Counting Down The Months
The first week of Spring Semester has finally passed. I never thought that I would have made it this far, but it sure is a different feeling compared to the past semesters. It is surreal knowing that I will be taking my BOC exam and graduating with a Master’s degree in April. Going into my last semester and the second half of my lead sport assignment, I know I have to be the most confident that I have ever been as a student and to carry a work ethic assimilating that of a seasoned athletic trainer. I hope to finish out my graduate school career strong and be ready for the professional world.
The last courses that we are taking allow us to apply everything that we have learned in past semesters in our clinical rotations. One course that I am excited about is our Therapeutic Interventions course, which introduces the development of clinical reasoning behind the interventions decided for the patient. From therapeutic modalities, to therapeutic exercises and manual therapies, we are able to formulate our choice of intervention using evidence in current literature, patient preference, and clinical experience. Dr. Salley and Professor Friesen have been instrumental in guiding us on how to tie all three aspects of evidence-based medicine into our growing clinical practice. While there is so much clinical resistance in taking patient-reported outcomes, figuring out a way to record the progress of our patient’s rehabilitation in the busy athletic training setting has been seen as a major challenge worth overcoming. I look forward to heeding more advice from my professors on how to hone my clinical rationale.
Another course that I look forward to as well is Management in Athletic Training. Dr. Dickert told us how there will be many controversies discussed in class and how there are a multiple facets of administration that we need to learn how to manage as athletic trainers. From designing a facility to enhancing professional development, there is not one topic that seems to be my least favorite. Everything is equally important and I do not feel forced to learn any of these topics. What I am looking forward to is the debates that we will have throughout the semester on pressing issues in the athletic training profession. While these issues are ongoing and controversial, I wonder me or my classmates will change their stances on certain issues.
Recently I was fortunate to travel with Charlie and the CBU wrestling team to Stanford this past weekend for their dual meet. What was awesome about this trip was seeing the athletic facilities on the Stanford campus. I met Eitan, the athletic trainer for the Stanford wrestling team and he gave us a tour of the athletic training clinic and the strength and conditioning room. The amenities in these facilities included a wet room with contrast baths and numerous treatment and taping tables. The athletic training clinic and the strength and conditioning room were also next together similar to what I saw at Northeastern University. The athletic training room also had a juice bar station with different energy and recovery bars arranged on the adjacent counter. It seemed as if Stanford Athletics was very serious in how they treat their athletes and making sure they get the best care possible.
The dual meet went well overall, considering that the guys faced against a very tough NCAA Division I team. Throughout the matches, I felt more comfortable with my role and did the best I could to assist Charlie. I made sure that I was punctual with the tasks at hand and attended to the wrestlers whenever they needed something after their match. Afterwards, everyone was excited to go home, albeit a 7 hour bus ride back to Riverside. Unfortunately, one of the bus tires popped and we were stuck in Bakersfield for nearly three hours. I remember someone asking me jokingly if I was reconsidering my career goals as we struggled patiently in our bus seats. I responded with a no and it reminded me of how not every situation is perfect the way everyone envisioned each situation to be. As cliche as it sounds, it takes a lot of patience and thought to get around unexpected obstacles. Returning to Riverside at three in the morning, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with the team. All of the opportunities to get to know the patients I work with on a personal level and learning more about and from my preceptor have been great memories that I could never forget.
Having a first-year student for this rotation has also been very helpful. Anna keeps me humble as she continually asks Charlie and me questions. Anna and I also go over a lot of different techniques from joint mobilizations and specific therapeutic exercises and reviewing anatomy during practice. Her energy and strong work ethic also makes our days much more fun and productive. So far, it is safe to say that this rotation could only be much more exciting and memorable!
I can’t believe four months are left of this athletic training program. It seemed like yesterday when I was still trying to figure out myself at every clinical site. I look back to my past semesters and I am blessed to be where I am at today. I cannot be completely relieved until I pass the BOC exam and receive my Master’s degree, but for now, I am more than confident to say that I am enjoying life at the moment!