5 weeks left!

Once again I've fallen behind on updating you on what's been happening in this journey. Since my last post I've worked in Rural Med, Ortho, General Surgery, Cardiology, Psych, Peds, OB/Gyn, and Emergency. I enjoyed each and every one....even OB/Gyn. My preceptors, as well as the staff, have been supportive and done a great job of teaching this student the "pearls" needed to be successful in both my boards as well as actual practice. I have had my favorites but could see myself working in any of these at this point.

I start my last rotation tomorrow with Family Med in my hometown which is a perfect way to end this part of the journey. I've been away from home for almost every rotation. My family has continued to step up and take over everything that has needed to be done so I could focus. I am thankful for being blessed with this support system. Would never have made it this far without them. 

5 weeks in this rotation followed by graduation. Then....PANCE! September 2 to be exact. This next month will be spent between the clinic seeing patients and the coffee shop looking at notes. Everyone says take the night before the boards off from studying. Let's hope I can do that. 

Now...I'm planning on updating this much more often. Please keep checking!

5 weeks...5....short....weeks!

Start of Clinical Rotations

Wow...has it really been 8 months since I last posted? Sorry about that! Time has absolutely flown by and not easily mind you. The second and third semester have come and gone and I couldn't even tell you what happened. All I remember is studying, taking exams, practicing a few physical exams, studying, writing a HUGE number of H&P's and SOAP notes, studying, defending my Master's Project, and studying.
Just a brief look at what we had for our last semester of didactic...
Medicine II
Intro to Clinical Med II
Master's Project

There were a group of us who had a small celebration after our Med II final and ICM II physical exam test-outs. Had a great time with stories and memories of students as well as faculty! So going to miss everyone but it's time to jump into the "real" education.

Tomorrow is the start of our clinical rotations. Each one lasting 5 weeks and include Family Med, Emergency Med, Psych, Surgery, OB, Rural, etc. Can't wait to get started.

Once again, I'm hoping to stay caught up with updates for everyone. Stay tuned!

Second Semester Is a Go!

Tomorrow is the start of the second semester and it looks to be just as challenging as the first. Here's what's upcoming for us....

Med I
Research Perspectives
PA Professional Issues
Medical Pharmacology

and.......GO!

First Semester and Christmas Break

Ahh...the moment you wake up and realize you have no studying to do. I am one week into a three week break from school and it couldn't have come at a better time! The first semester was trying for us but was exciting. We've successfully pushed through Gross Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology, as well as Intro to Clinical Med I. There have been many ups and downs but we have stood up, brushed ourselves off, and jumped back in with both feet. The last few weeks of the semester were stressful with all of our finals. I've honestly never felt that stressed and anxious! For those who have finished, currently enrolled in, or preparing for PA school, utilize family and friends for support. My sanity has been spared only because of my family. They have helped lift me up and keep me focused when I needed it.
The Gross Anatomy course was great even with the weekly exams. We each belonged in a small group with a student from Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and MD school where we shared a cadaver. By far, this was the best part of the course. I'm the type of learner who does best with a hands-on approach. It's obvious the human body is an incredible and complex machine but this experience shows it so much more amazing
Embryology and Physiology were two courses that teach you to look at the big picture. Small things occur here and there that may seem unrelated but putting them together with a few other pieces of information tells you so much more. Embryology was a good example of this. When this class first started, I felt like the info was going to be "memorize this to get through the exams." Towards the end of the semester there were so many things that were coming together where I would read back on earlier notes and the room would suddenly be brighter! I'm sure this will be a common occurance from here on out.
ICM I was, by far, the best course for the first semester. So much of it was familiar to me from my previous medical experience. A lot of the material was review but there was some that was new. There are exam rooms we used to practice our physical exams on our classmates as well as a few "patients". We would have a few practice sessions on different exams such as cardio/pulmonary, musculoskeletal, abdominal, male/female exams. Even though each test-out was nerve racking, I loved it!
This past week, I honestly haven't done much. I've felt a little lost without books and notes in front of me. Kind of an odd feeling but I'm getting used to it! It'll be great to get together with family tomorrow and Christmas Day. No thoughts of school or rehearsing medical exams for different complaints in my head (even though I do miss it already). The second semester starts up January 9 where we will be focusing on deeper medicine and pharmacology. I hear from some 2nd year students this is a tougher semester but others say it's not as tough. We'll see which it is. I'll update you shortly after the semester starts.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and blessed New Year!

Breathe!

Ok..Ok..I know it's been a few weeks since I last posted.  I wanted to give you all a quick update.  The studying has been almost overwhelming.  I haven't had much time for extra activities.  I put away a day on the weekends for family but other than that, I'm head down in texts.  So far this semester we are working on Gross Anatomy with cadaver lab, Intro to Clinical Medicine I, and Embryology.  We will be starting Physiology in a few weeks as well.  There is a quiz most days in Anatomy as well as a weekly exam and lab test outs in Clinic Med.  I think the most everyone is handling the stress OK.  We haven't seen any mental breakdowns as of yet but we're just getting started.

There is so much more to talk about but I just don't have the time...yet!  As soon as I can come up for more air, I'll fill you in.

How Time Flies

The last two weeks have gone by incredibly quickly!  It's funny to think back on when I received my acceptance letter.  I was counting down the days in my head and thought it would take forever to get here.  Coworkers would ask how many shifts left.  I would reply 36...21...15.  Once it was below 10, the time was gone faster than I could have thought.  Feels like it was just yesterday we started this whole process.

As a family, we made a commitment to take a mini vacation before school started.  We didn't want to spend much money so we spent a few days in Yankton, SD near the water.  We spent the time golfing and relaxing.  We then drove down to Omaha for a day around their Old Market.  This was time I felt we needed together since the hectic schedule of classes would keep our vacation time together to a minimum.  We had a great time!

My last shift was a 36 hour stint this past Monday and Tuesday.  Fairly busy with a bit of down time in between patients.  As it neared 7pm on Tuesday, reality really took hold of me.  I wouldn't return to where I was standing in the same capacity.  Yeah, I'll pick up a few casual shifts now and then but it won't be the same.  I've felt the nurses could always rely on me to help out with difficult IV starts and questions on meds or documentation.  This is gone.  Helping others, whether they are coworkers or patients, gives a person such a strong feeling of accomplishment.  It's so hard to describe but so enjoyable to experience.  I know these feelings will come back at some point during school.  Maybe they will be even stronger, but until then there is, without a doubt, an empty spot in my heart right now.  It plain sucks!

I hope those that I've worked with realize how much I miss them.  The friendships created have meant so much to me and I can't thank them enough for this.  I have been truly blessed by working with the most caring, compassionate, and skillful providers there are.  Thank you!  "wipes tears away"

So...this coming week will be the start.  School is ramping up slowly with orientation Wednesday through Friday.  Student services, setting up of computers, introductions, and other logistical stuff will be happening Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning.  Start times will be anywhere between 8 and 9 in the morning which isn't bad at all since I will be driving 50 miles to get there.  Friday afternoon has been set aside for the White Coat Ceremony and Reception.  This will entail the presentation of white coats to the students.  Families are present to enjoy this day.  I am so excited for this but at the same time very nervous.  This will be the last few days of freedom before things get hectic.  I AM READY!

Here is the upcoming schedule for the next 28 months.  Whew!