Using Picmonic to Study in PA School

There’s always some excitement and jitters around back-to-school season, but it’s a bit different when going into a graduate-level program like physician assistant school. The pace is much quicker and the expectations are higher in PA school. Traditional study methods may not be as effective for digesting the amount of information presented. 

I personally experienced this during the first week of PA school when we started with anatomy. Hours of notetaking and rewriting information weren’t feasible. There just weren’t enough hours in the day! Instead of seeking other resources, asking for help, or changing how I studied, I blindly kept going and ended up with a C on my first exam. 

That was a serious wake-up call and shook my confidence. I knew something had to change quickly if I wanted to complete PA school successfully and I took a good look at my study methods. I needed something faster that targeted what I was learning in PA school specifically with the information I needed to know to care for patients one day. There are tons of resources out there, but one that I continually hear about from PA students and wish I had during PA school is Picmonic. Lucky for me, I can use it during my PANRE recertification! Let me tell you more about Picmonic so you can determine if it would be a good fit for your PA studies. 

Picmonic is a visual study aid. You know how you can recall that one episode of your favorite childhood cartoon, but trying to remember what your professor said yesterday is impossible? Picmonic makes what your PA school professor said into an animated graphic with mnemonic devices to make the information more interesting and memorable on test day. 

I found it very difficult to remember all of the necessary information strictly from text on a PowerPoint. Once I was on rotations, seeing patients in person, everything came together so much easier and I could recall the information much quicker. Picmonic is a happy medium by providing bite-sized videos that show and put all of the information together in a way that makes sense. 

So how should you use Picmonic? If I were in PA school, I would use Picmonic after I reviewed material from the lecture and books and felt I had at least some familiarity with the basics. I would view the associated Picmonic animation to help me connect the facts and concepts in a way I could understand and apply it to a test question. I would watch the Picmonic, review the facts, and then take the associated quiz. If there were any topics I struggled with, I would go back to my lecture material for review and then revisit the Picmonic. 

During PA school, I also liked to do last-minute quick overviews right before tests. Picmonic is perfect for that because you can make a playlist of the subjects you would like to review and the videos are short so it’s very efficient. You can even just watch on your phone to make it even more convenient whenever you have a few minutes of downtime. 

Here’s a sample study plan for how you could use Picmonic during a 2-week module in PA school. Start by looking over the blueprint for the section and find the accompanying topics in Picmonic. Create a playlist with the Picmonics you want to review. Set aside a dedicated time each day to Picmonic. If you have a commute or want to take a break, but still feel productive, these are great times to watch a few videos. As test day approaches, increase your dedicated time to allow for reviewing and taking the accompanying quizzes. Mark any videos you want to rewatch as refreshers right before the exam. 

To try Picmonic, use the code THEPAPLATFORM for 20% off. Picmonic also offers a great free trial where you can play and quiz on the 15 most popular topics for 5 days and then browse after that. This is a great opportunity to see how Picmonic fits into your schedule and if it’s a good solution for you. If you’ve used Picmonic, let me know your study plan and how it’s helped you in PA school! 

Staying Health in PA School

Today’s interview is with Ashley Turner. After graduating from UAB’s PA program, Ashley works as a full-time surgery PA with a background in nutrition. Ashley also does nutrition coaching through Faster Way to Fat Loss (which I did, and loved). We talk about our experiences in PA school, how to make good choices, and how to get back on track.

This episode also has a podcast which you can listen to here.

Ashley:  Hi everyone! I'm Ashley Turner. I'm a certified PA, and I work in Campbellsville, Kentucky, which is a small rural community where I grew up. I’ve been working in general surgery since graduating PA school. I live with my husband and 14 month old son, and all my family is here. I also do virtual health coaching with The FASTer Way to Fat Loss as well. So that's kind of me in a nutshell! 

 Savanna: How long have you been a PA? 

Ashley: I graduated in December of 2014.

 Savanna: We’re about the same because I graduated August of 2014! What was your background before PA school?

Ashley: I graduated from University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition and Food Science. I wanted to go to PA school right after school, and I had my heart set on UAB. I always wanted to do surgery. So I applied only there following undergrad, and I did not get in. That was a huge blow to the ego! But that’s okay. I ended up taking a year off and I worked a lot of odd jobs. I worked as a nurse tech, doing triage at different clinics around Birmingham, Alabama. I actually moved there. I also cheered in college, so I became a cheerleading coach at UAB. And I also was a cheerleading coach in an all-star group down there as well. So I was working like three to four jobs during the entire year. Then I reapplied to UAB as well as another program in Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University. I secured an interview at Trevecca, but did not get in. But at UAB, I got an interview and got accepted that second time, which I was really excited about! And it all worked out because I'm from Kentucky, and moving down there for a year and taking that leap of faith to reapply actually got me in-state tuition, which was helpful in the long run. 

 Savanna: That is a really big move! And I think a lot of people wouldn’t necessarily be willing to do that even if they really want to go to a particular school, and UAB is on the top of a lot of people’s list. 

Ashley: I really sing the praises of UAB; I had a really good experience. I think you can find faults in every PA program. You can really nit-pick any program. But you know, I really can't find many. The staff was just really great. All the educators were just really wonderful. Setting up our rotations were huge. And they had just a lot of great resources and a lot of great preceptors. So I have no qualms about UAB. It definitely does speak volumes when applying to jobs because people will interview me and ask me about my training at UAB. And I've had people specifically asked for “UAB-trained PAs”. It was just really great. So I love my program, and I'm glad I did take the leap of faith to move down there and work my tail off for a year. 

 Savanna: I also love surgery! I think if I did not do derm, then I would do surgery. Are you actually in the OR? What does your job look like on a daily basis? 

 Ashley: I'm currently not in the OR in this current job, as much as my previous jobs. So I don't know if this is a good or bad thing, but this is my fourth job right now. So in my first job, that was level II trauma center and acute care, my vascular and general surgery job, my priority is pretty much the OR. I did a lot of critical care. We really acted as first year residents. We had the pagers. We were first-call for any issues on the floor. We also rotated doing floor call, critical care call, and trauma call. So we responded to the trauma codes, and we would also be first assisting in the OR. That was really exciting. I got to do a lot of procedures - A-lines, central lines, chest tubes, thoracentesis, and I was learning therapeutic bronchoscopies towards the end. So it was really awesome! In my vascular and general surgery group, my first priority was the OR as well. We first assisted the majority of the time and rounded on patients. At my current job, I do a little bit of it all. I rotate in the hospital. I do a clinic for two weeks. And I do a little bit of OR. I round on patients and do consults in the hospital. 

 Savanna: Okay, cool. So what are your hours like?

Ashley: So there are 3 PAs in our service. We rotate two weeks stints in either the clinic with more hospital, or we have a float two weeks where you have a little bit of an easier schedule with some mornings off during the week if the load is light in the hospital. Coming off the hospital two weeks is a little gruesome because we are pretty much there 7am - 5pm Monday through Friday. Sometimes you can go home early, it just really depends on the workload, the patient load. You kind of have to be there in case consults come in because you are the first one to respond to consults. But in clinic, it's pretty much 8 am - 5 pm, and we have a half-day on Fridays. So it kind of rotates. It's been pretty nice. It's been nice for work life balance for me having a new child.

 Savanna: What is your level of autonomy and your relationship with your supervising physicians?

 Ashley: It has changed a bit. It’s gotten a little less autonomous as I’ve gone through my jobs. In my trauma job, they pretty much let you go. For chest tubes, I saw one, did one, and then went to the floor and did one by myself. The trauma surgeon looked at me and said, “You can do this, right?” And I was like, “Hmmm yep!” So I marched to the floor by myself with a student, and that was really the second time I put a chest tube in. That was quite terrifying, because my patient was awake on the floor in stable condition. So it was terrifying because they were very alert! So in my practice, if I ever needed them, they were a call away. They trained us very well. The other PA who trained us trained us very well, and they were there every step of the way. I saw a lot of chest tubes before I did that. They were just very good at feeling the situation and knowing when they needed to be there, and knowing when they felt confident in my ability with all the PAs. They did a wonderful job at maintaining the relationship between the supervising physician in the PA. 

Being in a small practice in a small town, it just makes it a little bit complicated, because everybody knows everyone. So you're pretty much seeing your patients at Church or at the Mexican restaurant in town and you don’t have that luxury because patients want to see the surgeon. They want to see your physician because that's who they're seeing out in the community. Midlevels are still a little bit new in a smaller, more rural community. So it's just a little bit different, but they still do a really good job of incorporating us into the practice.

 Savanna: Interesting! So what made you interested in nutrition? Like, why did you choose that as a major? And was it helpful for PA school?

 Ashley: Yes, I would say yes, to PA school, and also my career now. First of all, I was a biology major, but I hated coming out of the class and not really being able to apply it to my everyday life. And that really frustrated me that I spent all this hours learning things. And I was just like, “I want to just do something with this now. I want to learn something that I feel like I can apply to my life now.” And all through four years of college, I was a collegiate cheerleader. So being in shape, being at an appropriate size for our sport was very important. My sister was a nutrition major, and I would be kind of in the mix with her seeing what she was learning. I thought it was really awesome, what you’ve learned in class could apply to your life. You can build upon it and just continue on for the rest of your life! So I switched my degree to nutrition, and I ended up loving it. It helped me through my fitness level in college and where I needed to be and wanting to be. 

