It's Official!

 I'm going to be a PA!  The phone call wasn't a dream!

I received my official acceptance letter in the mail last week and I promptly signed and sent in my deposit before they could change their minds about me.  :o) I should be getting another packet in the mail that details what type laptop requirements we need, books, medical supplies, etc. in the next few weeks, plus the details on how to get the background check and immunizations done.  It all still feels surreal. I can't believe that all my hard work finally paid off.  I know I have a lot of hard work still ahead of me, but I know the net two years will fly by.  I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!  

I know I still have a few months before classes start, but I I am already making lists of supplies I need/want to get and I have already ordered a new laptop.  The one I have now is going on 8 years old and we are required to have laptops - not ipads or tablets, so I thought it was time to upgrade.  I got a really good deal from Dell, and ordered the Inspiron 11. 

I was planning on getting a tablet before I found out they changed the requirements due to the exams we have to take not working well on the ipads or tablets. One reason I wanted a tablet was for the apps availalbe for note taking and drawing, and because they are small and easy to carry.  The Inspiron 11 is small and light, plus has a touch screen, so even if I can't some of the apps I wanted to try, I might be able to find something similar to use.  I'm not sure how well it will work for classes yet, but I have 30 days to try it out and see if I like it and if it will meet the requirements. I also have a stylus and case picked out for it, but I'm going to wait to make sure I don't have to send it back before I order them. 

It's been a month to the day since my interview and I can't believe how much my life has changed in that month. 

In With The New

I really meant to update this blog a couple of weeks ago, but once I tell you what has been going on you might understand why I didn't really feel like it until now. 

I'll start off by saying that we spent Christmas with the in-laws and had a very nice time.  We went up during the week and came back Friday, as I had to work my second job that weekend.  Brad's uncle was in town visiting from Montana, so we did a lot of visiting and catching up, and of course playing games.  When we go up to see Brad's family we usually end up playing Yahtzee, Boggle or some other game.

The following week was pretty uneventful and then January 6th was the big interview day.  I sort of knew one of the girls interviewing, I believe she was in my anatomy class for a few weeks before she had to drop it.  I felt more at ease and like I belonged there this time, compared to last year.  I spoke more with the other interviewees and everything just seemed to feel right.  I thought my interview went a lot smoother than last year, and I really like the two that interviewed me.  The new chair was there and some of the changes he is making sound so amazing!  I was feeling pretty good after I left, but you still never know what they think about you. 

Then, I went into work on Tuesday.  I was immediately called into my supervisor's office and given my pink slip.  I was shocked and speechless.  I had been there a month shy of seven years and they were firing me.  The reasons they gave me were for not meeting performance expectations.  In other words, nothing I did seemed to make them happy, and instead of communicating with me or explaining to me what they needed, they complained to our supervisor.  I don't know about you, but I am pretty sure we all make mistakes.  I can remember times when I fixed mistakes they made, but the problem I was having is my mistakes were being counted and tallied up. This past year I felt like I was being set up to fail, and that everything I did wasn't good enough.  I am almost positive part of it was because they knew I wouldn't be staying there much longer, either I was getting into PA school or finding a new job.  I had applied for a couple of jobs in Hutch almost a year ago, and ever since then, they started treating me different.  When I told one of my people that I needed January 6th off for my interview this year, the first thing she asked me was "oh, for a job in Hutch?"  I was surprised at her response and had to explain that it was for my PA interview.  When I was told I was being fired, I felt so betrayed.  If I was so bad, then why did they keep me around for almost seven years? Why did they keep telling me what a good job I was doing to my face, and then complain about me?  The very same people that were helping me get into PA school were also digging me a grave.  I heard that even they were surprised and unhappy about me being fired, but what did they expect?  A big part of me is glad I don't have to work there anymore because I won't have to deal with a certain somebody anymore, but I am sad because I considered many of the people there my family.  I know we will keep in touch, but I was really hoping to leave on a high note.  All of my friends and close co-workers were saying that maybe this means I will get into PA school.  Part of me was hoping that was true, and the other part was thinking, well, if it's not PA school, it's definitely a new career.

