10 Years Later, Do I Regret Being a PA? The Ugly Truth No One Tells You About The MD/PA World

After 9 years as a physician assistant, do you regret being a PA?

At 23 years old, I was accepted into medical school. After a severe panic attack and a quarter life crisis, I decided I did not want to attend medical school. I chose to go to PA route instead!

Was this decision the best or worst decision of my life?

In this video, I share the TRUTH about the PA and MD profession. I answer some of your most frequently asked questions:

➡️ DO you have any REGRETS?
➡️ WHY did chose PA instead of MD?
➡️ HOW that decision has affected your life 10 years later?

My takeaway point from this video:
You do not have to chose ONE career in your lifetime. Be brave enough to leave your comfort zone and start over. Chose multiple careers and be ready to suck at something new!

Thank you for watching, my fake internet friends!

I hope this video provide you with more clarity on what life is really like in medicine.

Remember, there is no wrong decision when deciding PA vs MD. Whatever you chose is the right answer. Chose the profession that is best suited for you. Don't do it for mom and dad.

Share your thoughts below!

➡️➡️ Like, comment, and subscribe for more content like this!

-Sam

[terrywallace]

I’ve been a PA for thirty years. I began as an Army combat medic. After graduating from the military PA program in San Antonio, Texas, I worked in Family Medicine and Internal medicine. After twenty two years, I retired and went into Dermatology, Which I did for twenty two years. When I retired, I was millionaire. Not to bad for not being a “MD”.

[dxcoco]

I am so glad I came across this video. I just graduated PA school. I passed the PANCE. I am a PA. But I still cannot get out of my head that I originally wanted to be a doctor. I took the MCAT twice. I did so terribly that I never applied. I was devastated. I found out what a PA was and thought, “This is actually what I need to do.” I kept having this feeling like I gave up on my true dream of being a doctor. I felt defeated because for me it is not as simple at going to school because Pa school almost killed me. I barely made it. I barely passed the PANCE. I love to work and I love to learn but school is excruciating with all the testing and my crippling test taking anxiety. I felt like I was trapped and like I was unable to follow my dream. But your words helped me realize that I need to enjoy my time now and just be happy with my husband and family and travel. I never got to be truly happy and I really feel like this is my chance to be happy. Thank you.

[paulastafford]

I was very grateful to be a PA and working with all the medical professionals. Physicians have us beat in the pathophysiology of diseases, period, however PAs are like the eternal resident! We learn a lot and can be very helpful to our patients. Very rewarding profession.

[SAJ_]

You literally are such a beakon of light for this world. Thank you for your devout honesty. I can't wait till I get to be a PA!

[Angelxsinxcielo]

Incredibly thankful for this video. I am currently between staying in clinical research and becoming a pa. I’m 24 but I feel like I’m a race with myself to get the “best” career as fast as possible. I’m going to keep reminding myself that I’m in control and that I can change my career whenever I choose to do so.

[JIOJAZZ]

My primary healthcare provider is a PA and it was the greatest referral from my holistic dentist! I had high levels of mercury in my system and the MD never took the time to run the appropriate labs, just kept prescribing drugs that lead to major side effects and no positive results. After continued care from my PA, my health took a turn for the better! Ha! I only want to see the PA for sure!!! You have a choice….

[biancabonilla]

I'm currently 26, working as a marketing professional, and considering being a PA. This video is exactly what I needed to see, thank you!

[isaiahfrancis]

Just got done reading the comments & all I gotta say health care is a team effort. There is no I in team & there are good and bad providers no matter what title. Just pick something y’all enjoy at the end of the day. :)

[yanaartemov]

Thank you so much. I have so much anxiety about the future, losing myself in my career, losing my spirit, my "something else", diversity in my life and my identity and what I do with my time. I simply do not want to go the MD route. I don't even know if I want to be a PA. I was pre-pa, then went to art school. Now I'm thinking PA again, and this was what I needed to hear. Thank you for your honesty, and I am so happy for you.

[randomlegos]

I disagree that PA and MD/DO do the same work. MD/DO have more knowledge and training and can do more. Overall though, PA is definitely a better all around lifestyle package with the shorter schooling, less debt, and less liability.

[taylorlee]

Thank you for this video! It’s a huge fear of mine to get burnt out and not enjoy my work in ten years. Your video made me feel like I had more options. I’m sorry for all the trolls in the comments that don’t understand the role of a PA. Lucky for us their opinions won’t impact our work and it will just lead to PAs not wanting to work with them

[cassandramccambridge]

Just stumbled across this video trying to find answers to the big "PA or MD" question, and my god was this SO helpful. Thank you Sami for your honesty! You're a rockstar.

[locumjobsonline]

It's always important for other PAs to hear about what their career could be like. Thank you for sharing!

[FevourWoR]

I needed this video more than I realized. I have been torn between PA and MSW for months now. I've always wanted to work in Psychiatry but wanted to do more than therapy and maintenance. As a 34 year old father of two working full time, the commitment to PA school has been extremely intimidating, and I know an MSW program would be much easier. Regardless of how conflicted I am, though, I know what it is I really want to do, and this video just helped solidify that. Thank you.

[cbrown]

Literally an absolute legend bro. This video is very reassuring. Definitely changed my mine and taught me a lot. I feel pressured to become a doctor by my family for the title of "doctor, " the pay, and the prestige. I want to be in the medical field, but I just wonder if all that training is completely worth it. I have been interested in becoming a PA and thank you for sharing all this experience. I hope I can decide soon, just before I have to apply to either an MD program or PA program...

[colbydion]

Thank you for this! I’m looking into a career change and are heavily considering PA!

[Ml_-ireg]

I’ve been a hairstylist for the past 7 years, have been going to business school the last 2 years, and recently made the decision to change my undergrad and then pursue PA school. I love doing hair! But it’s time for me to leave that career behind for the next journey. I learned SO much about myself, my life, professionalism, etc. what a beautiful gift that I’ve gotten from my first career and those skills and experiences will help me so much as a PA. Sometimes, you just have to say fuck it and follow your dreams lol

[princemoneyboss]

One of the best PA videos I have come across! I love your charisma, humor, insightful wisdom and words of encouragement ❤️! Thank you!

[EllenOcran-dd]

This is the boldest and realest thing I ve heard about chosen to be a PA. Thank you so much 😊
You made it so easy 😢
Even after 2 years someone like me get the opportunity to watch this ❤

[brysonvia]

I just came across the video and it made me feel so comfortable in my decision to become a pre-PA students after wanting to pursue nursing. I’m still in college, and I have a LONG road ahead of me, but this video was the best thing I have come across on YouTube in quite some time, sincerely. In fact, I’m on vacation right now crying in the bathroom because of the sheer joy I got from watching this video. Thank you so much, and you have earned yourself a new subscriber.