You know what sucks more than seeing every patient at least 40 minutes behind schedule because your boss shows up 30 minutes late to back to back surgeries that are also the first patients of the day?
Coming home to find out that your grandmother died. (Not the one I live with)
You know what's even worse? Realizing that the last thing you said to your grandmother was "Hopefully the next time I see you it'll be under better circumstances." Geez.
It wasn't that unexpected. She had very limited mobility ever since I was born, and it only got worse over the years. Her life was mainly consisting of moving between her bed and her chair for tv watching. Her family did visit her very often and luckily she did go to the family ski house with the majority of the family last Christmas break.
I'm glad she got to see so many of her grandchildren make it to college and her eldest get into grad school. Too bad I never got to see after she heard I got into school. It would have been nice to tell her what I was going to be doing and let her see how excited I am.
I hope you're at peace, G ma.
<3 numero uno.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Hmm... Money...
The shock of getting in still hasn't set in yet, but the shock of the debt I'll be in has.
I've been greatly debating whether to commute from home to school, or move closer to school. The commute to school would probably be about an hour, and it wouldn't require too much work. Drive to train station, take subway (no transfers), walk remainder. It might actually take longer than an hour since I'm estimating based off my interview commute. The rush hour commute I'm sure is worse. I use to work in Big City where the school is and I have to say the terrible taste the commute left in my mouth linger 4 years later.
The other problem with the commute comes about when I want to go home late at night. There are less trains back to Home Town, plus by the time I would get home I wouldn't be getting much sleep before heading back to school the next day.
The reason I plan on being in the city late at night is because I'm a group studier. If I go home I will never get any work done. I need to be in a library and preferably with someone else to bounce ideas and questions off of.
My hesitation is the increased amount of debt I'll produce. It'll bring the estimate cost of the entire program from about 75K to well over 100K. I guess this might be a drop in the ocean, but I'm TERRIFIED that I'm going to fail out and be stuck with debt and no degree. But hell, even if I did commute and failed out I would still have a shit ton of debt. I guess it's comfort that regardless of this decision I'm still going to fail with a shit ton of debt.
On a side note, even though I don't particularly care for Big City, I do think it's a life experience I need by living in it. So I'll probably do it.
I've been greatly debating whether to commute from home to school, or move closer to school. The commute to school would probably be about an hour, and it wouldn't require too much work. Drive to train station, take subway (no transfers), walk remainder. It might actually take longer than an hour since I'm estimating based off my interview commute. The rush hour commute I'm sure is worse. I use to work in Big City where the school is and I have to say the terrible taste the commute left in my mouth linger 4 years later.
The other problem with the commute comes about when I want to go home late at night. There are less trains back to Home Town, plus by the time I would get home I wouldn't be getting much sleep before heading back to school the next day.
The reason I plan on being in the city late at night is because I'm a group studier. If I go home I will never get any work done. I need to be in a library and preferably with someone else to bounce ideas and questions off of.
My hesitation is the increased amount of debt I'll produce. It'll bring the estimate cost of the entire program from about 75K to well over 100K. I guess this might be a drop in the ocean, but I'm TERRIFIED that I'm going to fail out and be stuck with debt and no degree. But hell, even if I did commute and failed out I would still have a shit ton of debt. I guess it's comfort that regardless of this decision I'm still going to fail with a shit ton of debt.
On a side note, even though I don't particularly care for Big City, I do think it's a life experience I need by living in it. So I'll probably do it.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Taking the "IM" out of impossible!
I totally got into P.A. school today!!!!!
And the school completely messed with my emotions about it.
As I clocked out at work today I said aloud for the first time, "Well I wonder if I have a message waiting for me from the school."
I looked at my phone and saw a missed call from a number I didn't recognized. The number had too many number in it, so I disregarded it as a wrong number international call.
I then got home and saw an e-mail from the school telling me that I was moved from #13 to #11. This was not pleasing because being this late after the acceptances went out I assumed there was little hope. I then saw a had another e-mail from the school 4 hours later, and sure enough it was an acceptance e-mail!
So horray for me!!!!!
And the school completely messed with my emotions about it.
As I clocked out at work today I said aloud for the first time, "Well I wonder if I have a message waiting for me from the school."
I looked at my phone and saw a missed call from a number I didn't recognized. The number had too many number in it, so I disregarded it as a wrong number international call.
I then got home and saw an e-mail from the school telling me that I was moved from #13 to #11. This was not pleasing because being this late after the acceptances went out I assumed there was little hope. I then saw a had another e-mail from the school 4 hours later, and sure enough it was an acceptance e-mail!
So horray for me!!!!!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tip to Tall People
I'm tall, 6'4'' to be exact, even though I lie on on-line dating services and say 6'3'', cause that seem to be the "normal" cutoff.
I sometimes get back pain from sitting at my computer for long periods of time. One way to help this is to not sit at my computer too much. But I'm Irish, and we're a stubborn people. (I feel like ever ethnicity is considered a stubborn people.)
What have I done to help alleviate pain? I've lowered my seat alllll the way down. I'm so low that the table reaches about 4 inches below my nipple. My arms rest comfortably on the table and I think I sit straighter because of this. Screw developing back muscles.
I sometimes get back pain from sitting at my computer for long periods of time. One way to help this is to not sit at my computer too much. But I'm Irish, and we're a stubborn people. (I feel like ever ethnicity is considered a stubborn people.)
What have I done to help alleviate pain? I've lowered my seat alllll the way down. I'm so low that the table reaches about 4 inches below my nipple. My arms rest comfortably on the table and I think I sit straighter because of this. Screw developing back muscles.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Numbers
I've been regressing lately. I use to tell myself I was going to let life be and not worry about things out of my control. Tonight I went crazy reading about wait lists and how many classes sizes were made of people from the wait list. This gave me hope because I saw good numbers. One schools had 50% of their class made from the wait list and another was made by 37%. I'm in the top 25%, so thing were looking okay.
