We're so excited to welcome you into the wild, humbling, hilarious, and deeply meaningful adventure that is PA school. As a current 2nd year PA student and peer advisor, I wanted to share something a little different: the moments that didn’t go perfectly. Because trust me, you will mess up. We all do. But that’s where some of the best learning (and bonding) happens. Here’s a look at my favorite mistakes from PA school—some mine, some from friends who graciously let me share. May they remind you that you’re not alone and that growth often starts with a cringe and a laugh.
Before we dive in—full disclosure: not all of these stories are mine. Some are the oopsies of friends and classmates who have generously (and bravely) given me permission to share them candidly. PA school has a way of humbling all of us, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll learn just as much from your mistakes as you do from the lectures.
Now for the fun part.
When I started PA school, I thought the hardest part was going to be the sheer volume of information and long hours, but I was not prepared for how many hilarious, cringe-worthy, or just plain bizarre moments would come with the learning curve. So here are some of my favorite (and yes, humbling) blunders from the journey so far:
- I said “wonderful” to a patient so many times that Professor Holt started calling me “W.” (It’s fine. I’ve embraced it.)
- I once completely skipped an ENT exam in the ENT module. Just moved right along as if ears, noses, and throats didn’t exist.
- After asking about alcohol use, the patient said they drank wine, and I, without missing a beat, asked, “Red or white?” I think I reverted back to my pre-PA waitress days.
- I asked a patient if his mom could drive him to the ER… even after knowing she had passed away during the family history portion. Definitely a cringer.
- I auscultated over clothes. Just once, but once was enough, especially after having been told not to. That one haunts me.
- A classmate once asked a male patient when his last menstrual period was. Sometimes we just get in the groove, go through the motions. \_(ツ)_/¯
- After my classmate asked a very… let’s say Google-able question, our professor paused, smiled, and said, “Congratulations! You’ve discovered the internet.” Iconic. We still quote it.
- Someone sent a peptic ulcer disease patient straight to the ER, just to be safe. A bit too safe.
- One of my classmates completed a full patient exam with a massive hole right in the buttcrack of their pants. Somehow, nobody told them until afterward—awkward but unforgettable!
- A friend confidently prescribed penicillin to a standardized patient, only to realize after that the patient was allergic. Luckily, it was just practice, so no ER visits…
- Even now, several of us still have to Google whether it’s polyphagia or polydipsia. Don’t ask us to remember effect vs. affect without looking it up first. PA school: where admitting you don’t know is basically part of the curriculum.
