Continued...

So Septenber 26th of 2011 I became a Loma Linda Alum!  What was I going to do with my life now that it wasn't consumed with school?  Study for Boards!!  This was THE most stressful, aggravating and confusing process in my life.  In the world of Physical Therapy there are two separate entities that work together. The Physical Therapy Board of California and The Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy. I had to send in an application to the PTBC (Physical Therapy Board of California), but I paid for my exam through the FSBPT (Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy).  The PTBC is the one who would give me my License applicant status.  It's kind of like a temporary license.  I could work as a PTA, but could not work autonomous.  But who was going to hire me as a PTALA (Physical Therapist Assistant License Applicant).

So during the last week at my last affiliation at Menifee Hospital, I applied for an Aide position at Rancho Physical Therapy.  All that was available was a position for a Floater Aide.  What that meant was that I would go from office to office filling in for people that were sick or requested days off.  The hours ranged from 10-20 hours a week, depending on what was available.  I traveled as far south as Fallbrook to as far North as Riverside.  It was an interesting job.  Now I had two jobs on top of studying for boards.  At this time I had sent in all the necessary paperwork and had been issues my PTALA status, I was just waiting for the PTBC and the FSBPT to talk to each other to allow me to st for my boards.

I was checking the website EVERY SINGLE DAY!!  Finally, on December 31, 2011 I was finally approved to take the test.  The following week I called to schedule my tests.  I also had to take a California Rules and Regulations test for the state of California.  Every state has their own rules and regulation s stating what PTA can and cannot do.  Pretty lame.  I think they should all agree to be the same.  But what do I know?  I scheduled to take my boards on January 28th and my law exam on Feb 10th.  I had been studying since late September, 5-6 hours a day up until  the day of the test.  The boards cost a pretty penny and I was gunna pass it the first time!!

The Monday before the test I was working at a Rancho clinic in Murrieta.  I was talking with one of the PTA's there and she mentioned to  me that I should look into the travel company's.  What's that? I asked.  Google it. She said.  So I went home and did just that.  What it is, is that you sign up with a company and they send you all over the state to work in various clinics.  Kind of like a traveling Nurse.  They will supply you with an apartment if you don't already have housing where they send you.  Now, I don't remember if I contacted this company, or if they contacted me.  I had put a resume on Career Builders, so it could have been one or the other.  It really doesn't matter.

Test day came.  I had never been so nervous in my entire life.  I had everyone and their mother praying for me.  The Thursday before I had my Pastor's wife, along with other ladies in the church, lay hands on me and pray for God's grace.  Prayer helped, but I still was riddled with anxiety.  I knew that after that day my life would change forever, no matter the outcome.  It took me 5 hours to take the test.  As I left, a feeling of defeat just fell over me.  I felt like such a failure.  I didn't feel like I did my best.  I cried all the way home.  I was mentally preparing myself of having to take the test again.  When I got home, all I wanted to do is sleep.  When I woke up two hours later, I was reminded of the scripture that says he makes us lie down in green pastures.  I was so emotionally drained, but God made me lie down and He comforted me in my time of need.  That night I went out to eat with a dear friend and drowned my sorrows in Chinese food.

The next morning I had to work early at Starbucks so I got up at 6am to check the website.  I PASSED!!!  I was on cloud nine!!  I couldn't stop praising Jesus for everything.  I knew that it was only Him that could do this.

I took my law exam on the 10th of February and passed that too.  It was a piece of cake compare to my 5 hour long marathon.  The rest is history...

So to give you a little taste of how quick God works, I'm going to give you dates here. January 18th is when I was referred to a travel company by the PTA at Rancho.  The 20th is when I got in contact with then through email.  The  23rd is when I began talking with the travel company on the phone.  The 28th I took my boards test.  The 29th at 6:00am I found out I passed!  Woot!  Woot!  The 30th I was offered a job with this company, Staff Rehab, of which I gladly accepted. I was told of a job up in Yuba City which was an hour north of Sacramento.  I had never heard of it before.  The job was in the Rehab department of a skilled Nursing Facility.  It's a place that people go that are too healthy for the hospital but not healthy enough to go home.  So, on Friday February 2nd I had a phone interview with the Director of Rehab up in Yuba City.  By Wednesday I got a cell telling me that I got the job...and they wanted me to start on the 20th!!  That left me with 9 days to quit my two jobs, pack, say goodbye to my friends and family, and drive up to Yuba City to start work as a PTA on the 20th!!  Whew!  In less then a month. my life did a 180!

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."