I passed!

S: I'm so happy! I found out a couple of days ago that I passed the CA. jurisprudence exam.
My recruiter called to tell me. I checked online to confirm that she was right and my name now appears as having a valid CA. license.

O: My recruiter wants to know what jobs I want to apply for. I'm looking at San Jose, Salinas, and Monterey.

A: I'm so relieved that I passed. I studied really hard for the test. It is funny that the CA. exam was so hard and the MI exam is an open book exam!

P: I'm still in school (last semester for my DScPT), so I have to go study for my Advanced Differential Diagnosis exam that is tomorrow.

California law exam for physical therapists

S: I've been studying for the CLE and I retook it today.
O: I studied all the right material this time! The link above of FAQ was helpful. Make sure you study the Penal Code also.
A: I think I only missed 2 questions. I can miss 10 and pass.
P: I'll know in 2 weeks if I passed. Keeping my fingers crossed!

taking the exam agian

S: I've been doing some investigating and it turns out I only studied the California Physical Therapy practice act. This was only 26 pages. I emailed the CA. state board, but they never responded. The person handling my CA. license at my travel company hasn't called me either.

O: I went online and looked up everything I could possibly be tested on. I've found 120 additional pages of things I should study. I need to study the laws, regulations, proposed regulations, the handbook, and the practice act. I also need to be up to date on direct access info.

A: I'm a full time graduate student, working and now restudying for the CA jurisprudence exam. I gave myself several weeks to take the exam again. I'll take it right before Halloween.

P: I've got to go study for another exam!

failed!

S: I'm soooo mad. I failed the stupid California law exam. I'm scheduled to go to work there in Jan. '08, too!

O: I'm going to call somebody to ask what I'm supposed to be studying. I think I'll start with e-mailing the California state board and ask them what I'm supposed to be studying.

A: I feel like a dummy.

P: I plan on being upset for a while.

PT board of California

S: I finally found the original letter (I got it back on August 8th) from the Physical Therapy Board of California that was my source of my instructions on what to study.

O: The letter said to go the the website www.ptb.ca.gov and download a copy of the Laws and Regulations governing the Practice of Physical Therapy.

A: I think I must have ADHD because now I did exactly what the letter said and it took me to the correct information that I should have studied. What the heck did I do before and how did I get the incomplete information? Yikes!

P: I hope I don't have to take the exam again. Live and learn.

California jursiprudence exam

S: I've been studying for the California PT laws and regulations exam. I didn't realize it, but I should have also studied the code of conduct. To be safe, every time I take a state licensing exam the company should call the state PT board and ask what I should be studying. This tip was given to me by Heather, a fellow PT traveler, who I met at the Bay City assignment. I called her after the exam to complain about how hard it was.

O: I took the exam today and I found out that I have to score a 37 out of 50 questions to pass. I will find out if I passed in 2 weeks. I thought the test was hard and it probably didn't help that I hadn't known that there was other stuff I had to study!

A: I think I passed the exam, but I don't want to jinx myself!

P: I have to go study for one of the university classes. This semester I'm taking Differential Diagnosis, Counseling for Wellness, and doing my research proposal. I have to watch a video tonight that has something to do with counseling....

Bye Bill (and "yous" guys)!

S: My assignment is over and I'm back home. It is good to be back home, but I miss the guys in Bay City. I made a lot of friends on my assignment. Bill was my boss and as I was leaving he said "I've been checking your blog!". I was determined to update it ASAP, so this one is for you Bill!

O: If you are a Physical Therapist and looking for a place to work in Michigan, you might find the place you've been looking for at Bay Regional Medical Center. I think of it as a "caring community of health care workers within a community of caring people". I was impressed with how much the workers cared about each other (and teased each other) and how much dignity the patients had in the face of their medical troubles.

A: One of the people I worked with loves romance novels like I do. I've been in a romance reading group for many years (maybe 8 years- nobody remembers when we started the group) and one of our members is a published author. It turns out I have an autographed copy of one of her books, so I'm going to send out a box of romance books with the autographed one to my former coworker.

P: Today I'm going to mail the box of books at Meijer. I want to do it before school starts tomorrow. Once I'm back in school, my life becomes crazy (school, study, eat, sleep). Bye!

Frankenmuth

S: This past week my husband stayed at the hotel with me. We had a fun time going to do some sight seeing.

O: We went to Frankenmuth to eat and walk around the Bavarian shops. We had a delicious chicken meal at the world famous Zenders restaurant, enjoyed a stroll across the covered wooden bridge, and marveled at the beautiful flowers along walkways.

A: I'm glad my husband and I did a little sightseeing before the end of my assignment.

P: Next week may be my last week on this assignment.

