins. Do you not know that this is medicine. You treat sick patients… sounds like you got into a field without doing your research. That’s why PA schools should be more competitive in the interviewing process so we don’t get PAs that’s can handle simple patient care. Did you think you were gonna treat happy patients? Based on what you said I can tell you had no urgent care experience prior to PA school or any high quality PCE. Please don’t get into a profession like this when your not ready
Thank you so much for your compassion and your understanding. If you don't work in medicine, I don't expect you to understand. I had plenty of urgent care experience prior to entering PA school in a different geographical location. Big cities are overwhelmed and inundated with patients, so maybe you live in a Kansas? Maybe you work at Burger King? Who knows. I don't need to prove anything to a person behind a screen. If you don't like what you hear, simply move on and keep scrolling. Our entire healthcare system needs a revamp. We don't have a society or healthcare model that emphasizes preventive medicine, we have a sick-care model that emphasizes pharmaceuticals and bandaid approaches to medicine. Survey some healthcare workers that aren't working at their own private practice and get back to me. Many blessings and all the best.
"Is this all the diversity you could find?" That's not how diversity is supposed to work. You can create programs to fund and educate a diverse scope of potential applicants, but you can't force them to apply to be a PA. Forcing them is what you need to do to "find diversity". Let people do what they want. Equal opportunity. Not equality of outcome which is a sick and twisted form of diversity.
