Although others are writing on a day in the life of a PA, I suggested to the publisher the above topic as a method of stretching your imagination into the many opportunities for PAs across the specialties and in the business world. This represents a usual week with some weekends off and with some days doing multiple tasks.
THURSDAY
In the morning, I held office hours in my surgical office. I went home at noon and contacted a law firm who had asked me to be an expert witness in a litigation involving a PA. I do this about eight times a year, therefore I gave my consent. I then took a train ride to New York City in anticipation of a six-hour suture workshop I was giving the following morning at Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA). I spent the night at a nice hotel, courtesy of FHEA, also spent $150 on a great dinner with my daughter, who lives in NYC Our “family time” was great and she made sure that I had to walk 3/4 of a mile to the restaurant and again on the way to my hotel.
FRIDAY
We had 60 students participate the following day at 8 AM for the suture workshop. We set up at 7 AM, and I had two PAs and one NP to assist me so that all the participants had time to complete their workshop. I got home by 5:30 PM and had dinner and a glass of wine with my wife before heading to bed in anticipation of a new day on Saturday.
SATURDAY
My wife and I went to Long Island Wine Country, where we visited two vineyards and had a splendid meal at 3:30. We arrived home by 6 PM. It is essential to spend time with your family as life is a vapor of smoke, and you will be my age in two blinks of your eyelids.
SUNDAY
I worked a 12-hour day as an urgent care PA in a large clinic where I saw 123 patients. I worked with two doctors: the owner in the early day and another in the evening. I usually work in a smaller clinic where I work nine hours by myself and see about 50 patients.
MONDAY
I went to office hours in the morning, did a surgical case at the hospital, and performed tasks such as banking, food shopping and dry cleaning, while I awaited the return of my wife from her job as a teacher. We went to a nice small restaurant, and I am now typing this article.
TUESDAY
Tomorrow will be an early annual physical, five-hour long abdominal plasty surgery. I also plan to speak to my publisher about a book we just released under Pinnacle, titled “Surgery.” The book is a surgical text I co-authored with a surgeon designed to help PA students pass the PANCE, and to further assist PAs during their rotations.
WEDNESDAY
I will be teaching residents and surgical attendings how to utilize a new type of anchor suture in a one-hour lecture and two-and-a-half-hour lab in Syracuse, NY. I will then catch a night plane home.
THURSDAY
I will do early office hours and work at a position recently acquired four months ago as the Manager of Business Development for Quality Surgical Services. There, I hire existing staff at hospitals, including physicians, PAs, RNFAs, and administration staff, for first assisting in surgery at hospitals and surgicenters. In closing, one week of work affords me so many different opportunities as a PA depending on my lecturing schedule, writing obligations, PA organizational responsibilities, and the needs of my grandchildren and wife. The PA life can be varied, all inclusive, extremely diversified, and rewarding. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to make a big difference to so many.
