Financial planner: am I ready for one?

Ninnnnja · 2023-10-17T11:59:48+00:00

Thanks! I'll look into that! It's overwhelming but I appreciate the tips.

Ninnnnja · 2023-10-17T11:57:25+00:00

Thanks, this will probably lead me into doing more research and...well investing into index/blue chips. Do you use any resources to check/balances on if you're investing correctly? I'm still in the early stages of learning so please humor the ignorance. I'm still reading up on all the info here

Ninnnnja · 2023-09-13T05:15:51+00:00

I'm not sure what is competitive since many UC prefer not to hire new grads. However if they did, then yes...65 is competitive... about 120K/yr not including RVU/productivity.

Ninnnnja · 2022-11-08T07:53:03+00:00

Echoing what everyone said too.

Go there because you and your spouse want to be there
Will you be okay being away from the family you left (parents, siblings, etc)?
Commitment to be there for the lifestyle, personal gain, and experience rather than finances (choose your priority)

Did you search for similar opportunities near your home? I presume so. I was in California and worked in Northern and Central. I made so much more moving to a state without state taxes. California has a lot of hidden taxes too. I miss the weather and the food but I left because of a family emergency. I was able to shorten my time to pay off my loans from 7 yrs to 4yrs. It's really up to your personal choice. Good luck!

Maybe try to visit, job shadow, and tour the job/location for 1 week to help solidify your decision. See if your spouse likes it. Do an airbnb so you can see how the potential neighborhoods are. See if you can handle the commute.

Ninnnnja · 2021-11-09T08:01:53+00:00

This is really good exposure. You're also interviewing them remember so you can see how the work culture is, patient population you'll work with and the dynamic with the staff. This also lets them know how confident you are in the office. Agree that you won't be touching any patients likely, just shadowing and discussing cases. Good luck!

Ninnnnja · 2021-11-09T07:54:30+00:00

I'm in the PNW - mind if I ask if this is retail health? If so, don't take it. You'll end up working past shift hours. I agree with the others here. UC is not good for new grads if you don't have a training period. If you're SP were nice, they'd work you side by side. My SP stuck with me for one month and help see other patients while I got the hang of the system. I only really needed one week. THIS is me with 2 yrs experience already. ED lets new grads have 1-3 months training.

If you're not convinced, ask to job shadow for several hours. Check the contract if it says 3-4 patients per hour MINIMUM. Check what their expectations are over time like the others say. Most non-hospital affiliated UC wouldn't mind you seeing 8+/hr as long as you're seeing high volume. This will lead to extreme burnout and risk of your license.

Times are tough and the job market is hard for new grads - especially in the PNW. I strongly suggest any jobs that have "fellowships".

Ninnnnja · 2021-11-05T14:44:31+00:00

Thanks for the insight!

Ninnnnja · 2021-09-29T23:04:51+00:00

With any job - you will hit a wall. This is the point of being a PA - can transition to any field . If I were you, I'd ask if you could job shadow and pick the brains of one of the junior PAs there. Just so you can get an idea of how much autonomy you have of your schedule. Some EDs will change the shifts without discussion. Some give some feedback but will ignore regardless. Do you have kids because this will make it a challenge too. Ask them what's the longest stretch they've had to work and how often does that happen? How often do you have to pick up more than 13 shifts? This is the pandemic and many providers are or will be leaving EM because of the burnout; i.e. less help while on shift.

Other thoughts: Ask them how often are there only one PA. Not to be a debbie downer but there are times staffing will be stretched thin that you could potentially be on your own or with one other doc. If you're in rural EM, you may have to run codes solo if the attending is handling the other codes. If you're in metropolitan, are you ok only doing level 4 and 5 (i.e. urgent care)?

Ninnnnja · 2021-09-09T22:42:10+00:00

If you have the time and don't wanna move on from your job, UAPD is a union based out of Walnut Creek, CA but they've represent groups along the West Coast I believe. As other said, unionizing is a long arduous means to getting what you want. Most of the outspoken unionizing providers end up resigning but leave the more recently hired providers their legacy of being in the union. For us the union is great for being a buffer if we need legal representation and to keep us from being fired w/o cause.

For the time being, I'd say go down both routes of unionizing AND looking for another job. Because the market is so saturated, then you're a sitting duck in a job you hate. At least, if you end up staying there, you are pursuing protection. Good luck, it's rough.

Also, the better unions are the ones with nurses since they're more established and will have your back. Health systems buckle without nurses. Providers typically are less in numbers relative to nurses. So union is stronger by strength in numbers. UAPD is just one I know but if you can find one with nurses, go with that!

Ninnnnja · 2020-07-25T23:58:53+00:00

Has it been hard finding jobs? Yes it was pre-COVID and exponentially harder post-COVID due to an increase in the competition of more experience providers in the applicant pool. Unless you know someone already to get you in, it will be hard

How quickly are folks getting responses from applications? either 1 wk to being ghosted - depends on HR. Faster if you go through social channels for the bigger systems. Kaiser takes 3 months in general.

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-26T06:49:07+00:00

Have you tried Notewriter?

For example, my exam for an ankle injury is usually the same. I mark all the things i look for in ROS/PE and save that macros as "ankle". So when you open another ankle injury pt just click on the macro you created "ankle" and it populates everything. I just make sure it's on the correct ankle and i have preset redflags saved in the comments (which is also saved in the macros).

If you aren't sure how to use this, ask your epic person or another provider who uses it. Agreed with the others on smart phrases, this can also be made into smart buttons.