And as far as being a PA right now in our General Surgery Clinic, again, bring in a rural community, we do a lot of primary care through our clinic. So I think in a lot of larger communities, when patients come to your general surgery clinic, they pretty much already come with the diagnosis, and they come with a plan of action, what you're going to do. They have the appropriate studies ordered, and you pretty much know their problem and know your plan of action really before you see the patient, a lot of the times. But here, they come in a lot with vague symptoms and get shuttled to us to kind of figure out and decipher between their symptoms. And a lot of times, it's nutritional things. It’s IBS. It’s constipation. It’s diarrhea that is diet-related. It’s lactose intolerance. It’s gluten sensitivities. We coach people through that. We have a surgeon I work with Dr. Bahr, and he’s very sweet. People will come in with these complaints, and he’s like “She's the expert, please talk to her. Just listen to what she says.” So I’ll come in and counsel people through these things, even with people with diabetes who are so lost and clueless. So it's been really great. It's been really helpful in this environment! 

 Savanna: That’s an interesting way to think about it, because yeah, my biology degree was useless haha. Okay, so we’ve never really talked about this on the podcast at all -- staying healthy in PA school! I don't necessarily think I did a great job of this. It’s really hard in the thick of it, and you’re just trying to survive. You're not necessarily thinking about what you're eating, or if you're eating or if you're working out because school is such a big priority. So do you think you did a good job of taking care of yourself and your health during PA school?

 Ashley: I think I stayed active. I don't know if my diet was quite as tight as I would want it to be. But I think I've stayed fairly active, which was huge. My first year PA school, I was still coaching cheerleading, so I was able to work out with the cheerleaders and I even went to games with them and stayed active with them during my didactic year. So that was really easy, staying active and having an active stress relief from PA school, something to get my mind off PA school, my mind out of studying. So that was very therapeutic for me. And as far as overall health, I think that did wonders for me in my first year. 

I don’t think my diet did too well. You’re up at like 3 am trying to study for that test, and you’re just trying to stay awake. You’re going to Einstein Bagels, that was by our class. And sitting in class for six hours is mind-numbing, so at least you can enjoy that delicious cinnamon bagel. So I don’t know if I did my best with staying active. But I think staying active and finding that downtime and finding that stress relief when you think everything is kind of coming down on you -- I think I did fairly well. 

 Savanna: Yeah the only reason I worked out was that two of my friends in PA school would go to the gym and basically make me go. And they would run and I was like “I'm not running, I will walk with you guys around the track, but I'm not running.” They would always try to get me into mud runs and 5K races. And I would refuse! Haha I'm glad they were my friends and still my friends. I'm very thankful that they encouraged me to do that, because it was a good stress relief. 

Ashley: Yeah, and I think really managing your expectations on what healthy means to you at this point in time is important. Like having a raging six pack and a bikini body is probably not the best thing to think about in PA school. Maybe you don’t have the time to manage your diet and hit the gym like you are trying to compete in a bodybuilding competition or something. But really managing those expectations! Healthy means thriving in PA school, having the energy to study and having the energy to still maintain my relationships during this very stressful time in my life. So really digging deep, getting into your feelings, managing those expectations, what healthy means to you at the moment. I think that’s my number 1 tip is finding that stress relief and not allowing PA school to become all-consuming. Go out and have fun and find that stress relief. I think that could be the single most best thing you could do PA school.

 Savanna: Yeah! And make time for yourself. Even in the sense of checking in with yourself and doing things that take care of you like eating. I have said it before, but I love reading and I didn’t read a single book for fun during PA school. And when my parents would invite me to get dinner with them I would say no and ask them to bring me something back. And by the time they came home, I would usually be asleep because I just didn’t eat dinner. And that's not healthy. That's not making good choices for yourself. And again, looking back, I can see that. I don't know about your class, but my class had a snack closet. That was our fundraiser. So they would go to Costco and buy all the snacks for the closet. And then we could get a candy bar for like 25 cents. I mean, it was great! 

 Ashley: That’s definitely the number 1 question you should ask when you interview at PA schools. Do you have a snack closet? 

Savanna: I also remember that there were people in our class that would eat out every single meal. Like literally, they would bring Starbucks for breakfast. It was so expensive. They would go get something for lunch at the little cafe. And then they would all go out for dinner. And I was like how are you doing that? So expensive! 

So, how'd you get into nutrition coaching? One of the things I love is when PAs have interests outside of being a PA. 

 Ashley: Well, I never would have guessed in a million years that I would do something like this. Obviously I'll obviously always have been interested in nutrition. I have a degree in nutrition, I was a college athlete, where health and nutrition and fitness was really important. So it's always been an interest and always just finding ways to incorporate healthy things into your life. Because I knew from the very beginning, even as a nutrition major, that good health and preventative health starts with what you eat, period, We even learned that a PA school about being healthy for preventating disease -- 90% diet 10% exercise. I’ve always kind of had a passion for that, especially because people in my family have chronic illness. 

So during my post-partum period, I was lacking motivation. I was three months postpartum. I had a friend of mine, Lauren, who was a FASTer Way to Fat Loss. I had seen her posting, and kind of made fun of her. But I finally gave in because I was pretty much at a low point. I wasn’t making the best choices. Diet Coke was my best friend again. And basically every meal was refined sugar. I was like, “I’ve got to stop this. I felt miserable.” So I was overwhelmed at first, but after learning the strategies, it interested me even more. So I got onto PubMed and looked up articles on intermittent fasting. I was like, I think there is something to this. It was incredible. I was like, “whew, I think this is legit and this is real.” I mean, I wasn’t deprived. There wasn't a mean macro. There wasn't a macro that was eliminated or the “bad guy.” I felt like it was what I learned in nutrition. Everything in moderation. We have treats, we have carbs, we have fats. It was just a wonderful way to envelop everything people tell you into one system and one structure. So I loved it and eventually become a coach. And I’m a born teacher, a born coach. I love to do it; it’s my passion. So having nutrition, coaching, and preventative health all in one is a dream come true, honestly.

Savanna: We had an intermittent fasting lecture in PA school! I tried Whole 30, and that was awful. I tried it twice. The first time, I made it 15 days. The second time was when I was post-partum. I don’t know what was going on with my body, but it made me so sick. It was awful. I was waking up sick in the middle of the night. My husband was like “are you pregnant?” I wasn’t pregnant, like I didn’t know what was happening to me! I was doing it with my medical assistant at work. He's also one of my best friends. And I was like, “We're not doing this again. Not happening.” But I was like you, I was so desperate to not be squishy anymore, so I'm with you there because mine is 12 and a half months old.” 

So overall, what is FASTer Way to Fat Loss about? Give us the breakdown about that. 

Ashley: FASTer Way to Fat Loss is an online program that guides you through 6 pillars of the “FASTer Way”. The main one is intermittent fasting. Then you add in the others which makes it an awesome program altogether. But intermittent fasting, you have whole food nutrition, you have macros and macro tracking, carb cycling, strength training combined with HIIT, and then also accountability and community. You join an accountability group with me where I teach you and coach you through all the aspects. I teach you the metabolism of each macronutrient, why it is important to have them. I teach you why carb cycling is effective and what's happening metabolically in our bodies to show the results and the fat loss that we're having. We go over intermittent fasting, and what is happening inside our bodies and how intermittent fasting works with playing on our insulin levels and depleting our glycogen stores out of our liver, increasing apoptosis and cellular regeneration in our body. So I go through all of these things in the group, and I teach you how to put it together in cohesive flexible plan. It’s all online for 7 weeks and we have an accountability group. You have access to me daily with weekly trainings. 

Savanna: Okay, so I’ll say what I liked about it. I like that you as a coach - you have a degree in nutrition and you’re a PA. You’re not a random person who decided to coach people on nutrition, which I feel like I see sometimes. And I'm like, wait, why are you qualified to do this? So, that was great! Also, I tried intermittent fasting for a little bit. And I always thought it would be really hard. But once I got in the groove, it really only took a few days for me to adjust. Also through the teaching, I felt like I understood my body better and what it needed and why, which was very helpful. Also, I told you this, but I did not stick to the rules very well, like I pretty much ate what fit my macros, even if it was like dairy or whatever. But I didn't feel deprived of anything. I felt like I was eating a lot.

 Ashley: Yes, everyone says that! 

Savanna: I think one of my problems was that I didn’t feel like I could eat enough. But I was still seeing change and losing weight. So it was really cool. Really interesting how all that works. And if someone decides to do this, planning ahead was key for me. I learned that if I don't plan ahead, I'm going to choose the easiest option, which is usually the closest option - which for me is either McDonalds or Zaxby's. I learned a lot doing it! 