Then I decided to see if the accepted students started a Facebook group. They did and I was able to see the whole thing. There are 31 members. That means AT LEAST 31 seats of 50 are filled, 62% of the class. If that number goes past 37, then that means people on the wait list ahead of me MUST reject their acceptance in order for me to get in.
There is a very good chance that there are accepted people who did not join the Facebook group. I feel like shit. I wish I didn't do this kind of stuff to myself.
[Edit:] Okay I'm a major stalker. This is already know. The internet makes to too easy. One person in the group said they "just found out" this past Monday that they were in. That is exactly 2 weeks from the initial acceptances. Generally accepted candidates are given two weeks to send in deposits. This leads me to believe that this person was chosen off the wait list. The idea that they're already taking people from the wait list is the only thing that will allow me to sleep from now until February 23-24, when I calculate the next round of wait list acceptances to be sent out.
I should be a private internet investigator.
Then I decided to see if the accepted students started a Facebook group. They did and I was able to see the whole thing. There are 31 members. That means AT LEAST 31 seats of 50 are filled, 62% of the class. If that number goes past 37, then that means people on the wait list ahead of me MUST reject their acceptance in order for me to get in.
There is a very good chance that there are accepted people who did not join the Facebook group. I feel like shit. I wish I didn't do this kind of stuff to myself.
[Edit:] Okay I'm a major stalker. This is already know. The internet makes to too easy. One person in the group said they "just found out" this past Monday that they were in. That is exactly 2 weeks from the initial acceptances. Generally accepted candidates are given two weeks to send in deposits. This leads me to believe that this person was chosen off the wait list. The idea that they're already taking people from the wait list is the only thing that will allow me to sleep from now until February 23-24, when I calculate the next round of wait list acceptances to be sent out.
I should be a private internet investigator.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Power of Balls
Two stories to share today, both involving my balls.
One:
Yesterday, Boss gave me, what many thought, was an inordinate amount of shit about typing someone's allergies under Past Medical History and not recording their current medication. In my defense, Boss told me in order to "save time" just record the medications they list on the patient history form that they fill out, and the patient didn't list any medications. He specifically told me that "You know there is one important thing they don't teach you in P.A. text books. 'Don't fuck up." Okay, gezzz.
Today, we were trying to figure out what a patient had been complaining about the previous day, because we had a positive fungal culture from them and needed to give some kind of treatment. We looked at the chart and there was zero notation as to anything about a fungal culture, and it had Boss' had writing all over it. I then said to him, "Hey Boss, what's that thing they don't teach you in P.A. text books."
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!! I've got a pair.
He simply laughed and said "touché."
We later found the right chart and the fungal culture was noted in full. We never told him that he didn't actually fuck up.
Two:
Boss had just left a patient, but per usual, the patient thought of another pertinent question regarding their facial hair. The patient wanted to know if it was possible that the Rogaine was effecting it even though it was there before the Rogaine treatment started. They also wanted to know if there were any good treatment plans. I told them that the Rogaine didn't seem to be affecting it and that there really wasn't any good treatment for her specific type of hair. She accepted my answers, and left.
After the patient left Boss asked me, "Guy, what exactly do the patients think your title is." I responded, "Anything they want me to be." He laughed and noted how they accept anything I say basically because I'm a man. I generally sound very confident about whatever I say even when it's, "I don't know." My female P.A. co-worker was definitely a little pissed off about that.
I also just realized that yesterday I had an EXTENSIVE conversation about a laser hair treatment. She had wanted to speak with Boss and a medical assistant said she would get him for her. Yeah, right. There was no shot he was going to see this patient that wasn't on his schedule and also not paying for an office visit.
I walked into the room and introduced myself to this patient I had never met before. I told her that Boss wasn't available but that I would be happy to answer any of her questions. We talked about whether this was a logistically practical treatment, the effectiveness of the treatment and the data to back it up. She made her decision based off my talk with her and she went on her way. In retrospect she totally thought I was something other than a medical assistant. All of the patients initially think I'm a P.A. and just because I have a pair of balls.
One:
Yesterday, Boss gave me, what many thought, was an inordinate amount of shit about typing someone's allergies under Past Medical History and not recording their current medication. In my defense, Boss told me in order to "save time" just record the medications they list on the patient history form that they fill out, and the patient didn't list any medications. He specifically told me that "You know there is one important thing they don't teach you in P.A. text books. 'Don't fuck up." Okay, gezzz.
Today, we were trying to figure out what a patient had been complaining about the previous day, because we had a positive fungal culture from them and needed to give some kind of treatment. We looked at the chart and there was zero notation as to anything about a fungal culture, and it had Boss' had writing all over it. I then said to him, "Hey Boss, what's that thing they don't teach you in P.A. text books."
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!! I've got a pair.
He simply laughed and said "touché."
We later found the right chart and the fungal culture was noted in full. We never told him that he didn't actually fuck up.
Two:
Boss had just left a patient, but per usual, the patient thought of another pertinent question regarding their facial hair. The patient wanted to know if it was possible that the Rogaine was effecting it even though it was there before the Rogaine treatment started. They also wanted to know if there were any good treatment plans. I told them that the Rogaine didn't seem to be affecting it and that there really wasn't any good treatment for her specific type of hair. She accepted my answers, and left.
After the patient left Boss asked me, "Guy, what exactly do the patients think your title is." I responded, "Anything they want me to be." He laughed and noted how they accept anything I say basically because I'm a man. I generally sound very confident about whatever I say even when it's, "I don't know." My female P.A. co-worker was definitely a little pissed off about that.
