Are you ready to get started? Choose your package, and we will begin today!
Single Edit One-on-one Service Supplemental Essays
Your success is our passion. (See just some of our 100's of testimonials and comments below). We are ready to help. Our current PA school essay editing service status (19th May 2024): Accepting New Submissions
(Photo: Me circa 1987, just thinking about my future PA School Essay)
- Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement?
- Are you out of ideas, or just need a second opinion?
- Do you want an essay that expresses who you truly are and grabs the reader's attention in the required 5,000-character limit?
We are here to help perfect your PA school essay
I have written countless times on this blog about the importance of your personal statement in the PA school application process. Beyond the well-established metrics (GPA, HCE/PCE hours, requisite coursework, etc.), the personal statement is the most crucial aspect of your application.
This is your time to express yourself, show your creativity, skills, and background, and make a memorable impression in seconds. This will be your only chance, so you must get it right the first time.
For some time, I had been dreaming about starting a physician assistant personal statement collaborative.
A place where PA school applicants like yourself can post their PA school essays and receive honest, constructive feedback followed by an acceptance letter to the PA school of your choice!
I have been reviewing a ton of essays recently, so many in fact that I can no longer do this on my own.
To solve this problem, I have assembled a team of professional writers, editors, and PA school admissions specialists who worked to revise and perfect my PA school application essay.
Beth Eakman has taught college writing and worked as a professional writer and editor since the late 1990s. Her projects have involved a wide range of disciplines and media, from editing technical reports to scriptwriting for the PBS Kids show Super Why! Her writing has appeared in publications including Brain, Child Magazine, New York Family Magazine, and Austin Family Magazine. Beth lives with her family just outside Austin, Texas. She is driven to help each client tell the best version of their story and achieve their dream of becoming a physician assistant.
Deanna Matzen is an author with articles featured in Earth Letter, Health Beats, Northwest Science & Technology, and the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. With an early career in environmental science, she developed a solid foundation in technical writing. Her communication skills were further honed by producing and editing content for a non-profit website, blog, and quarterly journal. Inspired to extend her craft, she obtained a certificate in literary fiction, which she draws on to build vibrant scenes that bring stories to life. Deanna loves working with pre-PAs who are on the cusp of new beginnings to find their unique story and tell it confidently.
Carly Hallman is a professional writer and editor with a B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric (summa cum laude) from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. She has worked as a curriculum developer, English teacher, and study abroad coordinator in Beijing, China, where she moved in 2011. In college, she was a Gilman Scholar and worked as a staff editor for her university's academic journal. Her first novel, Year of the Goose, was published in 2015, and her first memoir is forthcoming from Little A Books. Her essays and creative writing have appeared in The L.A. Review of Books, The Guardian, LitHub, and Identity Theory, among other publications.
Read more client testimonials or purchase a revision
We Work as a Team
Our team of professional editors is wonderful at cutting out the "fluff" that makes an essay lose focus and sets people over the 5,000-character limit. Their advice is always spot-on.
Sue, Sarah, and Carly are amazingly creative writers who will take your "ordinary" and turn it into entirely extraordinary.
I mean it when I say this service is one-of-a-kind! We have spent countless hours interviewing PA School admissions directors and faculty from across the country to find out exactly what it is they are looking for in your personal statement.
We even wrote a book about it.
To collaborate, we use Google Drive. Google Drive is free, has an intuitive interface with integrated live comments in the sidebar, the ability to have a real-time chat, to collaborate effortlessly, and to compare, revise, or restore revisions on the fly. Google Drive also has an excellent mobile app that will allow you to make edits on the go!
Our team has worked with hundreds of PA school applicants within the Google Drive environment, and we have had enormous success.
The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
I have set up two options that I hope will offer everyone a chance to participate:
- One-of-a-kind, confidential, paid personal statement review service
- A collaborative, free one (in the comments section)
Private, One-On-One Personal Statement Review Service
If you are interested in the paid service, you may choose your plan below.
The Personal Statement Review Service is:
- Behind closed doors within a private, secure network using Google Drive.
- It is completely interactive, meaning we will be able to provide real-time comments and corrections using the Google Drive interface.
- Telephone consultations are included with all edits above the single edit level. It’s often hard to communicate exactly what you want hundreds of miles away; for this reason, we offer the option to edit right along with us over the telephone while sharing in real-time over Google Drive. This is an option available to all our paid clients who purchase above the single edit level.
- We provide both revision and editing of all essays. What’s the difference? See below
- We will provide feedback, advice, and help with brainstorming and topic creation if you would like.
- We will help with a “final touch-up” before the big day, just in case your essay needs a few minor changes.
Why Choose Our Service?
- It’s not our opinion that matters. We have gone the extra step and personally interviewed PA school administrators from across the US to find out exactly what they think makes a personal statement exceptional.
- We are a team of PAs and professional writers, having worked over ten years with PA school applicants like yourself, providing countless hours of one-on-one editing and revision.
- Our clients receive interviews, and many go on to receive acceptance into their PA School of choice.
Because we always give 100%, we will open the essay collaborative for a limited number of applicants each month and then close this depending on the amount of editing that needs to be done and the time that is available.
Our goal is not quantity but quality. We want only serious applicants who are serious about getting into PA school.
Writing is not a tool like a piece of software but more like how a photograph can capture your mood. It’s more like art. The process of developing a unique, memorable personal statement is time-intensive, and it takes hours to compose, edit, finalize, and personalize an essay.
As Antoinette Bosco once said:
And this is why I am charging for this service. We love helping people find stories that define their lives, and we love helping individuals who have the passion to achieve their dreams. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when an applicant writes back to tell me they were accepted into PA school.
There is no price tag I can place on this; it’s the feeling we get when we help another human being. It’s just like providing health care. But this takes time.
Interested? Choose your plan below.
Read more client testimonials.
Free Personal Statement Review
Post your essay in the comments section for a free critique
We want to make this opportunity available to everyone who would like help with their essay, and that is why we are offering free, limited feedback on the blog.
You post your essay in the comments section, and you will get our critique. It is that easy. We will try to give feedback to every single person who posts their COMPLETE essay here on this blog post in the comments section.
Also, by posting your comment, we reserve the right to use your essay.
We will provide feedback on essays that are complete and fit the CASPA requirements (View CASPA requirements here). We will not provide feedback on partial essays or review opening or closing statements. Your essay will be on a public platform, which has both its benefits and some obvious drawbacks. The feedback is limited, but we will try to help in any way we can.
Note: Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, I will delete your stuff. Otherwise, have fun, and thanks for adding to the conversation! And this should go without saying: if you feel the need to plagiarize someone else’s content, you do not deserve to go to PA school.
* Also, depending on the time of year, it may take me several weeks to reply!
We love working with PA school applicants, but don't just take our word for it!
How to submit your essay for the paid service
If you are serious and would like to have real, focused, and personalized help writing your personal statement, please choose your level of service and submit your payment below.
After you have submitted your payment, you will be redirected to the submissions page, where you can send us your essay as well as any special instructions. We will contact you immediately upon receipt of your payment and essay so we may begin work right away.
Pricing is as follows:
Choose your plan, then click "Buy Now" to submit your essay, and we will get started right away!
Every purchase includes a FREE digital copy of our new 100-page eBook, How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement, Our 101 PA School Admission Essays e-book, the expert panel audiobook, and companion workbook. This is a $65 value included for free with your purchase.
