I am Always busy, but mostly because I make myself. I hate when I feel like I have wasted time or that I could have accomplished more and when I am busy I do not feel either of these. It is almost like and addiction that I can't seem to control. My ambitious attitude keeps me on my toes with things that I enjoy but sometimes this comes back to bite me in the butt.
The semester has not even started and I am worried about being overwhelmed (as usual).
1. I have a full course with all my pharmacy classes, which should be interesting considering my class is the first pharmacy class to go through the new curriculum for the college or pharmacy. It is definitely more time consuming considering how many out of class volunteer hours we have to complete. This year it is about 50 hours a semester, which does not seem like too many, but when you are going to class full time these hours are hard to squeeze in especially since most have to be during the weekdays, when you have class.
2. I am going beyond the 18 credit full time limit to 21 credits so that I can complete another business class as well as business seminar for my MBA degree. All of these academics will keep me busy with books.
3. I took on a position as a TA for the P1 Intro to Pharmaceutical Sciences class. I am very excited for this job because it puts together two things I like, pharmacy and teaching. I know that I am not required to work a lot of hours a week in this position but I want to do a good job and will not half-ass anything.
4. I am going to continue working part-time as a pharmacy intern at Walgreens. Sometimes I question whether the stress is worth the pay but I realize that it is great experience with patients and with medication knowledge, plus it is a reliable income stream.
5. I still have all my extra curriculars to think about, including academic affairs committees, dean's advisory council, pharmacy leadership council, Best Buddies, intramurals, etc.
I want to take advantage of lots of things, so I say yes to everything and realize too late that it be more than I can handle. I like to be busy but not overwhelmed. My addiction continues as I wish I had more hours in the day for all these opportunities.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Making Summer Fun in Des Moines!
10. NCAA Track and Field Finals
9. Saylorville Lake....when its not flooded
8. Wealth of outdoor restaurants and bars
7. Ragbraii hoopla...more fun if it were to travel through the city
6. Des Moines Art fest --- views and music
5. Ribfest---awsome performers and food
4. Weekly movies and music in the parks
3. Iowa Cubs Games---cheap and fun
2. Weekly farmers markets all over the city.
1. IOWA STATE FAIR!!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Degrading the Pharmacy Profession!
Technician: I see this is a new medication for you, has the doctor talked to you about it?
Patient: I have never taken this medication before and the doctor just told me it was for pain.
Technician: Alright, the pharmacist will be right over to counsel you on your medication.
Patient: What? You mean to tell me I have to wait another 5 minutes while this person yaps at me about my meds. I have already waited 15 minutes to get the damn medication I am not going to sit here for any more time. The pharmacist should have been "counseling" me while I was waiting for the med. You all are not that busy, I don't get what takes you so long. Plus the bottle has all the directions written on it. I can read english.
Technician: The pharmacist will go over how to take the medication, potential problems or errors to avoid, questions, etc.
Patient: I do not want to wait here any longer I already know what I need to know. Plus the medication comes with those paper things with all the words about it, that's all the counseling people need. I can just 'Google' it if I something comes up. Plus, nothing bad could happen because this doctor wouldn't give it to me if there could be something wrong. Just give me my meds, I have been here too long, it should take like 5 minutes to get pills into a bottle but you guys drag it out and then expect me to sit and listen to what you have to say about MY medication. Yeah right! Let's go kids, these people are crazy.
Patient: I have never taken this medication before and the doctor just told me it was for pain.
Technician: Alright, the pharmacist will be right over to counsel you on your medication.
Patient: What? You mean to tell me I have to wait another 5 minutes while this person yaps at me about my meds. I have already waited 15 minutes to get the damn medication I am not going to sit here for any more time. The pharmacist should have been "counseling" me while I was waiting for the med. You all are not that busy, I don't get what takes you so long. Plus the bottle has all the directions written on it. I can read english.
Technician: The pharmacist will go over how to take the medication, potential problems or errors to avoid, questions, etc.
Patient: I do not want to wait here any longer I already know what I need to know. Plus the medication comes with those paper things with all the words about it, that's all the counseling people need. I can just 'Google' it if I something comes up. Plus, nothing bad could happen because this doctor wouldn't give it to me if there could be something wrong. Just give me my meds, I have been here too long, it should take like 5 minutes to get pills into a bottle but you guys drag it out and then expect me to sit and listen to what you have to say about MY medication. Yeah right! Let's go kids, these people are crazy.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Second Guessing Geriatric Pharmacy Practice
Per new Iowa state standards, a portion of the pharmacy curriculum at Drake includes over 400 hours in your first three years of the professional program of unpaid pharmacy practice. Out side of class you have to complete "IPPE" hours as we call them, in a variety of settings including some time at a retail pharmacy, some time in a hospital, some time with the elderly, some time with diverse populations, etc.