I also just realized that yesterday I had an EXTENSIVE conversation about a laser hair treatment. She had wanted to speak with Boss and a medical assistant said she would get him for her. Yeah, right. There was no shot he was going to see this patient that wasn't on his schedule and also not paying for an office visit.
I walked into the room and introduced myself to this patient I had never met before. I told her that Boss wasn't available but that I would be happy to answer any of her questions. We talked about whether this was a logistically practical treatment, the effectiveness of the treatment and the data to back it up. She made her decision based off my talk with her and she went on her way. In retrospect she totally thought I was something other than a medical assistant. All of the patients initially think I'm a P.A. and just because I have a pair of balls.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
13
After 3 e-mails and 1 phone call I finally got my Wait List School to tell me how the wait list works. I'm placed 13 out of 50 people. The class holds 50 in total with an additional 50 on the wait list. I am not feeling too optimistic about this school since it means over 1/5 of the accepted candidates have to reject their acceptance. My mom on the other hand seems to think this is a very good standing. I may have mentioned before that my mom recently did a Clinical Psychology PhD program and is currently in her Internship year. She said that at her program their total class size was 40 and had a 40 person wait list size and that they took many people off it. The fact that a program has a wait list that's as large as its class size is suppose to make me feel better. We'll see. 13 also happen to be my lucky number, which may sound like a weird number to be considered lucky, but it make sense.
On the other hand I feel a little more hopefully about the other program I interviewed at. I know that that program is considered a safety school for a lot of people. So even if I ranked as well on their Wait List as I did at the other school, than I think I have a pretty good chance.
Waiting is SO MUCH FUN AND SO GOOD FOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE!
On the other hand I feel a little more hopefully about the other program I interviewed at. I know that that program is considered a safety school for a lot of people. So even if I ranked as well on their Wait List as I did at the other school, than I think I have a pretty good chance.
Waiting is SO MUCH FUN AND SO GOOD FOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Seconds
The theme of this week was "Second Experiences." I had my second (and final) P.A. interview interview and I also went on my second on-line inspired first date.
The interview went well like they usually do. They seemed to like my answers to a lot of things, made them laugh, etc. But I'm also 100% sure that this was a courtesy interview, so I have low hopes.
On Sunday I went on a date with someone I "matched" with online. We did the brunch thing. I had a good time, but felt that the conversation was being fueled mainly by my asking questions. He answered questions and kept up an okay conversation. We then proceeded to just walk around after cause it was nice outside, so I guess it's a good sign that he didn't run away from me. Long story short, two days later I send the e-mail saying I had a good time and would like to go out again, and I got the "I don't see thing turning into a relationship" letter. Womp womp.
I kind of wish dating was like applying to schools where you can ask "What did I do wrong, how can I improve, etc." Because we did have a good e-mail correspondence. He did ask questions then, and kept a conversation. But then the at the brunch I felt like I was doing all the work. Where was his attempt to get to know me. Maybe he did try, and I just don't realize it. I'm almost tempted to ask what went wrong? But I feel that's pointless. Maybe it was the fact that I live kind of far away from him, maybe it's cause I'm not at the right professional point in my life, maybe it's because I live with my grandparents, maybe it's my looks. It could be a combination of things, but most of them he knew before hand. So I'm at a loss. In the end I'm not going to ask anything like that because it really doesn't matter. It's not like I can change any of those things right now.
As is life. But I have to say this all kind of reminds me of how I don't get why I'm still the most stable person of all my friends. I feel like I should be having a mental break down, but I'm not. Yet...
The interview went well like they usually do. They seemed to like my answers to a lot of things, made them laugh, etc. But I'm also 100% sure that this was a courtesy interview, so I have low hopes.
On Sunday I went on a date with someone I "matched" with online. We did the brunch thing. I had a good time, but felt that the conversation was being fueled mainly by my asking questions. He answered questions and kept up an okay conversation. We then proceeded to just walk around after cause it was nice outside, so I guess it's a good sign that he didn't run away from me. Long story short, two days later I send the e-mail saying I had a good time and would like to go out again, and I got the "I don't see thing turning into a relationship" letter. Womp womp.
I kind of wish dating was like applying to schools where you can ask "What did I do wrong, how can I improve, etc." Because we did have a good e-mail correspondence. He did ask questions then, and kept a conversation. But then the at the brunch I felt like I was doing all the work. Where was his attempt to get to know me. Maybe he did try, and I just don't realize it. I'm almost tempted to ask what went wrong? But I feel that's pointless. Maybe it was the fact that I live kind of far away from him, maybe it's cause I'm not at the right professional point in my life, maybe it's because I live with my grandparents, maybe it's my looks. It could be a combination of things, but most of them he knew before hand. So I'm at a loss. In the end I'm not going to ask anything like that because it really doesn't matter. It's not like I can change any of those things right now.
As is life. But I have to say this all kind of reminds me of how I don't get why I'm still the most stable person of all my friends. I feel like I should be having a mental break down, but I'm not. Yet...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Limbo 2
I've been waitlisted, again.
If I may be over dramatic for a moment, lets go over the direness of the situation.
I've applied to 18 schools. I've been rejected to 11 of them. Been invited for interviews at 2. The school that I've been waitlisted at actually happens to be in my Top 4, if not number one. I need to make this happen, if not because I'm not going to get closer anywhere else.
Uggggggggh
If I may be over dramatic for a moment, lets go over the direness of the situation.
I've applied to 18 schools. I've been rejected to 11 of them. Been invited for interviews at 2. The school that I've been waitlisted at actually happens to be in my Top 4, if not number one. I need to make this happen, if not because I'm not going to get closer anywhere else.
Uggggggggh
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A New Hope
E-mailed the admissions administrator person. Asked them if I could find out about the status of my applications since I heard people had starting getting responses from my interview date. She told me that some decisions had been made and that more letters were going to be sent out next week.
