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Single Edit One-on-one Service Supplemental Essays
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(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 seven 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
Bao H says
Hi! I am looking for some help with my personal statement. This is my first draft. Thank you in advance!
Many experiences have led me to pursue a career as a physician assistant, but three experiences stand out and have solidified my desire to become a PA: the time my mother was hospitalized, my involvement in the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), and my job as a health support technician (HST).
At the age of 15, I helped take care of my mother when she became ill with severe flank pain, constant emesis, and frequent urination. During the day, when my older siblings were taking summer classes and my father was working, I was responsible for making sure my mother took her blood pressure medication and stayed hydrated, along with assisting her when she needed to use the restroom. As I was getting ready to go to bed one night, I heard the sirens of an ambulance at the front of my house. I could hear my mother screaming in agony as she is being rolled out on stretcher and taken to the ER. I felt helpless. Over the next few days, I visited my mother in the hospital and found out that she had pyelonephritis. Stephen, the PA that helped treat my mother, was empathetic and assured me that she would be okay. He also educated my mother about changes she could make to prevent this from happening again. When my mother was discharged from the hospital and returned home, I was able to see her smile for the first time in weeks and this was my first motivation to become a PA. As a PA, I would be able to pay it forward and provide the same level of care to others that Stephen provided to my mother.
The second experience that has led me to pursue a career as a PA is my involvement in AMSA. I joined during freshman year of college and was given the opportunity to volunteer with Top Soccer. Every Friday afternoon, I went to a park to play with children who had mental or physical disabilities. I was not only able to become a mentor to the kids, but also a friend. During my sophomore year, I helped organize and plan the Health Career Convention for high school students that were interested in pre-professional programs. I served on a panel to answer any questions that the students or their families had. After seeing the happiness in the disabled children and the appreciation showed by the families attending the convention, I knew my passion was to serve people and help them to the best of my abilities. These two opportunities with AMSA have allowed me to work on my interpersonal skills, which would be crucial in the PA profession to build relationships and earn the trust of patients.
To further my knowledge of the PA profession and to gain medical experience, I applied to become a HST at the University of Florida (UF) infirmary. After two interviews, I did not get offered the job either time. This failure did not deter me from reapplying. A few months later, I interviewed for a third time, and my determination paid off when I was offered the job. I work in the smallest clinic in the building alongside two providers, two secretaries, a nurse, and one other HST. My main job as a HST is to screen the patients, get them ready for the provider, and to set up for procedures if necessary.
While I was still new to the job, a situation arose where a provider used an expired lab specimen without knowing, making that lab invalid. I then took it upon myself to start doing thorough inspections of the clinic biweekly to ensure all medications, labs, sterile tools, and other things that were used for patient care were not expired. After a few months on the job, I became the lead HST of my clinic. Due to staffing changes, I often had to work alone without the help of another HST. When offered help from a different clinic in the building, I declined. I did not want the other clinics to have a shortage of HSTs. Although that added more work to my plate, I knew that with my drive and self-sufficiency, I would be able to handle the clinic myself and keep the patient flow running smoothly. One day, I was complimented by the providers I work with for running the clinic so smoothly that they did not even know I was working alone. Because of my hard work, I have been asked many times to help train the new HSTs. I am constantly looking for new ways to improve the clinic and do what is best for the team.
Through this job, I have been fortunate enough to work with Cheri, who is a PA. One day, a patient of Cheri’s named Ariel came in and was complaining of sharp flank pain, emesis, and urinary symptoms. As I was obtaining Ariel’s vitals and medical history, I could see her grimacing in pain. This brought back memories of when my mother was hospitalized due to similar symptoms. Besides trying to get Ariel to think of something that makes her happy, there was nothing I could do to relieve her pain. I again felt helpless. After doing some lab tests, she was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis. One ER visit and many office visits later, Ariel was finally starting to get better. As I was leaving the room after one of her office visits, she thanked me for being on this journey with her. That was one of the greatest feelings in the world to me. Ariel and her mother later made a gift basket for Cheri and said “It’s the least I can do. She saved my life.” Being able to witness firsthand the level of care that Cheri provided to Ariel solidified my desire to become a PA. Although I enjoy my job as a HST, I want to be able to diagnose and treat patients, much like how Stephen and Cheri were able to treat my mother and Ariel. I will no longer feel helpless. The PA profession would provide me with this opportunity.