 Ashley: Yeah, I think it's such a great mindset shift for people, especially people who come from the 90s and are scared of fats. And then people who come from keto land, and are scared of carbs. And I preach all the time, I don't think there's a bad macro! I think you just have to find what fits for you, what makes you feel good. So you go through this program and you’re telling me how you feel through the whole thing. If I don't know the answer, I'll go find it for you. I'll research it for you. I'll find somebody else that knows the answer. And we really just brainstorm to find something that works and feels good for you. Because at the end of the day, if I just tell you rules to follow and they are not flexible and not personalized to you, you're not going to thrive and you're not going to survive in a lifestyle like that. And then it's going to be pointless. So that’s what I really like about it as well. I'm a huge proponent of understanding how and why we do something, so you just feel so much more empowered to do it. It’s a lot easier to kind of stay on track that way. It’s nice also depending on where you are in your journey. If you're at maintenance, if you want to change this, change more composition here, it just all depends on where you are in your journey. It can be flexible to meet that need! 

 Savanna: So tell us more about where we can find you and ask you all the questions!

Ashley: Sure! Here is a link that goes to my page as well FASTer Way to Fat Loss page, and you will see me as a coach. And we'll talk more about our pillars, what to expect, what rounds look like, and a lot more information. Also, I share a lot of tips and information on my Instagram. That's probably the main place that you want to follow me and see what's going on: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyphillipsturner or @ashleyphillipsturner. I keep you up to date on when my rounds start and when you can register. I like to drive into the science and why with my posts and stories. I try to keep you up to date on the latest research too! I kind of go over some stuff like that. 

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found Ashley as endearing as I did. 

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When to Have Kids as a Physician Assistant

Even though you want to become a PA, you probably have other goals such as getting married and having kids. So we are diving into that topic today! This question comes from Jocelyn. Thanks for your question Jocelyn!

Jocelyn: My question is specific to females desiring to have kids. When is the right time to have kids as a PA, still fresh in the industry? To be specific, I'm 23 years old thinking that I will be done with PA school around 26 or so. My goal is to have maybe one kid by age 30. And I kind of feel this pressure where I would like to get in this upcoming cycle, if not the next. I just don't know if this is something that should be even thought about or just kind of pursue my dreams and see what happens. Thanks! 

This is a tough question. But I have some more recent experience with this since I have a three year old. So let's talk about what you should be thinking about if you're concerned about whether or not you can become a PA and still have the life you're envisioning as far as having kids. Now, I don't feel like this is a topic that is solely for females. If you are a guy, your wife may be thinking about kids more than you are or maybe you are too. It's okay to want to plan out your future. I tend to plan and really think about things in advance. So I'm with you if this is something that you are concerned about. Now, there's a few things to consider.

First of all, I think I learned this from personal experience; there's no good time to start a family and have kids. You can plan it and think about it, but things may not go the way you planned. Something’s always going to come up; it's going to be the next thing. For example, starting school, moving cities, getting a new job, getting a different job, someone’s wedding, vacation. There is always going to be an excuse, and there is always going to be something preventing you from starting a family. Eventually, you kind of just have to make the decision that now's the time. It's now or never. Just go for it!

Now, for a little background on me. If you've watched some of my videos or listened to some other podcasts, you've heard that I got married while I was in PA school. And that's not something that's typically recommended. But to me, it was important. My husband and I met in high school, went to the University of Georgia together, both biology majors. We got engaged right at the end of senior year. Then we both went to school. I went straight to PA school, and he went to medical school. For us, we didn’t want to wait so many years to get married until all of our training was done. We just had to make a decision, and that was to get married during school with a shorter honeymoon. It meant that it was a little bit stressful, and I wasn't quite as involved in the planning as I wanted to be (Thanks, Mom!). But for us, it made sense. 

When we had been married for five years, we started thinking about kids. I'm steady in my job. My husband had finished med school and was in residency. When's the best time? Do we wait until he's done with residency? But then is he going to do a fellowship? He's going to be starting a new job, is that a good time? I'm in my job, is that okay? I feel like I'm finally established - is okay for me to take a step back and take time off to be with a new baby? Essentially, we just decided that it probably was the right time, and it wouldn't be perfect. But that would be okay. So last year around this time, I had a baby. And I've learned a lot about the process. Pregnancy teaches you that you are not in control of anything. I mean, you can't predict if you're going to have an easy pregnancy or a difficult pregnancy. Thankfully, I had a pretty easy one, if anything, I was just a little bit tired. No real morning sickness or complications. But a lot of things can happen, and you kind of have to be willing to just let it go and trust that everything's going to be okay. I think for Type A personalities that tend to be PAs, that can be a little bit difficult. And I definitely struggled with that and had some anxiety about that throughout my pregnancy.

There is this pressure to get everything done right at once, and do it all. Sometimes, this isn’t always realistic, and that’s okay! You have to take things step by step and really decide to you what's important. 

Let’s break down your options:

1. Pre-PA: This is a great option. Like I said, pregnancy is unpredictable, so that may give you some more freedom with that unpredictability to adjust if necessary. Now that may push your timeline for becoming a PA, and this is where you have to weigh pros and cons with your priorities and what is important to you. You may be able to spend more time with them while they are so young because you aren’t in PA school yet.

2. PA School: PA school is hard, busy, and rigorous. If you talk to any new PA students, usually they they are completely overwhelmed. Personally, I can't imagine having kids while I was in PA School. I would’ve done it because then that would’ve been my new normal. But I don't know if it's something I would have actually chosen because it would definitely have been tough. During PA school, you would need a ton of support. This also depends on school set-up because some programs have very strict policies. For my school, you could not miss class unless you had a doctor's note. And even then, it was very, very looked down upon. That being said, I never missed a day of PA school. So with pregnancy, there are many appointments, and you may not feel good at times. With that unpredictability, that may cause you to miss some classes. Your school may ask you to take a leave of absence or extend your time in the program due to this.

Side note: If you go to the PA forums, there are some stories there. The PA Cafe is a blog specifically for PA moms and PA student moms. And we have an interview with the creator of that from a while back. But that's a good place to check to just to hear other stories from other people and see if you find something that you relate to. So in my class, nobody got pregnant and gave birth during school. A girl in the class above me got pregnant while on rotations. She was actually due the week after she took her PANCE. So she graduated, took the PANCE a week later, and then had her baby a week after that. I remember asking her about rotations, and she said the expectations for her were the same as any other student, despite being very pregnant. So for example, in surgery, you may be expected to stand for hours and hours, but that’s may be very difficult while you are pregnant. But that's something that you've got to just take into account and be ready for it. That's what happens. There are some Instagram accounts of PA students who have had babies, and it’s possible. You don't necessarily have to put that on hold! 

1. After PA school: This is what I did, and that's what most of my friends have done too. Right after PA school, we had just a bunch of weddings. And then a few years later, a bunch of PA babies were born! I wouldn't change anything about how I did things. Maybe if anything, I would have had her sooner because it seems like my baby has just been a part of our lives. And I can't imagine her not being here. So I love it! Actually, I was that person who's always like, “I'm going to be ready to go straight back to work. And I'm going to want to have such a short maternity leave.” That’s definitely not true now. I want to spend every single second with her, and even now when I get home, the first thing I want to do is give her a hug. You have to think also about finances and being financially stable. I don't think babies are quite as expensive as everyone makes it seem. There are definitely ways to save money! I have a true baby clothes addiction, so I'm probably not the best person to speak on that haha.

Keep in mind that the other thing about having a baby, either in PA school or as a working PA, is that you’ve got to have a plan in place for childcare and support. What are you going to do if your baby is sick, or if your sitter cancels? I work as a dermatology PA, and I have 35 patients on my schedule! That would be tough to move everyone. I would absolutely do it if I had to, but thankfully I have parent-in-laws who are willing to help out if something comes up. 

Whatever decision you make, it'll be the right one, and it'll be fine! And you'll have a sweet little baby who you love. And that's all that really matters. So you gotta decide what works best for you. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments! And just shoot me a message on Instagram. Let me know your thoughts and what you did. If you have a story about how you became a parent before, during, or after PA school, please share it. I hope this was helpful and answered the question! Thank you for reading. 

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The Ideal First Job - Guest Post by Jordan Fisher, Co-Author of The PA Blueprint

We all want our first job to be perfect, but a dream job is hard to come by. Many new PAs will move on from their first job after one year (or even less), and there is nothing wrong with that. However, there are things you can look for in a potential job that will lead to longevity with your first position. So, what should you look for?

First of all, they should want you. Whether this is a potential job from a previous rotation, or through some connection with the practice, you should feel wanted. Though you are a new graduate, you still have the potential to generate a lot of revenue for the company. Make sure that throughout the whole interview process you feel welcomed and wanted, otherwise this may not be the correct fit. 

Though this is your first job, I am a firm believer that you should always try to negotiate. During contract negotiations your potential employer should be honest and transparent. You should have a firm understanding of what you are signing up for. Evaluate the contract and explain why you are worth a small percentage more as you negotiate (don't go crazy, this is still your first job). You likely won't get all you ask for, but the company will hopefully meet you in the middle. A practice that is willing to negotiate with you is a good sign. 

This is your first job, which can be terrifying. You are finally on your own with patients’ lives potentially in your hands. I have heard too many stories of new Physician Assistants being thrown to the wolves with no support. Do not allow yourself to be one of them. During the interview process you should gain a firm understanding of how you will be oriented. Will you be following a Physician or APP? Will you have some type of onboarding training? How many patients will you be expected to see and when? Make sure you know what you are getting into and that you are comfortable with it. 