All credit card payments are processed via PayPal over a secure HTTPS server. Once your payment is processed, you will be immediately redirected back to the essay submission page. There, you will submit your essay along with some biographical info and all suggestions or comments you choose to provide. You will receive immediate confirmation that your essay has been securely transmitted as well as your personal copy of "How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement." Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, or problems - I am available 24/7.
The hourly service includes your original edit and one-on-one time over Google Drive. It is simple to add more time if necessary, but you may be surprised at what a difference just a single edit can make. We find our four-hour service to be the most effective in terms of time for follow-up and full collaboration. We are open to reduced-rate add-ons to suit your individual needs.
Writing and Revision
All writing benefits from rewriting when done well.
When you are in the process of writing a draft of an essay, you should be thinking first about revision, not editing.
What’s the difference?
Revision refers to the substantial changing of text. For example, it may include re-organizing ideas and paragraphs, providing additional examples or information, and rewriting a conclusion for clarity.
Editing, on the other hand, refers to correcting mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
On all submissions, we perform both revision and editing.
How to submit your PA school essay for the FREE editing service
Follow the rules above and get to work below in the comments section. I look forward to reading all your essay submissions.
- Stephen Pasquini PA-C
View all posts in this series
- How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay
- The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
- Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?
- 7 Essays in 7 Days: PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 1, “A PA Changed My Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 2, “I Want to Move Towards the Forefront of Patient Care”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 3, “She Smiled, Said “Gracias!” and Gave me a Big Hug”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 4, “I Have Gained so Much Experience by Working With Patients”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 5, “Then Reach, my Son, and Lift Your People up With You”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, “That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 7, “I Want to Take People From Dying to Living, I Want to Get Them Down From the Cliff.”
- Physician Assistant Personal Statement Workshop: “To say I was an accident-prone child is an understatement”
- 9 Simple Steps to Avoid Silly Spelling and Grammar Goofs in Your PA School Personel Statement
- 5 Tips to Get you Started on Your Personal Essay (and why you should do it now)
- How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement The Book!
- How to Write “Physician Assistant” The Definitive PA Grammar Guide
- 101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
- 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
- 7 Tips for Addressing Shortcomings in Your PA School Personal Statement
- The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement
- The Ultimate PA School Personal Statement Starter Kit
- The Ultimate Guide to CASPA Character and Space Limits
- 10 Questions Every PA School Personal Statement Must Answer
- 5 PA School Essays That Got These Pre-PAs Accepted Into PA School
- 7 Questions to Ask Yourself While Writing Your PA School Personal Statement
- 101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
- 12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
- 7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
- You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
- What’s Your #1 Personal Statement Struggle?
- 31 (NEW) CASPA PA School Personal Statement Examples
- How to Prepare for Your PA School Interview Day Essay
- Should You Write Physician Associate or Physician Assistant on Your PA School Essay?
- Meet the World’s Sexiest PA School Applicants
- PA School Reapplicants: How to Rewrite Your PA School Essay for Guaranteed Success
- How to Write a Personal Statement Intro that Readers Want to Read
- PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist
- How to Deal with Bad News in Your Personal Statement
- Inside Out: How to use Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling to Improve your PA Personal Statement
- Ratatouille: A Pixar Recipe for PA School Personal Statement Success
- Personal Statement Panel Review (Replay)
- Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews
- Start at the End: Advice for your PA School Personal Statement
- Elevate Your Personal Statement: Using Bloom’s Taxonomy for Impactful Writing
Sofia says
Hello! This is still in the rough draft stages but I appreciate any critique and help!
“I come from first-generation immigrant parents and am one of 5 children. Life was difficult financially. To add on to that, my parents enrolled us in islamic schools our entire lives, so we were always cut off from the “normal” world. It was ingrained in me that I was a walking representation of my religion and culture. And I was proud of who I was. However, one thing I was never proud of was my father’s wish enlisted upon us that one of us should become a physician. That wish would then fall unto me. However, there was a little problem with that – I never wanted to become a doctor. Partially because it was not my decision to become one. And partially because in that bubble that I grew up in, every single person became a doctor. That was the only career worth honor and value in their eyes. I knew that there were plenty of career paths worth honor and value still. I just had yet to find one. However, I could not help my lingering attraction towards the medical field. Then, one of my cousins told me about the PA profession. Inquisitive, I stepped outside my bubble and ventured into an unknown world. I was 17.
After beginning my collegiate journey at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), I continued to play a series of characters. Each character increasing in its value through its experiences. An overachieving undergraduate frosh working in a variety of extracurricular activities at her university, as well as maintaining a job as a medical scribe and trainer at an under-served hospital in SE DC, all while excelling in a full course load. A burnt-out undergraduate student, struggling with her mental health, a declining relationship with a severely depressed fiance, and a loss of friendships and familial relationships; all leading to a decline in her GPA. A determined student fighting the academic limitations and disadvantages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst caring for her sick parents. Despite that, she retained the ability to increase her GPA before graduation – a testament to her perseverance and commitment to her education. An alumni taking two gap years to broaden her clinical skills. She explored a medical receptionist/assistant position in primary care and pediatric endocrinology care, although soon learning that she needed something more challenging; she sought another medical assistant/receptionist role at Dr. Chitra Venkatraman Hematology Oncology instead. There, she was a jack-of-all-trades filling in as a medical assistant, nurse, medical receptionist, and phlebotomist when requested. An aspiring PA, choosing to take the GRE twice despite it not being a requirement anymore, to increase her academic standing. The second time showing vast improvement from the first. Throughout all of these characters, I was taught valuable lessons and honed my medical skills, eager to learn more. Within these interactions I had with my patients and providers, there is one that spoke to me the most. It happened when I was working as a medical scribe.
I was working alongside one of the PAs one evening and there presented a young, female patient with a laceration on her upper arm requiring sutures. Upon entering the patient’s room, the atmosphere was downcast. The PA asked a multitude of questions to gain information and develop his HPI. Almost immediately, we learned that her laceration was a self-inflicted wound among a medley of lacerations all in different stages of healing. Before even taking off the gauze pad taped to the wound, the PA slowly assembled the necessary instruments needed for wound care. There was a comfort in the silence, and I could see how gentle the PA was in not only suturing the wound but even delivering the lidocaine injection. By the end of the visit, she seemed to be in a better state. Initially I thought it strange how slow the PA moved. Later I learned that even that was intentional; to show the patient that he was giving her the time of day. Something that I have not seen be done with physicians and other healthcare professionals. This one encounter spoke volumes to me. A PA to me, does not try to fit themselves into a role to play, but rather they create a role for themselves to play so that they may better assist those around them in addition to themselves.
These characters collectively contribute to my comprehensive understanding of the healthcare landscape, and I am excited to bring this multifaceted perspective to my journey as a physician assistant. However, my commitment to my career is balanced by a deep dedication to my family and loved ones. I firmly believe that a fulfilling life is one that encompasses both professional success and meaningful personal connections. As I pursue my career as a PA, I am committed to ensuring that my profession enhances my life rather than consumes it. I will always be glad that I did not let my familial guilt coax me into the wrong career path. I will always be glad that I overcame the challenges that came with leaving my bubble. Since I made this decision to pursue the PA profession, it felt as if life was trying to deter me from my path. No, it strengthened me, motivated me, and solidified me into the person I am today. I will become a PA. To help myself, my loved ones, and any individual who entrusts me with their life.”
Whitney Prosperi says
Sofia,
You do a good job revealing the path that has led you to this point. With that said, I suggest condensing where you can so that you use the limited characters in this essay to reveal more aspects of what draws you to the PA profession.
