Sutures. Who doesn't want to learn sutures? Anyone who is in the medical profession gets excited when it comes to learning sutures. I really enjoyed this class.

Last week, we were taught how to suture two pieces of masking tape together. I am sure some of you in PA school are saying, "What? masking tape? What about pigs feet or chickens?" Supposedly, previous students at my school had mentioned to the faculty that they would have liked to have more practice on sutures before rotations. So, they decided to start making those changes with my class.

We learned a simple interrupted suture and a simple running suture. We also learned one handed tie and a two handed tie. I took two pictures for your blog enjoyment. The first one is of my first run of sutures. You may not be able to tell but they accidentally gave me clear sutures then I switched to black. The next picture is of the whole setup and her first run. Thanks to my neighbor in class. Big shout out to her! :)

By the way, we will be practicing later on within the semester on pigs feet. ;) Just haven't gotten there yet.

This is one of the main questions I get asked by students who interview at my school, but also my readers. So I figured I would blog on it. :)

For of you that do read, thanks for reading the blog! I really appreciate it and I am so glad that you do "follow me" through this journey of mine.

Being that my school is a satellite school, it was one of my concerns also. All of the professors are not teaching from miami. They switch back and forth all the time. Some days we can just have lectures here in st pete and some days they may just be in miami..but a lot of times they are mixed (mostly mixed 80% of the time). It really depends on the classes. This 2nd semester we have had a lot more professors speak here (in st pete). Sometimes though, professors from Miami will drive down and lecture from st. pete or vice versa. They do that so we get a chance to meet with them in person.

I don't feel like I am at a disadvantage because if I do have a question, I can also ask the prof via satellite. Then, if I didn't get the chance to ask him/her, then I can always email the professor which they are all pretty swift at returning a response.

I would say the hardest thing about satellite is-- sometimes if they are teaching in miami, it's hard to keep your focus on the lecture because they aren't standing right in front of you. You just have to press through it and keep focus as hard as you can.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask me! I hope you continue to read the blog and I hope it helps you!

I can't sleep right now. In the back of my mind, I know I need to start going to bed earlier since school will be starting up again on the 10th. I don't even stay up this late when I am IN school.

I can't believe time is winding down and soon, I will be in full swing for the semester. 16 weeks, then another 10 for summer, then rotations-YIKES! In 8 short months I will be rotating which is so hard to believe. I wonder what knowledge and progression this semester will lead me to? I know we will start to learn casting, and venipuncture, and suturing this upcoming semester. I bought my suture supplies today off of amazon so I can practice.

I wonder, once I am out of school, how well the total 27 months will prepare me for the real world? I know that being a PA will be an ongoing learning process for the rest of my life. I have no doubt about that. However, I really wonder what my first job out of school will be, how well will I be at it, will I cave under pressure, will the doctor trust and rely on me? All these questions run through my mind.

I can only hope that I will be a compassionate, empathetic PA who listens to her patients and takes the time to help them. I don't want to just be good at my profession, but someone the doctor and patients can trust and rely on and keeping a smile on my face the whole time while doing just that.

I am sure some of you are wondering what the title has to do with PA school. Hopefully, I can express my feelings well enough that will tie it all together.

Since PA school, I am amazed by the friendships I have lost but also gained. I had friends going into school that I figured would give me the most support-- only to find they really could care less. Or, they would say "well, I figured you were so busy that you wouldn't have time to talk." PA school is busy, but it doesn't mean I don't have time for friends or to sit down and talk. It's sad that friends disappear when you become busy with something like PA school. Do I like studying all the time..No. Do I have to study all the time? Yes. Is this a time where I need friends and support the most? It sure is.

My father and mother always said that I will go through life only being able to count my closest friends on one hand. I truly believe that. These are not just friends you can call up on a whim. But, friends that you can trust with out a doubt and who will be there for you through the good and bad times.

In November, I was going through some personal stuff in my life. I fortunately have made one good friend in my class who I can trust with out a doubt. You see, most of the people in my class are married or have significant others so they spend their time with their significant others. I was fortunate to have my friend by my side. She listened to me cry, listened to me complain, did her best to make me laugh and I am so thankful for her.

Lastly, I also have to thank my family. Family will always be there for you. Even when those friendships do dissolve. They have supported me through PA school every step of the way so far.