Backyard BBQ

S: I have been very busy working during the week and going home on the weekends. I am enjoying my assignment a lot, but I've also missed my family a lot. In fact on Sunday I felt sad that I would be done with my assignment in 4 weeks and sad that I was leaving my family again to go back to work. I've been asked to consider extending my assignment 2 more weeks. If I stay I'll miss my family and if I leave I'll miss the people at the facility. My coworkers are so nice that one, Matt, invited everyone (including me and another traveler) over today for a backyard BBQ .

O: The BBQ was a relaxing way to end the day. Matt offered venison hot dogs, a swimming pool, a game of basketball, and lots of interesting conversation.

A: I feel blessed to have lucked out to having such a great assignment. I was a little nervous about traveling, but all of my worries were for naught.

P: My plan is to enjoy every day, no matter where it leads me......

July 4th fireworks

S: I've been so busy with my travel job, I've been neglectful of my blog! I've had a good travel assignment with nice colleagues, patients, and hotel staff. I've read in Health Care Traveler magazine that I would make new friends, but I didn't believe it. Now I've experienced it in the form of a patient who took pity on me when she found out that I was going to the Independence day fireworks by myself.

O: My husband didn't want me to go to them by myself and when she offered to meet me I jumped at the chance. Nice people do exist! You may never get a chance to see the phenomenal Bay City fireworks in person like I did, but I found a YouTube video of them. You can watch them at this link.

A: I had a great time at the fireworks. It would have been very lonely by myself (a side effect of traveling that I didn't expect).

P: I don't have a plan of what to talk about in my next blog. I'll have to see what comes to me!

First day

S: I started the travel job today. It went well except I was sent to the wrong address. I had the phone number of a person at the hospital and she told me where I should have been. I was glad I had that with me.

O: My tip for new travelers would be to try to confirm the address directly with the facility if possible. Also, today I had to repeat the TB test and drug screening. My other tip is to bring a binder full of the documents that had been sent to the travel company. I have with me all my medical records, diploma, licenses, certifications, and forms. I did need to refer to some of it today to answer questions.

A: My first day was spent being oriented, asking questions about procedures, getting all my questions answered, and going on tours. It seems like a good facility and nice people.

P: Tomorrow will be interesting.

Ready to roll

S: I have been terribly busy getting ready for my assignment. I couldn't believe the amount of paperwork that was required, but I'm excited to say I'll be on assignment starting in one week.

O: Here is a link to where I'll be. I will be staying in one city and working in another. I will be on an 8 week assignment at an outpatient facility.

A: I'm glad I'm finally going to be traveling. I'm looking forward to starting next Monday.

P: I plan to write the next blog about what was required for me to do before I got this travel position.

Summer Job

S: It has been a busy couple of weeks, but I'm happy to say that I've signed for a job for 8 weeks. The picture above shows what the harbor looks like in the city I'll be working in. It will be very nice and interesting.

O: There were more steps than I realized to getting to this point. After the phone interview with the facility, they offered me the job one hour later. I wanted to wait until the next morning so I could talk to my family. The job was still available the next morning and I accepted. Now I'm in the process of getting a physical, taking a drug test, filling out all the paperwork for benefits, and getting my many questions answered!

A: I'm excited to be starting a traveling job for the summer. My husband will come with me for part of the time and help me settle in.

P: The next step will be finishing all the paperwork.

My travel company

S: I'm happy to say that I heard from my account rep today and she asked if I would interview for another position. I was beginning to get a little worried because I've only got one interview set up for one facility.

O: I told my rep that I would be interested in interviewing for another position. I've already got one interview for Tuesday 5/7 and she will try to set up another one on the same day. I also asked her some of the questions that I had been meaning to ask regarding the pay and package. I asked if I was guaranteed to be paid even if the census is down and I'm sent home early. She said that her company guarantees a 40 hour work week even if I'm sent home early.

A: I was happy to hear this because although I'm expecting to work every minute I'm there, it would be bad for me if I was sent home early and not get paid. I wonder what the facility thinks about this arrangement though?

P: I plan to continue to read and ask questions about the benefits and pay package.

Phone interview

S: My account representative called today and said that an interview will be set up for 5/8. I'm so excited to have an interview.

O: I've already gone online and looked at the site. I've got a few questions for them, but I totally forgot to ask the account rep the questions about the pay and perks.

A: I feel really good about getting an interview and will be even more excited when I talk to the therapist at the facility.

P: My plan is to ask the account rep the pay and perks questions before I have the interview.

Healthcare Traveler Magazine

S: I'm still waiting for the facility to call me for an interview. I'm told by the account representative that the problem is the manager is too busy to call me, but is interested.

O: I found an article from Healthcare Traveler magazine which explains what to ask when negotiating the salary and benefits package. It lists questions that I need to ask such as do I get paid weekly or when I complete the assignment, will I have malpractice insurance, and is there 24/7 customer support for me when I'm traveling.

