White Is Right

Just came from visiting Voodoo Medicine Man's blog, where he posted some interesting commentary about the bastardization of language:

http://voodoomedicineman.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-bastardization-of-language.html

I agree on many points. It's disgusting how the English language is abused. It seems that folks are using english as a template for new, unfamiliar languages. I cringe when I hear our youth speak; half the time I don't know what they're saying, and what's worse, I get the evil eye for NOT understanding!

It's ironic that we look at minority leaders as those who have "risen above the fray." After all, weren't they born here? Aren't they American citizens by BIRTH, and isn't English the national language? Then, they are EXPECTED to be "masters" of it. This kind of talk infers that we don't expect minorities to speak properly. Sad but true. Furthermore, the conjugation of verbs in a language other than English should not be scrutinized. I'm sure the creators of the Spanish language didn't sit down and say, "Well, let's be sure to choose another word for "take" besides "tomar", because we want to be sure English speakers can understand us when they are translating." The language, obviously, wasn't made for us. It was made for the Spanish speaker. (By the way, the verb for "to drink" is "beber")The English language is riddled with all kinds of idiotic rules that make absolutely no sense. There are three ways to spell the word "there", and depending on the CONTEXT, we all know which one is being used. Tell me, what is the difference between the two?

The bottom line is we have a huge problem with what we are not accustomed to. The majority sets the rules, and everyone is expected to abide by them. Anyone not doing/speaking/dressing/thinking/living/believing/worshipping like the majority is labeled outcast/sinner/misfit/freak/uneducated/poor/WRONG! Poor language skills isn't something that evolved in minority communities. People have been speaking terrible English since the dawn of time, and this behavior affects all people and all socioeconomic brackets. I am surrounded by people of all races and colors, and most of them speak horribly. Race,color and status have nothing to do with it.

Again, I agree with many of the points made in the commentary. However, parts of it are the same old "stereotype" talk that we hear from so many of our friends and family members. It would behoove all of us to take as much time as we have studying, analyzing and critiqueing minority groups, and go analyze and critique the ones who think their standard of living is the right one.

Twilight Zone

Finally, 2009! I for one am happy to say goodbye to 2008. It was a rough road, but we made it, and now we are ready to embark upon what seems to be an exciting year!

Every New Year's we are treated with another marathon of one of my all time favs: The Twilight Zone. Wasn't Rod Sterling an absolute genius? I stopped my my parents' house, and my mom, sister, and I watched at least 3 or 4 episodes. During commercial breaks, we recalled some of our favorites, like Willoughby...and Kick the Can! Good stuff.

Unfortunately, I couldn't stay long...I am scheduled to work tommorow. I'm not upset at all about it; the boss seems to think that I am ready to strike out on my own, and we all get paid time and a half! I'm learning so much just being in the unit. I think I've learned more in the past two days than I learned in all my time at the hellhole. No longer am I afraid to ask what a patients' diagnosis is, or read a chart. I'm EXPECTED to read the chart!

My New Year's resolutions? Too many to count, but I have a few at the top of the list:

To stay fit and healthy
To work hard and learn much at my new job
To save as much money as I can
To spend time with family and friends before I leave for school
To take a much needed vacation with the cop

2009 will be a great year if I can accomplish just a few of those goals. As excited as I am to see 2009 roll around, I have my eyes and heart set on 2010. I can't wait to start studying medicine!

As Expected

Yep...orientation is boring!

There are only three of us taking part in this round of orientation. Out of the three, I'm the only one not in nursing school. One young lady has one semester left to finish, and the young guy just finished his very first quarter. When asked if I was in school, I simply answered, "No."

Everyone seems very, very nice and welcoming, which is refreshing to say the least. Not a single bed is vacant on the floor, and all the patients look awfully ill. I can't wait to get a better look once I hit the floor on Wednesday. Tomorrow morning we report at 6:30 (ouch!), but at least we will get to leave at a decent time. We got so much information thrown at us today: got name badges, covered 5 hours worth of orientation modules, received parking decals, took a tour of the floor, filled out paperwork...it was neverending. I must say, however, that there is a feeling in the hospital that you will not find in LTC. An energy, if you will. I love it. I wonder if that energy disappears during the night shift. Ha...I seriously doubt it.

I learned that my addition to the floor will be an immense help to the young lady who serves as PCT for the ENTIRE floor on the night shift. I'm sure she'll be happy to have an extra set of hands to help out. As for me, the more patients I'm exposed to, the better. There are an awful lot of patients in isolation due to TB. I guess TB will be the first disease I will learn about. Harisson's...here I come!

