sunflower2609 Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 I recently have been doing some thinking about my changing my career path. Being a PA seems fun but I am not sure if I am doing it for the money and title. I feel like I would be so stressed in my job and not fully happy and loving what I do. I also kinda get grossed out with body fluids but it isn't bad to the point I feel nauseous or anything. I keep telling myself that I will get over it, but not sure if this is true. I have shadowed a PA and he literally told me he is doing it for the money and I honestly started re thinking about this career. I really want to help people but I am not even sure if being PA is the way to go. PAs save lives and I like that idea but I would rather being helping people out, I am not sure if that makes sense. Also I'm not sure if I'm ranting because I'm giving up on myself, since I know its hard to get into PA school and personally my grades and leadership skills/volunteering/PCE are very weak and low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 (edited) What would you be changing it to? Being in health care can be [fun] and also highly stressful. Being with great workers make it tolerable. The money is great especially if you're young and single with no real responsibility as of yet. Outside of work I hate bodily fluids... Also there's plethora of other health related careers out here that do not come into contact with bodily fluids on the regular but still fulfill the helping people/society feeling. Edited May 22, 2020 by Diggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflower2609 Posted May 22, 2020 Author Share Posted May 22, 2020 I’m thinking about PT and specifically working with kids since I’ve done some volunteering with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 (edited) A major theme in life is finding something you like to do. Some people work pretty much just for the money, some live lives of poverty because they want to do a special something that is their mission (regardless of pay), and most of us fall in the middle somewhere. I've had jobs that were more for the money and I became a PA because I never felt as rewarded as I did when I had a minute to make a difference in someone's life as a part-time paramedic. Not just treating patients, but talking to them and calming their fears. There are lots of ways to feel that sense of accomplishment -- if it's important to you. Being a PA might do it. Healthcare in general is one way, but certainly not the only way. My advice is to take small steps (like shadowing, etc) and see what the world is like. All jobs and environments are imperfect; you just have to find one where the pros outweigh the cons. Somewhere in it is the best place for you (for "now" at least; your interests may very well change as time goes on). You may have to take some awkward steps to get where you'll want to be, but the journey is interesting! Good luck! Edited May 22, 2020 by UGoLong 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflower2609 Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 Thank you for those words!! I appreciate it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akerria29 Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 I'm not here to discourage, but I want to be honest with you. Being a PA has been my dream since I was 16, it is all I want to do, and I know a lot of soon to be PAs feel the same. The novelty of working in healthcare wears off quickly, and sometimes even thinking about the lifestyle (and money) I will have as a PA isn't enough to keep me going. But when I'm at patient's bedside, cleaning a wound, providing education, and leaving them better off than when they came in is what I live for. I agree with the above comments. I think it will be good for you to shadow a bunch, and really try to visualize yourself in that role. There are a ton of ways to help people and make a difference; being a PA isn't the only way. I like what you said about PT, it sounds like something you may be passionate about and certainly something worth exploring. I guess what I'm really trying to say is becoming a PA (and PA student) is a long and grueling process. You have to want it, really, really, bad. If you are unsure of your path, it will show through in your application and interview. PA schools put a lot of effort into ensuring that every student is passionate about becoming a PA. Sure, some "just in it for the money" slip through, but I promise you, if money is the only reason you want to be a PA, you will be miserable. This is something you are signing up for for the rest of your life. If you decide that PA is for you, then that is amazing, and you will have an incredible community of colleagues cheering you on. But please, please don't do it for the wrong reasons. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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