About
What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been
I can’t claim that I’ve always “known” that I wanted to be a doctor. The truth is I’ve wanted to be a lot of different things throughout my life: a farmer, a singer in a chick band, a landscaper, a physicist, and even a trapeze performer. It wasn’t until near the end of my senior year in college that it occurred to me that I’d like to pursue a career in medicine. My reasons for endeavoring to become a doctor were plentiful, but the significant ones were: my eagerness to help people, an enthusiasm for investigation and problem solving, and my propensity for challenges. After I obtained my B.S. in psychology, I went back to college to complete my pre-med classes and began working at a state psychiatric hospital.
The next few years of my life solidified my decision to pursue medicine. I had a degree in psychology, and supposedly had learned a lot about human psychology via my undergraduate classes in college. However, I learned a hundred times more about psychology, medicine, and myself during my three years of employment at the psychiatric hospital.
Because I worked at a state facility, the patient population was much different than that of a private hospital. The patients had severe mental illnesses; many of them were homeless; most of them were hospitalized involuntarily; and they were all from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition, I worked on the acute/admissions unit, which means I was assigned to the most acutely ill patients. In fact, my unit was so challenging that it was usually only considered to be a temporary assignment. Most techs, nurses and doctors requested to be transferred off of my unit after a 6 month period. I stayed on the unit for over 3 years.
As a psychiatric technician, I took the vital signs of the patients, led various group therapy sessions, and most importantly, ensured the safety of all the patients. These were not easy tasks as the patients frequently screamed obscenities at me, physically attacked me and other patients, and attempted to harm themselves. My work conditions were exacting and stressful, to put it mildly; but I found to my amazement that I thrived in this atmosphere. There were certainly times when I felt overwhelmed and drained by the demanding nature of my work, but the majority of the time I rose to the challenge of caring for and helping all of my patients. Some days I came home from work physically and emotionally drained from my shift, but I felt a sense of satisfaction and pride that I had managed to survive another day at the hospital, and potentially helped some people along the way. Every day I would actually look forward to going to work. I had never felt this way about any job before in my life.
Even though many of my patients were chronically ill, and had bleak prognoses, there were always glimmers of hope. Some patients’ conditions actually improved, and they were either discharged or transferred to a more stable unit. I clearly remember one patient who had been particularly ill when he was admitted to the hospital. He was a middle aged man with a very disheveled appearance, who I’ll call John. He was suffering from a severe psychosis after experiencing a traumatic event. John was almost completely catatonic and had not spoken a word for 4 weeks. At first, all of the doctors and staff would frequently attempt to interact with and engage John. However, after months of hospitalization and many different dosages and combinations of medications, John’s symptoms showed absolutely no improvement. I learned that acceding to the prevailing practices is not really my forte. Every day, I continued to go into John’s room and talk to him. I’d ask him questions about his past and would tell him stories about my life. I even told him (what I would consider to be funny) jokes to see if I could cause him to smile. One day, I walked into John’s room with some fresh towels and I asked him where he’d like for me to set them down. “Over there on the chair,” he replied. I had to hold back my shock. I placed the towels on the chair and continued to ask him questions, to which he responded. I sat in his room for over an hour, discussing his family and some of the circumstances that culminated in his hospitalization. After I left John’s room, I told the doctors about our conversation and they were all amazed.
Eventually, John’s condition improved significantly and he was discharged from the hospital. Before he left the hospital he came to thank me for not giving up on him. He told me that he may never have come out of his catatonic state had it not been for me. He felt as though the whole world had given up on him, yet I never stopped treating him like a human being. John’s words left a penetrating impression in my mind. He truly believed that my unwaivering persistence had helped him through a most difficult period of his life. That was one of the moments that I knew I wanted to work in medicine. I had impacted someone’s life on a profound level, and I had done so by merely doing what came naturally to me.
Fast forward almost 7 years into the future, and here I am, beginning a new chapter in my life. I am currently attending Ross University School of Medicine, located on Dominica, a small country in the Caribbean. There are many reasons why I chose to attend a Caribbean medical school, but I will share those in a later blog entry.
I created this website as an attempt to chronicle my experiences as I make my way through medical school. I hope you enjoy my blog, which will be an attempt to document all of my encouragements, discouragements, adventures, misadventures, personal anecdotes, confessions, apprehensions, successes, setbacks, contemplations, and meditations. I also have a Photos Section, which will serve as a visual addendum to my medical school epic.
Thank you for visiting IslandMedStudent.com. This site is intended to be a true reflection of myself: constantly evolving, hopefully progressing, and awkwardly mutating. I document my experiences because it helps me to understand and appreciate myself, and I am gratified when my words educate, provocate, or inspire others. I’m always open to new ideas and paths of exploration, so please don’t hesitate to share any of your thoughts or suggestions with me.