After I was fired, I decided that I was going to get back into IT, especially if I didn't get into PA school this year.  I really enjoyed it and sort of kicking myself for getting out of it.  I had about three weeks until I found out if I was accepted, so I bought an A+ certification book and started studying.  It helped to refresh my skills and kept me busy enough to where I wasn't watching the clock or stalking the mailman.  :o) I knew from the interview that on or about January, 24th we would hear something, so from that Wednesday on I nervously awaited the arrival of the mail.  On January 24th, at 11:32, I received a phone call.  From the director of the PA program congratulating me on my acceptance to the Wichita State University Physician Assistant's Program!  When he called, he told me that he went over to my office to tell me in person, but learned that I was no longer there.  In a way I was a little mad that the people that betrayed me got to find out before me that I was accepted, but I also thought that would have been a cool way to find out.  I was so surprised and shocked.  I thanked him a bunch and when I hung up the phone, I jumped up and down and shouted "I got accepted to the PA program!" and Brad picked me up and hugged me and then of course I cried. 

So, this year started out a little rough, but as my friends and co-workers said, it was all because I was getting into PA school. 

PA School Application – Round 2

This past month I have been working on updating my application and personal statement for submission hopefully the first week of September.  I have also been working on setting up some more shadowing opportunities that will maybe lead into either volunteering or working as a C.N.A.  My only hold up right now is waiting for a dr.’s appointment to get a varicella titer, which is scheduled for next week.    Even though I am or have never worked in the health care field, working at a university has its perks.  I work with a retired dean of students who loves to help students succeed in any way he can.  What does this mean for me?  He has taken an interest in my struggles and wants to do what he can to help me get into pa school.  Sweet!  He would often set up mock interviews for his students and he wants to do that with me and then give me some coaching/feedback.  I know I should have taken advantage of this on campus when I was a student, but I just didn’t.  Very dumb on my part – I highly recommend doing this to everyone who is going to interview for ANYTHING.  Interview skills are very important and often neglected.  This is often the only chance to sell yourself, and if you are not prepared to answer some questions – no matter how hard they are, then you are out.  It all matters – clothing, posture, hair, attitude - presenting yourself confidently but without appearing cocky even though you may be nervous as all get out.  It may all be an act on the outside, but you have to be sincere when answering questions or you will be doing no one any favors.  I have received two interviews – one for medical school and one for pa school, and I am pretty sure my interviews are part of the reason I didn’t make it in.  I prepared for them, but not well enough.  I had some doubt about my pa application and didn’t think I would make it in due to the lack of healthcare experience, but in all reality, if I would have went into it thinking “hey, I may not have the experience, but I am a damn good applicant and I deserve this spot,”   I may have had a better interview and possibly offered a seat in the class.  I’m definitely going into this application season with a newer, better and stronger attitude.  I am getting accepted this year or die trying.   

Side note:

I had planned on taking some pictures of the rest of the house, but I ended up helping a friend paint some cupboards and ran out of time.  I will see what I can do this weekend.  :o)

Ready to Submit

Well, I think I am ready to submit my application for PA school. EEK!  I am a little nervous about this even though I KNOW I have a pretty good chance of NOT getting in this year, (does that even make sense?!) but I think it is because I am really hoping to get an interview.  I mean, I think my stats are competitive enough, even without the patient experience, to at least get me that far.  I have had my app ready for about a week now, but I am still hesitant to click on the submit button. Don't worry, I will be submitting it this weekend.  :o)

I will be taking my state exam for the nursing aid certification next Wed., August 1.  I need to take some time this weekend and next week and brush up on everything.  The material is pretty common sense, but there are a few things that are needed to commit to memory, such as normal blood pressure and temperature ranges. I am not too worried about it, but it would be terribly embarrassing to fail!

