Journey of a DPT Student : Ethics & Legal Issues

Early Boards Get the Worm?

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:42:00 GMT

It was recently brought to my attention that in certain states, the option exists to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) prior to graduation if certain requirements have been met. Eligibility varies from state to state -- some require completion...(read more)

Finding Your Voice

Lauren Rosso — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:30:00 GMT

With experience comes responsibility. It's a simple concept, but I never fully appreciated it until recently when I was involved in the discharge decision-making process for patients I've been working with. As I'm sure any physical therapist working in...(read more)

A DPT Student with Patients

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:42:00 GMT

I completed the first full week of my six-month clinical affiliation, and things are off to a tremendous start. This past week, I was assigned two patients of my very own who I'll likely see throughout their course of care on the inpatient rehab unit....(read more)

Asking for PTO as a Student

Lauren Rosso — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:50:00 GMT

With the start of our yearlong clinical only one month away, the logistics of having a full-time "job" are becoming a reality. We recently met with the clinical education instructors in our department to cover the do's and don'ts regarding PTO, stipends...(read more)

Owning a Theoretical PT Practice

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:58:00 GMT

As part of a very in-depth project for our "Leadership and Professional Development" course, I'm in charge of justifying the purchase of an electronic health record (EHR) for our theoretical outpatient private practice. I've been spending a lot of time...(read more)

Organizing Notes -- What Do I Keep?

Lauren Rosso — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:53:00 GMT

I spent the better half of yesterday trying to organize the notes and lecture materials I've accumulated since starting PT school. I'm amazed by a lot of things, mostly the amount of knowledge that has been imparted upon us in such a short period of time,...(read more)

Affordable Care Act

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:57:00 GMT

I'm embarrassed to say it, but it wasn't until last week that I finally got a grasp of the Affordable Care Act and specifically its implications for the future of physical therapy. As part of our "Evidence-Based Practice" coursework, Everette James, director...(read more)

When a Patient Refuses to Work with a Student

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:11:00 GMT

I guess my initiation as a PT student is finally complete -- today was the first time a patient refused to work with me after I informed him that I was a student. In a way, I'm surprised it's taken a year and a half for that to happen. At the same time,...(read more)

Delivering Bad News to a Patient

Lauren Rosso — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:28:00 GMT

Now that I am starting to take on more of the CI's caseload, I'm faced with decisions that I previously didn't have to make. On all of my other placements, I wasn't heavily involved in reevaluation or discharge planning. This time around, I'm seeing patients...(read more)

Interdisciplinary Exposure for PT Students

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:32:00 GMT

Yesterday, I had an hour-long conversation with my rugby coach about what he, as a chiropractor, does with his patients. I have never been to a chiropractor and therefore know very little about their scope of practice. I have to say that I was surprised...(read more)

PT Schools Must Be Doing Something Right

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:03:00 GMT

A big group of people from my class is going on a camping and rafting trip this week before we start back to class next Monday. I find it very hard to believe that one year ago, I didn't know any of these people. I know I have blogged about my classmates...(read more)

Practice What You Preach

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:18:00 GMT

Since I started school last June, my fitness levels have been steadily declining. I can confidently say that at this point, I'm at an all-time low. Prior to starting school, I worked a normal full-time job and for the most part, work was over when I walked...(read more)

Instructors Make the Difference

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:37:00 GMT

My first two clinical experiences could not have been more different. Fortunately or unfortunately, it made me realize that the quality of a student's clinical instructor can make a measurable difference in her experience. To an even greater extent, it's...(read more)

Three's a Crowd

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:54:00 GMT

There has to be some way around the awkward CI-student-patient triangle. Does everyone know what I'm talking about? As a student following my CI's every footstep, I constantly feel like I'm encroaching on some private interaction between PT and patient....(read more)

Buying Books for PT School

Lauren Rosso — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:13:00 GMT

We just received our book list for the spring semester, and despite knowing that each of them will be a beneficial resource, I can't help but resent spending so much money on books. I'd like to say that I have done each and every suggested reading, but...(read more)