<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Scalpel & Heart]]></title><description><![CDATA[A blog for Physician Assistants , empowering PAs to  navigate the current healthcare climate while staying fulfilled & aligned with your life goals.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:37:54 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.scalpelandheart.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[How to Calculate Your RVUs as a PA (2026 Guide)]]></title><description><![CDATA[There is a number your employer tracks closely and rarely shows you. It is how they measure what you produce, how they decide your bonus, and how they quietly answer the question "is this PA worth what we pay them?" That number is your RVUs. Most PAs have never sat down and calculated their own. That is a problem, because you cannot negotiate from a number you do not know. The scoreboard is already running. This post teaches you how to read it, step by step, using nothing more complicated...]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/how-to-calculate-rvus-as-a-pa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a41740197220de384b1bd0e</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:32:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_09c1fb99e6354f6f977e77b837286b40~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Incident-To Billing for Physician Assistants: How It Affects Your Production Report]]></title><description><![CDATA[Incident-to billing is legitimate, common, and the single biggest reason your production report and your schedule describe two different jobs.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/incident-to-billing-for-physician-assistants-how-it-affects-your-production-report</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a8cb2758c800d51388d0396</guid><category><![CDATA[PA Career and Compensation]]></category><category><![CDATA[PA CAREER TOOLS]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:16:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5332_d289a35a0ac44edeb0aa33e2f4d91ebc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_819,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Surgical PA Billing Modifiers: The Codes That Decide If Your Work Counts]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your production report is not a record of what you did. It is a record of what got attributed to you. Here are the codes that decide the difference.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/surgical-pa-billing-modifiers-the-codes-that-decide-if-your-work-counts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a8b445c16311e234318a2a1</guid><category><![CDATA[PA Career and Compensation]]></category><category><![CDATA[SURGERY ]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 20:30:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5332_ede586824173429fb15fdcd9d35218d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_512,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why I Closed My Surgical First Assisting Business]]></title><description><![CDATA[I owned a surgical first assisting company and shut it down by choice. Here is the reimbursement math behind the No Surprises Act arbitration story that the outrage skips.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/why-i-closed-my-surgical-first-assisting-business</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a57ee848a059921e603aa1c</guid><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:28:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_42ba2a07957f4b31ab89611359aed7bc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why the Decline of Private Practice Matters for Every PA]]></title><description><![CDATA[Independent practice is the last place in medicine where the person doing the work controls the economics. Here's what its disappearance means for your paycheck, your scope, and your career, with the receipts to back it up.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/private-practice-decline-pas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5125ab661479e527e20e3b</guid><category><![CDATA[PA Career and Compensation]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:56:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5332_17a8a4741e364c1e90f3fb9dafdf26d6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[PA's Know the Revenue you Generate]]></title><description><![CDATA[You spent years learning medicine. Nobody spent a single afternoon teaching you how to know how much billing revenue PAs generate or how to read your own paycheck.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/pa-revenue</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a416a643c06bdad54243a73</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:00:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5332_0a5560070a8e400c995dfe0b2efd7add~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 STEP FRAMEWORK FOR YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENT]]></title><description><![CDATA[How to Brainstorm Effectively for your Personal Statement Which Personal Experiences to Include in your Medical School Essay Create an...]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/5-step-framework-for-your-medical-school-personal-statement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">62e7f5b12ce6c04fb6577930</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 10:00:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5332_933a94eb65e34dce80a6457d38215be4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HOW TO ADOPT A ZERO-BASED BUDGET | Karen Calcano]]></title><description><![CDATA[I'm going to show you how and why I started using a Zero Based Budgeting system in our family. We'll walk through the basics of what it is,]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/howtozerobasedbudget</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6272e766e2e7e40f9f1d9a1b</guid><category><![CDATA[MONEY]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_e05c3969aace4ecab8454fc288ce1a59~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 WAYS TO PREVENT UNHEALTHY FINANCES FROM BURNOUT| Karen Calcano from Scalpel and Heart]]></title><description><![CDATA[Career burnout can have a serious impact on your finances &#38; keep you stuck in a bad job. This post will explore some of the ways that health]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/yourmoneyandburnout</link><guid isPermaLink="false">62d30fd672c3854ce17d7dbb</guid><category><![CDATA[HEALTHCARE BURNOUT]]></category><category><![CDATA[MONEY]]></category><category><![CDATA[SELF CARE IN HEALTHCARE]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:02:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_5bd293a7f05343fe96d5d607542c7919~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[YOU NEED A FUCK YOU FUND- HERE'S WHY &#38; HOW TO START ONE]]></title><description><![CDATA[One Woman's FU Story 
Money=Freedom to Walk Away 
The Priceless Peace &#38; Security of a Fuck You Fund 
Fuck You Fund Mindset 
