I'm taking the boards in July.

Nope, I am not applying for a temporary license. I do not have a job waiting for me out of grad school.

Nope, I am not going to look for a job right away. I racked up lots of loans, what's another 2 months of not working.

I am taking my boards in July. And I'm going to do everything in my power to pass in July. I'm scared as shit to fail.

One of my CIs took a year off to celebrate being done with 7 years of school. She got into PT school right after undergrad. When it came time to take the boards, a year later, she failed because the info was not fresh in her mind. She said that it ruined her confidence. Ultimately, she passed the second time but still, she said don't do it to yourself. Take it right away. She did not need to tell me twice. 

Pic from FSBPT.
Licensure exam tests how safe and competent you are. Need to know your contraindications/ precautions/indications for tx. I cross my fingers, eyes and toes that I pass.

Motion is lotion.

My professor,  Dr. M uses these one-liners in class to remind us about concepts that we learned. My class dedicated a t-shirt to his -isms. In turn, I have passed on his wisdom to my patients in acute care and outpatient because it makes them laugh while reminding them what they need to do when they leave the clinic.

'Motion is lotion' is my favorite line. FAVORITE LINE. Dr. M uses it in reference to joint mobs similar to how its written in this blog article.

I use it for patients with low back pain. Current evidence suggest minimizing bed rest and staying functional. I tell my patients keep moving to get grease between the wheels esp the ones that sit in bed for extended period of time. Keeps them motivated to do exercises in bed to minimize his/her low back pain.

Artwork done by my very talented classmate, Gisele Andrade.

Acute Care Cheat Sheet

My CI has photographic memory and was able to remember every patient I saw so she knew which note to check at the end of the day. Some days I would have 8-11 patients.

My classmate was able to see 11 patients, write his notes and be done with work at 2PM.

Every therapist, including my CI never had a notepad but can give me a full account of what we heard during the pt interview, can correct my notes and point out the details that I missed.

I had to write down everything the patient said so that I can write a detailed note when I got back to my desk.

Here is my cheat sheet.
*It was a derivative of a cheat sheet that another student shared with me. Thank you Ayesha!
- I like that I can write 4 evals on 1 sheet.
- It has all the key questions to get a full hx.
- I would write the admission date on the top right hand corner to see if the pt is oriented to time.
- Top 2 lines, I fill out from chart review so I remember who I am dealing with, his/her room #,
  baseline BP and general dx/ precautions.
- And lastly, it folds in 4 so it fits perfectly in my white coat pocket and the palm of my hand so I
  don't need to carry a clipboard.

 

Picture from I am Science Geek Blog.

Done! Now for Graduation!

I am DONE with my clinicals. Yes!

Graduation is in a week. My school has 2 graduations - 1 ceremony for the whole graduating class (undergrad & grad) at a big concert venue and 1 intimate ceremony where I will walk up on stage, take my fake diploma and shake some hands. My dad, mom and bro will come to the intimate ceremony and take lots of pictures. I know my bro will hoot for me when I'm on stage. I'll attend the larger ceremony even though my family will not be able to because... why-not.

Lots of my second career friends chose not to attend their graduation. I will go because "It's kind of a big deal." I left a paying salary to go back to school for 4 years of my life (3 for DPT, 1 for the pre-req's) in a field that I had no background in. I will obtain my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. My school chose me from 800+ candidates. Five of my classmates didn't finish. I made it. I'm going to celebrate it. I always think that I will never regret going but I might regret skipping.

Picture from Cheezburger.