A: I like this article because it gives ideas of what questions should be asked. I wouldn't have thought to ask these questions so I'm glad I read this article.

P: I'm going to call the account representative and ask these questions.

Maintain access to herbs and vitamins

S: Many of our patients use herbs, supplements, natural remedies. My professor brought to my attention that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is attempting to classify natural remedies as medicine. This would make it illegal for people in the USA to buy vitamins over the counter.

O: This is a quote from an investigator who is trying to get the word out. "When I first heard about this FDA attack on complementary and alternative health care, I considered it another "Chicken Little" rumor. On further study, I'm appalled at the speed with which the pharmaceutical companies are implementing Codex Alimentarius in the USA. If you don't suspect the pharmaceutical companies control the FDA, you may want to research that further by visiting http://www.HealthFreedomUSA.org." I got this quote from a press release: FDA Attacks Complementary & Alternative Healthcare by John F. Gilbert, Ph.D. - President/NTCB.

A: I went to the link posted in the title and signed the petition. The deadline is April 30th 2007.

P: I hope more people sign the petition and make their voice heard.

PEAT (Practice Exam and Assessment Tool)

S: I've been exploring different exams to prepare for the NPTE. One option is to use the online test from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

O: The online exam is called the PEAT (Practice Exam and Assessment Tool) and is linked to the website from this blog. The advantage of taking the PEAT is that it is developed by the organization that administers the national board exam so it closely resembles the actual exam.

A: If you have test anxiety, then practicing with the PEAT may help because it simulates a time-based computer exam.

P: I plan to share this website with the students at the university.

My YouTube video

S: I read in the blogger notes that we can add video now to our blogs. I couldn't figure out how to add the video, but when I was messing around with the tool bar I discovered how to add a link in the body of the blog. The icon to select is the green circle (maybe representing the earth??) next to the capitol "T". Yeeha!

O: This is the link to my YouTube video showing how to perform progressive relaxation. I did this for one of my university classes. I'm getting a Complimentary Medicine and Wellness certificate and this video was designed to help viewers use relaxation to lower their blood pressure (consult your doctor also!).

A: I can't wait to post the blog and test the link to see how it works. I hope it takes the reader straight to my video.

P: Planning to go test the video right now......

Phone interview

S: I heard from the travel company today. I've been assigned an account representative who will assist me in finding a job. I'll be having a phone interview this weekend from one of the jobs. I'm a little nervous, although I shouldn't be.

O: I prepared for the interview by going online to find out about the city that I would be staying in. It is a little farther than I expected and is very rural. There are beautiful water falls and scenic areas to explore. I found an image online and posted it here.

A: Preparing for the interview by looking the city up on the Internet helped me feel better. I'm used to preparing for exams and I think I needed to prepare for this interview a little bit.

P: I'll post how the interview went after I'm called.

Sync iPod to exercise equipment

S: I was happy to read an article in Physical Therapy SOAP notes that a company is testing exercise equipment that will sync to the iPod. The link is in the title of this Blog.

O: The exercise bike will allow the exerciser to use the LCD panel to view videos from their iPod, charge their iPod, and listen to music. The exerciser was demonstrated in San Francisco 4 days ago at the International Health, Racquets & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) Convention.

A: I would love to be able to watch my iPod videos while exercising. It would also be nice to be able to charge the iPod while it is being used.

P: I hope the university recreation center gets this exerciser.

Free Internet Radio

S: I feel like listening to Celtic music today. I love free internet radio and the link in the title is to my favorite station. I was surprised to read that Congress has decided to charge the radio stations $500 per channel.

O: I decided to follow the links to my congressman. I wrote him an e-mail telling him to leave the internet radio stations alone.

A: I hope my little e-mail makes a difference.

P: Tomorrow is Easter- HOPPY EASTER!

Health Care Traveler

S: The title/link is to the newest edition of free Health Care Traveler magazine. I'm excited because my recruiter called today telling me that there were 16 new requests today for physical therapists in the state I want to work in. She wanted to know what facility I did not want to work in so she could narrow down the list.

O: I told her that I won't have a car so that eliminated home care. I've work in most all physical therapy facilities including outpatient, inpatient, rehab, skilled nursing, pediatrics, and even an automotive plant. I sent her my updated resume. She also needed a current reference list of employers for the last year.

A: I'm pleased that she told me there was an immediate opening in a city that I have my heart set on. It would be at a skilled nursing facility. I like working with all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics so I'm comfortable at a SNF.

P: I plan on putting together a list of references tonight and e-mailing it to the recruiter.

NPTE pass rates

S: The title of this blog is a link to the federation of state boards physical therapy NPTE pass rates. In the Newsweek magazine for 3/26/2007 there are advertisements for Physical Therapy schools. One school showed a pass rate of 100%, but what does that mean?

