I have survived the hardest week of grad school so far. Last week we had four exams (microbiology,
microanatomy, lab management, and physiology). My nap on Friday evening never
felt so amazing!
I’ve compiled a list of things that will most likely happen while
you are in grad school (that may or may not also be a recap of my week):
- You will study more than you ever thought was possible
- You will consume more coffee than you thought was possible
- Your laundry will not get done
- Your dishes will remain dirty
- You won’t have time to log on to your social media accounts
- Your birthday will happen during one of the busiest weeks (Happy 23rd Birthday to me!)
- You will also probably get sick during one of the busiest weeks (while simultaneously taking an exam about the immune system)
- You will probably have a few mental breakdowns (it’s ok)
- You WILL conquer every exam!
One more thing: you and your classmates will try anything to
make studying more interesting
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| Can you see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in this section of gallbladder? |
My gluteus maximus hurt so much from sitting and studying all day. Happy to have Lauren, she showed me how to stretch my sciatic nerve. Its over though :)
ReplyDeleteHaha my gluteus maximus definitely enjoyed being out of a chair this weekend too! Only 3 months until clinicals! We can make it!
DeleteYou guys are outstanding!!!! You have no idea how proud I am of all of you! You have worked so well together, held each other up through the difficult times, and have remained pleasant and professional. I can't wait to see all of you in your White Coats!!!!!!- Cherie
ReplyDeleteThanks Cherie! We cannot wait for our white coats as well!
DeleteHello! I some how landed my google searches to your blog. I am currently a nursing student at Ohio State University, but have always been interested in becoming a pathology assistant. Do you have any advice or why you wanted to become a pa? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Danielle!
DeleteGlad you found the blog! While perusing my undergraduate degree in Forensic Science, I had the opportunity to observe autopsies at a Medical Examiners Office. I really enjoyed watching these and decided that my original plan of becoming a crime scene investigator wasn't for me. During one of my undergrad classes the director of the Pathologists' Assistant program at WVU gave a lecture which introduced me to the world of pathology. It was after that lecture that I started to research PAs more and decided that this was the career path that I wanted.
When I first started PA school I was more interested in the autopsy component (due to my forensics background), but as time progressed I fell more in love with surgical pathology. I love that every day at work is different and allows me to be creative in finding ways to dissect and process specimens. I also love that I play an integral role in patient care without having to directly interact with the patient.
My advice is to look at the NAACLS accredited Pathologists' Assistants programs and see which ones interest you. Through nursing you may have some of the pre-requisite classes covered, but I would double check that you have/will take all required classes (found on the programs' website). And then take some time to shadow PAs - there are lots in Ohio and I know that OSU has a few. You can try reaching out to PA program directors who can get you in contact with local PAs to shadow. Shadowing is usually a requirement when applying to PA programs!
Good luck! And if you have any other questions feel free to ask!