Eeep.
Eeep.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Not Looking So Hot
I was on some random PA Forum website and as I predicted, people heard from the school yesterday. Well, one person said she got an e-mail saying she got in. This is not looking too good for me, since I would assume all acceptance e-mails would go out on the same day. Hell, I would even think the waitlist e-mails would have gone out yesterday too. Hopefully I'll have a definitive answers come Monday.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Waiting Game
A friend of mine who goes to the school I interviewed at told me she heard within 2 weeks of her interview. For all intents of purposes Friday would mark 2 weeks, assuming they don't give responses over the weekend. I'm also assuming they come over e-mail. The school said that it could be up to 4 weeks, but I believe they say that to all interviewees, and I'm fairly sure I was the last day of interviews, soooo I think this is further support that the response will come soon. Also, PA programs I think work closer to a non-rolling admission process, meaning they might send out acceptance letters twice per cycle, as opposed to every two weeks like medschools. This gives me hope that there are plenty of spot open.
I've also been doing some more snooping online and there seems to be a lot of negative feedback about the school. This might turn some people away from the program, but I'm not normal. I'm desperate. This news makes me ecstatic. This gives me hope that if I get waitlisted, then I still have a good shot at getting in.
This school's decision actually affects two other totally unrelated parts of my life. One being my health insurance. My parents currently pay for my health insurance and probably only allow it because it's a cheap plan. It's cheap because we pay 20% of everything. Sucks. I don't go to the doctor because of this. I would take the insurance at my job, but if I took that then I would lose the good rate that I currently have. So in the case that I had to leave my job for some reason I wouldn't get that good rate back.
If I do get into PA school, then I assume I would end up taking whatever insurance plan they offer. This would then give me the security I need to ditch my current plan, and take my job's plan. I could then do things like get my annual physical, get some specialty blood work done for hair loss at my job, get my eyes checked out (I think I'm developing night vision problems), etc.
Getting into this school would also give me some comfort in my love life. I'm currently using an online dating site (not match, and I'm also not thrilled with it), but I am "in talks" with someone. I would like to know that I'm going to school in the city that he lives in so that any future is a little more feasible, because as it is now the distance could be a problem. Commuting into the city he lives in on a daily basis would be helpful. I'm really not trying to get ahead of myself, I'm just thinking that getting into this school would also help that pursuit.
Tick tock.
I've also been doing some more snooping online and there seems to be a lot of negative feedback about the school. This might turn some people away from the program, but I'm not normal. I'm desperate. This news makes me ecstatic. This gives me hope that if I get waitlisted, then I still have a good shot at getting in.
This school's decision actually affects two other totally unrelated parts of my life. One being my health insurance. My parents currently pay for my health insurance and probably only allow it because it's a cheap plan. It's cheap because we pay 20% of everything. Sucks. I don't go to the doctor because of this. I would take the insurance at my job, but if I took that then I would lose the good rate that I currently have. So in the case that I had to leave my job for some reason I wouldn't get that good rate back.
If I do get into PA school, then I assume I would end up taking whatever insurance plan they offer. This would then give me the security I need to ditch my current plan, and take my job's plan. I could then do things like get my annual physical, get some specialty blood work done for hair loss at my job, get my eyes checked out (I think I'm developing night vision problems), etc.
Getting into this school would also give me some comfort in my love life. I'm currently using an online dating site (not match, and I'm also not thrilled with it), but I am "in talks" with someone. I would like to know that I'm going to school in the city that he lives in so that any future is a little more feasible, because as it is now the distance could be a problem. Commuting into the city he lives in on a daily basis would be helpful. I'm really not trying to get ahead of myself, I'm just thinking that getting into this school would also help that pursuit.
Tick tock.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Screw Home Owning
I go on a skiing trip for less than three days and what the fuck do I come home to? A FLOODED KITCHEN AND COLLAPSED BASEMENT CEILING, ALONG WITH SAID BASEMENT BEING FLOODED!
On top of vowing to never own a home, I'm never going to own an ice maker. The ice maker at my parents' house is a huge fucking pain in the ass, and the ice maker here at my grandparents' house is an even bigger pain in the ass. What the fuck do I need ice for WHEN IT SNOWED 5 INCHES WHILE I WAS GONE?!?!?!!?
Tomorrow, instead of waking up late and going to work at noon I get to wake up early, drive to my other grandma's house to get my parents' wet-vac, and go at the basement. I then get to move on to shoveling said 5 inches of snow.
Of course this all happens when my grandparents go to Florida, so I'm stuck taking care of this problem entirely by myself. Fuck my life.
NEVER. EVER. BUYING. A. HOUSE.
On top of vowing to never own a home, I'm never going to own an ice maker. The ice maker at my parents' house is a huge fucking pain in the ass, and the ice maker here at my grandparents' house is an even bigger pain in the ass. What the fuck do I need ice for WHEN IT SNOWED 5 INCHES WHILE I WAS GONE?!?!?!!?
Tomorrow, instead of waking up late and going to work at noon I get to wake up early, drive to my other grandma's house to get my parents' wet-vac, and go at the basement. I then get to move on to shoveling said 5 inches of snow.
Of course this all happens when my grandparents go to Florida, so I'm stuck taking care of this problem entirely by myself. Fuck my life.
NEVER. EVER. BUYING. A. HOUSE.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Note to the Women of the World
If you can handle being seen by a male doctor, then you should be able to get over the fact that I'm a male nurse. I don't know why so many women give me an attitude because I'm a guy bringing you into a room.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Status Post: Nailed
I think the interview went better than I could have hoped. The first thing they had us do was give our responses to a variety of different scenarios. I feel I did a good job at handling them. I went over my answers with my co-worker PA and she said that at her school (which is one of the top PA programs) I would have gotten high marks for my answers. Thank God that I actually have real medical experience behind me because that's exactly where I got my answers from. Most of the situations have actually happened to me, so I think the answers sound realistic.
