We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fedna Morency a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Fedna, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Early in my career as a PA, I found myself completely overwhelmed. Working in a fast-paced, multi-specialty orthopedic surgical environment, I was constantly anxious and making avoidable mistakes. One day my surgeon noticed how anxious I was and I was sure he was going to criticize me but instead of criticism, he said something that stuck with me: “The things patients say about you can’t be taught. Skills? I can teach those. But what you naturally bring to patient care? That cannot be taught.”
His words stopped me in my tracks as I realized I didn’t need to be perfect at everything. I had something valuable that couldn’t be taught in any classroom……I’d been so focused on everything I was struggling to learn that I hadn’t noticed what I was already doing well. My clinical skills would improve with time and experience, but the way I connected with patients—the way I made them feel seen and heard—that mattered more than I know.
That conversation changed my entire outlook. I realized I didn’t need to be perfect. Instead, I needed to honor the qualities I brought naturally, the ones that made patients trust me. The surgeon didn’t just offer feedback; he helped me recognize my strengths even as I worked on my skills.
What I took from that moment is simple: technical skills might get your foot in the door, but it’s the human connection that keeps you going. Patients remember how you made them feel, not just how well you performed a procedure. Now, I carry that lesson of treating people with kindness and compassion everywhere I go. Don’t lose sight of what makes you unique. The things you bring naturally matter more than you might realize, especially while you’re learning everything else.

Fedna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a travel Physician Assistant and a dedicated salary negotiation coach, especially passionate about empowering women in the healthcare field to advocate for their worth. Since 2014, I’ve traveled across the country, providing care in understaffed facilities, which allowed me to break free from the constraints of a traditional 9-to-5 role and redesign my career for flexibility, financial growth, and personal well-being. After discovering the potential to double or quadruple my income in fewer months and escape stressful environments, I created “The Travel PA Course” to teach other healthcare professionals—PAs, nurse practitioners, and doctors—how to achieve similar success, covering everything from logistics and negotiation to wealth-building and tax strategies. My unique approach fills a gap in the market, emphasizing not only practical steps but also the importance of community through initiatives like Travel-PA-Your Way to Wealth, launching January 2025. I’m most proud of the risks I’ve taken and the thriving support network I’ve built, and I strive to inspire clients to invest in themselves, leverage their qualifications, and negotiate confidently for the careers they deserve.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn is that I am not enough and that I come last. This thought process stemmed from my household growing up….Women/girls were not really valued, and I was taught that my voice didn’t matter… that my opinion did not count. I was always wrong and I came last. So when I left home it was a struggle for me…. Being conditioned to believe that people knew better than me because that’s just what I was taught and that caused a lot of problems with my self-esteem and confidence along my journey… so that was something I had to work on and unlearn it because it had such a negative impact through so many seasons of my life but I am glad to be out of that season and thriving.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Compassion for Others and Self
Consistently working with patients, I encounter individuals facing significant challenges related to their health care, family situations, and even insurance issues. In these circumstances, compassion becomes an indispensable quality. I believe not only showing empathy and understanding toward patients but also to extend compassion to oneself. Practicing self-compassion involves setting boundaries and making conscious decisions to protect your own well-being. This looks like stepping back and creating space to avoid becoming overwhelmed, burnout, and toxic environments. Taking care of oneself is just as important as caring for others in this profession.

Resilience and Adaptability
Resilience is another critical attribute for success. Navigating the daily pressures and emotional demands of this field requires the ability to recover from setbacks for career sustainability. Adaptability also plays a vital role; the environment is constantly changing, and being able to adjust quickly helps maintain effectiveness.

Communication and Persistence
Good communication skills are necessary for collaborating with colleagues and making sure that the patients are seen and heard. Effective communication enhances teamwork and ensures that everyone is working toward common goals: quality patient care. In addition, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes are essential for long-term success. Striving to improve and not being discouraged by setbacks are keys to achieve meaningful progress and growth in this profession.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thetravellingpa.com
• Instagram: travelingpa_c
• Facebook: Fedna Morency
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/fedna-morency-51023122
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelingpa_c
• Other: www.eaglecapventures.com

Image Credits
photographer: Vikrant Tunious, Hair: Toni Allen, MUA: Sydiq Trusty, Stylist: J’Lyn E. Martin