Bring It On!

They say changing jobs can be one of the most stressful times in ones life. Not so here! I say bring it on!

I've been giddy all day, just like a popular high school kid returning to school, who hasn't seen her friends all summer. I have my lunch packed, my scrubs ironed, notepad to write important notes, and an assortment of writing pens. What can I say...I like being prepared! I haven't been this excited in a long time. I sure hope I'm not setting myself up for disappointment. Besides, tomorrow is the start of orientation.

Orientation to a healthcare setting, or any new job for that matter, has to be the most boring process ever. You are subjected to an insane amount of paperwork, exchanging of pleasantries and names (I don't know why I attempt to remember names), and watching one boring video after another. Talk about tortue! Half of your job during orientation is staying awake.

No, I'm not terribly excited about orientation, per se. I'm just thrilled to be in the hospital; to be submerged in a sea of doctors and nurses who are willing to impart just a bit of their expertise. I'm telling you, just being in an environment where people actually laugh and smile at one another would be like night and day compared to the hellhole. Being able to learn some pathophysiology, see some cool procedures, and actually participate in codes would be icing on the cake.

The cop is preparing for work. I guess I better see him off. I'll be sure to write about my first day at the new job!

Why not MD?

Good question. Why not MD?

As Ed Begley said in 12 Angry Men, "There's always one!" As a pre-PA, I've only taken part in one round of interviews for a PA school seat, but I'm sure at every PA interview there's always that one applicant: the snotty overachiever, who thinks he/she is the best thing since sliced bread, who has to boast about where they've studied and where they've traveled, who feels the need to pick the brains of the other applicants simply to feel more superior. Yeah, that one. I remember that one during my interview; he was a hoot. Constantly asking questions that no one wanted to answer. One of those questions was, "So...why not MD." It was totally inappropriate at the time, but I think it's a question that every pre-PA thinks/should think about. Why? Because everyone else will ask you this question, even some ADCOM's. Because knowing the answer to this question solidifies your reason for pursuing a career as a PA.

My high school English teacher taught me never to answer a question with a question, and I admit I was fueling the fire when I responded to "that one," but on both accounts, I couldn't resist when I replied with, "Why MD?" He simply shrugged his shoulders, and soon, the other applicants began detailing why they had chosen otherwise.

For me, it is quite simple. I can do all I ever wanted to, medically, as a PA. For me, having MD behind my name is meaningless. I care nothing about prestige and social status, and I've been in school long enough as it is. I don't feel the need to be in charge all the time. I enjoy the thought of being a dependent practitioner, working with doctors and being an intergral part of the team. My interests lie in getting my hands dirty, working my hours,studying and learning as much as I can, treating my patients, making a decent living doing what enjoy, and going home.

It seems that many people think MD is the end of the line, and those who pursue the career of a midlevel ( I really hate that word) are "settling for less." How absurd. Becoming a PA is not a stepping stone to becoming an MD. It is a career that beautifully compliments that of a doctor. There is no competition between the two. To be honest, I would be foolish not to pursue PA. I get to do all kinds of cool medical stuff, come away with less loan debt than doctors, make a pretty good living, and, get this, I'll have the lateral mobility that very few doctors have. Ya can't beat it, folks. It is the right fit for me!

I think a lot of people wrestle between these two careers because of all the misconceptions. Some think becoming a PA will warrant them no respect from other healthcare professionals. Let's face it, there are lots of doctors/nurses who despise PA's. Some docs feel PA's are moving in on their turf, and some nurses feel they don't have to take orders from PA's. On the whole, though, I think healthcare professionals who are secure in their role, and have no inferiority complexes, realize the value of competent PA's and have great respect for them. Becoming a PA is not settling. For me, it's just plain smart!

Just peruse the vast amount of literature that's out there. PA's are not what they used to be. They are specializing, just as the docs are, and they are making a difference! Patients on the whole are very pleased with the level of care PA's provide. They are performing procedures and working with a level of autonomy that, for some, is mindboggling! It's truly amazing, and I can't wait to be a part of this group of medical practitioners. Pre-Pa's, do your homework. Sit down, and really take a look at the pros and cons of each career path. Outline your goals, and highlight those of greatest importance. Most importantly, be honest with yourself. It makes no sense to take a seat in a PA program when you really desire to become a doctor.


