AAPA

Even if you don't think you will enjoy a particular rotation you usually end up learning the most if you go in with an open mind. As students we tend to pick the rotations that we have the most interest in and would do the best in but we steer away from those that would challenge us the most. - PA Student, Washington State

Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't...you're right. - PA Student, Texas

PA Students wrote some rotation do's and don'ts from their experiences. Hopefully the information will help PA students who have not yet participated in rotations.

• Rotation Do's
• Rotation Don't's

If you have additional do's and don'ts for the Web site, please e-mail them to Shannon Faherty, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Rotation Do's

• Do volunteer to take extra work or work extra hours
• Do eat Breakfast before starting.
• Do take lunch when you are told to, and don't be quick to ask.
• Do spend as much time as you can with your patient, know their personal histories and interests, this makes for an excellent presentation.
• Do consider buying a PDA or Pocket PC.
• Do share your resources with everyone!
• Do bring snacks, not just for yourself, but for nurses and such.
• Do be aware of current affairs
• Do be willing to share personal interests
• Do come prepared with what you will need for each day in case you are there all day.
• Do have a good attitude about being at every rotation; consider it a privilege to be there.
• Do dress nice, and look professional everyday.
• Do work the "optional" day, it isn't truly optional.
• Do iron your clothes...don't show up in a wrinkled outfit because it looks unprofessional.
• Do remember you are on a perpetual interview while on rotations.  You never know who is watching and is interested in hiring you.
• Do learn nursing skills.  If the nurse can't do it, he or she will be asking you to do it!
• Do say "Yes" when your preceptor asks you to do something. BUT...draw the line when it comes to nursing assistants asking you to mop the floor when you SHOULD be with your preceptor doing rounds. Know why you're there!
• Do be confident. You can't know everything but you do know something. Don't let your fears bring you down!
• Do be proactive. Always ask what needs to be done.
• Do befriend the nurses. They will give you the interesting cases and teach you procedures.
• Familiarize yourself with your environment (ie. shock room) so when emergencies happen you know where to find the proper supplies/meds/equipment.
• Do know how to suture.
• Do make sure you are well groomed, hair washed, lab coat washed and ironed.
• Do ask your preceptor questions, especially if you are unsure.
• Do say yes whenever your preceptor asks you to do something, even you if you want to do something else.
• Do always come prepared to your rotation

Rotation Don't's

• Don't COMPLAIN
• Don't wait for preceptors to ask you to do something, be proactive and motivated to do as much as possible each day.
• Don't compare yourself to the medical students on rotations...they are two different professions for a reason.
• Don't snoop around
• Don't be unavailable
• Don't talk about other colleagues to anyone even if you trust them
• Don't say "I don't like".... psy, ortho, or whatever, just respond "I'm not too familiar with..."
• Don't show up late.
• Don't ask to leave early; your preceptor will let you know when you are done.
• Don't correct the preceptor even when you think they are wrong.
• Don't oversleep and show up late this just make you and PA students look bad.
• Don't act uninterested.  You could be missing out on a great learning opportunity.
• Don't treat the office/nursing staff disrespectfully.  They may play a large part in your grade.
• Don't forget to study during rotations. Study what may be on your end-of-rotation exam and the PANCE, which is what matters most in the long run.
• Don't ever do something you feel uncomfortable about.
• Don't forget to smile
• Don't wear a lot of make-up or wear perfume that is overwhelming.
• Don't talk on your cell phone in the room with patients, even if the doctor does.