It’s been two years since I first walked into the ED as a tech. It’s been quite the ride.

For those who haven’t heard or read the story of how I got into the ED, Next Steps tells the tale. Even after getting the job, I was trepidatious. It wasn’t long before I decided I was definitely in the right place. And now I’m even more convinced that I am.

My original hope was that I’d be in PA school by now, but honestly, the extra year has been worth it. There are several reasons. For one thing, I’ve gotten a lot better at being a tech.

It also has given me the opportunity take over and teach the “Tech in Trauma” class required by all techs before they can become red-badged (meaning they can be the lead tech on traumas). I’ve also spent a lot more time assisting in procedures, including providing traction while the orthopedic doctor set a femur, suturing, even being part of a thoracotomy. While I wasn’t the ones doing the main work, simply observing such stuff has helped me to learn and will be invaluable once I start my clinical portion of my education.

I also, once I was accepted, decided to take an additional step at ensuring my success. Like the days of old when a monarch might assemble a Council of War to advice them for upcoming battles, I’ve assembled a Council of Moore. I asked three people in the ED that I have a lot of respect for, one of the attending, a PA, and one of the assistant nurse managers to be part of my Council of Moore. We’ve had one meeting already where I was able to get some good advice and as I go through the next two years I’ll be relying on them for advice, feedback, criticism when necessary and even a wee bit of cheerleading. Had I started PA school a year ago, I doubt I would have taken this step, much to my detriment.

When I started working in the ED my goal was at least 1000 hours of patient care experience, because that’s the minimum of what most schools I was applying to required. At this point I calculate I have approximately 4,500 and will have well over 5,000 by the time I start school. It’s been long and tiring, and some weeks I’ve worked 60 or more hours in the ED, but it’s been oh so worth it.

So here it is two years later and I’m still going strong and raring to start PA school come next May!

One last comment: my statements above are not endorsed by my employer, Albany Medical Health System nor do they reflect the views of my employer.