PS: I know there are lots of folks who have already heard "yea" or "nay" in regards to acceptance to PA school. To those of you who are still waiting, good luck!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I know, it's a bit late for the former, but just in time for the latter. I thought I would kill two birds with one stone.

Seriously, I hope you all (is anyone reading this blog?) had a wonderful Christmas, and I hope the New Year brings you happiness and peace of mind. Not much going on 'round these parts. I start my new job in exactly two days. Time surely flies. I'ts been great having time to do all the cleaning/cooking/cuddling that I've been wanting to do for so long. Even the cop got an extra few days off for the holidays. It's been great!

I've been back to the hellhole a few times since quitting. The place feels so unfamiliar, like I never worked there a day in my life. Sure, I recognize the faces, but the place just feels foreign. I stopped by today to bring one of my favorite patients two hefty pieces of cake. I stayed and chatted with her while she ate and moaned, and complimented my cooking. I swear, by the time I left, the cake was all gone. I think I'll go and have a piece of cake myself!

Down Time

It feels so good to have it...just a little. Especially since Christmas is just around the corner, and my new job begins soon.

I've spent the last two days cleaning up the house. Goodness...what a nasty mess! I got quite a few rooms done before the cop woke up. He is quite impressed, and commented on how nice the house looks. It really does look a lot better. A clean home can conjure up so many wonderful emotions. This house is happy and vibrant once again!

All the paperwork is done for the new job. I am scheduled to begin orientation the week after Christmas. In addition, I have another TB test to take, and I have to be fitted for my respirator mask. Cool! I'm looking forward to working nights and being in a hospital setting. I hope I learn a lot over the next year.

So, the year is winding down. What are my aspirations: to continue learning, finish my degree, work hard and save lots of money, and begin purchasing the things I need for school.

Joy

Yesterday was my last day in LTC. The day went by so fast...I felt like I was floating! I found my smile, my energy, my joy for medicine again..even as I was met with frowns, attitudes, and jealousy.

It's amazing how people can envy you when they don't really know you. I had a few coworkers who were sincerely happy for me, but most were not thrilled at all. They spent the whole day avoiding me, rolling their eyes at me, and barking orders at me. Oh well! It's their problem, not mine! I painstakingly said my goodbyes to some of my favorite residents. Ms. Hazel started to cry (that just tore me up), and before I left, she gave me a Christmas gift...and lapel pin that says "Joy."

So, today I was scheduled for the new hire physical exam and screening at my new job! I got poked and prodded a few times and had to pee in a cup. My physical was done by an NP/PA. She inquired about my educational pursuits, and I told her about PA school. She seemed genuinely excited for me and wished me well. She also offered me some great advice! So, it seems like I'm all set to start at the end of the month. I can't wait. I hear working in the hospital as opposed to LTC is like night and day. Bring it on!!!! NOW!

The Sooner, The Better

Ok, so now I'm leaving the hellhole in exactly two days! I just can't take it anymore.

I have a pretty thick skin. I'm good about standing up for myself, and I can shut anyone down with my sarcasm. In short, I can cut it. But, I can't spend another week in the hellhole. I just can't.

I'm gonna miss the patients dearly. I love them so much!

Happy Dance!

Thank God. I'll be leaving the hellhole in exactly one week!

I got the call today that I've been chosen for the PCT job. I can't express how thrilled I am to have a hospital job on an ICU floor. The interview yesterday went extremely well!

Once the formal interview was over, I got a chance to take a tour of the ICU floor. 24 beds total, which houses the sickest patients in the entire hospital! Yes! The floor is comprised of 4 separate units: MICU, SICU, NICU (neuro), and EICU (still don't know what this is all about). I'll be working nights, so I will have 12 patients on every assignment if all beds are full. Walking into an empty patients room made me feel like a kid in a candy store. All the buttons, lights, lines, sounds...I can't wait to work there! I start orientation on the 29th. That means I will in fact have Christmas off this year.

The job of a PCT has grown over the years. PCT's are a fairly new addition to the hospital setting. As the years go by, they are able to do more and more. I've heard of PCT's inserting IV's, foleys, doing EKG's, and even administering meds. Of course, there is some controversy due to scope of practice, and nurses feeling like their turf is being taken by unlicensed personnel. My take! Who cares! A PCT will never be a nurse, just like a nurse will never be a doctor. A doctor can start an IV just like a nurse, but you don't see nurses complaining about that. Everyone wants to be respected for the job they do. In my book, there is room for everyone in healthcare.

