CAA Shadowing 3rd experience

January has been such a whirlwind, but I finally found some time to share my third shadowing experience with a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA). Life has been so busy lately that I haven’t had the chance to update the blog, especially since I just got back from an incredible trip to the Dominican Republic—more on that in a future post! As I’ve mentioned before, finding shadowing opportunities in South Florida has been a challenge. To make this happen, I rented a car and drove two hours north. My day started early—I left home at 4:45 a.m. and made it to the hospital just before 7 a.m. The CAA I shadowed was so kind and full of great advice. Right as we entered the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), I was stopped because my hair wasn’t covered. Thankfully, she took me to grab a scrub cap, as I had already changed into hospital scrubs but didn’t realize I needed the cap too—lesson learned! This was my third shadowing experience, and I felt much more comfortable this time. The first case of the day was a laparoscopic appendectomy—a procedure to remove the appendix using a minimally invasive robotic approach. The patient was young, and the CAA took the time to explain every step in such a clear and approachable way. As an anatomy professor, I was fascinated by how she tied her explanations to physiology and anatomy. She walked me through the intubation process, showing me how one tube led to the trachea and another to the stomach, helping the patient breathe and preventing any complications if stomach contents came back up. She made it seem so seamless. Once the patient was asleep, I was able to watch the surgery on the camera, and the surgeon even pointed out the appendix to me. It was incredible to see this in real time—I couldn’t help but marvel at how people perform these complex procedures every single day. The second and third cases were equally fascinating. One was an open umbilical hernia repair, and the other was a re-exploration craniotomy—yes, I got to witness neurosurgery! It was an awe-inspiring experience, and each case solidified my excitement about this field. This shadowing opportunity reinforced how important it is to seek out diverse experiences with different CAAs. Every experience has been unique and valuable, and I highly recommend shadowing as many professionals as possible.

Casper Results

I Got My Casper Scores Back – 4th Quartile! I’m so excited to share some great news: I received my Casper scores, and I ranked in the 4th quartile! 🎉 This means I scored higher than 75–100% of test takers in my cohort. I’m absolutely thrilled—it feels amazing to see my hard work pay off! I still remember the day of the exam so clearly. After a long shift at work, I came home late and had to sit for the 2-hour test. It wasn’t easy to push through the exhaustion, but I knew how important this was for my future, so I gave it my all. During my preparation, I stumbled upon a helpful Reddit post that guided me on how to study effectively for the Casper exam. It made a huge difference in my approach and confidence. I’ll include the link below for anyone who might find it useful. To anyone preparing for the Casper exam—stay consistent, stay focused, and trust the process. If I can do it, so can you! https://www.reddit.com/r/premedcanada/comments/174ok2x/guide_to_doing_well_on_casper/

Happy New Year 2025

Hello Everyone! Happy New Year! It’s January 2025, and I’m feeling both excited and a little anxious. While I’m eager for the year ahead, I’m also facing a bit of uncertainty. As of now, I haven’t heard back from any of the anesthesia schools I applied to, and with the application cycle reopening in June, I’m preparing to reapply. Though schools technically have until May to respond, I’m not taking any chances. I’m determined to keep moving forward with my dream of working in healthcare, whether that’s as an anesthesia assistant or a physician. To give myself the best chance, I’ll be studying for the MCAT again. Yes, this will be my third time, but I can’t let go of this dream. My teaching certificate expires in 2027, and I’ve decided that once it does, I won’t return to teaching. If I’m not accepted into anesthesia school this time around, I’ll apply again, but I’m also planning to apply to medical schools. I’ll be using a new approach to prepare for the MCAT, aiming for the score I need to get accepted into either program. I want to be as prepared as possible so I’m not scrambling later on. In 2024, I thought I was applying early by submitting my first application in August, but it turns out the competition is fierce, and it’s crucial to submit as soon as the application cycle opens. That’s why I’m starting now—so I can apply on time this year. Now, let’s talk about my goals for 2025! Travel More: I’m planning at least five trips from January to August, which is exciting. My first adventure is in just 13 days—I’m headed to Chicago with my girls for a fun getaway. Reapply to Schools: As I mentioned, I’m preparing for another round of applications, whether it’s for anesthesia or medical school. Save Money: Now that I’m debt-free (credit card lol), my focus is on saving. I don’t want to live an overly frugal lifestyle, but I do want to build up my savings for the future. Complete Prerequisites: Some schools require specific courses like calculus and physics, so I’ll be retaking those. I also need to retake chemistry since my credits are over 10 years old. I plan to finish these courses by the summer term. Build My Credit and Improve My Health: Alongside my education goals, I’m also working on boosting my credit score and living a healthier lifestyle. TikTok Monetization: I’m hoping to get monetized on TikTok this year, though with rumors of the platform shutting down, I’m uncertain about that one! That’s the big picture for 2025. I’ll keep you all updated on my journey, and I’ll be posting at least once a month to share my progress. Thanks for following along!