I can now post. I didn't realize that blogs had to be reviewed initially for content, but I guess this passed so now I can continue to post.
Research is perhaps the most important thing a person can do to gain a better understanding of the profession. I googled every way possible looking for information - Physician Assistant, PA, PA-C, and so many other ways. And I read everything I came across. Then I found the PA Forum, www.physicianassitantforum.com, and there I was stuck for an entire weekend. I began to signed up and began to explore every thread and every posts. There were thousands of them! So I began systematically to review the ones of immediate interest, the Pre-PA threads. What a wealth of information! I was reading for about a month before I made my first post. I still remember making that post less than a year ago in June of 2008. There was a newly accepted student who was finished with his GRE study guides and Rodican's "Getting into the Physician Assistant School of your Choice." I jumped on the post and grabbed the books for the cost of mailing as requested and as I told the "seller", a bit extra to at least get a six pack on me. I believe, as did he, in paying it forward so I did the same when I was finished with the books.
Researching the profession, I learned many things that previous discussions with Pas and MDs had not revealed. I learned the history of the program, a very important thing to know about, not only for interviewing purposes but for the knowledge of the profession that one hopes to pursue. Reviewing discussions on the forum among the very professional PA-Cs, PA students and those Pre-PAs like myself was so very enlightening. I was even more excited to move forward in my path to PA-C.
Reading about programs other than Nova gave me a good perspective of the differences among the 140+ programs across the country. I knew that I would not be applying to others but it is important to understand the wide variety of options out there and the variety of requirements for each. I believe I looked at just about every website for every program in existence. I was interested in reading the mission statements of these programs. One thing to keep in mind, know the mission statement backward and forward for any programs that you are interested in. There is nothing worse than applying to a program then afterward, realizing the school recruits strictly from the in state (or local) area with hopes that the new grads will remain in the area. Some programs mission statements look only to recruit those interested in the under-served, under-privileged areas. Very important things to know!
I talked to everyone I knew about my plans. I began to engage more on the forum. I sought out opportunities to talk to anyone in health care about my goals. Each time I volunteered at the local hospital, I made sure that everyone knew where I was heading. I had quite a bit of difficulty finding PAs to shadow. I just couldn't find those PAs that would be willing and/or able to allow me to observe mainly because of HIPAA laws. Shadowing is a requirement for most programs, but the benefit was so much more. I was looking for the opportunity to confirm that this was definitely what I wanted to do for my career for the rest of my remaining years. Luckily, I contacted several PAs that I found listed on the State Chapter of AAPA (FAPAonline.org)and was able to begin shadowing a few PAs. I also got the names of local PAs from many friends who all proclaimed they had the "best" PA which was encouraging to hear.
Just a word about HIPAA laws, inform yourself what it means!! Again, I researched and found a site that offered a training in powerpoint with a simple test at the end then offered to email a certificate of completion. I presented this to any PA I hoped to shadow. Just do a search on it!
Finally, I really had to take an in-depth look at myself. I was 42, single with no children (do elderly parents count?) and looking for a career change. I loved the travel and tourism industry. Having been a business owner, also consulting for some large travel companies along with being very involved in the community awareness of the industry, after reaching a certain pinnacle, I knew that the time had come to move on. I asked myself if this was really doable at this point in my life, and even so, was I willing to put in the time and effort and be able to handle the financial difficulties of returning to school full time. I had most of the required pre-req classes completed. I was on my way to finishing my BA degree in Management. I truly enjoyed the volunteering in the hospital and I had signed up for an EMT-B course at Valencia CC. After some deep soul searching and much advice from friends and family who were all very supportive, I knew this was definitely what I wanted to do and so I took the next step.
The CASPA Odyssey!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Introducing myself
After many requests from friends and family, I have finally started a blog. My plan is is to recount the many experiences I have had from the first thoughts of choosing to pursue the path to become a physician assistant, gaining acceptance, school and clinicals through to earning the C behind the PA.
Growing up as a Navy dependent, I had the opportunity to live in some exotic places, from the middle east to Europe. In fact, I was born in Italy: my mother is was born and raised in Italy and my father is American of Italian descent and the two met on one of his first duty stations. This great love story is still going strong 48 years later. My exposure to the health care system was limited to the wonderful corpsmen who took care of my scrapes and bruises along with all those vaccinations necessary to travel overseas. It was these well trained professionals that would give life to the profession that I would strive to become a part of.
I traveled frequently after high school and eventually settled down in Italy, married a fantastic Carabiniere, a member of Italy's national police force, and was happily living life in an astoundingly beautiful country. I found work within the tourism industry and I also became involved with translating for tourists in need at the hospital and found that I enjoyed the medical environment. There was a great sense of satisfaction that came with knowing that my services were not only helping someone in dire situations but also in being the link between the medical professionals and the families. Unfortunately, in 1994, I became a young widow and returned to the US, specifically to Orlando where my parents had retired.
Orlando is a spectacular place to live. As a great tourist destination, it was natural for me to continue working in the tourism industry. I also went back to school and earned an associates degree in hospitality and tourism management, eventually opening several travel agencies locally. On one of the many trips across the pond accompanying a group, I met my first PA.