These three experiences, along with the flexibility in specialty, are the reasons I have decided to pursue a career as a PA. The bright smile my mother had after weeks of suffering was my initial motivation in becoming a PA. I would be able to personalize care to meet the needs of each patient, much like how Stephen treated did with my mother. My experiences through AMSA led me to find my passion, which is serving people and helping them to the best of my ability. I have improved my interpersonal skills, which is crucial in the PA profession to earn the trust of patients and build relationships. Working alongside Cheri and helping to save Ariel’s life, as she would put it, solidified my desire to become a PA. I believe my attention to detail, selflessness, self-sufficiency, determination, and interpersonal skills would make me a great candidate for your PA program.
Samantha Wiegenstein says
Thank you for taking the time to do this! Every little bit helps!
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to go into the medical field. I have a passion for biology and the human body and how it works. In addition to this I have a strong problem solving and critical thinking skill set and a dedication to public service. After catering my education around going into health care and working for several years in emergency medicine as a volunteer fire fighter, EMT, and emergency room technician (ER tech), I have found the path that best fits my interests and long term goals is to become a PA. Working as a PA would allow me to do the combination of things I love in one occupation.
My fascination with biology and the human body drove me to major in Physiology at the University Of Washington (UW). The course work in this major challenged me and developed my critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as furthering my knowledge and passion for the material. Organic chemistry proved to be more of a challenge in the last quarter of the series as I withdrew and immediately retook this course. This taught me perseverance, and challenges such as this inspire personal growth and discipline.
After completing my EMT course, I went on to become a volunteer fire fighter almost immediately. I went through weekly drills to keep up my medical skills. One of my most memorable calls was when we responded to a fall. I responded with my chief who was charting while I did the assessment. The elderly woman had fallen and had been on her left side for up to two hours. She was incontinent of bowel and urine, and talking in slurred speech, almost immediately I suspected a stroke. I quickly did a FAST exam that was positive. Her left side was numb from laying on it, but her right side should not have been, as a result of the stroke she appeared weak on both sides of her body. We rendezvoused with an ALS unit to get her to an ER before the time allotment for tPA was over. Per the county protocols she made it to the ER in time and was given tPA and was allowed a chance to work through her stroke induced weakness on her right side. I was able to identify and diagnose in the field what was happening and as a team we were able to get her the help she needed.
As my practices from being an EMT grew I craved more diversity in my experiences and wanted to transition from pre-hospital setting to the hospital setting. Being an ER tech has allowed me to work alongside Doctors, PAs and RNs. I am able to learn from each individual’s knowledge and techniques and see different methods of emergency care. Not long after being hired at the Tacoma General emergency room. We had a patient come in with abdominal pain that was a Spanish speaking patient. With the help of an interpreter we were able to discover that the patient had upper right quadrant pain described as stabbing and pain that was also went to her right shoulder. Because of the nerve that goes between the gall bladder and the right shoulder I thought that she may have cholecystitis, and the Doctor I was working with thought that I may correct as well. After an ultrasound confirmation of her gall stones I found out that I was indeed correct and the patient went into surgery for the removal of her gall bladder.
As for my academics one could argue that my GPA is too low to be competitive for PA school. The weakness in that argument is that my work involvements and references are stronger than my GPA is weak. I worked nearly full time while attending UW to help support the cost of my education and as a result less time was dedicated to my studies and my grades suffered. However I left UW with more life experience, responsibility, and a relentless hard work ethic which is worth its weight in gold. If I could go back I may try to work less and study more, but from those events I came out a smarter and harder working member of society and my work ethic has gotten me where I am today.
From my involvement in the medical field and especially emergency medicine for the last three years I am confident that I will succeed in a PA program. My current job as an ER tech is enlightening but I am eager to move forward in my education and in my career. I want to be able to help patients that I am unable to help now. Being a PA would allow me that extra scope of practice and ability to diagnose and treat patients as my primary focus without the added stress of running my own business. Through my desire for learning and my dedication to finish what I have started I will commit my time to my education to become a PA. Upon my completion of PA school I will be the first person in all the generations of my family to receive a graduate education. I will be fulfilling my childhood dream.