First semester of my P1 year I completed 40 hours at a retail pharmacy...which actually landed me my summer internship. Second semester my P1 year I completed over 20 hours at a senior center down the street from Drake. I was slightly nervous to be set up in a one to one friendship with an elderly person because sometimes older folks are bitter at the world, especially younger generations, like when they rant about how good we 'young' have it and how little we appreciate life anymore. Moreso I was nervous that I would not be able to connect with the elderly person or find no common ground to talk about.
WRONG! I was paired up with an older woman named Wilma (what a GREAT name). We were both shy at first but over the weeks we became great friends. My patient, really my new friend, had a phenomenal memory in that she remembered stories, names, appointments, what she had for breakfast, you name it. She worked on crosswords to keep her mind sharp she told me. Wilma and I were so happy to spend time together that my first few visits were long and I asked so many questions that Wilma told me I wore her out and that we would have to plan shorter but more frequent visits.
We started attending the Bingo games regularly together where Wilma felt she had to show me off as HER "Drake Friend" and she introduced me to her friends. As I became a part of the group I realized that almost every third lady at the retirement home was named "Dorothy" (as I have always known my name is old and everyone's grandma or great aunt's name is Dorothy). I also learned that people grow up but they forever stay the same as the ladies gossiped about one another (not behind one another's back anymore because they all had hearing aids) and gave each other the silent treatment for days after petty arguments over how Bingo numbers should be called.
Even after my service hours for the semester were complete, I wanted to continue to visit the Wilma because she made me feel so appreciated and valued that it was well worth it for me. Since I was staying in Des Moines for the summer, that was even better. I told the coordinator of the center that I would not make empty promises to show up and I never did. I got to attend Las Vegas night with the residents and and afternoon tea. My visits became farther spread apart as class and my job were priorities. However, each time I visited Wilma kept telling me how happy she was to see me.
This past weekend I missed a visit to the senior center as I went home for the first time this summer. I went in yesterday to catch up with Wilma and the ladies. I walked in as Bingo was starting and did not see Wilma, so I figured she was still in her room and that I would go get her. I went to Wilma's room and found it completely empty...no furniture, no people, no nothing. I ran to the nurses station to find out if Wilma had been moved to another room or to another senior center but found out the worst. Only 3 days earlier, Wilma had passed away during a nap due to breathing complications. My heart dropped, my eyes swelled up, and I froze full of anger, sadness and every other feeling. My friend was gone, so quickly, just gone....
Through my great experiences at the center I had been thinking about practicing pharmacy in a geriatric setting as a possible career option. I still think the job would be rewarding but due to the nature of the patients I do not know if I can deal with loosing patients but more importantly friends on a regular basis.
God Bless and Forever in my memory,
Wilma Roorda (1921-2008)
First semester of my P1 year I completed 40 hours at a retail pharmacy...which actually landed me my summer internship. Second semester my P1 year I completed over 20 hours at a senior center down the street from Drake. I was slightly nervous to be set up in a one to one friendship with an elderly person because sometimes older folks are bitter at the world, especially younger generations, like when they rant about how good we 'young' have it and how little we appreciate life anymore. Moreso I was nervous that I would not be able to connect with the elderly person or find no common ground to talk about.
WRONG! I was paired up with an older woman named Wilma (what a GREAT name). We were both shy at first but over the weeks we became great friends. My patient, really my new friend, had a phenomenal memory in that she remembered stories, names, appointments, what she had for breakfast, you name it. She worked on crosswords to keep her mind sharp she told me. Wilma and I were so happy to spend time together that my first few visits were long and I asked so many questions that Wilma told me I wore her out and that we would have to plan shorter but more frequent visits.
We started attending the Bingo games regularly together where Wilma felt she had to show me off as HER "Drake Friend" and she introduced me to her friends. As I became a part of the group I realized that almost every third lady at the retirement home was named "Dorothy" (as I have always known my name is old and everyone's grandma or great aunt's name is Dorothy). I also learned that people grow up but they forever stay the same as the ladies gossiped about one another (not behind one another's back anymore because they all had hearing aids) and gave each other the silent treatment for days after petty arguments over how Bingo numbers should be called.
Even after my service hours for the semester were complete, I wanted to continue to visit the Wilma because she made me feel so appreciated and valued that it was well worth it for me. Since I was staying in Des Moines for the summer, that was even better. I told the coordinator of the center that I would not make empty promises to show up and I never did. I got to attend Las Vegas night with the residents and and afternoon tea. My visits became farther spread apart as class and my job were priorities. However, each time I visited Wilma kept telling me how happy she was to see me.
