Posted 4:34 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Healthcare professionals offer advice and insight on navigating paths in medicine
Television dramas might be good for entertainment, but when it comes to portraying the reality of healthcare careers, “they often miss the mark,” says Sarah Gossett, a certified nurse practitioner in Endocrinology at Mayo Clinic Health System. Still, she admits HBO’s “The Pitt” gets a lot of things right. But the best way to learn about careers in medicine? Talk to people who live them every day, she says.
That was the goal behind a recent healthcare career panel at UW-La Crosse. The event brought together high school and college students with four experienced medical professionals: a PA (Physician Assistant), MD (Medical Doctor), DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), and CNP (Certified Nurse Practitioner). Each shared their unique journey into healthcare, the demands of their daily work, and — perhaps most importantly — what continues to inspire them.
“I love when I get to tell a patient’s family to ‘prepare for the worst,’ and then … they make it,” said Reece McEvoy, a critical care PA at Emplify Health.
How do I know what healthcare career is right for me?
Explore widely. Panelists emphasized the value of curiosity and exploration. Erin Gutowski, DO, in Pediatrics at Emplify Health, encouraged students to branch out. “There were so many classes I wanted to take. If you have electives, take something different from what you normally do. Nothing says you can’t go back,” she said.
Shadow professionals. Spend a few hours with a healthcare provider to get a real sense of the job, panelists advised. It’s a low-pressure way to explore without a long-term commitment.
Become a lifelong learner. Scott Okuno, MD, an oncologist with Mayo Clinic Health System, told students that adaptability and the ability to learn new things is key in medicine. “All of us are doing things that didn’t even exist 30 years ago,” he said. “In our fields, we’re constantly learning new treatments, new drugs. That’s why I believe in liberal arts education — you need to become the best learner you can be.”
Gutowski, who is currently completing a fellowship in LGBTQ+ health, echoed this. “We’re always practicing and learning new things,” she said. “That’s what lifelong learning means.”
What’s the difference between CNP, PA, DO, and MD?
Mobility and education. CNPs and PAs often enjoy more flexibility to move between specialties than MDs or DOs, said Gossett and McEvoy. For example, a CNP might transition from palliative care to breast cancer to emergency medicine. PA and CNP roles also require less schooling — a PA program usually takes two years post-undergrad, while CNP programs range from two to four years after a nursing degree.
MDs and DOs complete four years of medical school followed by three to seven years of residency, as well as up to 3-4 years of additional fellowship training, making it a longer and more specialized path.
Autonomy. PAs and CNPs work under a supervising physician, though the rules vary by state for CNPs. MDs and DOs have more autonomy and are often the final decision-makers in a care team. “With medical school and residency, we go deep into science,” said Gutowski. “It helps us when thinking at the microscopic level about our body systems like the kidneys or brain. All of these organ systems are different specialties.”
What is the difference between a DO and MD?
DO vs. MD. While both are fully licensed physicians and are trained under the medical model, DOs receive additional training in musculoskeletal manipulation and are known for a more holistic approach to care. Beyond that, their day-to-day roles are often indistinguishable in many clinical settings.
Advice they wish they’d heard
It’s OK to pivot. Gossett’s undergraduate degree was in anthropology. She originally set her sights on medical school after graduation, but when she started, signs were pointing to it not being a good fit. Still she pushed herself because she wanted the M.D. title. “I initially thought becoming a nurse wasn’t good enough — that I was ‘better’ than that,” she said. “That’s nonsense. I’m glad I changed paths. I did great in nursing school... If something doesn’t fit, then think of all your other options.”
Okuno agreed. “Some students discover that medical school isn’t the lifestyle or commitment they want. That’s OK,” he said.
It’s OK to ask for help. Gutowski recalled feeling overwhelmed in medical school and hesitant to admit she was struggling. “Everyone seemed so smart,” she said. But a mentor encouraged her to try tutoring, which made a big difference. Asking for help doesn’t just mean academic help, she added. As a D.O. in Pediatrics, she sees a lot of hard things. At the end of the day, she needs help from a professional to process all of those emotions. The preparation for medical careers and working in medical careers can be stressful, so she encouraged students to never hesitate to ask for help.
The challenges along the way
Rejection and relocation. Getting into a particular PA or medical school program is competitive, and rejection letters can hurt, panelists said. “When you are used to getting As and doing well at things, it is hard to hear that you are not a good fit for schools,” she says.
McEvoy shared how hard it was to leave family and friends for a PA program in New York City. Medical school and residency often require similar moves — and with them personal sacrifices.
“You miss holidays and birthdays. That’s the challenge for everyone in this career,” McEvoy said.
“You go to school for what feels like forever,” added Gutowski. “Your friends get married, they have kids. It’s a lot of delayed gratification.”
Financial stress. For Gossett, student loan debt was a heavy burden. She encouraged students to explore loan repayment programs, especially those tied to service in underserved areas.
Burnout and balance. Okuno acknowledged the pressure physicians face to see many patients in limited time. But systems are evolving, he said, to protect work-life balance. “Doctors need to go home and enjoy time with family or community at the end of the day — otherwise, they’ll burn out.”
Gutowski added that hobbies and interests outside medicine help prevent burnout. “It’s not just about doing the work all the time,” she said. “It’s about having fun, too.”
Okuno reminded students that growth is a constant and students should prepare for a transformation in themselves. “We’re not the same person when we finish college as when we started. The same is true after med school and residency — at every stage. Be open to that growth. It’s part of the journey.”