Orientation

So far, so good!


There are 40+ students in my class, many of whom look like they just graduated from high school! At this point, I am the oldest person in the class, although there are a few that I have yet to talk with that look around my age. I managed to have some meaningful conversations with a few people, and even found a group of older classmates who seemed to have some life experience! How refreshing!

The day ended rather early. We started by filling out lots and lots of paperwork, meeting the faculty and staff, and going over our admission packets with our advisors. I love my advisor! She seems to be a no nonsense type of person, and I like that! We have two more days of orientation, and we begin classes on Monday morning. It's interesting...I'm finally here, settling into graduate studies, living on my own, pursuing the thing I've dreamt of for 2 years. Officially a PA-S!! I must say, it's gratifying to see the fruits of my labor.

I'm so happy to be here, and I'm looking forward to developing as a person and a professional. I'm looking forward to being the best PA I can be.

My Circadian Rhythm

It's pretty much shot to hell. One day I'm up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 7am, and the next day I'm dragging myself out of bed at 12 noon. It hasn't been easy transitioning from the night shift schedule to a "normal" day schedule, but it must be done. In two weeks I'll have to be up by 7am every morning in order to be in class on time.

I'm still tying up loose strings here in preparation for relocating. Salsa dancing has been priority, of course, and as I see friends and favorite dance partners, I am bidding them farewell. A lot of them had no clue I was going anywhere. I will miss them all dearly! I'm hoping to come back a better, stronger follow, and I hope to master the on2 style while I'm away. My winter wardrobe is complete, and I'm almost done packing. All that's left to do is drive off into the sunset!

For over a year I've been waiting for this blog to trasition to one of a pre-PA to that of a PA-S. I won't claim PA-S yet until my fanny hits the seat on the 20th, but I'm excited to have the opportunity to give future readers an idea of what PA school is like from my perspective. So, my school has been in contact with us regularly since last October. The orientation packets we received gave us a glimpse of what's in store for the next 2 years. We hit the ground running on the 20th with an orientation that lasts 3 days. On the first day we will meet with our advisors to go over any provisions that exist, and we will meet and greet, have lunch with faculty and students, tour our learning facilities, set up our student email accounts, complete a PACKRAT computer lab assignment, get parking decals, complete an overview of clinical rotations, and purchase books. The second day consists of a diversity exercise and study strategy workshops. And the final day will consist of a didactic year overview, a simple group project, and the PACKRAT entrance exam. We officially begin classes on the 25th.

I hope to write one more entry before moving next Friday, and my goal is to update this blog often once I begin school.

So Much To Do

My list of things to do just keeps growing and growing. I'm not complaining, though; I've always enjoyed having lots and lots to do. However, as I mentioned before in a previous post, I had no idea the amount of "housekeeping" that needed to be done prior to the first day of class. I imagine it's a lot of work for students who live close to their respective programs. But for those of us traveling cross country, there are added stressors that make the process much more time consuming.

I've finally finished packing my clothes and shoes. That alone took two hours. I didn't realize how clutered my closet was! I can't let that happen in the new apartment. And the shopping lists...it's funny when you're looking it over and you've got the common sense items on there like soap, shower curtain, and towels, but then you later realize you forgot to put an iron on there! What I don't want is to get snowed in without all of my necessary items. Let's just say I'm glad soap is on the list. I can't go to class funky, but I have no problem wearing wrinkled clothing for a day or two!

The cop has another long stretch of off days. That makes for lots of "us" time, and I'm looking forward to it! He's been so supportive of me, and I appreciate him for that.

Well, my goal this week is to get back on a normal sleeping schedule, so I guess I should retire for the night. Till next time...

Here's to you, 2009!

What a year this has been! When I look back over the past 12 months, many things come to mind. Firstly, where did the time go? At first glance it feels like I've been sleepwalking, or like I didn't savor enough, didn't stop to smell the roses, didn't take time to slow down.

Secondly, did I accomplish much this year? At first glance it sure doesn't seem like it, but as I think back I realize just how many wonderful things have manifested into my life. It helps to make lists of life experiences. It helps to recap so we never forget how blessed we are. So, here's to you, 2009. Thank you for testing and strengthening my marriage. Thank you for the ICU job and all the wonderful folks it has brought into my life. Thank you for the trips to the mountains and to Costa Rica, and for the drive up to Pennsylvania. Thank you for the classes and the exams and the transcripts, and the undergraduate degree. Thank you for Abraham, and for Linc. Thank you for making me smarter, stronger, and wiser. Thank you for SALSA. Thank you for new and renewed friendships. Thank you for family. Thank you for my father and my mother. Thank you for guiding my sister. Thank you for music. Thank you!