This past weekend I missed a visit to the senior center as I went home for the first time this summer. I went in yesterday to catch up with Wilma and the ladies. I walked in as Bingo was starting and did not see Wilma, so I figured she was still in her room and that I would go get her. I went to Wilma's room and found it completely empty...no furniture, no people, no nothing. I ran to the nurses station to find out if Wilma had been moved to another room or to another senior center but found out the worst. Only 3 days earlier, Wilma had passed away during a nap due to breathing complications. My heart dropped, my eyes swelled up, and I froze full of anger, sadness and every other feeling. My friend was gone, so quickly, just gone....
Through my great experiences at the center I had been thinking about practicing pharmacy in a geriatric setting as a possible career option. I still think the job would be rewarding but due to the nature of the patients I do not know if I can deal with loosing patients but more importantly friends on a regular basis.
God Bless and Forever in my memory,
Wilma Roorda (1921-2008)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
DM Public Transportation...It Exists?
Being from a suburb or Chicago and coming to Des Moines was a big change. I initially thought Des Moines was too small and there was nothing to do. I quickly learned that this pre-judgement was incorrect as Des Moines grew on me as I found out that it does in fact have a lot to offer.
However, my biggest and continuous frustration with Des Moines is its public transportation or lack thereof. I have not had a car on campus for the past three years while at Drake and have survived because of the small campus size, closeness of few essential stores, the generosity of friends with cars and mostly me pestering my uncle (who lives nearby) to drive me places if I needed to go. I have exhausted Des Moines public transportation, therefore I feel entitled to criticize it.
*The Des Moines airport is small with little traffic going through it so there are very few airlines to choose from when trying to fly to or from Des Moines. The lack of airline variety also allows each airline to jack up the prices since they have little competition. Unless you are planning on flying to Florida or Las Vegas (b/c Alligiant, an inexpensive airline flies to these two destination) from Des Moines forget getting any kind of inexpensive flight. The high prices cause people to drive to other cities (like Omaha) to fly from, which decreases the demand for flights from Des Moines, which keeps airlines away which keeps prices up, which....when will this horrible cycle be changed?
*There is no Amtrak train station in Des Moines. The closest Amtrak station is in Osceola, a town 45 minutes south of Des Moines. Whoever did the planning on that one, failed because business and people could really benefit from trains connecting Des Moines to other big cities.
*The city does have a Greyhound Bus station, but coach bus is the least desirable form of transportation in my mind. It takes the longest, is not comparably cheaper, and provides for some interesting stories/smells/people.
*The coach bus service that Drake offers twice a year to Chicago is a rip off, the scheduling sucks and it is a longer than usual ride.
*Des Moines has a public bus system within the city as of this year, Drake students can ride it free....YEAH! Wait...the bus schedules are limited and different almost every day, the buses are rarely consistent with the schedules, the bus routes are limited, most times you have to take the bus downtown to transfer to a new bus to get where you want to go and you may spend more time on the bus then at your actual destination.
*Taxis aren't bad, but who has enough money to take a taxi everywhere?
As a city that is growing and trying to attract more people, Des Moines really needs to work on it inter and intra city transportation. I guess I need to find the right people to complain to and until then my legs and my bike may be my best options.
However, my biggest and continuous frustration with Des Moines is its public transportation or lack thereof. I have not had a car on campus for the past three years while at Drake and have survived because of the small campus size, closeness of few essential stores, the generosity of friends with cars and mostly me pestering my uncle (who lives nearby) to drive me places if I needed to go. I have exhausted Des Moines public transportation, therefore I feel entitled to criticize it.
*The Des Moines airport is small with little traffic going through it so there are very few airlines to choose from when trying to fly to or from Des Moines. The lack of airline variety also allows each airline to jack up the prices since they have little competition. Unless you are planning on flying to Florida or Las Vegas (b/c Alligiant, an inexpensive airline flies to these two destination) from Des Moines forget getting any kind of inexpensive flight. The high prices cause people to drive to other cities (like Omaha) to fly from, which decreases the demand for flights from Des Moines, which keeps airlines away which keeps prices up, which....when will this horrible cycle be changed?
*There is no Amtrak train station in Des Moines. The closest Amtrak station is in Osceola, a town 45 minutes south of Des Moines. Whoever did the planning on that one, failed because business and people could really benefit from trains connecting Des Moines to other big cities.
*The city does have a Greyhound Bus station, but coach bus is the least desirable form of transportation in my mind. It takes the longest, is not comparably cheaper, and provides for some interesting stories/smells/people.
*The coach bus service that Drake offers twice a year to Chicago is a rip off, the scheduling sucks and it is a longer than usual ride.
