Week 2 Complete!

Here's the scoop, the 1 st week of school was hectic because there were two portions of the body we went through on the 1st day of class.  Overall, felt overwhelming of course.  My classmates and I have already began to study in groups, even though in the beginning most of us were studying independently.  The quiz was an eye opener for everyone because we learned how exam/quiz questions will be presented. It's no different from learning from that 1st exam in undergrad., but with a bit more spice. 

The first exam is going to be next week, and it touches on topics ranging from back muscles, their innervations, and vessels.  Shoulder, Axilla, Arm, Forearm, Hand, and Thorax....lots of info indeed. 

" Running and Gunning "

Finally It's Here!! The 1st Day of School!!!

Ya know, the day was strenous, in only that the information was a lot.  The information in general wasn't that hard.  It was interesting to finally get a course load, and I think my classmates were happy with the day as well.  I spoke with several of them, and the concensus is that it's do able.  I'm very excited to start though, and the day was a bit tiresome because we sat in Anat. for 8 hrs!! lol  The professors were cool and easy going.  After the day was over though I can't lie, I hit the bed for an hr! Haha, it freaking drained me!  My fellow classmates can concur, and most of them shot off to the library to attempt to retain the material, some went to the gym,  and some went home.  I myself, went to the YMCA in the Medical Center for about 45 minutes, got home, showered and cooked.  I attempted to lay down for about 45 mins, but had to call family to inform them about my day. 

From about 8pm onward I studied, and today in lecture we went over the vertebrae with the nervous system intertwined throughout it.  There is a lot to know already, and tomorrow we are already going to the NEXT subject! Haha, the shoulders!  It's like Mach 2 on the European Audoban. 

My studying mostly consist of lecturing myself aloud on a dry-erase board.  It's a great way to retain the material because if you can teach it, then you have learned it.  Although, it is silly thinking about how I'm talking to myself aloud.  Maybe an invisible patient could work for imaginative purposes! lol


Here's the thing though, for my followers and future PA-C students,  you have to remember that we are here as students a couple reasons.

1.) We WANT to be here.  We are passionate, dedicated, and fortified by our inner spirits to improve the human condition.  All 45 of us have the vision of becoming a PA-C!

2.)  The faculty and staff know what they are doing when it comes to selection.  They wouldn't have selected you as a student hadn't they known your potential to handle to program.

So, for those of you that are worried about the intensity of the program, just remember " Pain is Temporary, Quitting is Forever. " In all actuality, 27 months will seriously fly, especially when your so busy.  This material isn't nuclear phyics, and with that being said, all you need is the " Eye of The Tiger " to climb the mountain. 

The heat will crank up in the kitchen of PA school I'm sure, but I don't think I'm understating the program because I've spoken with numerous 2nd yr students who have been through it all.  They all have the same advice, and that is to complete the 1st semester successfully, even though tough, and you will be fine the rest of the forth coming semesters. 

" Attitude is everything, pick a good one. "

Michael S. Hill PA-S

Orientation Yesterday!

Yesterday's orientation was an eye opener, but the seeds for friendship and perserverance throughout the program were planted needless to say.  Beside being a very long day, 08:00a - 05:00p, I had lots of fun during the orientation.  Breakfast and lunch were provided, and there was lots of tid bits of information to understand, everything from becoming HIPAA certified, the Graduate Studies Resources being available to us, the PA Program resources that are available, emergency contacts, obtaining ID's, meeting with professors, touring the campus, asking lots of questions, and like already said, establishing a bond with classmates.  There was even a 2nd yr student there to give the class insight into what to expect, also to make sure we take advantage of the academic resources that are available in regards to the Academic Enrichemnt Center ( AEC ).  This center is a place to collaborate with fellow students on varying subjects.  We can start tutor group sessions, and tweek varying study habits that may be causing conflict with our performance. 

Overall, that day was the spark for ignition to what is to be our FIRST SEMESTER!  CHEERS TO THAT! The flame will ignite Monday Aug. 20th. Some of my classmates are going to hang 10 for an evening at one of the local bar and grills tomorrow.  I'm extremely happy that my fellow colleagues are open to friendships, and are just as compassionate, motivated, and determined as I am in becoming a future PA-C!

" Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision."  Muhammad Ali

Coming Close To The Beginning....

         Well, I am excatly 10 days out from the beginning of my journey to becoming a PA.  I'm both anxious and nervous because there will be  soo much to learn!  In 2 yrs I will be practicing with 3rd and 4th yr medical students, and that's difficult to grasp that concept.  There will be loads of information blasted my way, I ran into a 1 st yr student of the program, and she described it as standing in a hurricane, and I think I stated this already, but since time is nearing it is becoming more and more surreal.
         Exactly 9 days ago though I was playing a local soccer match, and hurt my left knee.  I made an appt. with my PCP, and we ruled out a fx luckily.  It has taken some time now to heal, but I'm glad that I will not need surgery.  The injury has put a damner on all physical activity to include fishing, which I love to do.  I brought my kayak, and now I won't even have the opportunity to use it.  So I'm kinda down about that.
          I have talked to one of my classmates over the phone, as he wanted to just get in touch and make sure our rendevouz for a meet n greet were still set, and in a wk I will be attending.  I'm really ready to start making connections with my classmates and  to begin a strong friendship between everyone.  The program has a saying, there are no " Islands ", which basically means there is no " I " in " Team ". 
        We made a FB group and have over half the class on board, but there is still about 10 or so that have not joined, so I'm assuming they don't have an account with FB. 
         Again, I have spent some time hear and there skimming through my A&P book familiarizing myself with basic concepts so it hopefully lessens the strains when crunch time starts!  I know for a fact that I will be typing away at this blog when school starts, and I will fill you in on the goods throughout the program.