Also, describe some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained throughout your roles. I would include a patient care story that shows you in action connecting with a patient on a personal level. You want to show what kind of provider you will be one day. Lastly, you want to be cautious in your language, so it doesn’t appear that you are criticizing another provider.
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck.
Lily says
I posted here a while ago but decided to retune my essay. I redacted my name for privacy reasons. The name given is an alias.
I am looking towards the light in the bathroom as I start to notice the faucet drip. Drip drop. All I hear is the soft knocks on the door, asking when I will be out. Drip drop. I feel the tears on my cheeks dry up, as I try to stand. Drip drop. My inner thighs feel so numb that I fall back down and as I try to clear my vision, I realize my vision is blurred. Drip drop. I try to focus on other things besides what had just happened, and remember I still have my homework on his desk. Drip drop. “______ please”. Drip drop. “I didn’t think I needed to wait for you to say yes”. Drip drop. It was only my sophomore year of college, and I didn’t think anyone would believe me, there had been no evidence besides my word against his. “What do I do now?” I said to myself. Drip drop. The door becomes unlocked. Drip drop.
A couple months had passed since the incident, when I walked towards the chemistry building and saw a pair of eyes meet mine. I immediately went towards the chemistry bathroom, feeling the same scenario as I had before. I had struggled to stay near the chemistry building in which I struggled to focus in most chemistry based classes, with the thought that I could leave the room and have to meet his eyes again. I had considered quitting pre-med and healthcare altogether as I had not known if I would ever recover. I was in a state of limbo as I had wanted to diagnose and direct forms of treatments, interact and focus on the health of my patients, but had lost the passion for my pre-med pathway. It was not until I had stayed up watching videos of different doctor specialties when I had stumbled on a day in the life of a physician assistant.
Day after day, I had become aware that I had given up on most of my usual hobbies since the incident. I knew if I had wanted to survive, I would have to overcome and learn, so I looked at the mirror one last time, and scheduled a meeting to switch to the Pre-PA pathway. I had continued my neuroscience research as I had been interested in how the mind worked, but I had realized I needed to take into consideration that I would need to put my all into my classes if I planned on applying to PA school. So I resigned and focused on my classes. I still had struggled when it came to some classes being in the chemistry building, but knew I could pull through with my other classes, while trying to also study as hard as I could for any chemistry based classes.
It was after college, where I had realized I also needed to work on my patient interaction. I had become so attached to my spouse’s side that I realized I had needed to overcome my fear of being alone in a room with anyone I hardly knew. So I quickly became acclimated to becoming a Optometric Technician. With a month already having passed since I graduated, I had quickly soaked up all the information given to me to operate the machines, eye anatomy and terminology, and diseases or damages to have a quick debriefing with the doctor before each patient. One thing that I had struggled with wasn’t me being alone with the patient anymore, but now, I had to figure out ways to make my pre-examination room a gentle and safe environment.
In my pathway of becoming a physician assistant, I want a patient to look at me and feel safe. With what I have gone through, and what I have learned when dealing with patients, I have seen the body language you give, the tone of words no matter the directions, is how a patient will trust me enough to let me know if they have been struggling with pain to the point that they feel too embarrassed to bring up now. It has been the most rewarding when I see a tensed patient become relaxed and point out symptoms that I can run tests on. This helps the on-site doctor since they have a head start in getting the patient’s treatment started since I currently cannot diagnose or treat, but have loved learning the solutions and reasons when it came to different cases given to us from the doctor I work with.
I can no longer use the excuse of my past assault as a reason why my GPA may not be as high, as I do not wish to be associated with the past victimization I had felt when it impacted my grades. All I can show is the growth I have done moving forward and the relationships I have grown to make. My dedication has also grown in making sure the patients I am handed have the most comfortable experience, so that they can feel heard about the pains they may be dealing with, no matter how long ago, as it is no longer about me but about my patient.
So, as I continue to wish to be given the chance of showing that I can surpass the expectations needed for PA programs, I must also give acknowledgments to those who did not make it past their traumas before they could reach it to this point, no matter the reason. A lot of great future physician assistants have been lost, but not forgotten, and I am glad to have been able to make it towards my first cycle.
Whitney Prosperi says
We only offer critiques once free on this forum, but if you would like more help, please reach out as we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you the best, Lily.
Izze says
I never considered that a simple glucose test could be life changing for a patient. Her frail, trembling hands held mine as she prayed to the sky with tears brimming her eyes, and her gentle touch built a connection between my understanding of compassionate care and her gratitude for my presence, despite my previous feelings of insignificance. Like this older woman, most patients at our medical clinics in rural Guatemala had never even stepped on a scale, let alone understood the importance of diet in their health—a common reality even among Americans who regularly access healthcare. For many of them, the factors contributing to their health disparities had always overshadowed these concerns. This experience reminded me of my father, an immigrant from Europe, who has continuously struggled to navigate the US healthcare system since his arrival. After 24 years here, he still relies on community health clinics tailored to his Medicare coverage, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by those with low incomes in adapting to new healthcare systems.
After my transformative medical trip to Guatemala, I considered the newfound possibility of being able to provide genuine, compassionate care to those who are more than deserving, but who never had that kind of care before. Two years later, my desire to provide this attentive care to underserved communities continues to drive my path towards becoming a physician assistant.
After completing my post-grad medical trip and exploring career options, I discovered a medical assistant (MA) apprenticeship at an oncology clinic where my mom had recently received treatment for breast cancer. Witnessing her experience during this time inspired me deeply to learn more about cancer and broader health issues, and to provide compassionate care to patients facing these similar challenges.
At her pre-op appointment, naturally I had prepared a list of questions to ask Dr. J about the scans, labs, and treatment plan. She reassured us as much as she could with her time and answers, and made us feel like my mom was her top priority. This experience further inspired me to become a part of a healthcare team and create the same kind of support for patients.
Taking this MA opportunity, it reinforced my determination to pursue a career as a PA. The guidance and mentorship of the advanced practice providers (APPs) I currently work alongside has been invaluable as they generously allow me to shadow their patient visits and understand our patients’ care. In our clinic, all APPs share similar responsibilities by collaborating closely with doctors, nurses, and each other, each offering their diverse care and expertise. By shadowing Haley (PA-C), I learned of her direct, but kind approach, and her impactful scientific knowledge. From Nicole (ARNP), with her background in palliative care, I learned the importance of considering a patient’s overall quality of life. Observing her visit with Randy, who was an avid guitarist in his younger days, is now nearing the end of his life with metastatic GI cancer. Taking his love for music into account, I was able to witness Nicole prioritize his passions by minimizing his neuropathy, while navigating his treatment plan. As a PA, I will strive to incorporate holistic care and aim to help patients live quality lives, incorporating wishes like Randy’s into care decisions.
In those early days, working alongside healthcare providers, I felt a mix of anxiety and awe. Growing up, I idolized them, seeing their careers as unattainable for someone like me. I marveled at medical shows and documentaries presented by confident and intelligent scientists. I wondered if I could ever be like them, let alone become the first healthcare provider in my family. I deeply respected my parents’ careers and admired their hard work; my mother an artist and my father a caterer. However, coming from a financially unstable background, I recognized the challenges they faced raising my brother and I in a split household, and I didn’t see myself pursuing either of their professions. With this, I had a hard time knowing where I fit into my family, lacking a healthcare influence. Reflecting on my interests, I realize my desire for healthcare has always been vitally present.