I am still searching for a part time job.  I have found a couple, but I am not sure if I want to work in Wichita or Hutchinson.  It all depends on the days and times I would work.  If I work on the weekend, Hutch would be ideal, but if I were to work at night during the week, I would stay in Wichita.  I have noticed that a lot of the jobs I am looking at seem to be "as needed", which may not work very well with my schedule so I am hesitant to apply for them.  I'm really not looking forward to a second job with school and all, but the extra cash will be nice.  :o) 

Last week I took the opportunity to sit in on a PA anatomy class and it was frickin' awesome!  I know, I know, I really need to get a life. :p But I really loved my undergrad anatomy class, so sitting in on an advanced class was pretty cool for me. They were going over the vascular system in abdominal area and I kept thinking, "man, there is so much we did not cover!" I really liked the professor and the way she lectured.  She was very clear on what information was important and she wasn't boring to listen to, which was refreshing. I'm sure I'll feel differently once I'm actually IN the class, but for now it just makes me want to get into the program that much more.

Compliment

With the deadline for my CASPA application approaching, I have been working and reworking my personal statement.  I wasn't sure what to think of it, so I asked our very brilliant and talented proposal writer to review it and I was pleasantly surprised at her comments:

"I read it quickly, but I’m quite certain it is better written than 90 percent of the statements the school will receive!

   You have a very warm and persuasive style that seems to speak from the heart. I did not find it repetitive.  Your detailed explanation of the first-hand experiences you had shadowing other professionals was very impressive.

   Your intro also is good: to the point, compelling and thoughtful.  I really don’t have any substantial changes to suggest. If you have addressed the areas they ask you to address, and it is the proper length, I think it’s in good shape."

I think having someone read and critique something so personal can make one feel very vulnerable.  It is very humbling to ask someone to critique such a personal document, and to have such nice compliments really puts my mind at ease.  I have heard on more than one occasion that I write really well, but I feel that my writing is still a little juvenile.  I struggle the most with grammar and punctuation, which happen to be the two areas we hardly covered in school due to our English teacher leaving and problems finding a decent substitute.  I also have a tendency to write the way I speak, which isn't exactly what you call sophisticated.  :o)     I do enjoy writing and at one point I even wanted to become a writer.  Throughout high school I would write quite a bit and even started a few chapters of a book, but once I graduated I stopped pretty much stopped.  Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll get back into it.  

Certified Nursing Aid Training

This post is long overdue, but I haven’t had a lot of time to write it, and when I did have time I didn’t feel like doing it.  :o)  I have completed my C.N.A class and a CPR class – both which were fairly easy, but very informative.  The class I took was online through We Care Online.  The people there were great and very helpful.  I did the clinical part at a nursing home about 30 miles away, and again, the staff and instructor were very helpful and friendly.  Our assignments were due each Monday and we had a week to complete them.  They consisted of reading a handful of chapters, posting answers to questions on the discussion board and then taking a unit quiz.  The clinical portion was basically the hands on training of what we read about.  We learned how to lift residents using gait belts and hydraulic lifts, how to properly bathe and clean the residents and feed them.  We spent one full shift shadowing other C.N.A’s in order to get a feel for what a day is really like.  Basically it is get the resident up for breakfast, help them change into clothes, brush teeth and hair and then make their beds and feed them if they need help.  After breakfast take them to their rooms or wherever they like to go until lunch, and then repeat for lunch and dinner.  It’s not too difficult, but it still takes a certain type of person. 

Even though the course was fairly simple, I am still nervous about actually working.  Like anything medical, the nurses and other C.N.A’s sometimes eat their own.  I am pretty sure I will get all the “scut” jobs and be treated like I should already be a pro, but once I get into the swing of things I am sure I will like it.  I think knowing that it is only a part time job and not my full time “have to have it in order to live” job will make me feel soooo much better.  I worked before at a place I hated but had to for the money, and it was awful.  Every day I had to bite my tongue so I didn’t say something that would get me fired, but oh! I wanted to tell them to shove it so badly!!   