" You miss All the Shots you don't take "

PA News Update!!!

Forbes Ranks Physician Assistant Studies as Top Master’s Degree for Long-Term Employment Opportunity

2012-06-11

Majority of PAs are female as the profession grows
Alexandria, VA — Forbes again named physician assistant studies the single best master’s degree for the third year in a row, citing the profession’s favorable outlook for salary and long-term employment.
“The continued recognition from Forbes is a welcome one for our profession because PAs increase access to quality, coordinated healthcare in virtually every medical setting and specialty,” said James Delaney, PA-C, president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. “Whether we work as administrators, clinicians or educators, there are limitless opportunities for the more than 84,000 certified PAs in transforming our nation’s healthcare.”
To meet the continuous demand for PA services, industry experts estimate that by 2025, there will be 189 PA programs and more than 127,000 PAs in the healthcare workforce. Currently, 6,000 PAs enter the workforce each year after graduating from the 164 programs around the country.
Newly released data from the AAPA 2011 Census shows that the profession, already 61 percent female, is going to continue the trend. Of those PAs entering the workforce annually, 75 percent are female, and data shows that male PAs are retiring at a faster rate.
The average PA education program is 27 months long and is modeled on the medical school curriculum — a combination of classroom and clinical instruction. Admission to PA school is highly competitive. Applicants to PA programs must complete at least two years of college courses in basic and behavioral science as prerequisites, analogous to premedical studies required of medical students. PA education includes instruction in numerous core sciences, as well as more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations.


   For me, this is the incentive to grind out PA school and begin a wonderful career! It's pretty special when your profession is recognized as having the best longevity when it comes to careers, especially by Forbes for 3 yrs in a row.  Again, it makes me even more thirsty to become a PA. The road to becoming one is going to begin 25 days from today! Till then!

" Hardwork & Dedication " - Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather

PA News Update!!!

Study Indicates No Wage Gap Between Female PAs and MDs in Primary Care

2012-07-19

James Potter, senior vice president, advocacy and operations
A new study by two Yale economists indicates that there is little difference in hourly career earnings between female PAs and that of female MDs in primary care. The research entitled, “Are Women Over-investing in Education? Evidence from the Medical Profession” by M. Keith Chen and Judith A. Chevalier was featured in a Forbes.com article by Gergana Koleva and published this month in the Journal of Human Capital. The analysis factored in the economic and time costs of completing medical school and residency training versus a typical two-year physician assistant program, the existing gender gap in post-degree earnings, and the tendency for women physicians to reduce work hours when they have children.

The Yale study argues that unless women physicians plan to work consistently more than 40 hours a week, there was little difference between the hourly career earnings of female physicians and those of female PAs in primary care medicine. In fact, the analysis suggests that the women PAs earn slightly more over the course of their careers.

The study used an economic measure known as net present value (NPV) to determine whether a long-term venture such as a medical career is worth the investment. The career NPV of women becoming a primary care physician was found to be about $1.67 million, whereas the career NPV for women becoming a PA in primary care was about $1.68 million.

The economists found that the career NPV of a male physician was significantly above that of a male PA in primary care medicine. Their analysis reported that the career NPV of a male primary care physician was about $2.3 million, while the career NPV for a male PA in primary care averaged $1.9 million.

         This is a great look for female practicioners! Who would have thunk!? I personally believe that when I get out in 2yrs I want to work super hard while I'm young, as I will be 25 yrs old. I would like to have a hectic work week so I can grab the experience, and the money which will soon come after.

         On a side note, I'm assuming that the female PA's are working a tad harder than the MD's, and what I mean by that is that  they are accumalating more hours per week, as stated by the article. So yes they are making more, but I wish men could say the same!! lol For males the difference between the PA and the MD is around $400,000 in NPV. That's a house, among many other things!

Long Time No Type!

Well, it's finally about to happen! I have moved to my new town of Study. In Ohio by the way, and have completed all of my vaccinations and the physical prior matriculation.  I was able to join my group of classmates on a facebook page that one of them made. I' m super excited to begin.  I know that there shouldn't be a hurry to enter a hurricane, but I'm just ready to grow and start practicing. After all, it's only going to be 2 yrs of school!  I was leaving the student health center after recieving a PPD shot and actually ran into one of the 1st yr PA students who had one thing to say. " It's a Hurricane".  The program assigned me a summer reading project, and was told to read the book called, " Study Without Stress". ( by Eugenia G. Kelman & Kathleen C. Straker )  The author talks about condensing your notes, and having ample time to self - test. Also, it's all about time management. I'm actually getting some use out of the book though, and I would encourage future students to obtain a copy!

I've mostly been super busy furnishing my apartment, and getting my utilities set up. I just put my Internet up today, and have also installed a wireless router coupled with my modem.  It wasn't as hard a set as I thought it would be.  I started looking over some anatomy throughout the day as well.  I thought it was interesting to read over stuff here and there. It's wild how much you can actually remember.  Orientation begins August 15th and school begins the 20 th. INCEPTION!

Until then, I beleive I will enjoy what this town has to offer, and will make sure to attempt some fishing in my spare time. I looked into joining the University gym or Rec. Cntr, but I can't untill school starts unfortunately!  The will be a PA NEWS UPDATE!! Tomorrow a.m! Stay tuned!

" Keep a sense a humor, especially about yourself, it is a power above all measure. "