As I immersed myself in the daily challenges of healthcare as an MA, I realized that these providers I idolized so much were once in my shoes, experiencing the same uncertainty I felt. After two years of working alongside PAs, I truly believe it just takes genuine interest and compassion to positively impact patients’ lives, characteristics I know I possess. Despite my initial self-doubt, I now see their careers not as my unattainable childhood dreams, but as inspirations to strive toward.
Whitney Prosperi says
Izze,
You effectively explain how your journey led you to the PA path. I suggest elaborating on other aspects of the PA role that appeal to you. Additionally, expand on some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained in your roles. In your conclusion, you may want to tie back to your introduction in some way, reinforcing your desire to have a greater role in expanding access to patient care.
I wish you good luck. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
Michaela Fluck says
“They better check her occipital lobe.” I was seven years old and I had never before seen Mom’s head whip around so fast. She took a moment, pursed her lips in thought, and responded, “Why do you think that?”. Nana had suffered a stroke. Mom was preparing me for what we may see when we got to the hospital. My 2nd grade science teacher had recently been teaching about the brain and the symptoms Mom described reminded me of the part of the brain that Nana may have injured. When Mom suggested that I tell the doctor, I decided that I would. And I did. That moment became the seed that grew my natural curiosity about the human body. Having people in my life – my family, science teachers, Nana’s caregivers – fostered that desire to learn more which only increased my awe with medicine.
As I reflect on my journey toward pursuing a career as a physician assistant (PA), I am struck by the convergence of my passion for health science and my desire to advocate for others. When I started my undergraduate education, I earned my phlebotomy certification. For nearly three years, I have honed my skills at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City working with the smallest, most vulnerable patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), wrestling the toughest and strongest two-year-olds I’ve ever seen, and using common interests like Mario Cart to calm adolescents battling life-threatening illnesses. Having your blood taken can make even the toughest adult shrink in fear. So coming at a small child with a large needle while attempting to allay their terror has been a challenge that is often exhausting. But when their eyes catch you in that moment you have completed the procedure without any pain and they tell you things like “I want to be a blood scientist like you when I grow up” is when it’s most rewarding. Their bravery inspires me.
When I was 5 years old, my father died of an opioid overdose. It is not lost on me that my life could have turned out a lot differently had his addiction continued to ravage our family and if I hadn’t had people like my mom, my grandparents, friends, and mentors encouraging me to pursue my interest in medicine. Having my own advocates when I was a child, offering recognition along with honest criticism, cultivated a path that led to ME becoming an advocate for others. As a phlebotomist at Primary Children’s Hospital, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside PAs, physicians, and nurses, witnessing the collaborative nature of patient care and the vital role that PAs play in the healthcare team. These experiences solidified my desire to pursue a career as a PA, as I was inspired by the diversity of patients served and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in their lives. I am reminded of the time when I was summoned to the ER to draw blood from a teenage boy. At first, I thought it was just a typical blood draw, but as I walked in, I saw that he was not only handcuffed but was also bound in foot and body chains. His gang tattoos made me pause. I wasn’t sure how he’d be at first. But as I spoke with him, he smiled and we both relaxed. What could have been a tense interaction turned into a pleasant moment with a kid who lives a really tough life and just needed a little compassion. I won’t forget his smile.
In addition to my academic and clinical experiences, I have cultivated strong interpersonal skills that I believe are crucial for building trusting relationships with patients and colleagues alike. I approach each interaction with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. As a PA, I aspire to not only diagnose and treat medical conditions but also empower patients to take control of their health and well-being through education and proactive lifestyle choices. My journey toward becoming a PA has been guided by a deep-seated passion for healthcare, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a dedication to serving others. I am confident that my academic background, clinical experiences, and personal qualities have prepared me well for the challenges and rewards of this noble profession.
While patients have dubbed me “blood ninja”, “noodler” and even “blood wizard”, I look forward to continuing my education and adding “Physician Assistant” to the list. Although, if I’m being honest Blood Ninja does sound pretty cool!
Whitney Prosperi says
Michaela,
I am sorry about the loss of your father and trust that you will be an empathetic caregiver to all you come in contact with.
I suggest including more details about what exactly appeals to you about the PA profession over another type of caregiver. (the ability to switch specialties, collaborate with a healthcare team, or work independently as well as with a supervising physician) Also, if you have any shadowing, describe that.
I would also include some more of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained in your different roles.
Lastly, physician assistant is not capitalized unless it’s at the beginning of a sentence. 🙂
I wish you good luck. Should you want more help, we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
Caroline says
*This is a very very rough draft but I wanted to bring it on here for tips and improvements before I went any further with editing. It is also a little long right now, but once again wanted another set of eyes on it before I started cutting things.*
As a kid I was always asking why. “Why is the sky blue? Why do dogs have tails? Why am I right-handed?” As you can imagine, I was very fun to have on long car trips. My questions spanned every concept my child-sized brain could understand, until one day I found one topic that particularly interested me: science.
I was so intrigued by the complexities of the human body and how these interworking mechanisms kept us alive. I would beg my grandmother to let me tag along to her medical appointments so I could bother the clinic staff with these questions. Overtime, by attending more and more of these appointments, my questions evolved to inquire more about the clinical aspect of what was happening in the clinic. “Why do you need to prick her finger? Why do you need to listen to her heart? Why does she have to take so many pills?” When I realized that most of my questions now stemmed from curiosity about medicine and healthcare, I knew that a career in the medical field would be right for me.
I have always been a very practical person, so I knew that pure curiosity on this subject wasn’t enough to solidify this career path for me. I needed to see for myself that this was truly something I wanted to pursue. My first experience working in healthcare was during the pandemic, where I worked at a job performing COVID-19 swabs and preparing doses of the new vaccine. This period of unknowingness was tough for me to wrap my brain around, as it was for so many others.
While this was a time of great uncertainty, I still learned a lot about myself through my first job in a clinical setting. In one experience I had with a patient, I learned that no one had taken the time to explain to them what the nasal swab entailed, nor what to expect during or after. I was constantly surprised to have similar interactions with patients just like this one. Each of these patients revealed to me how much emphasis I place on effective communication. My inquisitive nature is constantly striving to know as much as I can, so I apply this to others as well. I knew that through my work with COVID-19 swabbing and vaccinations, I had the privilege of knowledge and understanding that many others had not yet been exposed to. I used this as motivation to make sure all my patients were given as much information as I could about their swab or vaccination.
No matter how much I loved this job, my limited knowledge had me wishing I had more answers for my patients. I wanted the knowledge of a healthcare provider to be able to effectively communicate exactly what was going on. I wanted to be able to sit down with a patient and explain their diagnosis to them forwards and backwards. Just as many others had done for me in the past, I now wanted to be the one answering questions of others.
While shadowing a PA, I was able to see her fulfill this role through gracefully answering the questions of patients and family members. In one instance, I recall walking into a room with a PA, only knowing that the patient was a healthcare provider who had breast cancer. The PA entered the room, and her presence was graciously met with thrill and enthusiasm. The patient, Mary, immediately let me know how thankful she was that the PA was a part of her healthcare team. As the PA began to explain her test results, Mary started to tear up, holding the weight of the diagnosis on her shoulders. Mary was the head of her department at the hospital, a title with great honor and knowledge associated with it. However, the stress of her diagnosis and hospital stay was enough to take over her entire mind. Before Mary even had to ask, the PA began to explain her results in terms that were easily digestible by her clouded mind. She took ample time to describe exactly what was going on and answer every question Mary could think to ask. After spending a while in the room, with all the questions answered, the PA still let Mary know that if she could think of anything else she would be back to answer even more questions.