After the class was completed, the director of the home instructed a few of us on CPR.  Normally you have to pay for this type of class, but they offered it to us free of charge and it only took a couple of hours.  Now, the only thing I have left to do is pass the state exam next month to become certified.

Final Grades

I have been eagerly awaiting my final grades to be posted so I can request a copy of my transcript from WSU, and they were finally posted today!  This means if I really, really wanted to, I could submit my CASPA application next month.  I am opting to wait until after my CNA class is finished and I start volunteering or working in order to get a few hours of health care experience on my app. Most schools have a "first come, first served" method to handing out interview invitations, but WSU's program is a little different.  They don't hand out the invitations until November, regardless of when you submitted your app (as long as it is before Oct. 1) and the actual interview isn't until January.  That is two whole months of waiting for the interview! Which is good I guess, because I will have plenty of time to prep for it.  :o)

Waiting until August to submit my application isn't going to affect my chances like it would other students applying to other schools - so don't do what I'm doing unless you have a good reason!  The general advice is submit "early," but make sure your application is solid; no errors, all your activities are accounted for, and most importantly! make sure your transcripts are up to date!  This is important because if you are taking required courses, like A&P and microbiology, and submit your application before the final grades are on your transcripts, CASPA will record them as "In Progress."  There are going to be a lot of other students out there that have final grades vs. "In Progress" on their transcripts and schools will look at them first, so be patient and wait a few more weeks to get that final grade and avoid the risk of getting that dreaded rejection letter.  Keep in mind CASPA doesn't send your application to schools until mid-June, so really, June would still be considered "early" even if it does open in April.

- In case anyone is on the edge of their seat with anticipation - I received A's in both of my classes!  I was a little worried about micro, but when I saw the attendance points added on I was able to let out a sigh of relief.  I really needed A's to help with my application to medical school, but now that I am applying to PA school my science GPA is a LOT higher, so there isn't as much pressure. I still want to get A's in my classes of course, but next semester is going to be a lot harder in terms of my schedule and I am a little worried I may not be able to maintain the A's.  I will be taking pathophysiology and statistics next semester, along with working full time at the Foundation and hopefully part time as a CNA.  I need about 10 hours a week to get at least 500 hours built up by next summer, which is doable if I can find the right place to work with me. 500 is the minimum number of hours needed and I would love to be able to do more than that, but it all depends on my schedule and how much homework I will have.  It's going to be a looong year.  :o)

Perfect Sense

While browsing the internet for some good PA blogs when I found this awesome PA website full of helpful articles and advice for potential PA students at  http://www.mypatraining.com.  I particularly loved this interview:


As I listened to Sundance explain the differences between medical school and PA school, it really sunk in that I AM making the best decision for me and my family.  I love medicine and have a deep desire to practice, but it is not on my mind every waking moment and I definitely don't eat, sleep and breathe it in 24/7.  I think Sundance does a great job of explaining this and it really makes me feel good about my choice and reaffirms that I am definitely not settling.  I will admit that giving up the "Dr." title was difficult to do, even knowing a PA career is a better fit.  As she explains in the video, it was more my ego hanging onto the "archetype" and the pride/sense of accomplishment I felt about getting into medical school that was hard to let go of.  I honestly know deep down that I will be happy as a PA because in the end I will be doing what I have dreamed of doing - treating patients.  I just won't have to sacrifice my family life to do it.*  Medicine is "not enough" for me, another point made towards the end of the interview.  I enjoy going to work and leaving my work there, and then going home to enjoying my family.  I know there will be cases and days that will be hard to leave behind, but what I am really saying is,  I don't want to be married to the job.  I know Sundance says all of this more elegantly than I, and I am very glad I stumbled upon her interview.

There are some other great interviews here, if anyone is interested.  Now that I am finished with school it is time to start getting my application together!



*I'm talking about me personally as far as my circumstances go.  I know there are many students out there that have families, young children and all, that make it work, and  I also know there are plenty of older medical students that are able to make it work.  The comments I make here are not to say that it can't be done, because there are many students out there that make it happen.   I am just referring to my situation.