Don't Settle, Go with your gut!

          This week I had to overcome an obstacle. This obstacle was not one that I predicted.  I thought I would share because maybe it will help someone else in my position. 

          On Tuesday I applied to a job.  The position was not in my field of choice but it was a job.  The job was in homecare, it paid really well, and the people who interviewed me were very nice.  At this point it has been 2+ months after graduation and I still don't have a job.  I have had a few interviews, all with no success. I say this not because I am disappointed but I want you all to know my current state prior to going into this interview.  A friend of mine from class got into this homecare job so I figured I would apply and see what they had to offer.  I went into the interview confident even though I knew I did not want to be in homecare for the rest of my life. The interview was straight forward, the staff friendly, and within 10 minutes I was offered the position.  I wont go into detail on the benefits of the jobs or the obvious red flags, but I will say that I told them I would think it over and get back to them.  Immediately when I got into my car I began to cry.  These were not tears of joy, for some reason I was very upset.
        
          Now, I have mentioned previously that both my parents are physicians so I came to them with my contract and asked for words of wisdom.   My parents were split on the decision but both gave sound advice.  My Dad said that it is a first job and it was good to get my foot in the door anywhere, however, he was concerned in the amount of distance I would have the potential to travel each day.  My mother recalled the days of her first job experience and how she felt terrified and needed the knowledge that there was someone in the office to bounce ideas off of if needed.  She feared that with me being alone on a daily basis that I would not get as much of the essential teaching during my first job that I need.  I have to admit, prior to talking to my parents I had more of a view of my father.   Later, I came home and my boyfriend immediately realized my distress and said, " You are so unhappy and you have not even taken the position yet."

          Long story short, I took a few day to think it over and decided not to take the position.  After making that decision I felt an immediate weight lifted off my shoulders.  I don't want to rush into a decision just because it's a job.  I want to be happy, after years of schooling I think I deserve that much. I wanted to tell my story because I felt that maybe someone somewhere would benefit from this.  Go with your gut, if something does not fit or you spontaneously start to cry after getting a position (like me) then maybe it is not right.

          So, I am currently still job searching and proud of it! I have a new perspective, I am applying to Family Med and Pediatric jobs like before but also other jobs that I know I will have a team by my side to bounce off ideas if needed.  This was definitely a learning experience but I know I made the right decision. 

Officially a PA-C

YAY! I am officially certified! I passed my PANCE exam!  I am so excited to finally not study.  My recertification exam does not happen for 6 more years! All that hard work really paid off. So far everyone has passed the PANCE exam. I am hoping that our class will be the 2nd class ever to get 100% first time pass rate. I am so proud of my classmates and all we have achieved. Currently, I am enjoying my free time while sending out my new CV and cover letter with PA-C on it.  I am anxious to work but I have not had so much free time in years.  It is strange to think that I am completely done with schooling, forever. It will be nice to start making money and do what I love. I feel like my life is just beginning, there are so many possibilities.

More good news to come I am sure.

~Jennifer Pilchman, PA-C

PA Class of 2012

Here we are the PA Class of 2012!!! The serious and the not so serious version! I am so proud!

PANCE exam

          3 more day until I take the PANCE exam! EEK! I am very nervous but excited to get this over with. Weeks of studying have all come down to this. What am I kidding, all of PA school has come down to this! So far, our class has 100% pass rate and I am hoping to continue this.  Am looking forward to relaxing once this test is done.  Wish me luck everyone!

More on Job Searching

          I wanted follow-up on a question I got from a reader.  She wanted to know the process of job searching.  I realized I did not fully touch upon this in my last post.
          I have been using indeed.com, the aapa job website, and doccafe.com.  I have also used monster. com and craigslist but there is really not much on those two sites.  I check every day.  I mostly have been emailing or submitting applications with my CV and a cover letter. Occasionally, there is a job that has their own online forms to fill out. Our school went over with us the correct formate and what to include in the CV and cover letter.  I made sure to have many people look it over before sending any of them out.  The worst thing you can do is send out something with spelling mistakes or format issues.  Makes sure your CV and cover letter are concise and neat.  I made a general cover letter and tweak it depending on what position I am applying to.  PLEASE don't lie in your CV or cover letter.  You may be asked about a position you "worked for" or they may expect you to demonstrate a skill that you said you had in your cover letter on the job.  This did not happen to me, I am always honest, but I have heard stories.  The best relationship you can have with your employer is an honest relationship.  Similarly, let yourself shine on paper.  I know that sounds corny but it is true.  I try to always put myself on that page, not just my credentials and experience.  I let them know who I am because ultimately, I want someone to hire me for me.  So, if you find a CV and cover letter template use it, but make it your own.
        Advice on interviewing: be yourself, be calm, and enjoy the experience.  The answers will come to you, just be honest.  Don't be afraid to ask questions!  At the same time, do your research on where you are interviewing before asking a question.  You are already a qualified applicant, that is why you got the interview so just be yourself.  They want to see how well you fit in with their practice and their patients. You got this!
         I hope this helps some of you.  If there is anything I missed shoot me a message and I will try to answer it the best I can.  Have a good day everyone!

Life After PA School

       Well everyone PA school has officially been done for a month!  I can’t believe how fast that was.  I have been doing a lot since graduation.  I took a much needed week vacation, a very important week of NOT studying.  Since then I have been trying to see as many friends and family as possible.  It is amazing how much I have missed in these past 26 months!  Currently, I am studying for my certification exam, the PANCE, which I take September 6^th.  Studying has pretty much been my job about 6-8 hours a day.  I have been going through each topic and doing questions.  Some of my classmates have already taken the exam and passed with flying colors.  I am so proud of them!  During my time off I try to relax and do something fun.  The monotony of studying can get to you sometimes so you have to know when to relax.  In the meantime, I have been job searching.