Wednesday the 16th was the end of my first semester. I can't believe it. The semester really did fly by. I stayed strong through the semester, but by the time finals week came around, I was just exhausted. Finals week we had 5 finals in three days. 2 on Monday, 1 on Tuesday, and 2 on Wednesday. The last few weeks of school were busy. I was studying for exams and also decided to participate in the Nutcracker. I didn't think I would be able to dance while I was in PA school, but I made the time to do it and I am happy that I did. It feels good just to get out on the stage and forget about anatomy and physiology for a while. Dancing in general just makes me happy.

Next semester consists of:

Pharmacology II
Medical Pathophysiology
Human Behavior and Psyche
Physical Diagnosis II
Surgical Principles
Genetics
Trilogy course which consists of OB-GYN, Geriatrics, and Peds

There are 16 weeks in the 2nd semester and 10 weeks in the summer semester. I know it is going to go by fast, but I am prepared for the road ahead of me. The 2nd years say the rotation year is much much better. I have enjoyed this semester...ok maybe not so much the 45 exams, but I have enjoyed learning a lot of it.

Right now we are on holiday break which we get 3 weeks total. It is a really nice break but I am already feeling anxious like I should be studying for something. I am trying not to think about it by just spending time with my family. My sister and her husband came down from Chicago with my two nephews. One nephew is 3 years old and the other just turned 3 months today. It is the first time I have met my youngest nephew who is such a sweetheart.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season and a merry christmas. Lets all remember what this holiday is about! Below is a picture of my baby nephew and me. :)

We are more than halfway through our exams. Exam #27 occurred today. For the next few weeks, we all will be breathing and living neuroanatomy, anatomy and physiology. Our next 6 exams are in these subjects. I believe we have 18 exams left until the end of the semester which makes me very excited because in October alone we had 14 exams so I believe I can handle these next 18 exams.

I have decided that since I have some downtime (yes only some) and that I will be performing in "Experimental Dance" at University of Tampa. This is a show I have done since my freshman year and even the last two years as an alumni. I am so so excited to be doing this show and even choreographing a piece. My piece is inspired by my grandmother who is suffering from Alzheimers disease. The movement in the dance will often repeat itself but will have one aspect that will always change- much like an Alzheimers patient. The music also has strong notes and soft notes which represents the mood swings that comes with Alzheimers but also the ups and downs that come along with a family member that suffers from this disease.

The music I am using is from Yiruma, "River Flows In You" if you all are interested in hearing the music. :) I will try to put up the video from the actual performance which is happening on November 12th.

I basically have one rehearsal to teach two other girls this piece within a four hour time frame, which I am hoping I can get it all done in that time and have it looking the way I want. I am so excited!



The picture above is me dancing to a piece in 2009

First I want to apologize for not updating this since school started. When I started this blog, I wanted to journal every day..while I am sure it is possible, and I have seen it done, it's not possible for me. My sincerest apologies for not updating this sooner.

I am in my 6th week of PA school. So far, we have had 14 tests. This month alone we have 14 tests. We have 5 exams next week alone. School keeps me busy but I am still trying to fit in as much "free time" as possible to give me time to keep me sane. PAs that have been through school have always said study study study. However, they also mention to still take time and do things that are fun and for yourself. Yesterday alone was a 12 hour school day for me, and then we had a big neuroanatomy test today. A fellow classmate and I studied from about 9pm to 2:15am, then slept, and woke back up at 6. This would probably be the least amount of sleep I have gotten in the semester thus far.

PA school is hard, and you do study a lot, but it is do-able. There have been some times that I thought I couldn't jam my brain with any more information. However, I also know that I want to LEARN the information so it stays in my brain. I am not studying to cram or memorize to just forget about it 2 weeks later--Each test builds on the previous one.

For those pre-PAs out there who read this, I will give you an idea of what our week consists of.
Mondays: 10-5 Physical Diagnosis, Physiology, and Microbiology
Tuesdays: 9-9pm Anatomy, Problem based learning, PA role, and anatomy Lab
Wednesdays-Pharmacology, Neuro, physiology (we are just finishing up pharmacology for the semester so we are gaining some time there).
Thursday: 9-4 Anatomy and Physical Diagnosis Lab
Friday 9-12 (half day!) Anatomy and Microbiology

Our weeks are definitely busy, so it leaves for all of your free time to study. I study with a group of girls normally. For me, studying with a group helps because we are able to not only quiz each other, but sometimes, one of us may forget to study a certain aspect of what we are being quizzed on. Our tests are online, normally around 30-50 questions and timed. We get a minute and half per question, just like you would on the PANCE board exam.

I hope everyone is getting some great interview dates and maybe I will be seeing some people soon!

Stay strong, and stay focused!! If you are meant to be in PA school, it will happen!