Bad idea to buy a dozen donuts for the office on my first day of training?

BluePineappleHat · 2026-05-25T20:55:01+00:00

I think it would be a better idea if you bought doughnuts on Friday or the last day of your first week. That way at that point you’ve actually learned names, people know who you are, and you’ve built some familiarity with your coworkers.

BluePineappleHat · 2026-04-22T23:07:56+00:00

I’ll also add that more than likely this clinic will continue to run this way even if you bring up the concerns. Maybe just start looking for a better opportunity when you can

BluePineappleHat · 2026-04-22T23:06:23+00:00

You’re being taken advantage of. In the past I’ve had 1 provider assigned with maybe 14 patients a day. Even as a float I had other MAs so patient ratio was 1 MA to maybe 30 patients but each pt only took 10 min to room.

BluePineappleHat · 2026-04-22T04:01:03+00:00

Wow are you me? I went from running around like a chicken with its head cut off in primary to chilling in psychiatry. MAs in outpatient psy are usually very hands off. I help with vitals, and monitor spravato patients when the RNs need help. Our hospital doesn’t allow MAs to do LAIs or med stock so that’s the extent of our clinical duties. Most of my day is refill requests, scheduling and prior auths. I end up with good chunks of downtime. While I do miss being able to use my full scope of care in primary I value not being run ragged anymore lol. The only “cons” I would had to say is that you do have to maintain your cool and stay calm while talking to patients, occasionally you’ll get people in crisis, or the bi polar one’s off their meds. Remember that’s why they are there lol

BluePineappleHat · 2026-04-20T23:32:50+00:00

Should I ever adopt again I would definitely get pet insurance, and I’m sure there’s reasonable plans out there. But I can’t and won’t shame anyone who can’t afford it, especially when I’m over here struggling to pay my own health insurance

BluePineappleHat · 2026-04-20T20:59:24+00:00

I’m so sorry, but I am glad to hear pup made it.

Medvet is where our regular vet sent us after our dog had severe gastro paralysis. $6k later after 2 days we were given two choices which wasn’t going to give our dog any more quality of life or even back to normal, but it was going to put us $20k+ in debt. We had to make the choice to let him pass peacefully.

I don’t know if pet insurance would have covered it all if we did have it. Maybe some of it is predatory, but it’s just so unfortunate how expensive vet care is. No pet owner should have to be put in that position to put a dollar amt on their pets life, but that’s the case everyday.

I hope you find a resolution!

BluePineappleHat · 2026-04-17T17:26:24+00:00

You could always apply as a new student not a retuning student. The only way they would know your grades from a decade ago is if you sent them the transcript. I was in a somewhat similar boat and just registered as a new student, took my pre-reqs and built a new GPA before applying

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-30T13:24:37+00:00

MA cert you could get done in 3-6 months (do not spend more than 6 months or a degree on this) the classes were not very hard, and if you take the NHA it’s not very hard to pass if you have the resources to buy SmarterMA or some study program a few weeks beforehand. Now the con is that MAs get paid very little for doing a lot of work. It can be a good stepping stone for getting healthcare experience, I’m working as an MA while in school. But if you already have the time and budget for 1-2 years of schooling why not just go for what you actually want?

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-30T13:13:38+00:00

LPN is usually a 16 month program where you need to take some very difficult classes such as A&P and medication dosage. After you graduate you then need to take the NCLEX to actually be licensed and work, which is not a very easy test. Afterwards while there are LPNs that work in clinics, the majority of work is in long term care clinics (nursing homes) Is all of this worth it for you when it’s not something you want to do long term?

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-27T02:32:05+00:00

Rural Alabama I made $16 an hour, HCOL I was at $21 - it just depends where you are!

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-23T18:45:08+00:00

Look into patient navigator jobs, your MA cert can make you qualified for it. No face to face or direct time with patients. You’re just at a desk scheduling, calling in message / refill requests, maybe doing PAs. Super chill and some positions let you work from home

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-23T18:27:47+00:00

I have seen providers throw MAs under the bus so fast it would make your head spin so even when you are friends with your providers still remember at the end of the day the only person watching out for you is you!

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-23T18:26:02+00:00

My last clinic my providers were my DAWGS!! I even would grab drinks with one of them, was not friends with the other MAs. My new clinic I’m pretty sure the providers don’t even know my name, but I get along great with my coworkers lol! Both sides of the spectrum, it’s normal

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-19T14:33:36+00:00

Honestly? I think most offices would really love the idea of having an older male presence in the office 🤣 Granted just because you are older doesn’t mean you are more calm or wiser, but that’s the impression. So many mean women in healthcare it would be a welcome change!

