what would you do?!?

[Bradley]

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I am struggling here. And I need some advice. Long story short--my grades are great, my MCAT good, and I've been a PA for 2 years. I have been planning to apply to DO school for a few months now. Everyone I have talked to has said I stand a VERY good chance of admittance. Now my appy is done--and i'm questioning things again!!

I like being a PA. I graduated from Yale University and my options really are endless in this field. I'm doing Family Practice and ER, though I do see myself in another field someday, but still, it is a good job. With the ER moonlighting I do each month, i am making over $110K this year. I get about 8 weeks of vacation per year. The docs I work with are wonderful. I am ONE OF THEM, if you know what I mean. And yet, without the headaches of call, 7am rounds, following someones !@#$ing magnesium for a week, etc. I really do like my job. My wife is happy, we have a beautiful house in a small midwest town, I drive a 2001 truck, my wife drives a Jaguar.....why the hell do I want to mess with that?!? Just to go into debt ANOTHER $100K, and have the "DR." title, and be 37 years old before I can ONCE AGAIN afford a nice house and do the fun things of life. Hell, I'm doing that NOW!

If I get accepted, is it terrible to say "thank you, but I think I'm happy the way things are"? But if I get in, how could I seriously give away what some people would give their eye teeth for?!? Will I regret 30 years from now that I didn't do it?

What would you guys do......?

 

[rsanders]

It sounds like you have a pretty sweet situation right now!!! The only thing that you seem to be questioning is how important it is for people to be calling you "Doctor"?!! I am not so sure that is all that important, you are in a great position right now to be helping people and make a difference in people's lives for the better. I am not sure what I would do if I were you, but it sounds like you are at a great place and doing what you like to do. I am not convinced that people calling you "Doctor" will make you life any more enjoyable or fullfilling than it already is. Just a thought?!

 

[Hippocrates]

Bradley

It sounds like you have a wonderful life right now and the most important thing is that you are happy. From a financial point of view, going back to school does not sound like it is the "smart" thing to do in your case. However, are you really satisfied being a PA and not a physician? It sounds like you are satisfied, but if you are not I would strongly encourage you to attend when accepted. Happiness is more important than money!

 

[Bradley]

EXACTLY!! Thank you for your input.

 

[Bradley]

See, that's the thing. I AM happy being a PA. If I was in a job where I personified the "assistant" role, I may not be. But that is so far from my role here, its incredible. The people in my graduating class at Yale would KILL to have my job. So I have to think--what will I be able to do as a DO that I cannot do as a PA. The answer, most days, is absolutely NOTHING! The driving force that got me thinking about doing this in the first place was that I would love to do psychiatry. However, I don't know if I want to do psychiatry SO BAD that its worth 4 years of school and 5 years of residency. Especially if I end up being a "med pusher" like I here so many people say these days of psychiatry. As a PA, I can't do EVERYTHING a psychiatrist can do, but I CAN work in the field. I just learn as I go.......

 

[Billie]

I just finished my psych rotation. Not all psychiatrists become med pushers by choice. Managed care will not pay for an hour long session with a psychiatrist. So you can spend the extra time with your patients, but you aren't gonna get paid for it. The guy I was with was great. He did spend some extra time with his patients when they needed it, but for the most part their counseling sessions were spent with a psychologist or a Master's level counselor. So unless you can have a strictly cash basis practice, you too would probably have to limit your time with patients. It sounds like you have already decided what you wanted to do, but want someone else to tell you what you already know. 😀

Billie

 

[healthydawg]

my $0.02...

it sounds like you have the money thing covered, and have a nice life going. you don't covet the title DR which is great; that's a bad reason to go into medicine.

in your position, i guess the things i would ask myself are:
1. can i offer patients everything i want to clinically or otherwise?
1b. if the answer is no, do i have to go to med school to gain those skills? or can i go another route?
2. can i be where i want to be professionally in 20 years staying in this track?

hmmm...not sure how i'd answer, but maybe the questions might help you think. incidentally, i don't think it's so wrong to apply to school, go to some interviews and see what you think. even if you don't accept a position, you might as well explore this to the fullest extent possible. that way you won't second guess later. hell, you have the money for it!! 🙂

good luck.

dawg

 

[Bradley]

This is great. You guys are echoing my thoughts precisely. Sometimes you just need an unbiased, objective viewpoint. Yes, the decision is mine, but once in awhile its nice to have SOMEONE back you, even if you don't know them...........

 

[Dr JPH]

I know many people who would give anything for a spot in the Yale PA program, or any PA program.

I also know many people who would give anything for a spot in any medical school in the country.

