Wednesdays are dedicated to the operating room. Since I work two 24-hour shifts per week, I average about 1-2 Wednesdays a month. There is always a chance I can get pulled into the operating room any other day of the week (and it has happened) but there is no clinic on Wednesdays, just OR time.
Needless to say, I love the OR. Luckily, the chief of orthopedic surgery in my hospital is a very kind and compassionate man. He is easy to be around. He doesn't yell or scream or throw things (yes, I have worked with other surgeons who do all that) so working with this surgeon is refreshing. He enjoys teaching & is very patient. So, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'm not sure what cases are on the schedule...but I'll give a full report afterwards!
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Be Realistic
Since my last posting, I have received a lot of emails encouraging me to continue writing as well as asking me for advice. I'm trying to respond to each of your emails individually but it is difficult. It's mostly difficult because my yahoo address is overwhelmed with SPAM and it's hard for to me go back and find the emails if I didn't respond on the spot. So, have patience with me...I will try to get back to you! And I'll be posting a new email address to fix this problem...I guess having the same email address since 1994 is to blame!
I've gotten many personal questions asking for my opinion on whether or not YOU should go to PA school. I will not attempt to answer that question for anyone. It's a highly personal question and my blog is an attempt to let you know the "behind the scenes" world of PA school. I think there is enough information on this site to give you an idea of what it's like. The BEST analogy I've heard about PA school is this: PA school is like taking a drink of water from a fire hydrant!
PA school will require all of your time and attention. You will have more information crammed into your brain than you thought was possible. It's uncomfortable at the time but you get used to it. At this point, almost 3 years AFTER finishing PA school...I MISS IT! I miss the daily grind of information being crammed into my brain. I miss the intensity. I miss the challenge and most of all...I miss my PA school friends. It's a surreal experience and when it's over and you enter back into the real world, you realize how exceptional the experience really was.
The best advice I can give is if you're thinking about becoming a PA...get to know a PA. Shadow a PA. There are way more websites and blogs out there now dedicated to Physician Assistants than when I thought about entering PA school...so do your research. Get your facts. Call your local PA programs and ask them questions. Most importantly, figure out the finances. Do not quit your job on a whim to go to PA school. Think it through thoroughly. School loans are a blessing but you WILL have to pay them back as soon as 6 months post-graduation...so be realistic. Figure out the numbers, get on craigslist or indeed.com and search the PA jobs in your area. Get an idea of the salaries in your area, factor in your loan repayment and once again, BE REALISTIC.
I don't know your reality. Only you do. Make a list of pros and cons. Keep it simple. Keep it real. You'll find the answer.
Be Realistic!
I've gotten many personal questions asking for my opinion on whether or not YOU should go to PA school. I will not attempt to answer that question for anyone. It's a highly personal question and my blog is an attempt to let you know the "behind the scenes" world of PA school. I think there is enough information on this site to give you an idea of what it's like. The BEST analogy I've heard about PA school is this: PA school is like taking a drink of water from a fire hydrant!
PA school will require all of your time and attention. You will have more information crammed into your brain than you thought was possible. It's uncomfortable at the time but you get used to it. At this point, almost 3 years AFTER finishing PA school...I MISS IT! I miss the daily grind of information being crammed into my brain. I miss the intensity. I miss the challenge and most of all...I miss my PA school friends. It's a surreal experience and when it's over and you enter back into the real world, you realize how exceptional the experience really was.
The best advice I can give is if you're thinking about becoming a PA...get to know a PA. Shadow a PA. There are way more websites and blogs out there now dedicated to Physician Assistants than when I thought about entering PA school...so do your research. Get your facts. Call your local PA programs and ask them questions. Most importantly, figure out the finances. Do not quit your job on a whim to go to PA school. Think it through thoroughly. School loans are a blessing but you WILL have to pay them back as soon as 6 months post-graduation...so be realistic. Figure out the numbers, get on craigslist or indeed.com and search the PA jobs in your area. Get an idea of the salaries in your area, factor in your loan repayment and once again, BE REALISTIC.
I don't know your reality. Only you do. Make a list of pros and cons. Keep it simple. Keep it real. You'll find the answer.
Be Realistic!
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