            I started my job search earlier than most, in June.  Looking back on it I think I should have started later.  It seems like most practices wont give you a second look unless you have graduated and taken the PANCE.  Here is what I have found in my job search.  I am looking for a primary care job: Pediatrics, Family Medicine, or Internal medicine.  I also have an interest in Dermatology and Gynecology.  The job market in Philadelphia, Pa for primary care is not very good.  If I wanted a job in Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Pain Management, Orthopedics, Oncology, or a Hospitalist position I would be golden.  This seems so surprising to me since I have always been told there is a need for primary care practitioners.  I am sure it is because this area is very flooded with applicants due to the location and the proximity of 6 PA schools.  While my training is extensive in all areas of medicine, I am unwilling to settle for anything less than what I know makes me excited about medicine.

 That being said, I have applied to a handful of positions and have had a few hits.  I have currently had 3 interviews and I am waiting on another.   The rush when you get your first call/email stating that a company is interested in you is very exhilarating.  It is a rush of nervous and excited energy all at once.  Reality hitting you in the face.  Thankfully, all the interviews I have had have been straightforward.  I feel as though I have handed myself well in them. I always answer honestly and ask appropriate questions. 

 I had my first working interview 2 weeks ago.  That was definitely nerve wracking.  It was really no different than a rotation.  You see a patient, formulate a plan, and meet with the attending physician and present to them.   I did that with 2 patients and I came up with the same conclusion as the doctor so that was good.  I felt calm with the patients and the Doctors.  In the working interview I also saw how the Doctors interacted with their patients. I have to say, I liked what I saw.  I prefer this type of interview to the standard meet and greet.  In a working interview you are able to show your stuff and prove that you have what it takes to be hired.  In a standard interview, they make the decision on how qualified you are by your responses but not with what really matters, the patients.  Similarly, I was able to evaluate my “hopefully” future employer just as much as they were evaluating me.  It is very important that you as well feel you fit in with the practice.  Sometimes, I feel we forget this because we just wanted to get our first jobs as PAs.  I hope that I get the job that I interviewed with. I am keeping my fingers crossed.  I will definitely post on here if I get good news. 

            Alright, it is back to studying.

Dermatology Elective

I completed my Dermatology Elective last Friday, July 20^th.   I really liked my elective.  I chose this as my elective because I wanted to do something different.  I enjoyed learning about Dermatology but I felt it was a weakness that could be used in primary care.  I was working with a very popular and well-known Dermatologist, so I saw a great deal.  There were people who came from all over the US to see him.  The majority of the time I saw full body exams on patients, checking for atypical moles, potential skin cancers, and pre-skin cancers.  I did see some very interesting rashes, systemic diseases, and a lot of acne.  I was unable to actually see patients on my own because of his popularity, however, he was a great teacher and I learned a lot.

  A common complaint I  saw in the office is constant itch.  These were the hardest patients to treat, especially if there were no visual findings like rash.  Thankfully, we treated them all, and many times I heard the words “Doctor, you saved my life.” Itch is a horrible complaint to have and to live with.  Itch can be constant, spontaneous, or occur during specific times.  Any of the above can severely decrease a patient’s quality of life.  Many have developed scars, some in cosmetic areas, because of this problem.  The first step is to take away the insult to injury, if there is one.  This is simple, if there is nothing there to scratch usually people do not pick.  The next step is something obvious but hard to follow- if it itches don’t scratch it.  This is a very cruel thing to say to a patient.  It is impossible for a patient to not scratch even though they know they should not.  Instead of saying this say, "If it really itches apply gentle pressure over the area for a few seconds, but do not use your finger nails."  This relieves the itch but does not cause any trauma to the skin.  Using this technique may allow time for the skin to heal and for the itch to go away.  The last step was to give a patient some medication.  Many of you are probably thinking, this is so simple, it is.  However, many practitioners do not follow this and the problem persists or worsens.

Wednesdays were cosmetic days.  Here patients would get Botox, fillers, etc.  I think that a lot of people have a misconception about these products.  I know this because when patients came in for a consultation they brought up these views.  In Hollywood, these products tend to be over used and the individuals tend to look like they are from another planet.  In the office I worked in, the Doctor emphasized that fillers and Botox should be done to make a person look fresher but still look like themselves.  The common medical practice of start low and go-slow is key, do not overdo, always under do when it comes to cosmetics.  You can always add more later.  Many patients that came in for consultations were apprehensive, not vain.  Each person left looking like himself or herself, just less worn down.  Throughout the process we would give the patients a mirror to help alleviate any anxiety that they were being altered.  We would mix lidocaine with some of the products to make the experience less painful. Comfort is key.  There was not anyone who was not happy with the results.  Radiesse, is the product we used the most often because it is a natural product that stimulates a person to continue to make their own collagen.

As it stands, I have 4 days until graduation!  This means that the next patients I will be seeing will be my own.  I am currently applying for jobs in Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Dermatology.  I hope that I get some bites.  Please continue reading, I have been told that I am able to keep this blog.   I will be the alumni PA blogger.  I look forward to writing about job seeking, working as a PA, etc.  Thank you to those who have continued to read my student blog, I can’t believe I have 4 more days of being a student.