Simply put, if you are happy with your current job, income, and your family is happy, then you are the envy of a great number of Americans.

You are the envy of a great number of people who are currently debating the MD/DO/PA/NP scenario.

Keep the good hours.
Keep the debt-free lifestyle.
Keep the great income.

You mentioned regret in your post...

Would you regret it more later in life if you say, "Hell...I'm doing the same damn thing that I could have been doing even if I never went to medical school...but now, I wasted 9 years of my life plus $200,000 in tuition."

If your regret is wondering "Would I have gotten in?". Apply. See what happens. Just make sure that you make your decision early enough so that your position, if you turn it down, can be filled by one of us medschool wannabes!

I wish you luck with your decision. I think that you consider this NOT because you desire the title or money or respect (you seem to have it all now!), but because you want to better yourself, challenge yourself, and become a better care giver.

Keep us posted.

Peace

(former PA wannabe turned DO wannabe)
"It was all about the manipulation, baby!"

 

[muonwhiz]

All of the above posters raise valid points. There is another option to consider. If you aren't sure that this is what you need to be doing, wait and apply later. Take the time that you need to be sure of your choice. The flip side is that you could get accepted and regret it, but feel trapped in staying with the program. As you know, med school is a huge committment of time and resources. If you aren't sure of your commitment to being a doctor, wait until you are. Your age when you start or finish is not the most important factor, what is in your heart is. If this is what you truly want, the time will come when you no longer have doubts. These will be replaced by a burning desire.

 

[NurseyK]

Bradley -

Looks like you have some hard thinking to do. I don't envy you; for, I, too, was in much the same situation.

For years after undergrad, I questioned, "hmm, doctor time yet?" "Maybe PA school?" But I always followed it up with, "I'll *KNOW* when the time is right." (Sounds corny, I know) I stumbled into nursing (honest, it was a career change). I began in FP and again "fell" into the ER...then Trauma...then Charge. After 5-6 years, after knowing my job inside and out, after receiving who knows how many certs/accredits/etc, after gaining the trust and respect of my medical and nursing colleagues to be more autonomous than the State Board of Nursing would like me to be 😉 , on and on. One of the PA's turned to me one evening and said, "Why are you a 'Nurse'?" huh? "Why didn't you go to medschool?" huh? "You're wasting your talents..." (Heck, I thought she was just trying to start a flame-war!) But, it got me thinking. Again. Hard. I asked myself all the tough questions. And then asked them again. Do I want to stay a 'Nurse'? PA? Doctor? The decision came firmer this time around. In short: I am READY now. It is time to move on. I don't see myself providing healthcare in a nursing capacity in 5 yrs (and goodness knows with the nursing shortage I would definately have a job). That's about the only way I can describe it. Lifestyle change for me and hubby now in our 30s and 40s? You betcha. But it actually will be OK (in some mutant sort of way 😉 ) because my goals are *very* clear to me. Sure, I'm nervous as he## about going back to school/studying...but I know in my heart that I've ultimately made the correct decision.

It sounds like you're trying to fix something that's not broken. JMHO, but it doesn't sound like you are ready to give up what you have (?) - and there's nothing wrong with that! You have earned it! You admit you are happy with the way you are currently delivering healthcare. Someone put a bug in your ear? Looking to "prove" something to someone?...Think Hard...Maybe you just need a change of pace, like changing your specialty (you mention psych). You can certainly flip-flop specialty fields as a PA...same for me as a Nurse. It just requires some re-training. I thought about this also. But it came down to the fact that I just don't want to deliver *any type* of healthcare as a 'nurse' anymore. Have you reached a point where you can honestly look at yourself and say, "No, I don't want to do ANYTHING as a 'PA' anymore." ??

Lots of soul-searching ahead of you, my Friend. I wish you well in your endeavors.

Kat 🙂

 

[Dr6]

You have a great situation right now Bradley, there's no doubt about it. It also sounds like you would make a great DO. My girlfriend and myself will be attending LECOM in the fall. Her father is a PA and after talking to him I know there isn't a day that goes by that he wishes he would have gone to med school. I think he really envys our situation and would love to go to med school, but he feels its too late. I know after a little thought the answer will come to you. Good luck.

 

[Krazed_Medic]

Bradley, sounds like you have an awsome position, but very tough decision ahead of you. As everyone has said before, the decision is ultimately yours. Here's something to ask yourself though. How long are you going to be able to be affiliated with the group of doctors your with now? Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, so on so forth. Are you gonna hold the same position that you do now? Or are you gonna be with another group of docs who aren't going to let you do the things you do now? I'm pretty sure you thought of most of that stuff yourself. So, good luck with your decision. 😎