After we filled out the scenarios we had our interviews. I had mine with two faculty members. They asked the typical questions: why do you want to be a P.A., do you think you'll work while in school, what's your support system going to be? They laughed when I responded that working during school was a crazy thought. They agreed, and I think they were happy that I knew how intense PA school is.
One question that was a kick in the gut was, "So, what do you think about your academic performance in college?" AKA, why did your grades suck? Ugh, that was a fun question to field. I told them how I wasn't too happy with my grades in school, but that I don't think it was from a lack of effort. I don't know whether it's good to say, "I worked my butt off and still got lower grades than others in my study group." But it's the truth. I told them that my first year of college I really wasn't a science major and then sophomore and junior year I thought studying by myself was best, and didn't realize until senior year that group studying is the best for me. I pointed that that even though my grades looked the same senior year as other years, the classes were actually much, much hard. So in reality I did do better once I figured out how to study.
During the interview they also asked me about one of my letters of recommendation. Evidently the letter I got from my Derm-PA, whom I've known for years, guest lectures at that school. I had actually mentioned her earlier in the interview as being the spark that got me into medicine. I'm kind of happy that they actually read my letters of recommendation, and I'm kind of shocked that they even recognized her name. I didn't think they paid such close attention. They also willingly took my updated resume and letter of recommendation from my boss. They were reading it as I was walking out. Mission Accomplished.
I think they liked my answer for what my "support group" was going to be. I told them how in college my support group was my study group. That getting together with other students was therapy in itself. They seemed to agree with me that working with other students is an effective study method and that it's a good way to keep your sanity. My co-worker later told me that the school really pushes group study, so I guess I have good answers for that.
The last part of the interview they had us do a short critical thinking exercise, which I thought was a lot of fun. After we gave our own answers we then had to work in groups of 4 and do the exercise as a team. There was an admissions person present also taking notes as we worked together. I'm fairly sure they didn't care what our answers were and were more interested in seeing how we did in a group. They then compared our answers to see whether we did better individually or as a group and everyone did better as a group. I think I successfully stood out during it, as oppose to letting everyone else in the group do all the work. But at the same time I don't think I was at all confrontational, which I feel some of the people in the group were.
They said that they give their answers within 4 weeks. I've heard they actually give it within 3 weeks. Either way it looks like I'm not going to find out the results before my other interview. I would really prefer not to go to that interview because I don't want to go to that program, but at the same time I need to nail that interview in case I don't get into this school. Ugh
After we filled out the scenarios we had our interviews. I had mine with two faculty members. They asked the typical questions: why do you want to be a P.A., do you think you'll work while in school, what's your support system going to be? They laughed when I responded that working during school was a crazy thought. They agreed, and I think they were happy that I knew how intense PA school is.
One question that was a kick in the gut was, "So, what do you think about your academic performance in college?" AKA, why did your grades suck? Ugh, that was a fun question to field. I told them how I wasn't too happy with my grades in school, but that I don't think it was from a lack of effort. I don't know whether it's good to say, "I worked my butt off and still got lower grades than others in my study group." But it's the truth. I told them that my first year of college I really wasn't a science major and then sophomore and junior year I thought studying by myself was best, and didn't realize until senior year that group studying is the best for me. I pointed that that even though my grades looked the same senior year as other years, the classes were actually much, much hard. So in reality I did do better once I figured out how to study.
During the interview they also asked me about one of my letters of recommendation. Evidently the letter I got from my Derm-PA, whom I've known for years, guest lectures at that school. I had actually mentioned her earlier in the interview as being the spark that got me into medicine. I'm kind of happy that they actually read my letters of recommendation, and I'm kind of shocked that they even recognized her name. I didn't think they paid such close attention. They also willingly took my updated resume and letter of recommendation from my boss. They were reading it as I was walking out. Mission Accomplished.
I think they liked my answer for what my "support group" was going to be. I told them how in college my support group was my study group. That getting together with other students was therapy in itself. They seemed to agree with me that working with other students is an effective study method and that it's a good way to keep your sanity. My co-worker later told me that the school really pushes group study, so I guess I have good answers for that.
The last part of the interview they had us do a short critical thinking exercise, which I thought was a lot of fun. After we gave our own answers we then had to work in groups of 4 and do the exercise as a team. There was an admissions person present also taking notes as we worked together. I'm fairly sure they didn't care what our answers were and were more interested in seeing how we did in a group. They then compared our answers to see whether we did better individually or as a group and everyone did better as a group. I think I successfully stood out during it, as oppose to letting everyone else in the group do all the work. But at the same time I don't think I was at all confrontational, which I feel some of the people in the group were.
They said that they give their answers within 4 weeks. I've heard they actually give it within 3 weeks. Either way it looks like I'm not going to find out the results before my other interview. I would really prefer not to go to that interview because I don't want to go to that program, but at the same time I need to nail that interview in case I don't get into this school. Ugh
Monday, January 05, 2009
Got to nail it!
I'm getting pumped for this interview. I'm planning on SLAUGHTERING IT!!! I WILL NOT FAIL!!!!!!!!(!!!!)
I asked my boss to write me a letter of recommendation for the interview and he did so in record time. I couldn't even believe it. He had me read it and I thought it was good. But according to everyone in my family it's an amazing letter. My mom in a Clinical Psych Intern and currently working on evaluating Intern Applicants and she said that his letter has no "loop holes" and that you can't read bad things between the lines.
I asked the school I'm interviewing at how they would like me to submit this letter, and they told me that they only consider the three letters and recommendation that were sent in with my CASPA application. HORSE SHIT!