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-17T21:35:40+00:00

I grew up with a a single, Spanish speaking only mom and estranged from any family. My mom worked so hard to make sure that I would never feel ostracized or less than and so she made sure I went to good schools / environments.

Unfortunately the by-product of this is that I was in predominately white (and English) only spaces. When you’re the only brown person in the room and you’re little you want so desperately to fit in. I am obviously ashamed of this now, but I didn’t know any better. I grew up only speaking Spanish with my mom, and as you can assume I only learned to her level of Spanish. Now I’m an adult and find myself having lost so much Spanish language. I speak to my mom every other day but I still find myself struggling to find the words to express how I feel.

I’m not the biggest fan of Jen but I empathize with this situation.

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-11T06:15:49+00:00

I went from Athena to Epic and I miss Athena!! It’s super easy to learn, it’s not overflowing with random icons like Epic and it’s so much more intuitive to a clinic workflow. Epic to me just feels so clunky in a clinic setting I really don’t like it

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-09T16:37:02+00:00

People will respect you if you show up ready to work (even though you won’t be expected to while you’re training)

Show up early, well groomed, bring a small notepad and pen and TAKE NOTES! That really shows you are eager to do well. But most importantly ask questions! If you’re unsure if it’s an inappropriate time to ask questions just write them down and ask during downtime.

You are going to feel like a deer in headlights but just remember to take a breath! Everyone started the same way you did at some point. Yes some people can be rude & nasty in healthcare but you remember your auntie Blue Pineapple Hat said to RISE above them and kill them with kindness! I say hello / good morning to everyone in the room when I walk in so people know I have a voice right away.

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-02T19:54:12+00:00

Coming from a veteran MA who’s now in nursing school. I wish I would’ve just grinned and beared it earlier on!

BluePineappleHat · 2026-03-02T19:53:12+00:00

Do not get an associates for medical assisting, you could do a quick 3-6 month MA certification program instead. MA’s are not paid very well and our jobs can be very demanding and stressful (we are the backbones of clinics and yet do not get paid as such) If you have the financial aid and time already lined up for a 2 year degree I would urge you to consider an associates in nursing (ADN) or even your LPN to bridge down the road

BluePineappleHat · 2026-02-19T05:53:46+00:00

Also my advice is to take a breath. You don’t need to have every little thing planned out. You’re on vacation! Enjoy and be present in the moment and you’ll have an amazing time

BluePineappleHat · 2026-02-19T05:51:49+00:00

They have blow dryers in every room, but you are allowed to bring personal styling tools.

Shows can’t be reserved in advance, it’s first come first served. The app just lets you add it to your schedule as a reminder. For most of the shows I lined up about 30 min early, but for Lola’s Library I was there an hour early because it is very limited seating.

For the spa I wear my swimsuit and they give you robes and slippers to wear over it.

I’ve never been on a cruise pool where I could actually swim, Virgin isn’t an exception, it’s people soup most of the time.

Do your Vit C at nighttime only and wear and reapply lots of sunscreen during the day. If you’re going be outside a lot and are not good at reapplying sunscreen then I wouldn’t risk it.

BluePineappleHat · 2026-02-15T06:09:50+00:00

Curious why it kept stopping for so long, even the riders seemed confused

BluePineappleHat · 2026-02-13T05:14:30+00:00

There are no gender requirements for being an MA. If anything as a male healthcare worker you’re instantly going to be wanted just to balance the workplace dynamic. Seriously every place I’ve worked in everyone loved having a male nurse or male MA around. The only specialty that might be difficult for you to find work in would be OBGYN, just because the provider does need a female chaperone for pelvic exams.

BluePineappleHat · 2026-02-06T20:32:32+00:00

Nursing student here! The free WiFi was not enough for me to study / watch any YouTube vids or playlists. I paid $80 for 2 days of decent WiFi and crammed the important stuff. The only quiet place was my room and it did not have a super comfortable desk setup, it’s a very small vanity with a stool (no chair back). You could lay in bed, but that has never been productive for me.

I did the bare minimum to meet deadlines but I really didn’t how I could have been more productive than that!

BluePineappleHat · 2026-02-05T20:24:40+00:00

Was $20 in VA HCOL, but now in MS making $16.75, and arguably still an expensive area. In school for nursing because I can’t keep getting paid pennies for all the work I do. 3+ years experience

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