We're Back!

Hey folks! The cop and I made it back from Costa Rica in one piece. What an experience: two whole weeks of roosters crowing at 5 in the morning, having howler monkeys as your alarm clock, being surrounded by beautiful flora and unfamiliar, majestic fauna, having fresh gallo pinto and mango juice for breakfast every morning, zip lining through the treetops..not to mention the friendly people, the language, the music, the culture! Needless to say we had a great time. I am officially ready for PA school!

While we were away, I received an email from my program director informing me that orientation packets would be mailed out soon. How exciting. I still have a few things to accomplish before I can matriculate: I have to submit my final transcripts for the two music courses I've completed (I got an A in both classes...awesome!!!), and apply for my undergraduate degree; I have to complete Organic Chemistry; I have to submit all final transcripts to complete my PA admissions file.

Am I getting excited about starting PA school? Yes, of course. I just don't like being this close to the deadline with all these outstanding requirements. I wish I would have taken O-chem sooner, but I couldn't. I know things will be complete by the end of the year, but it's a bit too close for comfort for me. As long as it all gets done, that's all that matters. My main focus for the remainder of the year is successfully completing the O-chem course, and applying for my undergraduate degree.

Work continues to be a challenge. We have lots of interesting cases coming in, and I'm still learning a lot. It gets frustrating, though, when you can't participate in the conversations about patients and their condition, even if you are familiar with the disease process and prognosis. It's frustrating when a nurse refers to a patient that we both have as "her patient"......"SLP, did you get my patient's blood glucose reading? Can you get my patient a pillow and an apple juice?" I don't mind the work, but I can't stand this attitude of ownership. The nurses don't look at me as a part of the team. They look at me as an extra set of hands, and I guess that's what my job description is. It's hard focusing on the job I have now when I know that in less than 3 months the level of responsibility will increase tremendously. It's scary and exciting all at once. One PA-C gave me some great advice when I first started in the ICU. He told me to remember that I'm not a PA yet; I am an ICU tech and I must work in that capacity only. He told me to use my time wisely by reading charts and keeping notes of diseases I see, their clinical manifestations, treatment options, and drugs used for that disease. I try to do this daily.

Well, not much else to report. I realize this blog gets no visitors because I haven't told anyone about it. I'm looking to debut this blog on the PA forum in January when school starts.