The letters they have are so old. My entire application is old. It was submitted in August and I've done a lot since August. If they think I'm going to sit around until next August to show them what I've done since last August they have another thing coming. I'm going to shove that letter and updated resume down their throats!
I asked my boss to write me a letter of recommendation for the interview and he did so in record time. I couldn't even believe it. He had me read it and I thought it was good. But according to everyone in my family it's an amazing letter. My mom in a Clinical Psych Intern and currently working on evaluating Intern Applicants and she said that his letter has no "loop holes" and that you can't read bad things between the lines.
I asked the school I'm interviewing at how they would like me to submit this letter, and they told me that they only consider the three letters and recommendation that were sent in with my CASPA application. HORSE SHIT!
The letters they have are so old. My entire application is old. It was submitted in August and I've done a lot since August. If they think I'm going to sit around until next August to show them what I've done since last August they have another thing coming. I'm going to shove that letter and updated resume down their throats!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Graduate College
Become a full-time worker, with benefits
Become an EMT
Join multiple dating websites
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember if I made an resolutions. This year I've already started my resolution to force myself to try to meet people by joining a dating website, 3 months prepaid.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My best friend in the whole world, my puppy/baby Trevor.
5. What countries did you visit?
No foreign countries, even though California was pretty different.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A relationship, admission to a graduate school.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 11th, the day Trev-trev died. Consequently, I'll remember it secondarily as my college graduation.
I also keep remembering Sept 16 as the day I started work.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating college.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to save puppy. God, he just ran this year didn't he. Tears stay back!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No real illnesses or injury. Although this was the first time in a long long time I wasn't sick in the middle of Decemeber, coincidentally it's also the first time in a long long time I didn't have major exams in December.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iMac.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My college friends who got me through the long haul in my last semester.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My college adviser for showing such blatant favoritism toward his female advisees, and over looking me over at alumni weekend when I was standing right next to my female friends who he readily acknowledged.
14. Where did most of your money go?
California trip - totally worth it.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
NEW YEARS EVE: DECEMEBER 31, 2008!!!! I'm SO EXCITED FOR TONIGHT'S FESTIVITIES!!!
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Disturbia, Womanizer and Low. Basically because these were the songs that I always went around singing and people clearly connect me to these songs. Singing at work.. singing while dissecting... Although, I'll probably forget what year they came out.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) Much happier, because work is so much better than school.
b) Probably about the same weight.
c) Richer, although it's debatable.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Go to the gym.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
It was spent with family and friends the same way it has always been spent.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope.
22. How many one-night stands?
Zero. Le sigh, it would probably do me good.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Battlestar Galactica
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
My former college adviser. I might have been close to hating him last year.
25. What was the best book you read?
Freakonomics
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
DISTURBIAAAAAA
27. What did you want and get?
An iMac.
28. What did you want and not get?
LOST on DVD. Seriously, it was the only thing I consistently told people I wanted for Christmas and it's like the easiest thing to get too.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Batman: The Dark Knight
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was in Vermont with friends. I turned 22. But people still consistently guessed my age as being much older.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My dog being healthy.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
A continually step away from things like American Eagle, Abercrombie and anything like it. I totally succeeded.
33. What kept you sane?
Generally I'm the one keeping other people sane. I really am the only thing that keeps myself sane.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't like celebrities.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8.
36. Who did you miss?
Someone that I missed for the entirety of 2008? I don't think there was anyone. Must I really keep saying how much I miss my damn dog? I think you get the point.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
My friends from EMT class and work.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I'm not sure if I really just learned this this year, but I finally took my own advice. I stopped trying to plan a million steps into the future and started just "throwing shit against the wall and to see what sticks." I became a lot less stressed because of this.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I don't know have any relevant lyrics. I just god around screaming DISTURBIA!!!!
This Meme was stolen from Dr. K
Graduate College
Become a full-time worker, with benefits
Become an EMT
Join multiple dating websites
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember if I made an resolutions. This year I've already started my resolution to force myself to try to meet people by joining a dating website, 3 months prepaid.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My best friend in the whole world, my puppy/baby Trevor.
5. What countries did you visit?
No foreign countries, even though California was pretty different.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A relationship, admission to a graduate school.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 11th, the day Trev-trev died. Consequently, I'll remember it secondarily as my college graduation.
I also keep remembering Sept 16 as the day I started work.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating college.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to save puppy. God, he just ran this year didn't he. Tears stay back!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No real illnesses or injury. Although this was the first time in a long long time I wasn't sick in the middle of Decemeber, coincidentally it's also the first time in a long long time I didn't have major exams in December.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iMac.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My college friends who got me through the long haul in my last semester.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My college adviser for showing such blatant favoritism toward his female advisees, and over looking me over at alumni weekend when I was standing right next to my female friends who he readily acknowledged.
14. Where did most of your money go?
California trip - totally worth it.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
NEW YEARS EVE: DECEMEBER 31, 2008!!!! I'm SO EXCITED FOR TONIGHT'S FESTIVITIES!!!
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Disturbia, Womanizer and Low. Basically because these were the songs that I always went around singing and people clearly connect me to these songs. Singing at work.. singing while dissecting... Although, I'll probably forget what year they came out.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) Much happier, because work is so much better than school.
b) Probably about the same weight.
c) Richer, although it's debatable.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Go to the gym.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
It was spent with family and friends the same way it has always been spent.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope.
22. How many one-night stands?
Zero. Le sigh, it would probably do me good.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Battlestar Galactica
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
My former college adviser. I might have been close to hating him last year.
25. What was the best book you read?
Freakonomics
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
DISTURBIAAAAAA
27. What did you want and get?
An iMac.