I was amazed at the amount of time a PA can spend with their patients and how deep of a relationship can be formed during this time. One of the things that draws me in most to the PA profession is the ability to have ample time for patient contact. As someone who could ask a million questions and still think of more, it is very important for me to take the time to do this for others. I can sympathize with patients who are anxious to know everything about their health, and even those who do not even know where to begin inquiring. Taking the time to be intentional with each patient is essential in forming a patient-provider relationship that creates a space for comfortability and effective communication.
Each experience I have had throughout my life has been leading to this moment. I believe that my passion for healthcare, communication skills, and willingness to foster meaningful patient relationships have led me to a career as a PA. Just as I have evolved as a person with each experience in my life, my questions have evolved too. As a PA, I will be asking how to better care for my patients, how to better understand them, and how to be the best provider that I can be for them.
Whitney Prosperi says
Caroline,
Your paragraph about shadowing effectively reveals when your decision to pursue the PA path solidified.
In another paragraph, I would elaborate on some other aspects of the PA profession that appeal to you. You want to show why you are suited to this choice as opposed to other options in healthcare.
I would also include a patient care story that shows you in action providing care while connecting with a patient on a personal level. You could expand on the story by describing the COVID testing protocol you discussed with the patient you mentioned in your essay.
Also, expand on some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained in your roles.
You will likely need to condense some of your introductory material to add all of these elements.
Lastly, over time is two words. 🙂
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Caroline.
Evelyn says
This is an extreme rough draft, so any help I am grateful for.
“Hello my name is Sloan and I am your PA today”, I look at her without saying a word and just stare at the wall, I am sorry, she has just been so moody lately”, my older sister says, while my mother gives me a glare. After the usual routine check up, I was asked to lay down, and she touched the bottom of my stomach and said I was due to get my first period soon, with a smile. After getting home, I went upstairs into the bathroom, wanting to just be alone, until I realized I was bleeding. My father was fuming, assuming that the PA had touched me and caused me to bleed and had me tell him whether she had or not. I told him she hadn’t as I fought through my tears, confused as to why he was yelling at me. As he calmed down and told me to tell him if anyone ever touched me in such a way to let him know, I continued to think about how I wouldn’t dare break that bond between him and his brother if this would be how he would react.
I’m in my junior year of college, I should be more strong willed but I can’t enter the chemistry building. I continued to try to fight the stiffness of my neck, the shakiness in my knees and heart racing. He was a business major, there was no reason for him to be on this part of campus, but yet there he was, smiling with no remorse. I ran into the chemistry building to avoid his sight, which led me to the bathroom. I locked it out of pure selfishness, closing my eyes. I was still in his apartment, in the bathroom, dizzy and struggling to stand up. My thighs feel sore, it feels like I have been run over by a truck. I hold onto my lower stomach as he knocks on the door, asking to be let in, as I look down, I see I’ve bled.
As I stand in my office, getting ready to bring in the next patient, I notice a child staring into my room, and that’s when I realize one of the many benefits of working with patients before they see the doctor, is helping boost their mood or ease their fears so that they may open up their problems so that they can be treated. Although, through doing this, I have noticed me being more gentle with children. Some get so excited they like to fidget a lot during the auto-refraction, some are perfectly still and some very shy to do anything without their parents holding them. Even though the visit takes longer, I don’t mind spending my time on them, they are after all just kids.
I have also noticed that when it comes to emergency visits, I like to be taught more on what signs to look out for and what tests to run so that I can give any sort of counseling or help ease their nerves before our doctor sees them. I may not be working in a hospital, but in my head, I always feel like I am helping out the versions of my own fear or younger self, even if I am just an optometric technician.
I had begun watching videos on becoming a physician assistant when I started sophomore year out of pure curiosity about what opportunities it could lead me to, and it wasn’t until with more and more obstacles, life traumas and losses that I realized it was the profession for me. I loved the idea of working in different specialties throughout my professional career, knowing I could try to reach out to different patients and having more of a say in a patient’s treatment, while working alongside a doctor. I have had many cases where had I not eased a patient’s nerves, they would not have told me what problems they had with their vision, causing the needed tests to not be run, thus, their diagnoses not being found as soon as they could have been. I loved learning from the doctors I have worked with, and have continued to learn the importance of holding onto the information they give me as quickly as I am told, as it is no longer just myself involved, but the health of a patient involved.
I am also motivated not only due to my own experiences, but because I know the trauma doesn’t just only happen to me, but is universal. Watching virtual experiences of physician assistants in emergency rooms, pediatrics, as well as labor and delivery have shown me that I would love the feeling as if I am helping out the past versions of me, the depressed little girl who couldn’t get a word out, and the scared college girl who wished she hadn’t studied at her male friend’s apartment. My grades tell a one-sided story of what I am capable of achieving, but I can assure everyone and myself, through the healing and time I had taken to prepare to put my patients first above myself after college, that I am ready to overcome each and every obstacle thrown to me.
Evelyn says
“Hello my name is Sloan and I am your PA today”, I look at her without saying a word and just stare at the wall, I am sorry, she has just been so moody lately”, my older sister says, while my mother gives me a glare. After the usual routine check up, I was asked to lay down, and she touched the bottom of my stomach and said I was due to get my first period soon, with a smile. After getting home, I went upstairs into the bathroom, wanting to just be alone, until I realized I was bleeding. My father was fuming, assuming that the PA had touched me and caused me to bleed and had me tell him whether she had or not. I told him she hadn’t as I fought through my tears, confused as to why he was yelling at me. As he calmed down and told me to tell him if anyone ever touched me in such a way to let him know, I continued to think about how I wouldn’t dare break that bond between him and his brother if this would be how he would react.
I’m in my junior year of college, I should be more strong willed but I can’t enter the chemistry building. I continued to try to fight the stiffness of my neck, the shakiness in my knees and heart racing. He was a business major, there was no reason for him to be on this part of campus, but yet there he was, smiling with no remorse. I ran into the chemistry building to avoid his sight, which led me to the bathroom. I locked it out of pure selfishness, closing my eyes. I was still in his apartment, in the bathroom, dizzy and struggling to stand up. My thighs feel sore, it feels like I have been run over by a truck. I hold onto my lower stomach as he knocks on the door, asking to be let in, as I look down, I see I’ve bled.
As I stand in my office, getting ready to bring in the next patient, I notice a child staring into my room, and that’s when I realize one of the many benefits of working with patients before they see the doctor, is helping boost their mood or ease their fears so that they may open up their problems so that they can be treated. Although, through doing this, I have noticed me being more gentle with children. Some get so excited they like to fidget a lot during the auto-refraction, some are perfectly still and some very shy to do anything without their parents holding them. Even though the visit takes longer, I don’t mind spending my time on them, they are after all just kids.
I have also noticed that when it comes to emergency visits, I like to be taught more on what signs to look out for and what tests to run so that I can give any sort of counseling or help ease their nerves before our doctor sees them. I may not be working in a hospital, but in my head, I always feel like I am helping out the versions of my own fear or younger self, even if I am just an optometric technician.
I had begun watching videos on becoming a physician assistant when I started sophomore year out of pure curiosity about what opportunities it could lead me to, and it wasn’t until with more and more obstacles, life traumas and losses that I realized it was the profession for me. I loved the idea of working in different specialties throughout my professional career, knowing I could try to reach out to different patients and having more of a say in a patient’s treatment, while working alongside a doctor. I have had many cases where had I not eased a patient’s nerves, they would not have told me what problems they had with their vision, causing the needed tests to not be run, thus, their diagnoses not being found as soon as they could have been. I loved learning from the doctors I have worked with, and have continued to learn the importance of holding onto the information they give me as quickly as I am told, as it is no longer just myself involved, but the health of a patient involved.