I hope you enjoy my site.
~The Island Med Student
(Kendra)
My name is Kendra and I am a third-year medical student attending 
good luck kendra. you have a bright future ahead. keep up your studies.
hI KENDRA…I am Ory from london, I used to own the Italian restaurant by the University so the students were my only customers…I miss Dominica like crazy…but no point crying over spilled milk!!!!! Good luck and do u know anyone from the island especially portsmouth??? one of my best friend is Valerie…she has horses in portsmouth…and Yasmin she has a guest house in Brandy!!!!! ciao for now ORY
Kevigirl wasup!! It’s bruce! E-mail me so I can send you some pics of Ches and my Dance Team!!! miss you, hollllaaaaa!
Kendra, its Jason Weaks you’re long lost roommate from NM. I just graduated from law school and need to list you as a reference, but I lost you number and don’t have your e-mail. So if you could drop me a line at weaksja@law.unm.edu, with you new address that would be great. Also I can’t remember our address in Balston so if you remember it send that my way too.
Thanks I hope all is well,
Jason.
Hi Kendra, I read you post about how to do well in med school. Thank you for posting it. It is very helpful! I was wondering if you had any advice on studying for boards. What is/was/will your schedule like? Thank you! Good luck!
Hi kendra, thanks for this website it is really informative. Anyhow I am starting Ross in Jan 2008 and was curious to know if you knew any single mothers who opted to bring their kids to the island. If so, I would love to correspond with them about their decision and experience. Any advice or contacts would be helpful. I can be e-mailed at noseitutu@yahoo.com. Many thanks and best of luck!
Hi Kendra, the website is very helpful as i consider to my later in august to pursue my career at Ross. Any advice on where to find affordable aparments with proximity to the campus, how about a roommate? will sincerely appreciate that, thanks for website.
Mark
mjh711@mizzou.edu
Very impressive Kendra….I too share a similar experience with a patient which changed my life. I am seriously considering Ross and would like to get more information on the school from someone who has actually attended the medical school. I appreciate your attention and efforts!
Alberto Gonzalez
albertogonzalez1209@hotmail.com
Hey Shuga, just wanted to check in with ya! I can’t wait to see you and M on the island, only 2 months to go!!
Luv
V
Hi,
Just come across your blog, really fascinating!
I’m a medical student in the UK and am looking to plan my elective for sep-oct next year. I’m really intertested in spending some time in the commonwealth of dominica and was wondering if you new of anyone I could contact?
Your help would be much appreciated!
Thanks and good luck with the studying!
Kathryn
Kendra:
I, like you, was accepted to foreign medical school (American University of Carribean) in Monserat, Although I was forced to decline acceptance I still regret that decesion. I am now a pharmaceitical rep for Abbott Laboratories (18 yrs), and I get to interact with physicians everyday, and if it wern’t for the questions and dialogue that I have with physicians everyday I would go crazy. I wish you the best of luck in your career pursuit and always remember that when an old rep like myself shows up, They probably have something to offer.
Walter
I see the you continue to beautifully carry a rainbow on your head. Lol!!! I remember you being quite friendly and full of life while i worked at the Libray front dest. i do wish you all the best in the future and do continue enjoying my beautiful island home.
Kendra,
I found your blog while looking up information about the college and island. I love what you have written about your life experiences.
I am considering applying for a Director of Student Affairs position ar Ross. I have lived overseas quite a bit, 3 years in the Philippines and 3 years in Fiji, South Pacific. I am familiar with island life. But I have a bright 12 year old daughter now who is in 8th grade and I am concerned about her education. Any advice about local or private schools?
Thanks
Charles
Hi Kendra:
I am a hopeful for starting at Ross in Jan’08. I am from St. John’s, NL, Canada, and I have been practicing as a nurse for almost 3 yrs. Thank you for taking the time to write such an informative website to help upcoming students….I just stumbled onto your website today, so I am overwhelmed by the amount of useful info….much, much appreciated!!!
I have just a quick question about doing some prep work before starting…….I am trying to brush up on some of my chemistry, before I potentially start in Jan, after having done both organic & biochem almost 5 yrs ago in my first science degree. I was wondering, having gone through the first year when these courses are mostly covered, if you would recommend reading up on organic chemistry in general or just covering biochem, using one of the study guides….your advice would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
Vanessa
hey there, Kendra. Ironically, I stumbled into your blog site while browsing for information on modern Chinatown (presentation for a hist. course in college). After skimming through your blog, I was compelled to read your “About Me”, which was very inspiring indeed (especially the segment on “john”). I reside in the California Bay Area where cost of living is painfully high. I’m a full-time student who’s recently been feeling torn between the desires of my heart and mind. I need a career that will give me that financial stability (nursing), but I want to do what I’m passionate about (journalism). People have been advising me to pursue both but I want to be steady-focused; wavering can be my downfall.
