Island Med Student

Last week, I faxed in my order for all of my first and second semester textbooks, stethoscope, lab coat, scrubs, and other assorted supplies. The total came to $3,158! Ouch! I didn’t plan on paying for any books or tuition until after I received my first loan disbursement, but Ross University suggested purchasing your books and supplies before you come to the island, so that everything is shipped and waiting for you when you get there. I could have purchased all of my books at a lower price on Amazon.com or some other online retailer, but the expensive shipping costs and taxes made this option end up costing more than going through the bookstore. Since I won’t receive any loan money until August 24th, this purchase had to come out of my savings. Hopefully, I will have enough savings built up by the time I fly to Dominica so that I will be able to cover all of my travel costs and rent if need be.

Today I got an email from the bookstore company saying that they have filled my order and my books and supplies are being shipped to Dominica! It’s strange how these little details fill me with so much giddy excitement and joy!

For all of you geeks like me out there who are wondering exactly what books and supplies one would need for the first two semesters at medical school, here is a complete list of the required and recommended books: (and if you do decide to buy one of them, please use these links, as I will get a small portion of the sale)

Basic Histology: Text & Atlas, 10th Edition

Ross: Histology: A Text and Atlas

Young: Wheater’s Functional Histology with CD ROM

Sadler: Langman’s Medical Embryology

Meisenberg: Principles of Medical Biochemistry

Jorde: Medical Genetics

Passarge: Color Atlas of Genetics

Strachan: Human Molecular Genetics

Bickley: Bates Guide to Physical Exam and History Taking

Sahler: Behavioral Science and Health Care

Dorland’s Pocket Medical Dictionary

Moore: Clinically Oriented Anatomy

Blumenfeld: Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases

Nolte: The Human Brain

Kieman: Barr’s The Human Nervous System: an anatomical viewpoint

Boron: Medical Physiology

Haines: An Atlas of Structures, Sections and Systems

Netter’s Clinical Anatomy

Tank: Grant’s Dissector

Dean: Cross Sectional Human Anatomy

Weir: Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy

Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy

Board Review Series: Embryology

Lippincott’s Illustrated Review of Biochemistry

Pre-Test Biochemistry and Genetics

Board Review Series: Cell Biology and Histology

Physiology: Board Review Series

STARS Physiology

Fix: High Yield Neuroanatomy

And here are the required and recommended supplies:

EITHER Littmann Lightweight Stethoscope with ID tag
OR Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope with ID tag
Clinical (short) lab coat with Ross Seal
EITHER Economy Clinical Equipment Kit
OR Deluxe Clinical Equipment Kit with oto/ophthalmascope
Anatomy Lab Coat
Anatomy Scrub
Anatomy Dissection Kit tool set including gloves, scalpel and extra blades
TOSHIBA Tecra A8 DUO
The Premier TABLET PC, TOSHIBA Tecra M7 DUO
Microsoft Office Student / Teacher Edition
Toshiba 512 MB USB HI-Speed Flash Drive
Computer Carry Case & Surge Protector
Compa Color Printer (see spec sheet) USB cable included
Ross University Studystuffer
Bed, Bath & Stuff

Since I am a wannabe overachiever, I of course purchased all of the recommended textbooks on the list. I also chose the nicer of the two stethoscopes: the Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope with ID tag and the nicer of the two clinical equipment kits: the Deluxe Clinical Equipment Kit with oto/ophthalmascope. I can’t wait to listen to my own breathing and heart beat and look inside innocent tourists’ eyes and ears!

Here are the descriptions of the stethoscope and clinical equipment kit:

Littmann Cardiology III is the top of the line, powerful and sensitive stethoscope with both the adult and pediatric heads that can be used throughout a physician’s medical education and into their medical practice.

Deluxe Clinical Equipment Kit contains: Blood Pressure Set, 256 Tuning Fork, 512 Tuning Fork, Disposable Penlight, Buck Neurological Hammer, Taylor Reflex Hammer, Snellen Eye Chart, Soft sided Doctor’s Bag, ADC brand portable diagnostic set with the ophthalmoscope and otoscope

I’m not completely sure how a Buck Neurological Hammer is used, but it sure does sound like something fun!

I didn’t buy the laptop offered through the bookstore since I will be bringing my brand new MacBook to the island, but I did purchase the printer since I don’t want to lug my current printer all the way to Dominica with me.

I also purchased both the Ross University Studystuffer, and the Bed, Bath & Stuff package. Here is what comes in each:

Ross University Studystuffer:

Jansport Back Pack
Battery operated alarm clock
Book light with batteries
Folding umbrella
Monthly planning book and calendar
3 pairs of ear plugs
3 – 1 inch flexible binders (one for each course)
3 report folders with clips
Zipper pencil case
Stapler and staples
One ruler
Filler paper
Paper re-enforcement rings
3×5 memo note book
Paper clips
5 Highlighters
Liquid paper
Glue stick
5 pack loose leaf rings
3×5 index cards
Tape
10 #2 pencils
20 pens (assorted, includes gel pens and roller ball pens)
A travel size sewing kit and first aid kit

Bed, Bath & Stuff package:

1 High Quality Full size sheet set (fitted, flat, 2 pillowcases)
1 pillow
3 bath towels
3 hand towels
5 wash clothes
1 beach towel
Laundry bag
Laundry marker
Flashlight
Bath soap, deodorant, and toothpaste

All those school supplies give me nostalgia for my elementary school days. Too bad they don’t make med school trapper keepers!

On the Spring 2006 booklist, there was also a microscope requirement, but it looks like it’s been taken off the list for the September 2006 semester. However, I had already taken the initiative to purchase a microscope before I saw the September 2006 book list. Since the microscope was listed as $865 on the book order form, my boyfriend had the brilliant idea to check Ebay for the scope. He managed to find the required one, a brand new Accuscope 3004, for the low price of $150! It turns out that the seller was some ghetto pawn shop in Maryland, so chances are that my microscope is either stolen or was hocked by some poor med student who purchased it and ended up not needing it for one reason or another.

With all of these med student supplies waiting for me on the island, I feel ultra prepared to begin my med school education. I can’t wait to learn how to use my new ophthalmoscope, and get my new scrubs broken in! It’s definitely a little intimidating to think of all the pages of text that I have to read and the mind boggling number of new terms and concepts that I have to learn, but I feel charged up and enthused to be at the very tip of a new, radically different chapter of my life.

More to come soon!