Devin Stane says
Here is my second essay i have been working on, again i would really appreciate your feedback!
I was born into a rich family, but not quite the riches you may be thinking of. My family’s wealth did not consist of money or material goods. The wealth I was born into consisted of support, tight-knit relationships, and the love of learning instilled in me. I am a triplet. Yes, a triplet, one of three girls, so our family has always been close-knit, experiencing many of the same things at the same time from our first day of kindergarten to our high school graduation. I have learned four main things from being a triplet that I can apply to my desire to be a physician assistant.
The first is knowing that you always have at least two other people to count on no matter what you are going through. I was always able to bounce ideas off my sisters and get their advice in sticky situations. We would often work together to complete our homework or to clean the house. I realized that I held a specific position in that team working together to accomplish a goal. One reason that the physician assistant career appealed to me was that they are important players in team-based healthcare. This allows physicians and physician assistants to work in a collaborative manner to improve coordination of care and patient outcomes. The relationship between a PA and the supervising physician is one that requires mutual trust and respect, just as I trusted and respected my sisters with different advice, questions, or responsibilities.
The second thing I learned from being a triplet is that close relationships are the most meaningful. While I did not have to be a triplet to learn this, I believe that I am very lucky to have the relationships with my sisters that I do. We share everything with each other and are willing to help one another out whenever we are in need. We care not only about how each other are doing physically, but how we are feeling mentally and emotionally as well. As a physician assistant, I want to develop close, meaningful relationships with my patients so that I can deliver care in a holistic manner encompassing their body, spirit, and their minds. If I do this, I will be able to gain my patients’ trust and reverence which is beneficial for both of us.
The third thing I learned about being a physician assistant from growing up as a triplet is the benefit of trial and error. Because me and my sisters did not have older siblings to give us advice, we had to figure out life’s burning questions for ourselves. Time and time again I messed up, but I always learned something from my mistakes to apply to another aspect of my life. I have changed my major three times since I started college, starting with athletic training, then physical therapy, and finally biology so that I can be a physician assistant. The trials that I endured in each shift of education led me to the conclusion of my future career and without my errors I would not be on the path that I am today. Not only did trial and error narrow down my career choice, I know that it will help me in the future as a healthcare provider. As a physician assistant, I must have strong problem solving skills. Medicine is a complex field and patients do not always present with textbook symptoms or respond to treatments as you thought they would. Diagnosis make take investigative work, ruling out conditions as you go using trial and error.
Finally, growing up my sisters drove me to work harder, they taught me how to compete in a healthy manner with them whether it was athletics or school work. We always challenged one another and never let each other give up no matter how tough times could get. I believe that healthy competition is beneficial in all aspects of life especially as I begin PA school and ultimately my career as a PA. For me, competition helps me learn and grow. I know PA school will be tough, but I am not scared of the challenge, I am excited to expand my knowledge and get even closer to my dream of being a healthcare provider.
Although I was not born into a wealthy family by the common sense of the word, I have the continuing riches stemming from the drive to compete, support, and tight-knit relationships I have with my sisters. These riches will only continue to benefit me as I enter physician assistant school and eventually become a practicing member of a healthcare team.
Devin Stane says
I have two different essays i have been working on so i figured I would just post both! I would really appreciate your feedback! Thanks in advance!