Anyway, I’m going to quote you on the following:
“Every day I would actually look forward to going to work.”
Albert Einstein stated that you never have to work a day in your life if you love what you do. Happy to hear that you’re following your bliss and thank you for inspiring me to chase mine.
Hi…I just ended up here in ur blog while reading your post about “how do you calm pre-exam nerves” on medscape. I’ve been around for about 10 mins read a bit of everything and I already added this site to my favorites to check it more often. Great job you are doing here, reading this remind me the real reason why I choose this career, a hard one, but beatiful at the same time ohh by the way I’m in what I could call 3rd year of medicine in Barranquilla-Colombia (south America do not confuse it with Columbia…. it usually happens :-P) and I say I could call because here is not for years but for semesters anyway, I wish u the best and to all of you who read this blog, and enjoy Christmas!!
Kendra,
Thank you so much for you words. I am a “late bloomer” myself as far as discovering my desire to work in medicine, which came about after I worked at a feminist health care clinic for two years. I am currently applying to medical schools and feel very out of place due to my “non-traditional student” status.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Kendra,
loved your story. i am not in the medical field, but if your fellow students need a company to ship there belongings to dominica i can be of assistance.
good luck,
bernard
nabacliscity@aol.com
If I were ever to be admitted in a psych ward I would so want you to be there for me.
he kendra, good job!!! i like ur story. i’m actually starting my life over and i plan on big things too.
Hi Kendra, like everyone else here thank you very much for the time you took to put together such useful information. I’ll be starting school in May and this blog could not have come at a better time…Moses
Hello Kendra, it’s Aunt Gail. Read your story about John. Good work. It takes a lot of work to get that far with a patient like him. Keep up the good work. Hope that you are happy.
Hi Kendra. Just wanted to let you know I am a first semester student at Ross. I am enrolled in the may semester, and i really wanted to thank you for all your insightful help. I have been reviewing your blog for the past couple months and its been a very big help. I wish I could have met you here on the island, so i could have thanked you personally. I decided to start blogging myself thanks to you and hope it may be as help ful to someone else as yours was to me. Thanks and wish you success.
Hi Kendra,
I enjoy reading your Blog it was very informative. Its always nice to see a medical student who doesn’t look like the traditional boring student (no offense to all of your traditionals). You remind me of myself, I like to live outside the box. I am a current pre-medical student who will be applying in about two more years. I am also NON-traditional, I will be 30 when I enter medical school. I can only pray to have as much success as you do.
Good Luck
Hi Kendra,
I subscribe to Medscape and I read with great interest your question about the appropriateness of having pink hair on the job. I read the replies. I didn’t leave one. I felt that you had gotten so many to sift through, and I picked up on the fact that you were a strong willed individual and you’d end up making your own choice in th end. Add to that, I am a nursing student–so my feedback may not have been very valuable to you. For the record, if I were a patient and my doctor or nurse had pink hair, I’d feel like they were an outside the box kinda person and they would earn my trust quicker than the traditional appearing doctor/nurse. But then again, people say I’m crazy..so what the hell do I know, LOL.
I wanted to ask you a question that I am hoping you will privately respond to. For convenience sake (since I know you’re busy as hell), you can simply say yes or no–no need for a lengthy reply. I visited a psychiatrist within the last year and since I did not have have insurance that covered psych services, I paid $350.00 up front for the $45 minute visit. What did I come away with? Five prescriptions (the visit actually lasted 15 minutes). The scripts were an antidepressant and four anti-psychotics. During our 15 minute visit, I began telling him a bit about my history. Less than two minutes into my hx, he stopped me and said (verbatim) “I don’t need to hear about it. All I needed to hear was your diagnosis. Psychiatrists don’t do talk therapy anymore, we aren’t even taught it in medical school anymore”.
Now this seemed odd to me. I mean, if it’s all about script writing, psych NP’s can do that and it’s a much shorter program. In fact, pharmacology isn’t exactly “rocket science”. So Kendra, my question to you is simply this…was he telling me the truth about psychiatrists not being trained to do talk therapy in school anymore? My gut is telling me he was more interested in taking the easy route and once he had my money in his pocket, that’s all that really mattered.
Thank you very much. Based on your posts, I trust that I can get the straight scoop from you. By the way, I graduate from nursing school in December and the only kind of nursing I will EVER do is psych nursing–plan to go on to get my NP in psych (at the least).
Sincerely,
Adri
P.S. Don’t get freaked about my MySpace user name, it’s an inside joke. Tee hee.
Hi Kendra
Just go accepted to med school this week and trying to prepare my self for school .Your study tips just came in handy,I will give you the feed back fall 08.
keep up the good work..
Pruddy