28. What did you want and not get?
LOST on DVD. Seriously, it was the only thing I consistently told people I wanted for Christmas and it's like the easiest thing to get too.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Batman: The Dark Knight
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was in Vermont with friends. I turned 22. But people still consistently guessed my age as being much older.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My dog being healthy.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
A continually step away from things like American Eagle, Abercrombie and anything like it. I totally succeeded.
33. What kept you sane?
Generally I'm the one keeping other people sane. I really am the only thing that keeps myself sane.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't like celebrities.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8.
36. Who did you miss?
Someone that I missed for the entirety of 2008? I don't think there was anyone. Must I really keep saying how much I miss my damn dog? I think you get the point.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
My friends from EMT class and work.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I'm not sure if I really just learned this this year, but I finally took my own advice. I stopped trying to plan a million steps into the future and started just "throwing shit against the wall and to see what sticks." I became a lot less stressed because of this.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I don't know have any relevant lyrics. I just god around screaming DISTURBIA!!!!
This Meme was stolen from Dr. K
Saturday, December 27, 2008
That Guy
As I've previously said I'm one of the few males at my job - the only other being the physician.
Everyday the nursing staff takes lots of phone calls attempting to answer any question, relaying messages from providers, calling in prescriptions, etc. With so many calls being made, which often involve lots of people, mistakes are bound to happen. I'm not talking about life threatening mistakes. Mistakes like telling a patient a prescription was mailed to their house, and it never really getting done.
This happen to me today. Last Saturday a patient called saying they left a prescription at the office and wanted to know what they should do about it since they only have a 7 day window to fill the prescription. I hadn't worked that Saturday and asked the staff what was going on. I was told that the prescription had been mailed to her house and that she should keep her eyes peeled.
Today that patient came into the office. But first there were a number of messages from her saying she never got the prescription in the mail like the guy told her. So she came into the office, we updated her registration and she was given a new prescription. Of course she had to go on a little rant how the guy had told her that everything had been taken care of and that she saw the guy walking around the office today.
We get the point. You spoke to me and the information I provided you with was faulty.
This clearly was not my fault. Many times the faulty information we give patients is a pure accident and most of the time it doesn't come back to bite people in the ass because if the patient hears a female's voice they don't bother trying to place it. But when they hear a male voice, all of a sudden they make a mental note about it. So often patients call saying, "I spoke that THAT GUY and he told me..." This sucks cause anything I do wrong ALWAYS comes back to me, whereas if one of my female counterparts makes the same mistake it disappears.
Even patients that I've never met before know who I am. Everyone recognizes the 6'4'' male nurse in the office. When I introduce myself to new patients they often say, "Oh yeah I've seen you around the office before." Are people checking me out? Or is it simply because I'm the guy nurse? God knows the patients can easily talk about me outside of the office.
On the plus side any nice things that people want to say are easily traced back to me, which I think is more often the case. We have a little survey on the back of the check-out sheets asking patients to rate our performance. Patients rarely ever write negative things, but patients can easily write in who their nurse was because when they ask the front desk who that guy was, there's only me.
Everyday the nursing staff takes lots of phone calls attempting to answer any question, relaying messages from providers, calling in prescriptions, etc. With so many calls being made, which often involve lots of people, mistakes are bound to happen. I'm not talking about life threatening mistakes. Mistakes like telling a patient a prescription was mailed to their house, and it never really getting done.
This happen to me today. Last Saturday a patient called saying they left a prescription at the office and wanted to know what they should do about it since they only have a 7 day window to fill the prescription. I hadn't worked that Saturday and asked the staff what was going on. I was told that the prescription had been mailed to her house and that she should keep her eyes peeled.
Today that patient came into the office. But first there were a number of messages from her saying she never got the prescription in the mail like the guy told her. So she came into the office, we updated her registration and she was given a new prescription. Of course she had to go on a little rant how the guy had told her that everything had been taken care of and that she saw the guy walking around the office today.
We get the point. You spoke to me and the information I provided you with was faulty.
This clearly was not my fault. Many times the faulty information we give patients is a pure accident and most of the time it doesn't come back to bite people in the ass because if the patient hears a female's voice they don't bother trying to place it. But when they hear a male voice, all of a sudden they make a mental note about it. So often patients call saying, "I spoke that THAT GUY and he told me..." This sucks cause anything I do wrong ALWAYS comes back to me, whereas if one of my female counterparts makes the same mistake it disappears.
Even patients that I've never met before know who I am. Everyone recognizes the 6'4'' male nurse in the office. When I introduce myself to new patients they often say, "Oh yeah I've seen you around the office before." Are people checking me out? Or is it simply because I'm the guy nurse? God knows the patients can easily talk about me outside of the office.
On the plus side any nice things that people want to say are easily traced back to me, which I think is more often the case. We have a little survey on the back of the check-out sheets asking patients to rate our performance. Patients rarely ever write negative things, but patients can easily write in who their nurse was because when they ask the front desk who that guy was, there's only me.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
!!!
What e-mail do I get at 1:30AM? An e-mail saying I have an interview at one of my top choice schools!!!!!!!!
More later. Time for bed.
More later. Time for bed.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Nervous Breakdown?
Last year I kept a running tally of the number of schools I applied to and outcomes. I didn't do that with the PA schools. This may leave some of you feeling left in the dark. Allow me to shed a little light on my current situation.
Total number of programs applied: 18
Yes, that number is 1 - 8. States included NY, NJ, PA, CT, ME, MA, CA, MD
Total number of rejections: 10
Some of these came very quickly. Pennsylvania sent them out especially quickly. I think I only have like one active application left in that state out of 4 total. I suspect that I'm basically never going to hear from many of the remaining schools. That's what happened with most of the DO schools I applied to. I never got a letter saying what their decision was - the epitome of rude.