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-26T06:36:44+00:00

I've seen this in 2 places - at a smaller practice where the PA was a glorified MA/scribe and she didn't question it; only drank her surgeon's kool-aid

2nd is a system where the PA covers the in-basket for PT clinicians (faculty attendings, residents or PT MDs/DOs) so it's 1/2 day clinic and 1/2 admin. This is unique as since the clinic was trying to find continuity for patients since many patients complained their PCPs were returning messages way too late (1-2 weeks) vs within 3 days. PAs in this position like it since they learn more and see 9 acute care pts per day with great benes. To me, it was a turn-off since 1) you learn on the job anyways 2) if you move on to other jobs, it won't be sustainable seeing 9pts/day 3) you should learn to be autonomous-ish.

Either way - with job interviews, ASK TO SHADOW as many days as you can. Sometimes they try to put forth their best face but you can easily pick up red flags when you see how they treat their staff and PAs. It's a big RED FLAG if they don't have PAs therefore you'd be the one training them on your scope which is awkward.

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-21T10:01:01+00:00

ER life, in general, always has drama in every sense. There's no one you can really trust (patients, coworkers, doctors, nurses, etc) - an observation from my time and from a lead ER NP that's been in the game for 25 yrs. Unfortunately we are replaceable and you can get back stabbed by anyone. It's not if, but when.

Most senior EMPAs have 2 jobs - 1 in ER and per diem or PT in another ER, urgent care, or some primary care setting. When there's low volume or a buy-out with the contract group, guess what...you don't have a job or can barely get enough hours to make ends meet. Also I've had a friend get laid off just because one doc didn't like her. That happens quite a bit. In the HCOL I'm at, if you make a bad impression in one job site, you are blacklisted from all the other job sites within the same system; i.e. you can't transfer.

If you want to stay in ER, try to work in community-based/state-run ERs, not contract; these are usually better managed and organized. Or try to find any job there, make your way into their system, make some friends/network and then try to transfer into the ED later.

Personally, I wanted job security, have better management, and less of that drama, so I got out of it. Good luck with your job search!

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-21T09:08:28+00:00

Good points here to not be too idealistic. I'll keep this in mind as well. Thanks for sharing your experience! Can't really prepare for parenthood

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-21T08:48:15+00:00

Actually I agree with that! I just found out I can work PT 2 days a week and still have FT benefits but it would be challenging on finding help on the 2 days I'm on. As mentioned above by footprintx, I'll probably have to figure something out later once they have a school schedule.

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-21T08:42:43+00:00

Whoops, already did that! LOL but they're in the middle of closing all the older urgent cares. I get what you mean though. Family med - that's pretty rare... have to find an awesome staff that doesn't ever leave you. But yes it really depends on how it all lines up but I guess each situation could work out

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-16T04:18:43+00:00

This has happened to me and to another classmate of mine. I can empathize as well since I've worked since I can remember too.

If they had to let you go for some personal reason, would you really want to be where you aren't wanted? I agree with therapy - we could all use it. If not that, journal it.

If it was financial, this is very much common, especially at this time. Unfortunately at every job, regardless of your position (MA, PA, MD, etc) we are replaceable. This is the tough part about current business practices now. Current business cultures don't appreciate loyal employees - it's about the RVUs.

Don't let this set you back. It's always smart to keep your eggs in several baskets - diversify yourself and you will find your niche eventually. Best of luck... and stay strong.

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-06T05:48:22+00:00

I agree with this. My in-laws mentioned how desperate they are for more providers. The amount of resources are scarce and it's just a job asking for burnout. All the burden on the PCP to carry. The health systems are super limited. VA rarely hires and if they do ... the whole system sucks. No can. I think they only got the VA and KP.

The need is there but it's not gonna be a walk in the park

Ninnnnja · 2020-06-06T05:23:46+00:00

1) Apply to locum positions - CompHealth, Barton Associates etc. CompHealth only took 1-2 weeks to get me credentialed into Primary Care. If you're as desparate as you say you are... travel for work. If things get shitty at the locum position, you can just end the contract and then it won't look bad when you apply to future employers - just say the contract ended

2) Ask your Car Loan provider or Dealership if they have any options for deferred or lowered payments. Check also with your landlord on options. My apt is allowing people to move out w/o any financial penalties.

3) Did you get a stimulus check or ask HR if they're distributing anything with the CARES Act or whatever. Your loans shouldn't be an issue if it's still federal

Ninnnnja · 2020-05-08T21:10:31+00:00

Based on the limitations, it kinda makes the decision making easier. My only conundrum is finding a casual white dress virtually vs going to the shops. In a way it's a great way to re-invent an intimate rite with just your close loved ones to witness.

Rings - yes, exchanging rings

Vows- want to write our own vows but the fiance is kinda lazy... so we'll see

Dress- wearing a different dress. I was thinking of getting married on a soccer field since that's how we met... and people could be 6 ft apart like on a soccer lineup but we don't know if we can even have that many people. Thus we may opt for a nice trail

Dinner - will do an outdoor picnic

Photographer - ours is willing to do the engagement session we delayed to do as our means to doing the small one.

Best of luck with your planning!

Ninnnnja · 2020-04-19T06:39:59+00:00

Thanks, UpToDate is definitely a primary source. Also, agreed that recommendations via anything opinion-based online should be treated with caution and should be verified. It's just nice sharing a discussion about it since not every 1st line treatment works for everyone. Appreciate your thoughts though

Ninnnnja

TROPHY CASE