My duties will include all the normal CNA stuff, but I will also be responsible for vital signs, glucose finger sticks, running EKG's, and connecting monitors. Hopefully, I can also use my phlebotomy skills, too.

Interview Tomorrow!

Yes! Fnally, I have secured an interview for a hospital-based PCT position in my hometown!

This has been a long time coming. I know, it's not a job offer, but at least I feel like I'm making some progress. Now, all I have to do is sell myself. I really, really want this job. It's time to leave the hell hole.

I think the main reason why I detest my currrent position is because no one wants to teach. Why would they? They have their degrees and certifications. But...a huge part of healthcare is teaching; see one, do one, teach one. No one at my job wants to show you where the bathroom is, let alone allow you to draw blood, or show you how to place a foley. It's terribly frustrating for someone like me who loves to learn, and needs these skills in order to put myself ahead of the game once PA school starts. Also, CNA's are expected to be supermen. We take a patient load of 12+, but are yelled at if things aren't absolutely perfect. Somethings gotta give with numbers like that. I work on the floor with the highest acuity. My assignment consists of patients with severe dementia, cancer, heart failure, renal failure, and MS, with tubes all over the place. This add a challenge to the job that I do enjoy, but it's hard to tend to the needs of 12+ patients who are so, so sick.

The new job sounds great: nice sized facility, pay increase, tuition reimbursement, 11p-7a, and on an ICU floor! Can't beat it. I'm so glad that I took the phlebotomy course last month, and finished learning how to read EKG's. I'm hoping these new skills will help me land the job. I'll keep you posted!

The ABC's of PA school

What do I know about it? I haven't even started yet, but it seems there is a trend among pre-PA students and many PA-S's. Get the grade, by any means necessary. I know, we live in a competitive world. Only the strong survive. Here in America, our goal is to be the best of the best. We do not settle for less than that, and if by chance we miss the mark, we interpret that as failure.

I just can't agree with this mindset when it comes to PA school. Perhaps I'm being a bit naive, but there must be a shift in thinking when one goes from undergradute to graduate studies. It's true, no one can get into PA school with subpar grades. You must attempt to get the highest marks possible in order to secure a seat, and even then, the odds are slim. It's just that competitive. However, once PA school begins, it is no longer about the prestige of good grades, high GPA, and honor roll mention. It is no longer about us, it is about future patients. It is about COMPETENCY! Every exam, every practical lab, every patient encounter, every dissection, every factoid is for the sake of the patient. I don't see why this is so hard to understand. I don't know why so many fight this shift in thinking.

Perhaps we are raised to believe that grades make the person. In college we used to brag about being on the dean's list, or having a 4.0. This mindset should not exist in PA school. Am I saying that grades don't matter. Absolutely not. What I am saying is if students focus more on learning as much as they can for the betterment of their future patient population, the grades will take care of themselves. Isn't medicine about patient care after all?

So, whether the grade is A, B, or C, the student will be successful as long as he or she remembers to focus on becoming the most competent practitioner possible. It seems that younger pre-PA's are the ones hung up over grades, and the older, more worldly pre-PA's/PA-S's focus on competency. There are exceptions to every rule, however. It will be interesting to see if/how my stance changes once I start matriculating. What will be even more interesting is to see how my classmates respond to one another in such a stressful academic setting. Will we be competitive? Will we work as a team? I am hoping for the latter.

Fitness Freak Extraordinaire!

I had finally decided that I just wasn't cut out for a career in music. I wanted a family, a stable home; I didn't want to live 10 months of the year out of a suitcase. I had dropped out of college two years prior, but I still looked like a college student; I was putting on weight in all the wrong places. So, I decided to join a gym. Walking into the gym was an experience in itself! The music, the brand new equipment, the medicine balls, the huge aerobics floor. I instantly fell in love. I was soon a frequent participant in all of the aerobics classes, and quickly became a front row bunny. I even convinced my mother, who had struggled with her weight for years, to join me. It was our home away from home!

I was no more than a few weeks into my new workout regimen when the owner of the gym approached me after a kickboxing class. She praised me on my diligence and hard work, and told me that I should consider becoming a fitness instructor. She encouraged me to research the profession. I looked up all of the most reputable certifying bodies and decided to go for it! I ordered the study materials, chose a testing date, and got to work. Learning proper body mechanics and exercise anatomy and physiology reignited my passion for the human body. A month later I was a certified fitness instructor. I taught everything: kickboxing, body sculpting, step, hi/lo, abs...everything. I went from having 3 people come to my classes, to having a floor full of participants waiting for me to arrive at the gym. It was wonderful! I felt that I had found my niche.