To use myself as an example, when I started in emergency medicine, I had a four-week onboarding process where I followed seasoned PAs and NPs, with gradual increases in patient loads. This could extend to six weeks if I did not feel ready. This was exactly the assistance I needed, which left me feeling ready(-ish) to be on my own. An adequate onboarding process can make or break your first job. 

Ok, so you made it through onboarding, but is that it? What kind of ongoing support will you have? Any new PA will have a slew of daily questions because, well, medicine is hard! Will you have someone you can go to with these? A supervising or collaborating Physician? Another experienced APP or mentor? Make sure you have someone available onsite to help you with the inevitable difficult questions that will arise. At the Urgent Care I currently work at, I am much more comfortable on the days I have another provider here to discuss patients with, and that is still the case after four years of practice. Medicine is a team sport!

Besides your onboarding, what other training will you be receiving in your new position? See if your new practice has anything planned for you. Maybe there are a couple conferences they would like you to attend or an online bootcamp you can go through (I completed an online ED bootcamp). If there are other APPs in the practice, see what training they did. Do they have any PowerPoints you can go through? Training as a new PA is a continuous process and it is very helpful when your new employer has a plan in place for you to continue to improve your knowledge. 

On that note, has your new employer ever hired a new graduate? If so, do they still work there? There is no better sign than a practice that has trained and retained a new Physician Assistant. Make sure you speak in depth with the PA during the interview process as this can be a wonderful insight into a potential job. Plus, the practice will likely have a protocol in place to train you as a new PA. 

This is a lot to expect from a potential first job! No job will have everything, but just one or two of these traits, especially a job that has a previous new grad that is still there, are a good sign that you have found a suitable position. Do the best you can to make sure you will have the support you need, then go for it! And as I said before, if it isn't the right fit, there is no shame in moving on. Just try to stay for a year!

If you want more information on everything that is the PA career check out The PA Blueprint eBook at www.thepablueprint.com. This covers everything from how to navigate your work environment to student loans to retirement accounts. Follow us on Instagram @thepablueprint for all kinds of info related to the PA career. 

Thanks Savanna for the chance to share with your readers!

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Non-traditional Applicant using the GI Bill to Class President

This post is a transcription from an episode of The Pre-PA Club Podcast. Listen to the episode here: https://www.thepaplatform.com/podcast/gi-bill-for-pa-school

Travis: Hi everyone. My name is Travis Laverne. I’m a second year PA student at  Drexel University. I'm currently in clinical rotations; my 5th clinical rotation is in OB/GYN.  I'm also currently the class president for our class as well.  

Savanna: We'll definitely get to that because I have my personal thoughts on being an  officer in your class. But first what kind of brought you to the PA profession? Give us a  little bit about your background.  

Travis: Yeah, so it was pretty non-traditional. I was in the U.S. Air Force active duty for  13 years before I started PA school. I had always kind of had an interest in medicine. I  thought was really cool. I’ve always been attracted to the high-tempo type of careers, a  lot of responsibility. I do really well under pressure. That side of medicine always  interested me, but I just was kind of a knucklehead in high school and didn't have the  patience to kind of get through school. So I went the military route and I loved it. It was  really high speed; I traveled the world. I was exposed to a lot of PAs in the military,  because those are pretty much the main providers that we see in our clinics. So I was  kind of familiar with the career field, but I really didn't started investigating it until  probably about 10 years into the Air Force. My wife and I would sit down at night, and I  would watch those Untold Stories in the ER. I would just get so hooked, and I've  watched them religiously every night if I could have. I would always just try to figure out  what was going on with the patients. And she just kind of questioned me and was like,  “Why don't you ever get into medicine?” And that's kind of what kicked it off. Then I just  started doing more research, and the more research I did, the more the fire got lit. I  started reaching out to some PAs and some friends that I knew. I started doing some  shadowing, and the rest is history.  

Savanna: That's awesome! Okay, yeah so I would call that non-traditional.  

Travis: Before I had nothing to do with medicine. I operated the jet engine testing  facilities, so I was just straight maintenance type stuff. No medical background prior to  that. So it was a big jump.  

Savanna: So when you made the decision that this something you want to pursue,  practically what did that transition look like?  

Travis: I started doing a lot of research and trying to figure it out. I was carving  out a path as to what it would take. I had my bachelor's degree, and I was just about to 

finish my master's degree in management when I started. I had no prerequisites, core  science classes, or anything like that. So once I carved out that road map over the  course of probably 6-8 months in addition to shadowing and talking to PAs, I had a good  idea of what I needed to get done. School was my main focus, just getting the  prerequisites done. And then once I got closer, probably halfway through, I started  getting my shadowing hours. The more courses I took, I just started getting more and  more interested. I loved anatomy. I loved biology. I was like, “This is definitely my path.”  And then I started volunteering in the emergency room. And then I got a job scribing in  the evenings. That was kind of hard. I was active duty Air Force, so I had to work 8-5  morning job, and then I would come home and head to the emergency room for like a  10pm-2 or 3 am shift three days a week to try to get those hours and experience. All  while I was married with a baby.  

Savanna: Wow, that’s a lot!!  

Travis: Yeah, I did that for about three and a half years. I build up a decent amount of  hours to where I had to like make that decision, like was I going to apply to PA school  and separate from the Air Force? Another interesting component of it was I had to time  it right because when you're active in the military, you have a contract that you're  bounded by. With the Air Force, it was 4-6 years, so I had to time it right when my  contract was going to expire, and I could hit the application cycle. And I was short a  couple months, so I actually had to make the decision to leave the Air Force before  even applying to PA school. I was at 13 years in the military, and at 20 years, you can  retire. I would have been 37 years old with a pension, so that was a tough decision.  

Savanna: Oh gosh, that is tough. That’s like a leap of faith there! So you decided you  were going to go for it and apply. What did applying look like for you? What were you  looking in programs, and how did the cycle go?  

Travis: With the way that I had my life structured, I was married and we have a baby.  We really had to look for something that was going to support us, not only financially  with the GI Bill, but my wife’s family was in New Jersey. She's a high school teacher, so  she has a pretty good job. But we also need to be around family for like support. I knew  that PA school was very demanding, and we weren’t going to be able to do it alone.  Fortunately, in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area, there are a good amount of  programs compared to the rest of the nation, so it served us well. I found out that a  couple of the programs not only accepted the GI Bill but they offered the Yellow Ribbon  Program, which kind of adds to that. Drexel was a 100% Yellow Ribbon Program, so  that was definitely a top school. 

Let me go back a bit because before I was even able to apply, I got a job fortunately  through resources and asking friends and family at the hospital at University of  Pennsylvania as a clinical research coordinator in cardiac surgery. I think that is what  really propelled me to be able to get at least a couple looks at my application from  having such a non-traditional background. It really exposed me to a lot of really cool  medicine, and my letters of recommendation came from there. So I did that for a couple  months, and then I was able to put everything together.  

Savanna: Okay, so you had a wide variety of experiences on your application, which is  always a good thing. So how many schools did you apply to total?  

Travis: I applied to 5 schools total. I got interviews at all of them, but I only attended  Drexel's because that was the first one I got. With the Yellow Ribbon Program and GI  Bill, Drexel’s program pays for 100% of my tuition. So that was definitely a no-brainer  once I got the acceptance there.  

Savanna: Nice. Yeah my program has had the Yellow Ribbon Program, so we had a  couple of Veterans. Can you talk a little bit about like what that means, and who  qualifies for the GI Bill?  

Travis: Sure! I can speak from the active duty side. I’m not really too familiar with  the reserve and guard side. If you serve at least 3.5 years of active duty, you can benefit  from the GI Bill. You have to pay into it for at least a year, I think. When I did it, it was  like $100 a month out of your paycheck for a year. And then once you had those 3.5  years of secured active duty time, you had access to those GI Bill benefits. The cool  thing about the GI Bill benefits is that the GI Bill pays 100% of your in-state tuition up to  38 months. Unfortunately, a lot of the PA programs are at private universities, so it  would only pay up to a certain percentage. At the time when I looked, it was like  $19,000 or something like that, annually. But if that university had a Yellow Ribbon  Program, which is like the university acknowledging that they are veteran friendly, they  would match the GI Bill contribution, which was pretty significant. And it’s really  stipulated by like the different universities. Some universities will accept 5% of the  student population that are veterans and give them an allocated amount that varies. I  think some of the programs that I applied to would give me like $2,500 for the year or  $10,000 for the year. Drexel would make sure that 100% was covered the matter what.  At Drexel, if you're a veteran, you get it no matter what. It’s not even an application  process. You contact the VA department for the school, and they kind of do all the  paperwork for you. It’s a really easy process. You have to really contact the departments 

to see; it's very specific for the university. But yes, it's a phenomenal benefit and in  addition to the tuition, they pay you a housing allowance for the zip code of the college. I  think for Philadelphia, it is $2,500 a month on top of them paying your tuition. Definitely  worth taking advantage of!  

You gotta really understand how it works for you. Some people that I knew took  advantage of the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program for like their associate's  degree. That’s great, but in comparison, if I were to use it all up during my associate's  degree, that would have cost me probably $20,000-30,000. Whereas later in my career  for a graduate professional degree, it’s going a lot further. A lot of those VA reps at  colleges are very well versed in that, so if anybody has that benefit available to them, I  would highly suggest that they reach out to that department.  