If I were to construct a graph to represent time passing versus the certainty of my career path, it would very much resemble a rollercoaster car racing up and down the tracks. The journey to finding one’s “why” proved tough for me. During my first couple years of undergraduate course work, I had developed a jealousy for my peers who could lay their whole life plan in front of you down to the very last detail; those who could tell you the exact moment they were inspired to become a healthcare professional, most often stemming from a major life experience. My inspiration did not come that clearly, it took a lot of self-reflection, faith, and determination. Let’s say I was on the right roller coaster track, I was just sitting in the backseat instead of the front. I was missing out on the incredible experiences that those in the front seat were taking advantage of. Those first couple of years in school, I thought I knew what I wanted to do. I was sure I wanted to be an athletic trainer. I could combine my two passions – athletics and helping others. I quickly realized something was missing, but I could not quite put my finger on it. I chalked it up to a decreased variety of patients and conditions because I was mostly seeing college athletes with sprained ankles or torn ACLs. Looking further down the road to when I would enter the real world, I decided I would continue with my athletic training major and become a pre-physical therapy student. This would allow me to continue with my desire to help others but provide more of a variety of conditions and patients branching off from orthopedics like I had originally been interested in. A physical therapy hopeful is what I remained until last summer. I lived in a tiny two-bedroom apartment with my sister having accepted a job as a rehabilitation technician at a local chiropractic office. I packed up my belongings when the school year ended and headed north for what I thought was going to be a life changing summer because I was going to performing a job that is very similar to what I wanted to do for the rest of my life: rehabilitation and therapy. It did prove to be life changing, but for different reasons than I had originally thought. I worked with a chiropractor who focused highly on holistic care, treating the patient’s mind, body, and spirit. He did not just want to know about what was physically bothering them, but what also was hindering them mentally and emotionally. He offered suggestions and care for every single concern his clientele had. He never once complained about running behind or the paperwork that was piling up on his desk, looming over his head for the end of the day. He taught me more in one summer about patient care than I had learned in my first two years in undergraduate studies and awakened my spirit and drive in the pursuit of knowledge. He noted how I learned, and tailored his information to that format so I could easily observe and obtain it in a way that made sense to me. He appealed to me as a lifelong learner. He taught me a vast amount of information ranging from essential oil treatments to vertebral subluxations to correct running form. I realized in my first week at my new job, that I was much more interested in how to get rid of the patient’s lipoma she was sporting than I was in learning how to reset her vertebrae and keep them in place through rehabilitation exercises. This realization set me on the path of discovering a physician assistant career. I realized, after some researching and questioning, that PA school was my “why”. It is the place where my skills and compassions intersected. It is the career that will allow me to continue every single day, to fulfill my need to help others who may otherwise be unable to help themselves. Every patient visit is an opportunity to do good and to improve someone’s quality of life, and I cannot imagine a more gratifying career. believe that the decision to pursue a career in the medical field in any realm cannot be superficial, it is something that must come from within. There are so many different careers that can provide healthcare, but for me there is nothing quite like the specialized, holistic care a physician assistant can provide for their patients. This is why my internal drive, passion for learning, and compassion makes medicine, specifically physician assistant, the perfectly suited field for me. Without the ups and downs I experienced, the trials and errors, I would not know my “why”. The last couple of years have been a wild ride, but let me tell you, it is much more enjoyable sitting in the front seat with my arms in the air.
Nicholas Palladino says
For me there is not one shocking or dramatic eventful game changer that has been the deciding factor in solidifying my decision for choosing to become a Physician Assistant (PA). For me it all started way before I even knew, before the people who know me best knew, my parents. It started at an early age, on the family farm where I was given the best life coach of all. My father, the greatest man of all time who taught me the right stuff needed to become great at whatever it was that I put my mind to. During my life, I have gone through what seems like an infinite series of tests. Some brought regret and frustration, some great satisfaction but I have realized that each experience has lead me closer to what I am suppose to do and that is to become a PA and provide a service back to my roots. While you’re reading this, a goal of mine is that you enjoy it enough and want to meet me in person to continue to listen and understand that I have the right stuff you are looking for in a successful applicant.
Having the right stuff was something that was instilled in me at a very young age. While no Chuck Yeager, as an only child growing up in a Italian family on apricot orchards I was my father’s second hand man even as a child. There was always something to be done in the orchards which meant that there was more responsibility and higher expectations to fulfill. In the beginning I was taught the basics of hard work. To this day I remember my dad teaching me how to properly use a broom. Mastering a perfect sweep of each stroke making sure to not miss a section. My father has always been my idol and it has always been a goal of mine to incorporate some of his great qualities into my character.
As I grew older my concept of hard work continued to expand. I applied it to everything. Sports was one of them. Motocross, cooking and being mechanically inclined, I put my soul into whatever I did. Through sports it wasn’t until high school where I began to understand the meaning of dedication, commitment and motivation. These qualities that I continue to carry today, earned me a position on my high school football team from a 5th string running back my freshman year, to the starting back the following three years. I am continuing to learn that the right stuff is not always about performance, the right stuff is sometimes about leadership, perseverance and sharing those skills.