I am also motivated not only due to my own experiences, but because I know the trauma doesn’t just only happen to me, but is universal. Watching virtual experiences of physician assistants in emergency rooms, pediatrics, as well as labor and delivery have shown me that I would love the feeling as if I am helping out the past versions of me, the depressed little girl who couldn’t get a word out, and the scared college girl who wished she hadn’t studied at her male friend’s apartment. My grades tell a one-sided story of what I am capable of achieving, but I can assure everyone and myself, through the healing and time I had taken to prepare to put my patients first above myself after college, that I am ready to overcome each and every obstacle thrown to me.
Whitney Prosperi says
Evelyn,
First, I am deeply sorry about the trauma you experienced.
I trust you will be a compassionate provider to many others in times of pain and confusion.
I suggest including more details about your path up until this point. Explain some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained in your different roles. You want to show how each job or volunteer position prepared you to take the next step toward a rigorous PA program.
I would also describe any shadowing experience you have had and how that clarified your decision.
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Evelyn.
Allison says
Early in the morning, I heard the strangest sound coming from beneath me. I climbed down the bunk bed to find my brother crying, with a runny nose and a barking cough. I wrapped my arms around him and swayed him back and forth, repeating, “Shh. Sis is right here, it will be okay”. My parents came in and gave him cough medicine, which helped him drift back to sleep. The following day, we took him to be seen by his pediatrician, where he was diagnosed with croup and was prescribed steroids. I incorporated his treatment into my big sister duties and made sure he took it at the right time. This was my first memorable experience that sparked my interest in the medical field.
When I was about 16 years old, I started noticing I was losing pigmentation in my arms. Growing up in a rural community we didn’t have many specialty clinics. Therefore, I made an appointment at the local family medicine clinic and saw Physician Assistant (PA) Dalton. She carefully looked at my skin under a flashlight, felt the texture, and gently scraped to feel the consistency. She described every detail of the assessment, which helped me understand what she was doing. With her attention to detail and thorough examination, she diagnosed me with tinea versicolor. After my appointment, I asked her about her role. She explained to me what a typical day looks like for her and the versatility she has had with the profession. She emphasized the importance of building a good rapport with patients and how it builds the relationship. My interaction with her made me realize that this is the career I wanted to pursue in medicine.
While completing my Bachelor’s degree, I became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to gain experience in the medical field. One day on the job, my partner alerted me that a young boy was being brought to the station by his dad for breathing troubles and that we needed to have everything ready to go to the hospital once they got there. I pulled the ambulance out of the garage and got the oxygen, the non-rebreather mask, and the intubation kit ready. The boy was carried into the truck by his dad who informed us that he was dealing with pneumonia. His symptoms included shortness of breath and discomfort in his chest. I took the patient’s vitals, and his oxygen saturation was at 88%, and I heard rhonchi and rales upon auscultation of the lungs. My partner administered nebulized steroids while I gave him a stuffed animal and a fidget toy I had kept on my badge. I explained to his dad the purpose of the treatment and how it was going to help their son. Upon arrival, we auscultated his lungs again and heard minimal rales and no rhonchi. I noticed his breathing was more relaxed, and we earned a smile from the newly recovered patient. This interaction allowed me to demonstrate my critical thinking skills in a stressful situation. While this experience was rewarding, I desired to have a more extensive role in patient care.
To understand the role of a PA further, I sought out shadowing opportunities and found one with PA Nolke in the Emergency Department. I witnessed the team-based collaboration between her and the supervising physician for a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome. They both worked together with the same goal in mind, which was to minimize their pain and improve mobility. I also observed interprofessional collaboration as they incorporated physical therapy and pharmacists in part of the patient’s care. This experience further solidified my desire to pursue the PA profession.
Every experience I have had since I heard my first barking cough as a curious eight-year old has led me to becoming a PA. Working in the unpredictable specialty of emergency medicine has allowed me to use my strengths as a quick comprehender, a compassionate caregiver, and a trustworthy collaborator. Along with my experiences, I maintained a competitive GPA throughout my undergraduate studies while volunteering, shadowing, and working nearly full-time. Acting as an advocate to the patient with Guillain-Barre, the boy with pneumonia, or little Drew with croup will be the one of the most rewarding aspects of the PA profession. The possibility of becoming the PA I have always idolized makes me excited for the future, and I know that the mindset, determination, and skill set I have as shown above will bring a successful PA student to PA through your program.
Whitney Prosperi says
Allison,
Your patient care story shows your ability to remain calm and assess a tense situation. I suggest including more details regarding why you are drawn to the PA profession. (the ability to switch specialties, more time/contact with patients, expanding access to care, collaborating with a healthcare team?) You want to show why you chose PA instead of another path in medicine. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. Good luck to you, Allison.
Kelsey says
When I was younger my father told me I had two options-become a lawyer or doctor. He was a lawyer so I decided I wanted to do something different. I’ve been told that I would be a good lawyer, but I was deterred from the field due to knowingly defending criminals. In the medical field you are only given a person who you need to save, regardless of their past.
When I was a child I played doctor like most kids. I took my Fischer Price stethoscope and listened to people’s lungs like I saw my doctor do. My pediatrician was amazing at her job. She always had on fun outfits under her white coat, and pins on her lanyard. Dr. Corchoran was always glad to see me and said I was her favorite patient. She was thrilled to learn I wanted to be a doctor. I originally wanted to be a pediatrician due to my love of kids and hope for a sibling. My mom was physically unable to have any children after me, and almost died during labor. To fill the sibling void in my life I helped with children at church and camp. These places provide opportunities to talk to children and help them through situations they might not be able to talk about at home. A girl named Kat struggled with anger issues. With some coaching and a listening ear I watched her turn into a kinder little girl.
For the start of my academic career I attended a virtual charter school. I was taught at home, but had teachers, classmates and in person events to attend. In high school we had live classes up to four hours long each. I was accepted into a scholar’s program that allowed me to skip 8th grade. In 11th grade I added classes to my schedule to graduate early. Our class schedule was similar to college, which made me feel more prepared for my next steps.
While on my journey to graduate I had to face my dad’s death. On my 12th birthday he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was the strongest person I knew. He always worked out, ate well and I marveled at him swallowing 20 vitamins at once. I didn’t understand how such a healthy person could get this disease. My dad was loved by all who knew him. Still to this day people hear my last name and ask about him. Watching him battle cancer gave me more insight into the medical field. I watched as he tried everything to prevent the cancer from spreading. As a kid I did not understand why these treatments were not working on my dad. August 2014 he was put on hospice. He was a shell of my dad. On September 11th he passed away. Most of his work was in family law, doing a lot of pro bono work. He was my first inspiration for helping people.