Savanna: Yeah and at one point I was working with a PA at Duke, who is trying to really  advocate for veterans going into PA school. If anyone has questions, I can get you his  contact info. because he was working one-on-one with veterans to try to help them. All  right, so then you went to PA school! How’s that been? Good, bad, what you expected?  

Travis: My interview was one of the first groups of interviews. I waited a little  over a year before I started school. I continued to work at Penn. I was just kind of sitting  here, like alright I got it, now I just wait a year. So it was an interesting year.  

Savanna: Yeah! So you decide to run for class president.  

Travis: The way our class did it, I guess you could nominate yourself. I have no  intentions to do it because I'll be honest with you, like that first quarter… That’s when it  really hits you. Your eyes get really open, and you’re getting blasted. Anatomy and  everything was just crazy. And you're just kind of adapting, and I was commuting from  New Jersey to Philadelphia on the train, and that was all new to me. So I was like,  “There's no way I'm taking anything else on. You know I have a family at home. Like my  wife will kill me if I do this.” But I'm always seeking out the next greatest thing. I ended  up getting nominated by a couple of the members in my class. And I kind of sat on it, I  really didn't say anything and I started thinking that if somebody had went out of their way, seen something in me,  and nominated me, the least I could do was stand up in front of the class and make a  five minute speech. Next thing you know, I got elected. I took it on from there. I'm really  glad I did! Because that first quarter, I wasn't fully bought in because I had my wife and  kid at home. I was commuting. I was struggling, and I was tired. But then when I took on  a little bit extra responsibility as kind of a representative for the class, I just shifted gears. I was really brought in. And then everything started getting better. So, I think it  really saved that first quarter for sure!  

Savanna: Definitely, it helped you connect a bit better. How big is your class?  

Travis: I think Drexel has a reputation for a pretty high attrition rate due to the first  quarter of anatomy and stuff. I think we had 6 or 7 students from the previous year go  through anatomy again with us. And I think we are 82 to 84 students.  

Savanna: Oh wow that’s big! Yeah we were at 44. And I think I have said this before,  but I actually regret not running for president. In our class, it was a pretty important role.  I thought about it but didn’t end up doing it. There were times throughout the program  when I wished I had. But yeah it can definitely be a tough job.  

Travis: Yeah definitely, you can really do a lot of good in that position, especially for a  lot of students. I mean one thing is communication between like faculty and students.  When the students have issues, you really have an opportunity to like bring the class  together and really make it unique. As each class goes through, they create their own footprint. There are so many smart people in the class! That is one thing that's so great  about the profession -- it attracts these great minds. Just being able to steer that ship a  little bit, engage people, get good ideas from the class is great. I mean it’s a self-running  machine and our class is great because of that, but you are able to empower people.  When you empower the right people, cool things happen! So those positions are fun.  

Savanna: And you seem like someone is very easy to come to with any class issues  and is perceptive to class issues.  

Travis: Yeah! It takes a lot to like really like shake me up, just because you  deployments and stuff like that. So I learned to weather the storm.  

Savanna: You’re a natural fit there! All right, so you said you struggled a little bit  beginning PA school, which is normal. Everyone does. How long did it take you to find  your groove and what works best for you?  

Travis: To be honest, I think that whole first quarter was pretty messy for me. And that  was 10 weeks. I would say at week 6, I kind of had figured out. We had all these  recommendations from people, like what not to do, don't wait too long before you  change something, change right away, don't get stuck in your ways, and always ask for  help. And that's not something I did either because my GPA was really good. I had aced anatomy prior to this, and I thought I would be fine. And I wasn’t. It’s a lot and very  different. I remember my first exam, I literally failed badly. I was like, “Whoa, wake up!” I  was really upset. I was doing everything I could. I just wasn't retaining it, and you get  competitive with other people. You wonder why is nobody else failing like this? But they  really are, just nobody is really opening up about it, which is something else I found out.  But I think it probably took me that first quarter to get my confidence back up and get  into it. It was a little bit hard for me too because I had a lot of things going on back  home. It probably took me at least six to eight weeks to feel like I had this. Once that  second exam came back, things started getting better and I was improving. I knew I was  doing the right thing. I just had to do a little bit better.  

Savanna: Do have any tips on balancing? This is a question I get a lot, that I can't  speak to because I wasn't in this position of having a family established. I don't believe  in balance; I don't think everything will ever be completely balanced. But how have you  made that work with your family?  

Travis: I think you nailed it - it’s once you figure out that there will not be a balance.  Especially in my situation, it took me 3.5 years to get to this point. So we know what  was kind of coming. I mean, we thought we knew, right? Once you're in it, you're like,  “oh we have no idea what this was going to be like.” But we thought we knew what we  were getting into. But the best thing for me is that once I figured out how difficult this  was going to be, I sat down with my wife. We really went over how hard this was going  to be, and I showed her everything. No one will really ever understand it until they're in it  as much as you try, but I showed her all the assignments that were due and things that  we were expected to learn. We had a family calendar. As long as I was very on top of  that calendar in terms of showing my study time or if I needed to come home and lock  myself in the office, and she could visually see that, it made things better. As opposed to  me saying “I'm going upstairs to study” but she wanted to watch a movie or something.  But as long as I was a week or two ahead of her, I could put what I needed to get done  that week. Now it was still hard, very hard. And I kept promising her that it would get  better with clinicals, and it has. So she believed me and she hung in there!  

Savanna: Okay! Yeah it goes does go by quickly.  

Travis: Don't expect a balance and communicate as best as you can. There's gonna be  days where you're frustrated and stressed out, and they're frustrated and stressed out.  To be honest with you, there were days that I had to close my computer, and just say to  myself that I’m going to do my best. And that's all I can do, you know? I might not get an  A on this exam and just be okay with that because you have other things going on. I have two children. We ended up having a second son later on. I was upstairs in the  office, and he was calling my name. My oldest son goes, “Daddy doesn't live here  anymore.” Because he hadn't seen me. And that was it. Like I had to close the  computer and go downstairs. That broke my heart. And I was like never again. Once I  started learning what the exams were like, what’s expected of you, and how far you can  push yourself, I set a limit. I was never studying past 10 o'clock. I’d also maximize my  weekends; I didn't really study for my weekends. So I had my weekends with the family.  Yeah it wasn’t perfect, but we got through it.  

Savanna: No, that is hard, and I was living at home with my parents. And they were  great, but they also didn't quite understand. My fiance was in med school, so we would  see each other once a week for study date. That’s all we had. I remember one day I  was sitting at the dining room table. And there was a lot going on, a lot of tests, during  the first semester, I just broke down in tears. And my dad walked in, he was like, “What  is wrong with you?” I was like, “I'm fine. I just am having a moment.” And he went and  got my mom, and she was like, “She's good, just let her be. She’s good.” Because she  understood. Yeah, those things happen.  

Travis: Yeah I remember being in the library and seeing things carved in the desks like,  “We will get through this quarter - PA student 2018.” Yeah you know, everyone goes  through it. And yes it’s madness.  

Savanna: It's very interesting. But kudos to you for handling all that! You do it; you just  make it happen but like I can't imagine that.  

Travis: The quarters go by pretty quick.  

Savanna: Yeah, it really does. Alright so with clinicals - how have those been?  

Travis: They've been awesome! It’s a totally new world, totally cool. And I thought I was  going to thrive better in the clinical realm versus the didactic year. I did pretty well during  didactic, but I'm a people-type person. I like interacting and getting my hands-on experience. It's been everything that I thought it would be, maybe even more! So it's  been pretty awesome.  

Savanna: That’s great! And do you have any idea of where you want to end up? 

Travis: Yeah, I love surgery. I really would like to get back into it. The hours are really  long. And that’s what I'm working on right now with my wife, so we'll see. Emergency  medicine or surgery is definitely what I enjoy.  

Savanna: Derm has some surgery in it, just throwing it out there!  

Travis: What’s actually interesting is that my preceptor for my pediatrics rotation owned  a medical spa, and his brother is a plastic surgeon. He works in the office below. So I do peds during the day, and then in the late afternoons and evenings, I've worked  downstairs doing lips, Botox, and all sorts of stuff. So I don't know! Maybe there’s a little like pediatrics/derm/plastic surgery thing.  

Savanna: Yeah it’s not the same as an OR. I love the OR too. Well, thank you so much.  Is there anywhere where people can find you?  

Travis: They can check me out on Instagram (@ tjlaverne )! I'm a rookie at Instagram  right now. It's mainly just been kids and stuff that I've been posting. Or they can shoot  me an email too!

Savanna: Yeah definitely. They can reach out to me if they have questions and we'll get  you in touch. Awesome, thanks so much! 

2020 Gift Guide

It's that time of year again! When we get to celebrate our loved ones by getting them heartfelt gifts. We've compiled a list of our favorite choices for the pre-PA students, current PA students, and practicing physician assistants. It's been such a strange year with the pandemic and everything shutdown, so even if you can't see your loved ones in person, you can show them love this season through your "presents." (Feel free to forward this list to friends and family to give them some ideas. That is what I will be doing also.) This post does include some affiliate links, which doesn't increase the price for you, but gives us a small percentage of some purchases. Follow us on social media @thepaplatform on Instagram to be on the lookout for deals and sales.

