>> One of the main things that I -- that I love about my job is the --
the patient contact and patient care.
And you hear that pretty frequently, but it's -- it's a reality.
You know, there are some days we work really long hours, and it's tough,
it's tough physically, it's tough mentally.
So, you know, it's the little things that keep you really interested and wanting to come back.
And seeing a great patient outcome, you know, a patient who's had a horrible diagnosis
and you sort of get through -- through that difficult time, have a successful surgery
or procedure and are really happy and come in, and they're thankful, and their life's changed.
That means everything in the world, and it makes the long days worth it, it absolutely does.
The bigger challenges are how dynamic our schedule is.
It makes it interesting, but some days it's tough to keep up,
that we're pulled in a lot of different directions.
There's only two of us here, it's the surgeon I work with and myself, which is great,
in some respects, that I get involved with every aspect of this practice,
which is rewarding, as a mid-level provider in PA.
But it makes it tough at times because we're -- we're -- we run very fast in what we do,
and we're -- we work in a lot of different areas and we're pulled
in a lot of different directions.
So, it sort of forces you to really prioritize, stay organized, and --
and sort of stay relaxed in your day to get through it all.
So, you know, that can be tough on some days.
Specifically, as a PA, something that is somewhat difficult for some, from people,
is the fact that you are a mid-level provider.
You're always working under the supervision of a physician.
Going into school, I knew what that dynamic was going to be like, and I was comfortable with it.
Some people are not, and that's why medical school is probably a more attractive option
for them.
For instance, when we are in the operating room, I will always be there working with the surgeon.
I'm not going to be the person by myself performing the operation, which sometimes,
you know, it can be thrilling and wonderful to have that responsibility, but you never will
as a PA, and I'm comfortable with that, my role and what I do in the operating room.
In the office, I do see a lot of my own patients, and I have a very autonomous role,
which is rewarding, but this is not my practice.
You know, I, again, work under the supervision of a -- of a physician, and that,
to some people, is not attractive.
To me, it's not an issue, but that, to some, it is.