To continue helping people and get healthcare experience, I became an EMT. I started in transport, monitoring people enroute to their destination. I gained medical knowledge and comfortability with patients. I then started 911. The variety of calls I have experienced makes me more confident starting my journey becoming a PA. Calls that deviate from the usual have shaped my experience as a provider. We are given minimal information prior to a call; the rest is for us to figure out. We had a patient that said she was sick but would not tell us why. She only said “I’m sick” over and over. Visually we did not see anything acutely wrong with her. We soon found her oxygen saturation was only 50%. We began administering oxygen and watched as she stopped breathing. We continued care and rushed her to the hospital. She had a pulmonary embolism. I saw her after, and it was amazing to see she is doing well. Another call we had an elderly man who needed help up. We arrived to find the man on the floor, oriented and talking to us. He had cancer and was on hospice. We lifted him into bed. A second later he began posturing and having a focal seizure. His heart rate was getting slower and slower. We did what we could for the man but watched him slowly die. A simple call took a turn for the worst. His wife was devastated. It was 3 o’clock in the morning. I felt terrible leaving her, but we were on to the next call. I am excited to start the journey to become a physician assistant so I can spend more time with patients and their family. Being able to provide great medical care but also taking care of the emotional needs of a person and giving them support is what truly makes a great provider.
Throughout the early teenage years of my life I wondered if being a doctor was actually what I wanted. I thought about the amount of schooling I would have to go through, the toll it would take on me and the pressure I would be under. I explored other career options but always came back to the medical field. I learned about physician assistants which appealed to me. I only heard praise for the field from PAs I talked to. The autonomy to make your own decisions but also the opportunity to bounce ideas off someone else, getting a second opinion and learning things you might not have thought of. I know becoming a PA will be challenging, but there is nothing in my life that I have set out to do that I haven’t accomplished.
Whitney Prosperi says
Kelsey,
I am so sorry about the loss of your father, and I trust that you will honor him as a compassionate provider.
I suggest focusing more on why you are drawn to the PA career and not wasting characters discussing lawyer and MD. You may even want to open with the story about your father as he sounds like a huge inspiration for you.
You mention some of the reasons you are drawn to the PA role, but I would expand on those. If you have any shadowing experience, describe that. You may want to focus on an interaction between the PA/patient or PA/supervising physician that solidified your decision.
I would also elaborate on the clinical skills and knowledge you gained in your roles.
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. Good luck to you, Kelsey.
Mia says
“One of our passengers is needing urgent medical attention, if there are any doctors on the plane please make your way to the front.” My head is on a swivel, looking around to comprehend what is happening. A few rows up, I noticed another passenger attempting to keep a woman awake as she was grappling with consciousness. I had sunk back into my seat, as my eyes followed healthcare providers rising from their seats. It was the first time I witnessed a medical emergency. After what felt like hours, the plane landed, and medical personnel made their way on the plane and escorted the woman for further medical attention. All remaining passengers grabbed their luggage and exited the plane, their thoughts remained unspoken. I remained seated feeling helpless. In that moment, I realized I no longer wanted to be a bystander.
Throughout college, I began working at Arthritis Osteoporosis Consultants of the Carolinas (AOCC) part time as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). My time as a CNA consisted of rooming patients, taking vitals, documenting concerns, charting, and practicing sanitation after each patient. Acquiring this certification allowed me to be able to support patients and eliminate the helpless feeling I have had. Not only was I able to use medicine as support, but being a first generation allowed me to grow patient connections and confidence with those who are not as comfortable with the English language.
One main aspect of working in the healthcare setting that I admire is being able to speak Spanish with patients and having the opportunity to translate their visits. Hearing things like “I am so thankful Spanish speaking nurses work here” or “we need more people like you” has boosted my desire to become more in a place like medicine. I am grateful to be bilingual as I am able to eliminate the sense of vulnerability in all my patients.
In the story above, the passenger on my flight had a heart attack. I could hear conversations going on between the flight attendants and the passenger as she struggled to speak broken English. Luckily, I was only a few seats down and I had a strong urge to approach the medical scene and translate for the passengers. In a situation where a person needs medical attention, and they feel as if they cannot communicate properly, their situation is ten times more intimidating and if I was going to be watching the scene, I might as well have made myself useful. I was in communication between the flight attendants and the passenger when she snapped back into the scene, and in that moment, even if I was not the one physically trying to save her life, I had this sense of satisfaction and felt that is exactly where I belonged in that moment. I could tell that every time she gained consciousness, she looked grateful to have help around her, and spoke to me with a look of relief. While being a part of that scene, I knew I wanted to do more and did not want to waste any time.
While I learned a lot acquiring my CNA certification, I craved more healthcare experience. I saw the chance to learn phlebotomy and I seized it. I acquired my phlebotomy technician certification a few months later. Obtaining these certifications has moved me one step closer to becoming a physician assistant (PA), and one step away from being only just a bystander. Regardless of obtaining these certifications, this did not fully satisfy the desire I had to become a PA as I wanted to play a larger role in patient care.
Upon graduation, I was offered a full-time position at AOCC which I accepted. I was trained to do more at the office like administering intramuscular and subcutaneous injections and drawing up joint injections, refilling medications, appointment scheduling, and calling patients with lab results, information, etc. I work closely with multiple providers, including PAs, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physicians. I have noticed differences in their daily responsibilities and have had the privilege to work alongside a rheumatologist daily, knowledgeable NPs, and incredible PAs as needed who were nearly indistinguishable from the physicians. Doing so has given me the advantage to quickly grasp the understanding of all three professions. Because of my experience at this office and knowing I wanted to be in medicine right away, my path was clearly drawn out—I wanted to become a PA.
PAs have a greater focus on patient care, re-specialize in specialties without the need of new education, spend less time in the classroom, and have career flexibility. I plan to be present for my patients while providing the personal level of care that a PA can offer as patient satisfaction can improve healthcare provider morale and we as healthcare workers provide social support for our patients. Another aspect that attracts me to the career is my desire to serve patients more readily as stated before. The PA practice is one that most aligns with my timeline goals and is a career that consists of lifetime learning experiences where my expertise will not plateau. PAs are gaining more autonomy in the clinical setting as well which is a substantial characteristic because I want to feel confident in the medical solutions I should choose to give to my patients to benefit them in their health while being independent in my choices for my plan of treatments.
I am ecstatic to pursue my education in physician assistant as switching from just a bystander who was a translator to a bilingual provider is a position I am prepared to take on and having a larger role in medicine is a fulfilling accomplishment I am more than ready to seize. Being a first generation is a part of what makes me proud of what I can offer and will allow me to prove my amiability to patients and will also help me to better educate my Spanish speaking patients.
Whitney Prosperi says
Mia,
Your contrast between bystander to provider is strong.
You also do a good job revealing what appeals to you about the PA role and how your different positions have prepared you for the next step of your journey.
If you have any shadowing experience, I would include that.
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. Good luck, Mia.
Maya says
Otto’s wife had pressured him to come to the clinic that day. I was working as a medical assistant (MA) alongside physician assistant (PA) Kristin. Otto said he had been feeling numbness and tingling in his left foot, but he assumed it was due to his job, which required him to be on his feet all day. Kristin asked about his health history. Otto had previously been told that he had high glucose levels and was prediabetic. However, because he worked nights, he spent most of the day sleeping and had never bothered to follow up. Kristin had me check his glucose level, while she ordered labs to test for diabetes. Her suspicions were confirmed by Otto’s alarmingly high glucose level; she immediately sent him to the lab. A couple of days later, we learned that Otto’s A1c was 13%, the highest Kristin had ever seen. She had him follow up that same day. She prescribed metformin and had me administer Mounjaro.
Otto came in weekly for injections. Although he was not on her schedule, Kristin would always stop by to check on him. Eventually, Otto had to be hospitalized for neuropathy and had one toe amputated. His surgeon said that it could have been a below-the-knee amputation. While it was not an easy experience for Otto, Kristin’s intervention had made a significant difference in the outcome. Kristin went above and beyond to ensure that he received the best care. She treated him with respect and worked tirelessly to educate him on his diagnosis and treatment plan. I have chosen the PA profession so that I can provide this kind of respectful, inclusive, expert healthcare to people in vulnerable moments.