Pre-PA Gift Ideas

For school: To make the pre-PA journey a little easier, here are some gifts to consider gifting to take some of the stress away.

Interview Package - Interview Guide and Course - When it's time to apply for PA school, the interview is one of the most important parts and it's never too soon to start preparing.

• PA School Interview Guide

• PA School Interview Course (p.s use code FUTUREPA for a discount!)

• Med Couture Scrubs - Getting patient care hours is required for almost every program, and many positions have a dress code of scrubs. These ones on the right are some of my favorite affordable one

• Picmonic - With a specific pre-health option, Picmonic offers a visual study aid that any pre-PA student will find helpful. - Click here for 20% off

For self care: When focused on becoming a PA, it can be easy to forget about taking care of yourself. Help your pre-PA student focus on themselves during the process.

• Big water bottle - One change I've made this year is increasing my water intake, and it's made me feel so much better. Highly recommend this half gallon water bottle.

• Workout clothes - Getting active and moving your body is a great energy booster. Here are some of my favorite Amazon Lululemon dupes.

• Sound machine and gentle alarm clock - Sleep is essential! This sound machine and gentle light/alarm clock duo is perfect for the anxious student.

PA Student Gift Ideas

For school:

To study - The study 24/7 lifestyle is just a part of PA school, but here are some things that can make it just a little bit easier.

• Smarty Pance - Studying for the PANCE starts on day 1 of PA school. Smarty Pance is a great option to study throughout school. - thepaplatform 10% off

• PANCE prep pearls - AKA the PA school Bible. I'm honored to call the author Dwayne a friend, and he is also a practicing PA, so he knows exactly what's needed to get through PA school.

• PANCE review book - For a quick review, this was my go-to during PA school, and a book that every student needs.

Tech - Since the majority of PA school consists of hours of lectures, pen and paper may not cut it anymore.

• iPad - In the Pre-PA Club group on Facebook, it's overwhelmingly recommended to have an iPad for taking notes during PA school.

• Apple pen. If your student already has the iPad covered, the apple pen is a great companion and you're saving trees!

• iPad case with keyboard - Personally speaking, it's the worst when an accidental drop wipes out a device. This case provides protection and a keyboard.

For rotations: Clinical rotations can be stressful with long hours, so being ready to take them on is essential.

• Medelita scrub jacket - My absolute favorite thing to wear at work 24/7.

• Crocs for work - Crocs have become my go-to work shoe. They're light, supportive, and comfortable. Don't knock them 'til you try them!

• Apple Watch - I got an apple watch last year from a family member, and I never thought I would love it as much as I do. Super convenient.

  • Having an extra band is always helpful, and I love this one. It's affordable and easy to clean.

For survival: Help your PA students in your life focus on some things outside of school and get through the tough weeks with some of these gifts.

• Keurig mini - Coffee. Because PA school.

• Kindle - My personal lifesaver. My kindle goes everywhere with me and is a great distraction. See below for favorite books.

• Cashflow Cornerstones online course - One thing we didn't really learn about in PA school is finances. This course created by a PA is a lifesaver for getting the basics down.

Physician Assistant Gift Ideas

For work: While the PA in your life may not specifically request something for work, here are some things they may not have invested in themselves yet.

• White coat - When it comes to white coats, Medelita has set the standard. The Rebecca is my absolute favorite and I recommend Sprite for thread color!

• New Balance Nergize - Good-looking comfy shoes are a must for working in medicine. These are some of my favorites. I might have 4 colors.

• Blue light glasses - Thanks to EMRs, we stare at computers and screens all day long and could use some eye relief.

• Scrubs - If you have any guy PAs in your life, my husband's favorite scrubs are Figs. Use this link for $20 off your first purchase.

For life: To separate from work life, here are some fun things that I've loved this year and think any PA (or person) would be happy to get.

Skin category: Being a dermatology PA, I have to give some skin recommendations of course.

• Babe Lash - Using a lash serum and not having to use mascara everyday has been a game changer. Use code SAVANNA for 20% off.

• Revision block - For an updated, but basic skincare routine, Revision skincare is my favorite cosmeceutical line. With these 3 products, you'll be set.

  • Brightening Wash - This vitamin C and glycolic acid based wash is a great first step.

  • Vitamin C - Dull skin? No problem! This topical vitamin C will brighten skin and lighten dark spots.

  • Retinol Complete - Retinols are the best for slowing down fine lines and wrinkles. This one is very tolerable.

• Dyson Airwrap - Ok. The price tag is high, but the time saving is so worth it. Wet to styled hair in 10 minutes.

To read: Book club is the highlight of my month, and here are some of the favorites from the past year.

• The Silent Patient - The biggest thriller and twist we read all year.

• One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid is my new favorite author of 2020, and this is a nice, lighter romantic read.

• The Nightingale - A historical fiction set in WWII and one of our most favorites of all time.

Fun Category: Here are some fun stocking stuffers (kind of) that anyone should be thrilled to receive.

• Starbucks gift card - No one will ever turn down coffee! And those chocolate croissants aren't too bad either.

• Corksicle - Best cup ever. I got one of these for my birthday this year and now I"m obsessed.

• Loungewear - A fun robe has been my quarantine dress code this year.

• Peloton - Ok, I know. We hear about them all the time and there's a big price tag, but with the financing options, it's so worth it. Total fitness game changer. Use code UFSYCC for a free accessory package! If you get this for a significant other, brownie points forever.

For even more gift ideas (or to just see what I am eyeing and buying) check out our Amazon Storefront!

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How to Keep Up with Current Information as a Physician Assistant with POCN+

Sponsored by POCN+

It’s well known that physician assistants are lifelong learners. Our education is quick and rigorous, but the expectation to stay current with everything in healthcare continues far past graduation. I’m always looking for new resources and ways to make sure I’m current for my patients. In addition to the desire to learn, the CME requirements also encouraged continued learning, but the options can be expensive so I’m always on the lookout for free options, which is what I get to tell you about today! 

POCN is the largest and most informed NP/PA network with more than 400,000 members. Some of the resources they provide include news on curated topics covering the latest news and blogs across various therapeutic areas. With CE/CME offerings and video content from peers and case based learning, there is a ton of information to explore and digest. I’m excited to tell you about their newest resource specifically for physician assistants and nurse practitioners, and it includes free CME! 

POCN has recently launched POCN+, an application providing premium live and on-demand educational content for the PA & NP community. Think of POCN+ as the Netflix of PA education with the first over-the-top (OTT) streaming service for healthcare providers with peer-led content and education. You will be able to stream 24/7 content with free peer-led information through the one-stop resource to not only medical news, case studies, CDC COVID-19 updates, CME/CE videos and more, but also self-care resources to tackle mental health and burnout. You can find POCN+ on the Apple App Store or Google Play to access the service on your smart TV, computer, or mobile device. If you have an Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, or Chromecast, those will also work!

Since PAs must accrue 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years based on NCCPA requirements, we’re frequently looking for new sources and ways to find those hours. At least 50 of the hours have to be Category 1 CME credits, and that’s what POCN+ offers. The instructions for claiming CME from the videos is very straightforward and explained at the very beginning, making it super simple. 

There are multiple therapeutic areas covered through POCN+, including primary care, cardiology, women’s health, endocrinology, dermatology, neurology and more. The purpose of this new platform is to support patients, practice and career development. By utilizing the top expert PAs and NPs with videos from reputable partners, such as the CDC, Board Vitals, ReelDx, TCOYD and others, you’ll gain access to up to date information in an engaging format. 

So what type of content can you expect to find on POCN+? There’s a wide variety including weekly medical news highlights and interviews with health professionals on a variety of topics/therapeutic areas. To dive into details, case studies, an Expert Disease State series, and the Clinician’s Corner with discussions between NPs and PAs, provide clinical information for us to stay as up to date as possible. To make it even better, there are options for CME/CE videos to use for hours. A CDC COVID-19 series has been added to ensure PAs and NPs have the best access to the most current updates.

When you set up your account and sign in to POCN+, the information is presented in a very organized fashion. You can browse or search for any topic that may be interesting to you. I found some dermatology and skin related videos, but I’m more interested in the general updates outside of my specialty and news updates. On a computer, the top bar shows all of the options of different video types, including the CME options. Videos range from five minutes to an hour and a half, so there’s plenty of options to find something to fill your time. 

Another benefit is the possibility of surveys that match provider skills and interests to earn additional income, as well as the ability to connect with peers and colleagues across the country. This type of collaboration is exactly what our professions need to continue to grow and support each other. As a brand new offering, POCN+ will continue to grow and add new videos and resources moving forward. 

According to CEO Richard Zwickel, the purpose of POCN+ is to provide efficient, useful, and career-driving resources to the PA and NP community with the most comprehensive, one-stop resource that will be invaluable for the medical community to stay on top breakthrough medical news, learn from real case studies and get free CME credits.