Total number of interview requests: 1
Yes, I know. This is really pathetic. I'm especially disappointed with this interview because I just found out I could only get a Certificate, as opposed to the Bachelors that I thought I would get. I'm not sure if this matters though in the grand scheme, since I already have a bachelors. I'm okay with the idea of getting a Masters later on in life. In fact I plan on getting it in something cool like Evolution.
Some people seem to be more frustrated with the state of things than I am. And I found out that people are even tip-toeing around the issue cause they think I might have a breakdown in front of them. This is not the case. My mental stability has been keep intact. I'm not totally discouraged, although I must admit I don't know why. I feel like I should be discouraged between the medschool and PA application saga, but I'm not. I think it's simply because I do have a job that I like.
So I wonder, do nervous breakdowns come out of nowhere or do people see them coming? The transition between applying to medschool and PA school went smoothly because I realized I wanted to be a PA. I had structure in life because there was a structured application cycle. I require structure in my life. It's the Capricorn in me. I told myself after college that I was going to stop trying to plan everything in my life, and I did, and I was happy. But I feel myself regressing back to those ways. I need to figure out wtf I'm going to do if I don't get into a program.
I feel there is no point in reapplying to PA school, unless I retake classes. To be honest, I do not want to retake classes. I just don't want to put myself through that. I don't want to work full-time and take classes. But really, it's more about retaking the classes, than it is about an overtime schedule. Some say that I should reapply simply because now I'm working full-time and have that experience under my belt, but I don't think it's enough to do the trick.
So I need to figure out my next goal. But at the same time I need to avoid the obsessive-compulsive way I use to attack things. If I go OCD again, then I will have a nervous breakdown.
I'm thinking the natural thing to go for next is nursing. There are attractive 15 month accelerated programs I can apply to. I can then go about getting an NP. But again, they require A+P and I don't want to go through that fiasco of retaking classes because they don't accept the A+P I took. Should this be the case though then I'm going to suck it up, take two months off from my job and take A+P over the summer.
Now even though going for nursing would give me a nice little goal which may keep me sane there is still the fact that I DON'T WANT TO BE A NURSE.
So when I consider the fact that I don't want to be a nurse I think about jobs I would enjoy. I do enjoy teaching biology. Should I be a HS teacher? But I don't want to have to get a masters in education. Plus, I don't know if I would actually enjoy teaching high schoolers. Teach college?
Should I try for a PhD? Thinking about this just hurts my head. Taking Subject GREs, researching school programs that I don't know anything about, and then doing research when I don't even like research. And then there is the pay which isn't what I'm aiming for, especially for a job that isn't in my first field of choice. Ugh.
Why couldn't I just have done better in school so I wouldn't be in this situation? I almost wish it was because I didn't try hard enough.
Total number of programs applied: 18
Yes, that number is 1 - 8. States included NY, NJ, PA, CT, ME, MA, CA, MD
Total number of rejections: 10
Some of these came very quickly. Pennsylvania sent them out especially quickly. I think I only have like one active application left in that state out of 4 total. I suspect that I'm basically never going to hear from many of the remaining schools. That's what happened with most of the DO schools I applied to. I never got a letter saying what their decision was - the epitome of rude.
Total number of interview requests: 1
Yes, I know. This is really pathetic. I'm especially disappointed with this interview because I just found out I could only get a Certificate, as opposed to the Bachelors that I thought I would get. I'm not sure if this matters though in the grand scheme, since I already have a bachelors. I'm okay with the idea of getting a Masters later on in life. In fact I plan on getting it in something cool like Evolution.
Some people seem to be more frustrated with the state of things than I am. And I found out that people are even tip-toeing around the issue cause they think I might have a breakdown in front of them. This is not the case. My mental stability has been keep intact. I'm not totally discouraged, although I must admit I don't know why. I feel like I should be discouraged between the medschool and PA application saga, but I'm not. I think it's simply because I do have a job that I like.
So I wonder, do nervous breakdowns come out of nowhere or do people see them coming? The transition between applying to medschool and PA school went smoothly because I realized I wanted to be a PA. I had structure in life because there was a structured application cycle. I require structure in my life. It's the Capricorn in me. I told myself after college that I was going to stop trying to plan everything in my life, and I did, and I was happy. But I feel myself regressing back to those ways. I need to figure out wtf I'm going to do if I don't get into a program.
I feel there is no point in reapplying to PA school, unless I retake classes. To be honest, I do not want to retake classes. I just don't want to put myself through that. I don't want to work full-time and take classes. But really, it's more about retaking the classes, than it is about an overtime schedule. Some say that I should reapply simply because now I'm working full-time and have that experience under my belt, but I don't think it's enough to do the trick.
So I need to figure out my next goal. But at the same time I need to avoid the obsessive-compulsive way I use to attack things. If I go OCD again, then I will have a nervous breakdown.
I'm thinking the natural thing to go for next is nursing. There are attractive 15 month accelerated programs I can apply to. I can then go about getting an NP. But again, they require A+P and I don't want to go through that fiasco of retaking classes because they don't accept the A+P I took. Should this be the case though then I'm going to suck it up, take two months off from my job and take A+P over the summer.
Now even though going for nursing would give me a nice little goal which may keep me sane there is still the fact that I DON'T WANT TO BE A NURSE.
So when I consider the fact that I don't want to be a nurse I think about jobs I would enjoy. I do enjoy teaching biology. Should I be a HS teacher? But I don't want to have to get a masters in education. Plus, I don't know if I would actually enjoy teaching high schoolers. Teach college?
Should I try for a PhD? Thinking about this just hurts my head. Taking Subject GREs, researching school programs that I don't know anything about, and then doing research when I don't even like research. And then there is the pay which isn't what I'm aiming for, especially for a job that isn't in my first field of choice. Ugh.
Why couldn't I just have done better in school so I wouldn't be in this situation? I almost wish it was because I didn't try hard enough.
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