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Life with a New PT Grad

Code 4
by Lisa West
Several weeks ago I was at our daily OFT (Outcome Facilitation Team) meeting when we heard over the speaker system, "Code 4. 5 th floor. Room 12." A Spanish-speaking patient had passed out and became unresponsive, and a code was called for the Stat team Read More...
157 views     1 comments »     
Perks of Being a New Hire
by Lisa West
Last week I wrote a depressing blog about how awful the world is when you are a new hire, or a new grad. This week, I'd like to focus on all the reasons why it's so great to be a new hire. 1. I have lots of fresh ideas. Having recently graduated, I had Read More...
331 views     2 comments »     
Boards Exam
by Lisa West
I have studied as much as I probably can at this point, and my exam is at 4:30 PM tomorrow. Which means, if I take the full 5 hours, I won't be done with my exam until 9:30 at night. Add in breaks and paperwork and breathing time, and I could potentially Read More...
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My First Paycheck
by Lisa West
Here's a little list of things I am going to do, now that I have a paycheck: 1. Student loan payment; 2. Buy massive amounts of groceries; 3. Go to a Brewer's game; 4. Buy some work clothes! 5. Turn the lights on in my apartment, because I have money Read More...
276 views     1 comments »     
Health Care and Democrats
by Lisa West
All Americans should be required to carry health insurance? Excuse me? Government-run health care? Hopefully you are all keeping yourselves updated with the latest news. As a health care provider, I agree that changes need to be made. Being forthright Read More...
345 views     4 comments »     
Pool Therapy and New Grads
by Lisa West
I started work this week doing pool therapy/floating (NOT aquatic therapy)...it was a nice position that would give me some experience at the hospital before the residency begins in July. I would be able to jump between IP and OP. I have a few days off Read More...
253 views     1 comments »     
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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Graduation
by Lisa West
I am a DPT graduate. Here are two quotes I find very fitting for this stage in my life. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. 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...
215 views     1 comments »     
Sick of Being A Student
by Lisa Catenacci
In approximately three weeks, our last clinical will be over and we will be on our way to graduation and being a real PT. In the meantime, I got this email/poem from a friend of mine, who is less-than-thrilled with his final clinical rotation. Enjoy. Read More...
200 views     1 comments »     
Professionalism
by Lisa Catenacci
Okay, kind of a controversial subject here. And, I will clear the air before I begin- I am not pointing fingers or even implying that the current staff I'm working with is guilty of such behavior. What I'm about to write is a compilation of many settings, Read More...
403 views     2 comments »     
Aphasia
by Lisa Catenacci
Alright, let's talk about how you handle non-verbal patients. I have twice experienced working with patients with expressive aphasia. The first patient, at my last clinical experience, was a recent CVA (within three weeks from the time he was admitted Read More...
318 views     2 comments »