*Des Moines has a public bus system within the city as of this year, Drake students can ride it free....YEAH! Wait...the bus schedules are limited and different almost every day, the buses are rarely consistent with the schedules, the bus routes are limited, most times you have to take the bus downtown to transfer to a new bus to get where you want to go and you may spend more time on the bus then at your actual destination.
*Taxis aren't bad, but who has enough money to take a taxi everywhere?
As a city that is growing and trying to attract more people, Des Moines really needs to work on it inter and intra city transportation. I guess I need to find the right people to complain to and until then my legs and my bike may be my best options.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Can't Take Things Too Personally
I have a LOT to learn about life I can admit. The biggest challenge I face and lesson I am trying to learn is 'you canon't take everything personally' and 'you cannot feel guilty about everything'.
On a day to day basis I let people's words and actions get the better of me. I have realized this fault more and more working full time as a pharmacy intern. I take patient's frustrations and anger as performance indicators and I let my mistakes upset me so much that they consume my thoughts to the point that I cannot focus. For example, today a patient came to the pharmacy asking to fill a prescription. He asked me the price of the medication, so I told him that the original price ($90) and the price I thought he would have to pay ($30). We filled the med and as I rang him up I realized that the price I had quoted ($30) was the cost he would save not the price he was charged ($60). I apologized about 5 times feeling more than horrible and explained my misjudement. The man was upset and said he could not afford the medication and left. He returned later to complain to management that I had made an unacceptable error and that "the problem must be taken care of". The whole situation made me feel horrible because I had messed up and made someone upset, but it made me feel even worse as the man made a huge deal about it afterwards.
Another example is when I cannot have a patient's med ready in a short amount of time I feel personably responsible as they start to get upset. Or when I feel like I do not know as much as other veteran pharmacy staff, I feel incompetent and like a "weak link".
Even outside of my job, I take other people's feelings or reactions personally. If someone does not like me or is upset with what I say, I feel like I have to fix it, if I ever want to get sleep. I like to make people happy so when they are not happy I feel as though it is my fault or I am not doing something right. I hate the phrase "don't take it personally" because if someone really did not want you to take it personally then why would they even bring it up? There is always some personal aspect, even if it is small
I know this thinking may seem illogical to some, but to me it is who I am and always have been. It does not makes sense to me when I talk about it but it is how I feel. I am working on trying to re-frame these ideas because I realize that as I grow up and get into the 'real' world, I will only have more of these situations. If I see all of them as I do now I will drive myself into insanity worrying 24/7, but if I can really just take to heart true realities I may be able to live a more balanced life.
On a day to day basis I let people's words and actions get the better of me. I have realized this fault more and more working full time as a pharmacy intern. I take patient's frustrations and anger as performance indicators and I let my mistakes upset me so much that they consume my thoughts to the point that I cannot focus. For example, today a patient came to the pharmacy asking to fill a prescription. He asked me the price of the medication, so I told him that the original price ($90) and the price I thought he would have to pay ($30). We filled the med and as I rang him up I realized that the price I had quoted ($30) was the cost he would save not the price he was charged ($60). I apologized about 5 times feeling more than horrible and explained my misjudement. The man was upset and said he could not afford the medication and left. He returned later to complain to management that I had made an unacceptable error and that "the problem must be taken care of". The whole situation made me feel horrible because I had messed up and made someone upset, but it made me feel even worse as the man made a huge deal about it afterwards.
Another example is when I cannot have a patient's med ready in a short amount of time I feel personably responsible as they start to get upset. Or when I feel like I do not know as much as other veteran pharmacy staff, I feel incompetent and like a "weak link".
Even outside of my job, I take other people's feelings or reactions personally. If someone does not like me or is upset with what I say, I feel like I have to fix it, if I ever want to get sleep. I like to make people happy so when they are not happy I feel as though it is my fault or I am not doing something right. I hate the phrase "don't take it personally" because if someone really did not want you to take it personally then why would they even bring it up? There is always some personal aspect, even if it is small
I know this thinking may seem illogical to some, but to me it is who I am and always have been. It does not makes sense to me when I talk about it but it is how I feel. I am working on trying to re-frame these ideas because I realize that as I grow up and get into the 'real' world, I will only have more of these situations. If I see all of them as I do now I will drive myself into insanity worrying 24/7, but if I can really just take to heart true realities I may be able to live a more balanced life.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Summer Rocks!
HAPPY 4th Of JULY!!!!
Why the 4th of July is one of the best holidays (even in Des Moines) according to me...
1. Occurs in the middle of summer
3. Warm and sunny weather
3. Almost everyone has the day off
4. Parades everywhere with music and LOTS of candy
5. Cook-outs with great food
6. Spending hours in the pool
7. Carnivals, concerts, and festivals all week
8. Everyone is HAPPY
9. FIREWORKS
10. ...oh yeah, our Independence
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