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Life with a New PT Grad

Background in Physical Therapy
by Lisa West
A friend of mine is an MD, and he often does other work using his MD education as a basis for other jobs. He serves as an "expert opinion" in some court trials, does consultation work for medicine companies, and teaches lectures occasionally. Although Read More...
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Learning Experience
by Lisa West
A few nights ago I picked up an extra evaluation at the end of the day. It was a very active 88-year old woman admitted for a GI bleed. She volunteers weekly and is completely independent at home. No device used. Upon introducing myself and my purpose Read More...
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Mandatory Lunch Meetings
by Lisa West
At our hospital, the baseline for productivity is 75 percent. In acute care this is attainable on most days, but on some days can be difficult. Other tests/procedures, medical hold due to unstable lab values, dialysis, and simple patient refusals often Read More...
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The Board Exam
by Lisa West
First, that exam was by far the most difficult test I've ever taken. You are only allowed to take a picture ID and your locker key into the test area. The testing area is a bunch of cubicles in a row with a computer, keyboard, mouse, and earplugs at each Read More...
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Boards
by Lisa West
I have scheduled my boards exam for June 25. Holy cow. I haven't really started studying. I read a few chapters in my ortho notes one sunny afternoon, but since then, I haven't been in the mood to retain any information. Monday I begin with orientation Read More...
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Boards Review Course
by Lisa West
Well, I'm in the middle of a two-day boards review course at Marquette University. The class has been a good reminder of the important areas to focus on, and an even bigger reminder of how much I've forgotten since some of these classes finished. Wound Read More...
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One Week Until Graduation
by Lisa West
Well, I made it back to Wisconsin safely. It was a long drive by myself, but it was good. I got back to Milwaukee, unpacked all my things and then went to Appleton, WI, for a few days to visit my sister, parents and other family members. It is always Read More...
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Last Clinical EVER
by Lisa West
Well, it's basically over. Two more days of my last clinical as a PT student, and then I'm off for a 4-day solo drive home. My mother was kind enough to drive out here with me (we bopped along the whole way, singing at the top of our lungs and gasping Read More...
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Blog-o-Joy
by Lisa West
So, with only seven days of my clinical left, and 25 days until graduation (who's counting?), I thought I would post a list of my blessings, joys and memories throughout this journey of becoming a physical therapist. (I know a lot of these things sound Read More...
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I Lost My Heart in Arizona
by Lisa Catenacci
Week One: I am LOVING my last clinical here in Mesa, Arizona. My coworkers are fabulous- except the lack of GB Packer supports here (this is a joke). I'm in an OP-Neuro setting, and so far I've seen two SCI patients, many CVAs, and a muscular dystrophy, Read More...
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One Step Closer
by Lisa Catenacci
I made it safe and sound to Phoenix, AZ. My mom drove out here with me, and we had fun rambling over the country. We stopped at the Grand Canyon and hiked The Wave in southern Utah before finishing in Phoenix. A few long days in the car, but definitely Read More...
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Packing for Clinical FOUR
by Lisa Catenacci
My final clinical is located in Mesa, Arizona. Needless to say, I am packing and preparing for my voyage to this Western climate. At the same time, I am also mourning the end of my third clinical. I had a great experience in Inpatient Rehab and have grown Read More...
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Watching Patients Decline
by Lisa Catenacci
In this rehab setting, I have the opportunity to get to know my patients fairly well. Most of them stay in the rehab program for two weeks, and with three hours of therapy a day- you get to know the person, build relationships. In these instances, you Read More...
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What makes a good PT?
by Lisa Catenacci
I don't really know what motivated me to write on this topic, but for some reason I have been reflecting on my goals of being a good PT. What differentiates a good PT from a great PT, from an average PT? I want to change lives. I want my patients to be Read More...
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Finals Week
by Lisa Catenacci
This is it--my last week of finals ever! This is, of course, excluding the ultimate "final exam," the board exam I will take after graduation in May. I have a very successful system when it comes to studying for exams. Basically, I spend most of the week Read More...
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