Ohhh say can you "C" ?....PA-C that is!

This is the biggest feeling of accomplishment I've felt in a long time. I passed the PANCE and am now a certified PA. I did OK on it...sorta average but the main thing is that I passed. I am now having my license application processed so I should be really official in a couple weeks.

The job hunt on the other hand has been rough. I haven't heard back from the last interview I had a couple weeks ago and I am assuming I did not get the job. It was part-time which was the major draw back but the cool thing was that it was part of a family practice residency so I would have had the opportunity to learn a lot more on the job and have a preceptor to go to with questions rather than having to pull my supervising physician out of an exam room or away from charting to ask them a question. Not too many places around here want to hire a new grad, and here I thought getting a job would be one of my lesser worries!

Here's a run down of post-graduation expenses incurred over the last month through this month:

Review course: $700
Airfare: $200
Hotel: $730
Food: $100

PANCE test: $475

State licensing fee: $300

DEA license: $551

My credit card balances are climbing and my credit score is sinking. My school loans must have just hit my credit report cause my score took a 30 point hit.

I keep telling myself I am not in this for the money, but the debt really stinks.

Anyway, here's to me being a PA-C! Cheers!

PANCE

I am biding my time waiting for my PANCE results. I didn't feel horrible about the test when I was taking it but now that I have time to stew I am starting to worry a bit. Geez would it ever suck to fail the PANCE and have to wait another 90 days to re-take it!

Jobs for new grads are few and far between here and I am resorting to applying for any opening just to get my foot in the door. I am sure the fact that I haven't got my license yet isn't helping. I am a bit pissed that all these loan re-payment jobs here want you to be fluent in spanish. Fu**! I am missing out on employment opportunities and loan re-payment opportunities because there are so many spanish speakers here that they indirectly determine what kind of jobs I can get.

Anyway, I'll be a lot happier when I pass the PANCE and get licensed and start making some money. I know my wife will happier when I can pay for things again.

NEXT!

I have officially graduated! I actually graduated 2 weeks ago but I have been busy with family and and studying. Interestingly, graduating felt very anti-climactic. Maybe it's because I have so many other things to accomplish in order to practice? It was a bit sad for me to realize that I will never see some of my classmates again. We spent so much time together and shared so many unique and trying times that I feel there will always be a bond between us.

Last week I went to a review course for my certification exam. We were in "class' 13 hours a day and had a 2 hour test each evening. It was exhausting but I think it will be worth it in the long run. Tomorrow I have a 2nd interview with a family practice group - more about that later. I take the PANCE next week. I think I should pass based on my tests at the review session but I am studying a bit more between now and then just to shore up weak spots. Wish me luck and put some good vibes out there for me the morning of the 9th.