My Starting Point – Chelsea Ruiz – FA100

Hi guys, it’s Chelsea checking in again. I started the Medical Assisting program at the Carrington College Tucson campus in March and I’m blogging about my experiences. As I write I’m now about 12 weeks into the program so if you missed my earlier posts, you can read them all here to catch up!

Looking back on FA100

The very first term you’ll go through is the FA100 (foundation) class. It’s definitely important; I’m really glad we had to do that course first. It helped me get accustomed to being back in a classroom again, to being on a campus and the whole routine that goes along with that. The work also gets harder once you get into your core classes, so it’s a good way to get used to doing homework and such before that. The transition from FA100 to core classes actually came pretty naturally to me, but it can be hard for some.

FA100 also helps you to get to know the other people in your program. That was really useful for me because in our first core class [after FA100], we started doing vitals pretty much immediately. It can be kind of uncomfortable to practice taking vitals repeatedly with people you don’t know. But during those six weeks in FA100, we’d all gotten to know each other a little better, so it wasn’t so bad.

Another good thing about FA100 was the break-outs every Monday. For the first two hours we would be in our regular class, but then we’d all break-out and go join a more advanced program specific class for two hours. It was a great way to get to know what to expect from the Medical Assisting program and the instructors.

Rock Star Teachers!

Today was the last day of my second term, and also Rock Star Dress Up Day! This picture is one of our instructors, Ms. Robin, doing a classmate’s rock star makeup.

I love our teacher Ms. Shiela; she makes things really clear. I’m very happy with all the staff and the way they make you feel. I’m not scared at all about anything anymore; I did have some apprehensions early on, but those are long gone – now I’m just excited to get it all done, get out on my externship later in the year and get ready for the future!

Ms. Shiela definitely has her own style and an individual approach; she’s big into group activities and making the most of our time together in class. She definitely wants us to learn the material, rather than just get through it. She really cares for us personally too – you can tell from the little things she does. But I do know that at the end of the day, it’s up to me whether I do well and graduate. Our teachers care, and will do all they can, but I know it’s up to me to be successful.

We found out today that Ms. Robin will be leaving Carrington for another opportunity. That means the classes will be changed up a little. From now on Ms. Shiela won’t be my only instructor. My primary instructor will be Ms. Judy, and sometimes Ms. Emily. We’ll miss you Ms. Robin!

Thanks for reading! I’ll be back with another post in a few weeks!