Being a good fitness instructor requires lots of work; you must stay on top of changes in the industry, constantly create fun, fresh routines, buy new music, and always have lots of energy in every class. Being a great instruction requires all of the above, plus taking your personal fitness seriously. People love training with instructors that look the way they want to look. After a year of teaching aerobics, I was fit and had lots of energy, but my body didn't look the way I wanted it to. I wanted muscle...so, I began bodybuilding. I was instantly hooked. The challenge, the determination, the sacrifice...it was right up my alley. Working out became my life! I exercised for a living, and I trained in my spare time. Later on that same year, I became a certified personal trainer! I was a true professional.

I began training all over town. My clients really challenged me. I had lots of clients who trained strictly for aesthetic purposes, but many of my clients where children who were obese, and middle aged to elderly people who had been sent to me by their doctors for rehabilitation. It's easy to see where most people go wrong with diet and exercise. Those mistakes are easy for a trainer to correct as long as the participant is compliant. It's the rehab clients that offer the most challenge. There is so much to consider: strengths, weaknesses, compensations, atrophy, scar tissue, etc. I loved training these patients and seeing them get stronger and stronger every week. These are the clients that encouraged me to go back to school and pursue a career in medicine. I still work out on a regular basis, but I gave up training and teaching early this year to gain more direct patient care experience. It's been a long, long road so far, and I still have three more years to go, but boy, what a ride! Every step I've taken -the music, the fitness, going back to school- has gotten me to this point. Nontraditional, yes! Boring...absolutely not!

Can I Fast-forward Time?

Is it at all possible? I need to be in school...NOW!

The last thing I want is for this blog to turn into a sob story for the next year. I know time will fly by on its own. I guess I'm feeling this way because I hate my job, and I absolutely love being in school.

I've always said I could go to school for the rest of my life! If there were a job that paid people to go to school full time, I would strongly consider it. I love to learn, always have. It's amazing, though, that the more you learn, the more you realize how little you know. I will be back in school next month to finish up my degree and to take the last two prerequisite courses I need. However, I have no interest in the courses I'll be studying. Hopefully working full time and being in school full time will make the year go by faster. Or maybe I can convince the cop to do my coursework for me, so I can go into a self-induced coma and wake up refreshed and rested in preparation for PA school!!!!

You Should Go to Nursing School!

Um, no, I shouldn't. And if I hear this one more time, I think I'll scream!

Why is it that the only career a CNA can aspire to is RN? I just don't get it. There are plenty of healthcare careers to choose from: Physical Therapist, Speech Language Therapist, Physician, Paramedic, Phlebotomist, Radiation Therapist, Xray Technologist, Audiologist, Social Worker....the list goes on and on. But I'm always asked, "Have you ever considered nursing?"

The truth is...I did consider nursing. I considered it because I was being lazy. I knew that becoming a nurse would not afford me the scope of practice that I desired. I wanted to diagnose and treat patients, order, read and interpret labs and xrays. I wanted to prescribe physical therapy and medications. I wanted that scope of practice. So, I began my research. It was then that I discovered the PA profession, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to endure Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, etc. In the end I decided to go for it, and I am so glad I did!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a nurse. I have a lot of respect for nurses and what they do. What I admire the most is the fact that they are the doers! They get to carry out the orders from the doctors and other practitioners. I want that, but I also want the added responsibility of writing orders, and making decisions. I want to be a doer and a decision maker! And that is being a PA.

I've been thinking a lot about the school that I've chosen to pursue my PA education. I can't be more proud of the decision I've made! The school I'll be attending is not a big name school, nor does it carry a large amount of prestige and recognition. It doesn't have the latest technology-although the technology they do have is nothing to sniff at-and there are no world reknowned faculty members on staff. But...when I walked onto campus I felt at home! The staff is down to earth, funny, sincere, and they all currently practice medicine. The small town feel is right up my alley; the rent is cheap and everything I'll need is just a few minutes down the road. And the best part...the cafeteria is to die for! I'm talking pasta bar, dessert bar, hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, salad bar, you name it! And, the gym is a dream come true! In exactly one year from today, I will be packing my things and moving hundreds of miles away to pursue this dream that is years in the making. It's almost surreal to think that this is my life. My life!