How to Start a F]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/__fuf</link><guid isPermaLink="false">622e52e965ea3a549602fedc</guid><category><![CDATA[MONEY]]></category><category><![CDATA[PERSONAL STORIES]]></category><category><![CDATA[SELF CARE IN HEALTHCARE]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:00:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_6d6c7033737a2d65345349~mv2_d_2688_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[10 MYTHS ABOUT CRAFTING A PA SCHOOL ACCEPTANCE WORTHY PERSONAL STATEMENT ]]></title><description><![CDATA[You Have to Be a Great Writer
Definitely untrue. The PA school application essay isn’t a literary contest, it is simply a way for admissions]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/paessaymyths</link><guid isPermaLink="false">622e51c1bd8cd80f791ab564</guid><category><![CDATA[FUTURE PA]]></category><category><![CDATA[PA PERSONAL STATEMENT]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2022 10:00:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_35732bd8da40451ea6ee819b2eef6b68~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HOW TO BE RADICALLY MORE PRODUCTIVE]]></title><description><![CDATA[Free Download: Radical Productivity Tool. Increasing focus on your biggest Needle Movers, Time blocking, distraction proofing &#38; more.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/radicalproductivity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">622e47f6e7ccab999e5b22b7</guid><category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE DESIGN]]></category><category><![CDATA[PA CAREER TOOLS]]></category><category><![CDATA[BUSINESS]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2022 10:00:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_384f56447a4d47425f6b77~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[3 EASY WAYS TO PLAN THE PERFECT PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR PA SCHOOL]]></title><description><![CDATA[1. Schedule a Brainstorming Session 
2. Explore 3 major strengths that make you a competitive candidate 
3. Create an Outline ]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/papersonalstatementplan</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6227d014c90ba0aefe5c97d5</guid><category><![CDATA[PA PERSONAL STATEMENT]]></category><category><![CDATA[FUTURE PA]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2022 11:00:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_dd2ea31625364590954025c26deb6407~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[WORK BOUNDARIES EVERY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL NEEDS]]></title><description><![CDATA[Examining the burden of working for a broken healthcare system, why workforce abuse is a business model &#38; how to create boundaries against i]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/boundaries</link><guid isPermaLink="false">621e365dc68b4f9aa49521b0</guid><category><![CDATA[HEALTHCARE BURNOUT]]></category><category><![CDATA[SELF CARE IN HEALTHCARE]]></category><category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE DESIGN]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:00:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_8a72e7f0cc66452ca9554d8baca3552c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[6 STEPS TO FINANCIALLY PLAN A SABBATICAL FROM WORKING IN HEALTHCARE]]></title><description><![CDATA[What is a Sabbatical? Reasons to Consider Taking a Sabbatical 6 Steps to Financially Prepare for Your Sabbatical STEP 1: Isolate your...]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/sabbatical</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61e57eae48796d0016642732</guid><category><![CDATA[HEALTHCARE BURNOUT]]></category><category><![CDATA[MONEY]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:00:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_9b627a5bfca2402dbb1a7f71e25a9949~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[MEDICAL LOVE STORY PART 2]]></title><description><![CDATA[Six Months Later My very adventurous best friend was having her birthday party at one of those obstacle course indoor places with...]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/medicallovestory2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f160c6c268d100155f9648</guid><category><![CDATA[PERSONAL STORIES]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 16 Feb 2022 21:34:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5332_eeeb8c627e3247a483c096f1b9754005~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[THE 4 FINANCIAL PRIORITIES]]></title><description><![CDATA[Intro to the 4 Priority #1 Emergency Fund Priority # 2 High-Interest Debt Priority #3 Investing Priority #4 Low-Interest Debt 401 K Final...]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/4financialpriorities</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f134d9a3b6990016f9f859</guid><category><![CDATA[MONEY]]></category><category><![CDATA[SELF CARE IN HEALTHCARE]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 09 Feb 2022 11:00:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1b5332_5f90c4fbc480425eb83a0ff15f694935~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dr. Justin Jones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HOUSEPLANTS]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why keeping houseplants may be a great reliever for HCW House Plant Basics How to Pick the Right Plant for Your Space Choosing your Plant...]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/beginnersguidetohouseplants</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61e5b13841030d001691caaf</guid><category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE DESIGN]]></category><category><![CDATA[SELF CARE IN HEALTHCARE]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:00:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_34566736657a396a616563~mv2_d_5130_3420_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[MASTER THE BASICS OF BUDGETING FOR A STRONG FINANCIAL FOUNDATION]]></title><description><![CDATA[From vacations to house projects to taking a long break from working in healthcare- here is how budgeting can help you get there.]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/budgeting101</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61e5a0422cf32e0016ae12d3</guid><category><![CDATA[MONEY]]></category><category><![CDATA[HEALTHCARE BURNOUT]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2022 11:00:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_29f6e97c322049e09714060403382d0c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HOW TO CRAFT A SHUTDOWN RITUAL]]></title><description><![CDATA[Benefits of a shutdown ritual 
Two types of Shut-Down Rituals 
Work Shut Down 
Nightly Shut Down 
Take-Home Points 
More resources 
Playlist]]></description><link>https://www.scalpelandheart.com/post/shutdownritual</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61e18139dcb1720016de9fdc</guid><category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE DESIGN]]></category><category><![CDATA[HEALTHCARE BURNOUT]]></category><category><![CDATA[SELF CARE IN HEALTHCARE]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 11:00:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_a6cd5873ec654a59a3eaa96bd6c79f39~mv2_d_2925_3852_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Karen Calcano PA-C</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>