Tomorrow I work my last 12 hour shift as an ICU tech. It will be bittersweet. I love those people. I never expected that...what a pleasant surprise they have been. I have seen and done more than I could have ever imagined, and I have made lasting friendships that have truly changed my life forever! For this I am extremely appreciative. Next week, I start packing this place up, and the week after that I'm outta here. I am in awe of my life right now. I feel I am exactly where I need to be. All creative components have come together for me, and all that is left to do is be! Be me...be true to myself!

Goodbye, 2009. Hello, and welcome, 2010! It's gonna be fast, fun ride. Bring it on!!

Success!

After ten long years, I am finally a college graduate!!!! *HAPPY DANCE!!!!

I just got word from the dean of my department that I have satisfied the requirements for the B. Mus. degree I have been seeking for the last ten years of my life. It feels so, so good, and I'm proud that I went back and earned what was rightfully mine!

I am living proof that you can have/be/do/become whatever you want. Nothing is impossible!

My life just keeps getting better and better and better. I'm heading to the mall tomorrow for some much needed winter clothing. By this time next week I will be done with organic chemistry. I leave my job in two weeks (YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!). AND...I relocate to the snow covered hills in a month! Sweet! I'm sure gonna miss my family, especially my hubby and puppy. I wish I could take them with me, but I know they must stay behind. I really do want the cop to further his career and focus on his own goals. He's so smart and so loving. It's time he does some soul searching and figure out how to go about advancing to where he needs to be, and I am in total support of him and of his goals.

Well, one more night off then it's back to work. I love Sundays...I usually cook a nice meal, spend two hours or so doing my hair, go visit family, and lounge around the house. Maybe I'll finish off that bottle of Riesling!

Too Damn Cold

The cop and I just returned from apartment shopping up north. It snowed the entire time. All I have to say is I hope I can acclimate quickly to a much colder climate.

Anyone who knows me knows I can't stand being cold. I guess I should have taken that into consideration before I applied to this one PA program. Common sense should have told me that if I plan to move north, I'm gonna be cold most of the time. Damn it. Oh well! I'm hoping I'll be on the move so much, I won't even notice how cold it is. I may even come to like it...maybe.

We had a great time up there. This was the cop's first time setting foot on my campus, and I hadn't been there since my interview over a year ago. And yes, we secured an apartment! It's absolutely perfect for me: spacious, clean, secure, affordable, and only 2 minutes away from campus. I'm looking forward to moving in.

My main focus now is making sure the cop is well taken care of while I'm away. He's a good cook, and a great housekeeper. I just hope he actually does these things while I'm gone. I don't think he'll have a choice! I sure will miss him and Linc, and my family. All of them have been so supportive. Well, it's getting down to the wire. Christmas is almost here. O-Chem is almost done. I'll begin my journey to competent medical practice sooner than I realize.

A Year in Review

So, I've been blogging a little over a year now! How cool is that?

I love lists! I'm always writing them, revising them, and re-writing them to make them better than the last. Lists help you to stay organized, and they keep you on track. It's an easy way to outline your goals, and to be sure you are meeting them. I recall this time last year that I blogged about my goals for this year. Here is a list of those goals:

1. Finish my degree: I can do this one of two ways. Either transfer the credits or go back to my alma mater and spend a sememster there. I would prefer the former, but at this point, NOTHING is gonna stop me from getting that worthless, useless piece of paper.

2. Finish my last two prerequisite courses: both are chemistry courses. I think I will do just fine with this.

3. Gain meaningful healthcare experience: I have 500+ hours under my belt so far, but as you all know, my goal is to work in a hospital setting where I can utilize my critical thinking skills and learn simple procedures.

4. Learn as many simple procedures on my own in the meantime: Any courses I can take to learn skills will be a huge benefit to me (ie. phlebotomy next Friday!!!!!)

5. Learn to read simple Chest radiographs: I LOVE reading xrays. To me, this is a really important goal. I want to be able to look at a shadow and tell if it's abnormal or not...then go from there.

6. Learn how to read EKG's: Yes...this was something that was suggested to me. Once you have a really solid reference, EKG's make a whole lot of sense. Not too difficult. Once you know the basics, it's all about reading often so you don't loose the skill.

In retrospect, I can honestly say I have done all of the above! My undergraduate degree has been completed (thank you God), in two weeks I will complete my last prerequisite course, I have secured a great hospital-based job, and this job has exposed me to many procedures (central lines, A lines, ventriculostomies, phlebotomy, IV insertion, foley insertion), I know how to read and interpret simple chest radiographs, AND I'm pretty darn good at reading EKG's.

I'm impressed, if I do say so myself!