There's No Place Like Home

I've been home for exactly 5 days now and I'm already getting antsy. It doesn't take long for me. Don't get me wrong...I love being home with my family, not having to study for 10 exams at once, not dealing with the nasty winter weather up north, but I do miss the hustle and bustle of school. I miss learning. I am the ultimate nerd! I better enjoy this break while it lasts. Rest now, work later! I did bring a few books with me to read: my lab medicine text, Cecil's (not the easiest read, but a fascinating read nonetheless), and my radiology text. I'll start cracking those sometime next week.

Here's a line up for the classes that await me next semester:

General Surgery

General Surgery lab

Clinical Medicine

Pharmacology

Primary Care Modules

Geriatrics

Research class

Clinical Decision Making

Just a continuation of what we've been doing, minus the Pathophysiology. Man, I'm going to miss Patho!

A word to the wise: PA school is much more than going to class and getting good grades. I'ts much more than showing up and performing well. It's much more than memorization and regurgitation. There is a lot expected of you outside the classroom. Criminal background checks, liability insurance payments, AAPA/local chapter professional organization fees, additional training (BLS, ACLS, etc.), traveling off-site for lectures and seminars, fingerprinting, the list goes on and on and on. Be prepared! BE PREPARED! Paying for PA school can be challenging all by itself. Be sure that you have residual funds for these kinds of expenses because they will come up, often at the most inconvenient of times.

I think I've rested up enough to go out tonight! It's time to show these Southern salsa folks what I've been up to while I've been away. I had to cut down a bit on the salsa dancing as of late due to the heavy workload. It's been two weeks since I've danced. Insane! That's unacceptable. Yep...tonight's the night! I plan on writing again soon, hopefully after I've visited my old coworkers in the unit! I can't wait to see them.

First year of PA school...DONE

Wow, I've been so busy I almost forgot I had a blog.

Sorry for the wait, dear readers. I can't put into words how busy the last three weeks have been for me. But this is a blog, and words are all I have, so I will do my best!

It's quite simple really...14 exams total over the last two weeks, seven per week including practical exams. I was warned long ago about the rigors of PA school. I began school 12 months ago with my eyes wide open. I knew what I was getting into. I knew about the hard work and the late nights of study, and the unforgiving amount of information that was expected to be learned. There is NOTHING that could have prepared me for what I've been through this semester. When they tell you PA school is tough they are not lying. I didn't expect it to be this tough, though. I feel like I've been run over by an 18-wheeler.

The topics covered this semester were vast: hematology/oncology, EKG interpretation, lab medicine, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, GI, more history taking and soap note writing, etc. We learned a lot, and I enjoyed it. I'm starting to feel myself transforming into a clinician.

When I return to PA school next month, I begin my second year. My second year! Where has the time gone? I remember the days when I was still taking prerequisite courses. I remember deciding what school I would apply to. I remember going shopping for my interview outfit (man, I looked good that day!). And here I am, one year into my professional training as a PA. Absolutely amazing. This semester has been a whirlwind for me and many of my classmates. I've never performed so poorly academically in my entire life. I've never been a "C" student. I've never been accustomed to failing test after test...until now. It hurts the ego for sure, but you get up, dust yourself off, and get back on the horse. I must say, though, I ended strong, my final exam scores look amazing, and I am really proud of myself and my accomplishments.

One more didactic semester left before I am let loose to begin treating real live patients. Scary, yes! But I'm ready to get out of the classroom. I learn with my brain and with my hands. I am a doer, and I know I will thrive during clinical year.

Well, not much else to say for now. I have the next 6 weeks to do absolutely nothing, and nothing is precisely what I'm going to do. Currently I sit in the Charlotte, NC airport heading for home. I haven't seen the detective in almost four months. I can't wait to talk to him and spend time with him.