I know what it is like to feel vulnerable as a patient. My family immigrated to the US from Saudi Arabia when I was eight years old. The language barrier made connecting with others difficult. I picked up the language slowly, but began to face other obstacles in school. I struggled with staying focused, which affected my performance. A teacher suggested an ADHD evaluation to my parents, but due to their cultural background they declined. I had to work unnecessarily hard to learn. Throughout college, I came up with creative solutions, but as my courses got harder, it was increasingly difficult to manage. I sought professional help but the experience was frustrating. Eventually, my PCP, a PA, sent me for testing. I was diagnosed with ADHD and the improvement was immediate. It felt transformative, like clouds parting.
With my ADHD managed, I learned that much of what had caused me to struggle before had become a strength. I retook organic chemistry, eventually earning an A, and I got a B+ in genetics. My Arabic language skills helped me connect with patients as a volunteer translator at the free medical clinic. My ability to explain what was going on in our shared language gave them comfort and confidence. My experience as a patient has made me willing to go the extra mile to make the children I care for as a pediatric MA more comfortable. For children with neurobehavioral disorders like autism, strep tests are particularly frightening and difficult. I am proud to be known in my clinic as the person who can get step swabs from even the most resistant children. I credit my own personal struggles with teaching me that I can almost always find a creative solution to a problem.
My parents’ refusal to consider my ADHD was rooted in their culture. A large contributor is stigma, which stems from a lack of understanding. As a PA, I will work to destigmatize mental disorders, specifically neurobehavioral disorders, in Arab communities through education. Often, translation is not enough and what is required is sensitivity. The basis of cultural competency is respect and it is vital in ensuring that the provider is able to effectively communicate with their patient.
One PA shadowing experience illustrates the level of respect that I aspire to provide for my patients. Bill, a versatile surgical PA, spent the day with me and I was able to see multiple surgeries: an arthroplasty, hip replacements, and a rhinoplasty. As we walked into the OR and the techs were prepping the sedated patients, I noticed that Bill ensured that patients were not unnecessarily exposed, moving draping over body parts that they might have considered private in their waking lives. Even though these patients were not aware, PA Bill preserved their privacy and dignity. He treated them with respect.
As a practicing PA, it will be my mission to use all that I have learned–from my experiences and from my life–to expand the reach of healthcare. I will see patients in the contexts of their whole lives, not only their medical conditions, but their languages, education, backgrounds, and cultures. I will treat them with respect and advocate for the most vulnerable. I have worked with a wide range of providers and I admire them all, but when I envision myself in healthcare, the role that I see is PA. That is where I can make a difference.
Whitney Prosperi says
Maya,
Your introduction shows the crucial roles PAs play within the healthcare system.
I suggest including more details regarding what appeals to you about the PA role specifically. (the ability to switch specialties, collaborate with a team, and work autonomously as well as with a supervising physician?)
I would also describe more of the clinical skills you have gained within your different roles. You may need to condense some of your story to make room for these elements.
I liked your comment about learning to be creative to solve problems. With that said, you may want to move the discussion about early school struggles to later in your essay so you can set up the positive aspects of your journey first.
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Maya!
Josie says
Up until that moment, my definition of “good healthcare” was somewhat ignorant and primarily dependent upon whether the care “worked”. However, as we sat in a circle on my parent’s bed and watched my brother go to sleep for the very last time, everything changed. All this time, I just wanted them to save him. But he didn’t need more time, he needed better time. Not only did my definition of a successful healthcare experience change that night, the moment solidified a change in my original path. As a senior in high school, I decided that there was nothing I wanted to dedicate my life to more than giving “better time”. The moment my brother said goodbye, he left me with the seeds that would eventually grow into my passion to become a physician assistant.
Undecided and unsure of the world of opportunity the medical field held, I began college at a small community college with plans to apply to a BSN program. After all, most of the healthcare workers I had seen up until then were nurses who cared for my brother while in the hospital. While this may have been the beginning of my journey, it is the end of that story that began my journey to become a physician assistant. One semester into a college far from home, exhausted from working night shift on a medical/surgical floor and hearing call lights go off as I would make my way to class the next morning, discouraged from the bitter attitudes of many of the nurses I had met, I felt as though I could not go on. After trading summer break for a time of deliberation on whether to continue my time in the program, my decision to leave, while one of my first large decisions as an adult, is still one I do not regret.
Determined to find my place in the medical world, I eagerly began to research different jobs and positions, carefully looking into the duties of each along with the expected lifestyle they would provide. Having to make a rather quick decision on what my major would become, my love for health and holistic wellness led me to decide on kinesiology. It was in what is still one of my favorite classes, anatomical kinesiology, that I would meet the girl that would not only become one of my best friends, but also help me to find my passion. Connecting over our work as CNAs initially, she explained to me that she hoped to apply to physician assistant school after finishing her bachelors. Watching multiple orthopedic trauma procedures in our kinesiology class together, my friend and I bonded often over our love for surgery.
While I had met a few PAs in our college urgent care, I was largely unaware of the career as a whole. To gain awareness, I reached out to an orthopedic PA who was willing to let me shadow both in the clinic and the OR. While the surgeon is accredited for performing most procedures, I watched in wonder as the physician assistant stood next to the surgeon and the two worked as a team. Then in clinic, while the surgeon made brief appearances, his PA got to spend time with the patients, following their cases weeks and months after the surgery. Intrigued by the ability to both aid in surgery cases but also maintain so much time with the patient, allowing them more time in post-ops than a surgeon could provide when needed, the experience provided confidence that this was the career I had been searching for.
A one night shift in a level one trauma center during my EMT school began with a loud announcement that a “GSW to the head” was on its way in and the center was initiating a full code. Grabbing my wrist, my preceptor and I ran to the room where I watched in awe as the team prepare for the patient in a carefully practiced routine. Throwing me a mask and gown, she nodded to me to get ready. Although I had worked in a hospital before, even cleaning up patients post-mortem, I had never seen someone with a recent gunshot wound and began to fear if I would handle the situation with ease. As they brought the stretcher in, I stepped back with the other students to watch the team work together, carefully watching the PAs in the room guide the “dance” that was taking place in an effort to save the man’s life. The team was unsuccessful in saving the man’s life that night, but their effort, for just one single patient on a Thursday night, was the compassion and drive I wanted to be able to bring to work for my patients every day moving forward.
My journey was not linear. It did not begin at a hospital bed, but at the side of my parent’s when I lost one of my best friends. There was no magical morning where I woke up and realized exactly what I wanted to do, nor did I grow up knowing the path I would eventually pave. However, after long nights in med/surg with patients who rarely even wanted my help, moments listening to stories vulnerable people had not dared to share with anyone else, and the unexplainable fireworks inside that finally came when I found where I belonged, I arrived at my life’s passion and purpose.
Whitney Prosperi says
Josie,
I am sorry about the loss of your brother, and I trust that you will honor his legacy through your compassionate care. I suggest expanding on some of the medical knowledge and clinical skills you have gained in your roles. You want to show how you are prepared to take the next step toward a rigorous PA program. I also suggest removing your comment about “bitter nurses” as this could come across as criticizing a fellow provider. Additionally, I wouldn’t mention the “lifestyle” benefits of pursuing the PA path as this can be perceived as self-serving. Lastly, I would include a patient care story that shows you in action connecting with a patient on a personal level. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Josie.