The transatlantic flight was so much more delightful because of the Army PA that I sat next to and chatted with throughout the flight. I was intrigued and upon returning home, I began to research the profession, school requirements and future employment statistics. The travel industry had suffered since the tragic events of 911 the year prior and the increased use of the internet, so I was considering a career change. Several years would pass before I actually began to seriously consider the possibilities and start taking the pre requisite classes.
In 2007, with grumblings beginning to hit the economy, I made the move and took several evening classes at Valencia Community College. I was looking at PA programs in Florida because by this time, and at my age, I was firmly settled into the area. I bought property and my siblings had all gravitated to Orlando over the years. Perhaps the most important factor for wanting to remain as close to home for school was the fact that my parents were aging and needed assistance. My mother had suffered a devastating stroke and now lacks speech capacity and is partially paralyzed on the right side. Meanwhile my father underwent quadruple by-pass surgery and my older sister had a heart attack which resulted in 3 stents being placed in her heart. I also must mention my brother who passed away, sadly, from a massive heart attack the same year that all these other events took place. My younger sister and I are very attentive to the fact that this obviously is a inherited possibility.
I was very committed to taking classes and completing the requirements for PA school. Meanwhile, I earned a second associates degree in general studies. The requirements for the degree only added a few classes to my schedule and was a personal satisfaction. While still taking some tough classes like microbiology, A & P I and II, and organic chemistry, I enrolled in the University of Phoenix to work towards my BA in management. I was very excited when one of my classmates who also ended up being my academic counselor at UOP told me that there was rumor that Nova Southeastern University was opening a PA program in Orlando. What kind of luck was that?? Now, if I could get into the program at Nova, I would be able to stay in my home, avoiding the expense of paying rent elsewhere and a mortgage at home and most importantly, I could still be available to my elderly parents.
Research research research! This is my advice to anyone interested in becoming a PA, or any profession for that matter. Many a night was spent researching and then researching everything PA I could find. I signed up for an open house at Nova Orlando even before the offices and classroom were fully completed knowing full well that it would be at least another year minimum before I could even apply.
Growing up as a Navy dependent, I had the opportunity to live in some exotic places, from the middle east to Europe. In fact, I was born in Italy: my mother is was born and raised in Italy and my father is American of Italian descent and the two met on one of his first duty stations. This great love story is still going strong 48 years later. My exposure to the health care system was limited to the wonderful corpsmen who took care of my scrapes and bruises along with all those vaccinations necessary to travel overseas. It was these well trained professionals that would give life to the profession that I would strive to become a part of.
I traveled frequently after high school and eventually settled down in Italy, married a fantastic Carabiniere, a member of Italy's national police force, and was happily living life in an astoundingly beautiful country. I found work within the tourism industry and I also became involved with translating for tourists in need at the hospital and found that I enjoyed the medical environment. There was a great sense of satisfaction that came with knowing that my services were not only helping someone in dire situations but also in being the link between the medical professionals and the families. Unfortunately, in 1994, I became a young widow and returned to the US, specifically to Orlando where my parents had retired.
Orlando is a spectacular place to live. As a great tourist destination, it was natural for me to continue working in the tourism industry. I also went back to school and earned an associates degree in hospitality and tourism management, eventually opening several travel agencies locally. On one of the many trips across the pond accompanying a group, I met my first PA.
The transatlantic flight was so much more delightful because of the Army PA that I sat next to and chatted with throughout the flight. I was intrigued and upon returning home, I began to research the profession, school requirements and future employment statistics. The travel industry had suffered since the tragic events of 911 the year prior and the increased use of the internet, so I was considering a career change. Several years would pass before I actually began to seriously consider the possibilities and start taking the pre requisite classes.
In 2007, with grumblings beginning to hit the economy, I made the move and took several evening classes at Valencia Community College. I was looking at PA programs in Florida because by this time, and at my age, I was firmly settled into the area. I bought property and my siblings had all gravitated to Orlando over the years. Perhaps the most important factor for wanting to remain as close to home for school was the fact that my parents were aging and needed assistance. My mother had suffered a devastating stroke and now lacks speech capacity and is partially paralyzed on the right side. Meanwhile my father underwent quadruple by-pass surgery and my older sister had a heart attack which resulted in 3 stents being placed in her heart. I also must mention my brother who passed away, sadly, from a massive heart attack the same year that all these other events took place. My younger sister and I are very attentive to the fact that this obviously is a inherited possibility.
I was very committed to taking classes and completing the requirements for PA school. Meanwhile, I earned a second associates degree in general studies. The requirements for the degree only added a few classes to my schedule and was a personal satisfaction. While still taking some tough classes like microbiology, A & P I and II, and organic chemistry, I enrolled in the University of Phoenix to work towards my BA in management. I was very excited when one of my classmates who also ended up being my academic counselor at UOP told me that there was rumor that Nova Southeastern University was opening a PA program in Orlando. What kind of luck was that?? Now, if I could get into the program at Nova, I would be able to stay in my home, avoiding the expense of paying rent elsewhere and a mortgage at home and most importantly, I could still be available to my elderly parents.
Research research research! This is my advice to anyone interested in becoming a PA, or any profession for that matter. Many a night was spent researching and then researching everything PA I could find. I signed up for an open house at Nova Orlando even before the offices and classroom were fully completed knowing full well that it would be at least another year minimum before I could even apply.
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