It’s completely free to sign up! You’ll just need to fill out the form with your email, and you will need an NPI number to complete registration. Take advantage of the free CME and stay up to date with current medical developments for the benefit of your patients. Click this link to sign up for POCN+ now! I highly recommend checking it out and seeing how you can supplement your current learning style. Visit www.pocnplus.com for all of the info to start using this resource today!

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PANRE and Physician Assistant CME Review: Rosh Review

While many people are familiar with the resources Rosh Review offers for studying for the PANCE during PA school, Rosh Review also offers a PANRE Review Qbank with options for CME credits.

For a PA to maintain certification, there are certain national and state requirements. These guidelines are set in accordance with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) on a two year cycle. Every two years, PAs must accrue a total of 100 CME hours. There are two categories: Category 1 includes approved education and courses that reiterate the importance of knowledge and skills within the PA profession, while Category 2 consists of reading articles or journals and supervising students. At least 50 of the credits must be Category 1. PAs must take a recertification exam called the PANRE every 10 years.

This is where Rosh Review comes in to provide both CME credit and an extensive review of everything that’s pertinent for boards. When logging on to Rosh Review, you are given the option to set up personalized exams. You can choose the amount of questions for each exam, which topics to include, and whether you want it timed with the explanations immediately or following the test.

With 3,000 NCCPA-formatted questions, you’ll be busy for quite a while and get a feel for exactly what the PANCE or PANRE is like. For general studying, I prefer the “Tutor” mode with immediate explanations, but for hardcore board studying, I want it to be like the real thing and will set a one minute timer for each question and complete 60 questions at a time.

The questions written by Rosh Review are phrased in the same format as real PANRE questions. There are various difficulty levels, but the actual questions aren’t confusing. They include images of EKGs and rashes as well to help with clarifying exactly what they are looking for. In the exams, after you submit an answer, you’re given a thorough explanation on both why the correct answer is correct and also why the other answers are incorrect. There are also stats on how you shape up compared to how other test takers answered the question.

Rosh includes “One Step Further” questions that are quick tidbits to test your recall surrounding the topic of the question as well, and each explanation has a direct source at the bottom of the explanation to go look for more information if needed.

For CME credit, Rosh Review is worth 100 AMA PRA Category 1 credits, which takes care of the requirement for an entire year. It’s super simple. You have to complete at least 1,000 questions with a score greater than 70% and email Rosh Review directly to get the certificate. I love a good conference, but I can complete these questions from anywhere. In the comfort of my home on my laptop, or on the app on my phone when clinic is slow. This CME is $399, which will give you a 1 year subscription and time period to complete the CME. Compared to some conferences with far less variety and convenience that cost $850 for 25-30 credits, it’s very cost effective. If you have some CME funds left for the year, this is a great option to complete on your own timeline. 

To get more personal, here’s why Rosh Review works for me. I personally study best with a Q&A format. I figured that out while studying during PA school, and it hasn’t changed over the years. Having to apply my knowledge to an actual question or scenario challenges me to make sure I have a complete understanding of a topic instead of relying on instant recall. There was only one digital Qbank available when I was in PA school, and I didn’t like it. The questions felt like recycled USMLE questions and weren’t specific to the PANCE, which felt like a waste of very valuable study time. I relied on books for most of my studying, which weren’t very easy to tote around to all of my rotations or study on the fly when I had a few minutes of free time. Another limitation of using books is the difficulty of updating information in a timely manner in the way a website or software can be changed if there’s an error. There’s a feedback option on every question to submit if any information is inaccurate or just for clarification from a Rosh Content Education Expert. This is almost like a personal tutor who can help you to understand any tough concepts that aren’t coming across well through the Q&A format.

A couple of years ago, a student introduced me to Rosh Review while precepting. We would sit down and go through questions together in between patients, and I figured out very quickly how effective Rosh Review was for me. It was basically what I wish I had throughout all of PA school with the seamless exam formats and clear explanations. They also have an option of the Rosh Rapid Review books to accompany the questions with all of the extra study information included. You can click here to download a free chapter and get the books in either eBook or physical form.

While I am 3 years out from my PANRE, I realize the need for staying up to date with general medicine because the last 6 years have flown by. Working in specialty practice in dermatology, I’ve seen how quickly knowledge is lost without direct practice. Dermatology is only 5% of the exam content on boards. That’s not a great sign for me. Having Rosh Review as an option to continue testing my knowledge and providing explanations to why I (usually) get a question wrong has been invaluable. Since reviewing these questions, I’ve started to do this more regularly and I will continue to quiz myself regularly on the material. 

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*I was provided with a Qbank free of charge in exchange for this review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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Ultimate Physician Assistant Gift Guide - 2018

Wondering what to get for all of the PAs in your life? Whether Pre-PA, current students, or practicing PAs, we’ve got you covered with this 2018 Holiday Gift Guide. We’ve broken it down by category and you’ll find more practical options to go with some of the more fun choices. Feel free to pass this guide along to your family and friends to give them some hints about what’s on your shopping list. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we get a small percentage if you make a purchase as no extra cost to you. This list is just in time for Black Friday so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for deals!

To Wear

Looking professional is a staple as a physician assistant! Medelita is my go-to brand for medical wear in clinic. A gift card will provide a choice between the various scrubs, white coats, or scrub jackets, but I’ll share some of my favorites.

Medelita offers free shipping, the option of embroidery, a 1-year warranty, and at-home try-on. What more could you ask for? I recommend any of the scrubs, and my favorite white coats are the Ellody or the Rebecca. If you’ve never bought anything from Medelita, you can set up a new account and get $20 off your first purchase over $70. Use the code PAPLATFORM4 for a 20% discount.

If you’re looking for something more casual, check out Medthusiast for the cutest and comfiest T-shirts and sweatshirts. Both Medelita and Medthusiast are companies that were created by PAs, which makes them even cooler!

To Read

For the Pre-PA Student - To help future PA students reach their goals, there are some must have resources out there to make the process much easier. The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs provides information about all of the current PA programs. This is a huge time saver because it can be difficult to track down that info. After applying, the interview is the next step, so the Physician Assistant School Interview Guide is a great present for anyone in the application process.

For the current or soon-to-be PA Student - There were 2 books that were extremely helpful to me while I was in PA school - the “green” book and Lange Q&A. I used these the entire time and particularly when studying for boards. I’ve also heard great things about PANCE Prep Pearls.

For anyone and everyone - Dr. Atul Gawande is my favorite non-fiction/medical author. His books should be mandatory reading for anyone in medicine. Better and Complications would be welcome stocking stuffers for any PA!

For School

While PA school is thankfully a somewhat distant memory for me, there are a few things I couldn’t have survived without.

A great computer. If you really love your PA student (or soon-to-be student), make sure they have a functioning laptop. I’ve heard great things about the iPad Pro and Notability for taking notes, so that’s a good option too. I started school with a MacBook Pro and ended with a Microsoft Surface. I wish I had my Surface at the beginning of my program so I could have taken notes directly on our never ending PowerPoints. I’m back to a MacBook now, but the Surface was great for studying for boards.

A functioning printer. Even though everything is online these days, I’m still a pen and paper type of person at times. I like to write things out and take notes by hand, particularly for last minute studying before a test. I have the HP Envy, and it’s wireless, and does the job.

A water bottle. I’m the first to admit I’m the worst at staying hydrated. At work I use one of the large Tervis tumblers to keep my drinks cold or a good Yeti cup. I love this water bottle that helps to remind you to drink frequently by glowing to help increase water intake.

Amazon Prime. Having 2-day shipping was a lifesaver during PA school and clinical year. When my feet and back were so sore during my surgery rotation, I was able to get some compression socks and better shoes on the way ASAP because by the time I got off work nothing was open and I just wanted to sleep.

For Clinic

If you’re in the market for a new stethoscope, and want one that functions excellently and looks sharp, check out the ERKA stethoscopes from Medelita. I don’t use a stethoscope frequently in dermatology, but my husband has claimed by ERKA as his own and uses it daily at the hospital. There are plenty of color options, and the tubing holds up nicely even with frequent use.

For a coffee drinker, Medthusiast has amazing ceramic coffee mugs with gorgeous artwork on them. These mugs will be the envy of everyone else in the office!

For CME

While I wouldn’t recommend booking a full CME trip for someone else, travel essentials are always a great gift. After going to a few conferences this year, I’ve realized I don’t have great luggage or carry-ons, so those are at the top of my list this Christmas.

Lecture halls at conferences are always freezing for some reason. While I dress business casual and professional when I go to CME events, I’ve been carrying my Medelita Ionic scrub jacket with me to keep me warm. It’s a great weight and still looks professional, so I’ll just leave it at my seat in between sessions. Mine is embroidered so I don’t worry about it going missing. These are available for men and women, and they fit true to size. This is also my husband’s favorite jacket to wear at the hospital, even more than his white coat. (And don’t tell, but even all of the non-medical people in my family are getting these jackets this year!)

At conference, I always take a good size purse or bookbag to lectures, and I have my trusty Lilly Pulitzer notebook and a ton of pens. You could create a little conference survival kit and that would be an awesome present. Don’t forget the candy and snacks!

