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)