Being the first person in my extended family to go to college was an accomplishment I am proud of. While working on my undergraduate degree I saw how accomplishment and dedication could translate to the world of physical fitness in which I was always very skilled. I could apply these same principles as a personal trainer to people who wanted to better themselves both inside and out. Being a trainer exposed me to a diverse group of persons with varying degrees of skill and attitudes. Not only did training give me the opportunity to help students and faculty become a healthier version of themselves, but more importantly, training taught me the art of how to effectively interact and listen to my clients, improving their skills one on one. These skills allowed me to provide better personalized care and attention. I believe that the growth I gained by being a trainer was excellent preparation to become a PA. My maturity moved from self accomplishment into providing a service for others.
Since graduating college, I have made it a priority to improve my GPA, taking night classes, while working full time to gain as much experience as possible. My continued experience over the last 3 years working alongside physicians and PAs in family and internal medicine offices has solidified my interest, in practicing medicine. Aside from my gainful employment I have been volunteering at a local active senior community center. Also, shadowing PAs in acute hospital settings, making rounds with them, even sitting in on multiple heart catheterizations, pacemaker implantations and open heart bypass surgeries I have gained insight into the world of both stable chronic medical care as well as the acute deterioration of the human condition. I think these experiences will enable me to give better advice to people about their health. I find the work my PA colleagues have delivered to be admirable.
My keen curiosity to learn more about the pathophysiology of disease entities continues to grow each and everyday. Performing within a team will best allow me to accomplish my goals and to practice primary care medicine. I think I will make an excellent practitioner and I relish the opportunity. Envisioning myself as a PA has clicked for me, it all fits together. I never want to stop learning and doing the right thing. I have what it takes. Like Chuck Yeager, I believe I have the “right stuff “ ! Thank you for your consideration.
Erin says
Hello! I am really looking forward to hearing your feedback.
Legs burning, back aching, teeth chattering, I summoned every last ounce of energy I had left to push myself up to the top of the mountain. It was Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, the end to my 2,189-mile hike from Maine to Georgia. It was this moment when an overwhelming sense of pride rushed over me as I finally conquered a mission I set out to achieve over five months ago. The driven, proud, and confident woman who stood on top of that summit is the result of unwavering determination in the face of challenges that I once thought were impossible. After looking back at the obstacles I had overcome on the trail and how they have changed me, I began to reflect upon the circumstances that have brought me to the beginning of my next big adventure: becoming a physician assistant.
As someone who has a passion for both the outdoors and the medical field, I found myself oscillating between a career in either a wilderness setting or the medical field. When presented the opportunity to pursue wilderness medicine, I immediately thought a wilderness EMT (WEMT) was the perfect solution. There were many challenges associated with providing medical care in a backcountry setting, the most significant of which was a lack of resources. When I joined an ambulance squad in the Adirondack Mountains, professional medical supplies were much more accessible than in the wilderness, but we were still restricted by the level of care we could provide. Once in the hospital, however, the level of potential treatment became much more advanced than anything that could be provided in an ambulance or in the backcountry.
Upon repeated exposure to the contrast of hospital vs. pre-hospital care, I had begun to reflect on the limitations of my position as an EMT. During my time as an EMT-B on the ambulance squad and especially as a WEMT, I was very aware that there is a limit to the skills you know and can practice. I have always had a desire to expand my knowledge on subjects I have a passion for, so it did not surprise me that I began to feel restrained when I knew there was so much more that could be done to help a patient. It was this eagerness to learn and do more that made me realize a WEMT career was not as satisfying as I had originally expected. It was time to start my next journey in pursuit of an alternate healthcare profession that continues to challenge and inspire me. Now I am ready to learn and grow as a physician assistant.
The qualities of a PA align with my own personal values and aspirations for the future. Being able to closely interact with patients throughout their recovery process is something that was missing during my time as an EMT. I believe that establishing a genuine connection with patients is essential for providing a positive healthcare experience. As an EMT, initial communication is established, but creates only a short-lived relationship with the patient that is broken once you leave them at the hospital. I want to be able to follow my patient through the recovery process, knowing that I have taken every measure possible to ensure their full recovery. Focusing on the patient’s wellbeing and not worrying about administrative responsibilities is one of the reasons I am choosing to pursue a career path as a PA instead of a doctor.
