Zackk

Congrats man. I know a few PA's and they essentially have full autonomy outside of the OR. And I bet you'll have even more say once the old guard physicians jump ship with obamacare looming.

LABARINTH

I am at a small private practice that is very PA friendly so I have complete autonomy. I see and manage my own patients. I only see the doctor/owner 1-2 times a week. Most of the time I just call if I have a question.

TheOtherDave™

We've come close, that's for damn sure. h:

That said... the last five years have put me in direct contact with more doctors than I ever had before. In late 2009, my mother was diagnosed with chronic Lyme and a number of its co-infections. She is still fighting Lyme and probably will for the rest of her days. During her darkest hours, I have been the primary mediator between different specialists (cardiologists, infectious disease, opthamology, audiology, etc.) I mention this only because of the perspective it has given me on the practice of medicine as it exists today.

The doctors who made a clear effort to address us as people they care for -- not just an account to be billed -- are the doctors we have relied on. They're also the doctors we have trusted implicitly and learned from the most, because they invest their own time in being the expert of their field. No matter which way the wind blows vis-a-vis Obamacare, a superior talent will always be valued.

Primum, non nocere.

DarkStarr

Congrats. Perhaps when you're done you can buy a combine and smash other peoples cars.. cause you know.. you'll be able to afford it, n' stuff.

I can't believe you're only 23. Good job on knowing what you wanted to do early on in life.

Zackk

:db: I moved out of the midwest for one reason: too many combines.

Thanks man. I actually decided when I was around 20 that I wanted to do medicine. Lots of B's and C's my first 3 semesters of college. When I decided I was going into medicine it was essentially straight A's from there on out. Did well on my MCAT, and supported myself 100% by working in a medical office. I can say that my last three years was nothing but stress, self doubt, low sleep, and no fun. And I'd do it all over again a thousand times if it means I'm going to earn a medical education. I think that I'm relatively average in the way of intelligence, but I had to invent my work ethic as it didn't exist before my sophomore year of college. I think that if you're not a genius, you truly have to make it your life if you want to move on to the next stage. It's too competitive.

At the medical school I have been accepted to, 8,000 apply, 500 are interviewed, and 400 are accepted. 5%.


Also, I won't get my first paycheck until I'm 28. I won't be a licensed physician until I'm around 31. I'm giving up my youth for this, but I can't imagine doing anything else.

white_n_slow

No Shit, man. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I could go back to 18 years old knowing what I know now. My stepdaughter is actually going to school for anesthetist nursing (she decided that's what she wanted to do when she was 15 or 16) and I am so fawking jealous. I will live vicariously through her and live out my days fumbling through life with a degree in baloney.

yellowbastard

Congrats!

e3NiNe

Congrats dude!

NOPD

congrats broham, where are you going for medical school? We have never even met and you don't live that far away

Zackk

Thanks guys!

Not New Orleans.

At least not yet, anyway.