Maryville Nursing Home opportunity and Gerontology module.

I just thought I would post the awesome experience we were able to have today as we finished up Gerontology. We had the opportunity to visit with a few of the residents at Maryville Nursing home. This was the first time that Pacific University had students here, and it was fun to be part of the first class there.

Group "E" for Excellent- at least thats what we say. 

Up to date with the last few modules!...

So its been a while since I updated the blog, but it has been really busy and lets face it... I've been lazy every chance I can! So here is an update of the last couple of modules we just finished:

• Woman's health (OB-1 week/GYN-2 weeks) 
• Behavioral Health (2 weeks)
• Neurology (3 weeks)

So lets start with Neurology- This was easily one of the most challenging modules we have had to date. It involved so much information and included the longest Physical Exam we had to perform. Luckily they spit up the Physical Exam into two different parts: Cranial nerves exam, and full neuro exam. Needless to say at this point in school, I started feeling much better with physical exams and I was a lot more confident. The final test was really difficult too, just because there was so much to know, and so many possible outcomes. 

Behavioral health was a different type of module, because a lot of what was taught, especially with the personality disorders, had no treatment besides cognitive behavioral therapy. Believe me... there are many different types of personality disorders. I gained a lot of appreciation for those who suffer from depression and bipolar disorder. I have to say I previously didn't believe the conditions to be an imbalance of neurotransmitters like I now know. 

The most recently completed module was Woman's health. I really found it to be an interesting area of medicine, and yet it was such a broad topic. I will talk more about this module in detail in the next post. 

This first year is really going by so fast. I can still remember the first time I started this blog with my journey to become a PA-C. I only have one more short semester left, just over 2 months until I start rotations. I should hear where my first rotation is going to be within the next few weeks! I can't wait until I can start working with patients on a daily basis!