Hoops

It has been a very rough semester so far. We're 3 weeks in.

First I get ditched for that class, have to move my work schedule around, and I'm trying to decode the things my Algebra teacher says-- not because I don't get it, but because she's weird.

But THEN, I met with my advisor (a girl I graduated high school with... it's odd to talk to her about my education) and we were talking about requirements, etc. I mentioned that I hadn't received any information about the application (since I'm applying to start in August). See, last year we got an e-mail blast with a lot of info regarding the application process. I wasn't eligible to apply, but I figured that might be something they do again since the program was new.

So she quickly responded, "Oh, you're not going to get anything. You have to get on the site and print the application out. It's due March 1." Ho-lee-shit. It's now the very end of January and I KNOW that I have to get observation hours in as well as reference letters and the application itself.

I realize I'm at fault for not looking into it sooner. I should've been asking about it at the end of last semester. But time got away and I kinda thought I'd have a little guidance in the matter. My bad. And this semester is naturally a nightmare... why not throw an application process in?!

I printed off the 35 pages of information and application. I need 8 observation hours-- now the good Lord knows I don't have 8 consecutive hours to give at once, but I can split it up into a couple days. I figure I'll try the hospital and maybe diagnostic place 4 hours at a time. So I contact the hospital and get a call back telling me that "There's a process for observers. You need to get on our website and print off the information. You'll need the submit your packet and we can get you in within a week or so."

*panic*

SO I HAVE TO SUBMIT A PACKET TO STAND IN A CORNER AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS?! I have to APPLY to observe so I can APPLY TO A PROGRAM???

Fine. I'll play your game.

I get on THEIR site and print the crap out. (Hold on folks, it gets better.) Not only do they REQUIRE you to have the flu shot (just let me wear a mask!!) they want your vaccination record and a TB test has to be performed. YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Time is ticking away, and now I have to jump through a thousand hoops so that I can stand in a corner, NOT touch a patient and LOOK at stuff for 8 hours. FML.

We won't talk about how all of that is on your own dime. It'll be $45 for me to have the flu shot (which I'm personally not for) and the TB test done. Don't think for a second that I didn't think about giving up on all of it. Just when I think I've got it all under control, I don't. Every time.

Needless to say, I've got a lot to do in the next 20 days. I really don't know how it's going to happen since HELL WEEK is coming up at the spa. I'm kinda at a loss. All I can do is try, but it's going to suck if I don't get to apply this year (and have to wait an entire year) because of these observation hours.