My PT Plan Progresses

Here’s a post I wrote on May 14th:

Everything is finally starting to come together for my physical therapy school goals.

Last week, I started training for my new job as a physical therapy aide at a private practice near my house. In addition to folding towels and fetching heating pads, I can also assist the PTs with stretches and occasionally sit in on sessions during which they explain what they are doing. My first listening-in session started with the basic lessons of defining tendons and ligaments, and learning how they are affected in an ankle sprain, but from listening to the other PT aides, I know that the lessons will grow much more intense. In just a few days there already, I am starting to get a vibe for the practice’s … well, practices, and I’m excited at the thought of all the learning that is to come.

And speaking of learning, my formal school plan for the year seems to finally be in place. I am starting the summer off with biology at a university near my house, and will be continuing with chemistry, physics, and anatomy/physiology at another nearby university to finish of my requirements during the fall and spring semesters. It was much harder than I thought to get into classes as a non-matriculating student and I had to try several different colleges, but luckily everything finally worked out.

I also spent a day last week getting CPR and First-Aid certified, another requirement for applying to several DPT programs. Besides learning something potentially lifesaving, I also felt slightly validated for watching Grey’s Anatomy. Turns out the show has actually taught me several useful first-aid tips, such as never removing an object lodged in a bleeding person.

While I have a lot of work to do before I can apply to PT school, it’s a relief to know that I have a plan in place and that so far, my plan is working. Now I just need to start studying for the GREs …

By the way, thanks to all my Tumblr friends who gave me advice for my first day of work!