For Fun

Makeup and skincare are always a nice present because who doesn’t love a little pampering. Put together a basket with some bath bombs, sunscreen, and skincare kit for someone who needs to relax a little bit. I’m the first to admit that I’m a product junkie, but most recently, I’ve been using the FRÉ Skincare line. Being a dermatology PA, I’m very picky about products, but these are easy to use, gentle, and leave my skin feeling fresh. The choices aren’t overwhelming and I love that I only have to leave the Detox mask on for a few minutes. You can use the code SAVANNA1 for 15% off, and make sure you’re following me on social media for extra deals (and there’s a really good one coming for Black Friday!)

For more of my recommendations and favorites, check out my Amazon list.

80 Study Tips for PA School

A while back on Instagram, I asked for your best study tips, and you guys delivered. I compiled them into a list so if you're feeling stuck, unmotivated, or just need a new study idea to get the juices flowing you'll be able to refer back and find some inspiration. These are great study tips no matter if you are in undergrad or PA school. If you have another study tip to add, comment below to share with others! You may find some Amazon affiliate links in these tips!

1. Study in groups

2. Draw out material and make diagrams to visualize it

3. Rewrite notes on material you don’t understand

4. White boards!

5. Use colorful highlighters and pens

6. Quizlet

7. Study in the morning

8. Study after a workout to help clear your head

9. Study alone first

10. Make up mnemonics for material retention

11. Study in a library

12. Start studying before the night before the test

13. Make flashcards

14. Choose a location with no distractions

15. Talk concepts out

16. Make visual study guides with colors and pictures

17. Find videos on YouTube to explain things differently

18. Highlight your notes for important buzzwords

19. Take turns teaching the material to someone else

20. When you feel distracted write down what is distracting your mind on a piece of paper and then come back to it later

21. Write the material over and over

22. Practice taking exams in a setting that is similar to your actual testing environment

23. Take a break when you feel burnt out

24. Share your resources with your study group and see what they use

25. If you can’t get motivated, just start and then you’ll get momentum to keep going

26. Change up your environment to freshen your mind and keep from getting stale

27. Unplug from all distractions = phone off

28. Tell your friends and family the periods of time when you’ll be busy studying

29. Limit your time on social media to designated break times

30. Use “Focus Keeper” app on your phone or laptop to track your study session and tell you when it’s time for a break

31. Evaluate whether studying in groups is the best option for you

32. Snacks!

33. Find a quiet location

34. Take breaks every 20 minutes or so

35. Make a chart so you can compare similar topics

36. Use different color post-its to keep track of what you understand and what you need to review more

37. Block time in your planner for studying

38. Make sure you get good sleep

39. Eat healthy

40. Teach the material - even if it’s to an empty room

41. Use friends to keep you accountable

42. Record lectures and listen to them again

43. Review the material each night to keep up the workload

44. Focus on the material that you don’t know instead of covering what you’re familiar with

45. Go on a walk to exercise and think through the material

46. Listen to classical music

47. Make a summary sheet of the main topics

48. Listen to podcasts

49. Use the Pomodoro technique - set a timer and divide your work into intervals with small breaks in between

50. Make a last minute review sheet for the morning of the test to have a quick review

51. Study for a shorter amount of time, but more often

52. Actually pay attention in class instead of having to try to learn it afterwards

53. Keep snacks and drinks nearby

54. Drink lots of water

55. Drink a specific drink or chew a specific gum when studying and do the same thing before the exam to help you recall the material more effectively

56. Coffee!

57. Use Google Excel to keep track of important facts

58. Go over practice questions to practice applying your knowledge

59. Quiz each other

60. Take a nap if you are feeling tired

61. Make up your own questions as you study

62. Study at a stand up desk

63. Take mental health breaks

64. Buy cute study supplies so you want to use them

65. Remember why you’re studying. What’s the end goal?

66. Get rid of the computer or internet if it’s distracting you too much

67. Read about the topic before going to the class or lecture

68. Figure out your study methods and stick to them

69. If you’re bilingual, try to think about the material in another language and translate it so you are studying it twice

70. Use flash card apps if you don’t want to use index cards

71. Don’t give up!

72. If all else fails, cram.

73. Put candy on your notes so when you make it to the next section, you get a treat

74. Have confidence in yourself and your study skills

75. Go study outside to get some fresh air

76. Use Google docs to collaborate with others to make a study guide

77. Don’t study where you sleep

78. Link a difficult concept with an interesting story or life event

79. Use ear plugs

80. Don’t forget that you got this!

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Guest Post from Jamie - What's in my Medical Bag?

I'm really excited to share this post today from Jamie, which was first published on Reddit.  It does contain some affiliate links, which means if you purchase any of the products from Amazon, Jamie will get a small cut. You may remember her previous post - The Unexpected Costs of Interviewing and Attending PA School

What’s in my medical bag?

Firstly, I carry two bags. The salmon colored bag is a little backpack by Dickies and the black bag is actually a diaper bag from Eddie Bauer. The Dickies bag was ~$23 at Sears and the Eddie Bauer bag was $39.99 at Target, but I used a 10% off coupon. On the outside of the backpack, I have a hand sanitizer (just Purell). I also carry a water bottle (Contigo brand because I hate having to bite the straw) and an umbrella. Because it’s a diaper bag, these pockets are actually insulated, which I think is funny, but awesome.

I don’t actually plan to carry both bags every day. I just don’t carry a purse and the med bag has stuff that I don’t really need on days like today or Wednesday when I only have one lecture. I do need the med bag on Tuesdays and Thursdays, though.

LET’S DIVE IN!

Medical Bag: Front Pocket(s) from left to right

• Littman Cardiology III Stethoscope - $140 (with extra ear pieces)
• Tuning forks – 128 and 512 cps $12
• Tomahawk and Taylor percussion hammers - $6.20
• EKG calipers - $9.95
• Calculator - $10
• Visual acuity card - $3.32
• Pocket medicine guide from the AAPA (free with the low-low price of membership…)
• Gauze pads - $5
• Tape measurer - $3.99

Medical Bag: Inside View of Main Pocket

Laid out so you can see contents left to right

• Welch Allyn Insufflator Bulb - $12.65
• Otoscope speculums - $5.15
• Welch Allyn Diagnostic Kit-  (Case, $47, Lithium Ion Handle, $230 new, Macroview Otoscope Head $85 used, Ophthalmoscope head $60.45 used)
• Bandage scissors - $5.10
• Masterlock - FREE (because an old roommate left it and the key behind, woo)
• Thermometer - $10
• Probe covers - $3
• Pen light - $3
• Alcohol wipes - $8
• Tongue depressors - $6.76
• Nitrile exam gloves - $10
• Blood pressure cuff - $20

I am horrendously guilty of forgetting to put on deodorant, so I keep a little one in my bag along with some Kleenex!!

Backpack Front Pocket

• Sunglasses-  $15, case $5
• Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream (a MUST if you wear gloves a lot!)-  $7
• Kleenex -$1 for 3
• Medicines (I carry Sudafed, Benedryl, Tums, Motrin, and floss)

Backpack Main Pocket

• Microsoft Surface 3, 128GB Internal Storage, 4GB RAM ($399.99 from Best Buy) – this for me is an absolute MUST. It is lightweight, so I can carry it easily in my bag, it can be charged with an external USB power bank if the classroom doesn’t have outlets on the table, and it has the full functional Windows 10 operating system, including Microsoft Office. I live by OneNote for my notes. I use the cloud to store everything (with hard backups, of course), but it’s SO nice to be able to pull up my lectures from my phone or tablet, or my laptop at home. I can’t suggest this enough. I just hate that you have to buy the keyboard separate, and $400 is the cheapest I’ve ever seen it. I’ve had a Surface since the initial RT, though, and I’m a fan.
• Microsoft Surface Type Cover - $116
• Microsoft Surface Pen - $44.72 – I love this puppy, but you don’t need it if you prefer typing. I like being able to handwrite things easily, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
• Tablet sleeve - $14.99
• Bare Bones Anatomy textbook by Dr. Tracey Bee - $213
• Flashcards for Unit 1: Intro and Back (came with textbook)
• Folder - $1
• Planner (MY LIFE) - $10
• Pencil case - $1
• Pilot G2 Pens - $10
• Chargers, extra headphones
• Glasses

And again, super forgetful with deodorant, so my backpack gets one, too – remember, I said I don’t always have both bags? And hey… sometimes I go to the gym… Also lip balms and a prescription topical steroid cream for my hands – I have contact dermatitis that gets bad with excess glove usage.

What’s in my pockets?? I just wore scrubs today, but this is the contents of my lab coat pockets!

• Bath and Body Works lotion - $3
• Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer - $1.50
• Alcohol swabs
• Pilot pen
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp - $6
• $2 for possible snacking needs
• My locker combination

Not pictured:

• Lab goggles - $1
• Lunch: turkey sandwich, peppers and carrots with hummus, grapes, cantaloupe, and strawberries, Goldfish crackers.

Grand total: roughly $1600

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Hi all. Thanks for reading! I'm Jamie Murawski, a physician assistant student at the University of Detroit Mercy. I have a Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University. I'm a Michigan girl through and through. 

I'm growing my online presence in the PA community through Reddit, where I moderate /r/prephysicianassistant along with some other pretty cool PA students. I also have an Instagram where I pseudo-blog about my journey (@jamienicole_pa.s). Please feel free to follow me or message me with any questions, I'm happy to help!

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