O: The pass rate refers to the number of graduates from a physical therapy program who pass the national boards and are able to practice as physical therapists. The advertisement that showed a 100% pass rate didn't state how many times the students had to take the exam before they passed. Should students looking at physical therapy schools ask how many students passed on their first attempt? This is called the "first time pass rate."

A: A student can decide what school has good pass rates by looking at the fsbpt website.

P: I plan on blogging more on a physical therapy topic in a couple of days.

Newsweek article on exercise building IQ

S: I've been trying to walk on the treadmill or outside for 30 minutes 4 times a week. Between working, traveling, school, and family obligations it is very difficult to find time to work out.

O: Newsweek has an article about new research showing aerobic exercise builds the brain. "Last week, in a landmark paper, researchers announced that they had coaxed the human brain into growing new nerve cells, a process that for decades had been thought impossible, simply by putting subjects on a three-month aerobic-workout regimen." Physical Therapists help people to be able to exercise to build their muscles and their brain too.

A: I'm always thrilled to see articles touting the benefits of aerobic exercise.

P: I going to buy the Newsweek article and take it to the university physical therapy department.

Health Care Traveler Magazine

S: I like Health Care Traveler which is a free magazine for nurses and Allied Health professionals who want to travel. It has a lot of information on how to pick the best travel company and assignment.

O: I added a link in the title to a blurb on the cost of taking the national board exams. The cost had been increasing, but there was an agreement to hold the cost down. " It will remain $350 through 2009, and increases thereafter will be limited until 2014."

A: Passing the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) is a requirement for new graduates of physical therapy to practice and for practicing physical therapists to travel. The cost of taking the exam is affordable, but can add up if a person takes it more than once.

P: I plan to take the exam only once and pass it the first time.

PT products Online

S: I haven't figured out how to link a site in the body of the blog.

O: I found another article on the bill to reduce student debt. "Legislation recently introduced in Congress could give PTs practicing in areas that are short of health care providers relief from student loan debt.

Introduced by representatives Marion Berry (D-AR) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act (HR 1134) would make certain PTs eligible for student loan repayment assistance under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program."

A: By clicking on the title it will bring you to the magazine of physical therapy products where you can read the whole article.

P: Physical Therapy Products also has information on exercise equipment, billing software, and more.

Advance magazine

S: I explored the blogs that I had written and discovered that the link is tied to the title.

O: Advance magazine is a free magazine for physical therapists and other health care professionals. I've added a link about how the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) supports a bill on student loan debt relief. The idea is that student debt is forgiven if a physical therapist works in an area with a shortage of physical therapists.

A: Physical Therapy is a doctoral program (although some students choose to get a masters level degree). Thus students graduate with a lot of student debt. Debt relief would be good for the student and for the clinic that is in need of a PT.

P: I'm going to continue working on how to get a link into the body of the blog.

Blog disappointment

S: I'm having trouble with the putting in a link.

O: I tried following the directions from Blogger Help, but it advised modifying the html code. I couldn't figure it out.

A: I'm trying to paste the link and see what happens.

P: I'll go to the computer lab at the university if it still doesn't work.

APTA

S: I've been trying to figure out how to provide a link to a website.

O: I re-set the settings on the account and have added a link option. I hope this link will allow bloggers to access the website of the American Physical Therapy Association. There is lots of good information there on job opportunities, an article in Newsweek on the PT profession, and the work the APTA is doing to get congress to forgive the debt of graduating PT's if they work in underserved areas.

A: I'm feeling hopeful that this link will work. I'm new to blogging and I'm figuring this all out on my own. I want others to be able to click on a link and get to a website.

P: When I'm done typing, I'm going to try the blog and see if it works.

NPTE

S: I'm determined to study for the National Physical Therapy Examination today. The book I use to study is National Physical Therapy Examination Review and Study Guide by O'Sullivan and Siegelman. I've already taken the practice test using the CD in the book. I didn't do well, but I've heard everyone scores badly on the practice tests from the book.
O: There are 200 questions on each practice test. I've reviewed 150 question and today I'm going to review the last 50 questions. I need 4 hours of uninterrupted time to be able to take the next exam, so I'm going to try later on in the week to take the second practice exam.
A: I believe I can handle the NPTE by breaking it up into small steps.
P: You can look at the NPTE Review and Study Guide by going to www.therapyed.com/nptexamreview.htm

S.O.A.P. note

S. Today I decided to create a blog of my plans to become a traveling Physical Therapist (PT). I've been working toward traveling for a while. My first assignment will be in 3 months.I've been a licensed PT for many years, but started looking into traveling about two years ago.
O. Since I was licensed before the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) was required, I am only able to travel in the state in which I'm licensed. I am studying for the NPTE now.
A. This is my first blog, so I'm hoping it will help to keep me focused on my goal. It may help others, too.
P. My next blog will be about the NPTE.