From my previous interactions with PAs, I have gained valuable information about what life as a PA entails. By shadowing a general surgery PA, I was able to fully appreciate the flexibility to work under physicians in different fields and how much responsibility the PAs had within their departments. I became more familiar with the role of a PA within a team of healthcare professionals during my time as an EMT, from clinical hours during training and multiple trips to the ER on the ambulance squad. The fluidity of this position, as well as the shared accountability within a team, are two aspects that make a career as a PA more attractive to me than any other healthcare position. The combination of these experiences has made me confident that the PA profession is exactly what I’m looking for in the healthcare field.
Thinking back to that moment of reflection on top of Springer Mountain, I realized that the potential for personal growth and improvement is enormous with the momentum of confidence and determination behind you. The trials and tribulations of being an EMT have instilled in me a great deal of respect for pre-hospital care, but they have also revealed the possibility for advancement. I am confident in my decision to pursue the opportunity to expand my knowledge, establish genuine connections with patients, and work within a team as a PA. This driven, proud, and confident woman who stood on top of Springer’s summit now has an unwavering determination to face the challenges and experience the joys of being a physician assistant.
I apologize if this turns out to be in all caps, I am really not sure why i can only post in all caps in the comments box.
Erin says
well, as it turns out, it posts completely normal, so please ignore my last comment.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Erin, it was actually a problem with my site theme… all fixed 🙂
Sydney Chung says
Hi! I would appreciate some feedback on my personal statement. Thanks in advance!
Ever since I was a young child, dancing was only a hobby that I liked to do for fun. However, when I joined a competitive hip-hop dance team my junior year of college, dancing became more than just moving your body to music. Dance practices with the team became an outlet for me to develop my leadership, time management, and organization skills. I found myself becoming more focused and motivated, even with a busier schedule. In less than a year of being on the team, I was chosen to be co-captain for the upcoming year, and all my experiences of leading the team thus far have been no less than fulfilling. Through my leadership position, I learned the values of good teamwork and what it means to be a contributing member. By acting as the liaison between the general team members and the administrative board, being able to help my teammates develop as individuals has rewarded me with a drive that pushes me to always take the extra step in making a positive impact on the livelihood and well-being of others.
This determination to help others worked in tandem with the career ambition I have had since a young age: to work in the healthcare field and save lives for a living. Growing up, I had always been fascinated with doctors and nurses, and how they were constantly able to contribute to the health of others. However, as I became more exposed to various medical environments, I was surprised at the lack of patient contact some doctors had with their patients, and I could not picture myself working as a nurse. It wasn’t until I entered college that I learned about the profession of physician assistant. As I learned more about PAs, I realized that “PA” stood for more than just “physician assistant”; PA also stands for “patient advocate”, which is one of the most essential duties when it comes to being a physician assistant. In other words, the PA must function as the liaison between the patient and the doctor, and work with the doctor to ensure that the patient is receiving the best possible treatment.
I expanded my knowledge about the PA profession by shadowing PAs at Queens Medical Associates and Stony Brook Cancer Center. I immediately noticed that the oncology unit functioned like a team, which is something I had a lot of experience with because of dancing. The PAs would work very closely with their respective doctors and nurses, while maintaining a large amount of patient contact. I could highly relate to the role of the PAs thanks to my experience with my dance team, which was to function as the liaison between patients and the medical team treating them. In particular, the PA would meet with patients to see how they were doing, advise the nurses on how to treat the patients, and work closely with the doctor to formulate a proper treatment plan. The aspect of teamwork was vital to the operation of the oncology unit, and the role of PA is one where I can superbly exercise my skills of leadership, organization, and teamwork.
When I began working at Flushing Radiation Oncology Center, I was able to assume a PA-like position on the team. I would meet with patients for their weekly status check appointments, obtain their vitals, and take notes on how they were doing with treatment. Afterwards, I would bring the doctor in to meet with the patient, document the visit, and discuss optimization of the treatment plan with the doctor. Through this, I received first-hand experience on what it is like to work in the role of a PA. Working in this position has not only rewarded me with the genuine gratitude from the patients I cared for, but also with the acknowledgement that I felt at home and comfortable with this role. I maintained a medical approach when working with the doctors, while remembering that the patient’s well-being was of utmost importance. The PA profession would not only provide me with the duty of patient advocacy, but also with the ability to apply my healthcare experiences and utilize the leadership and teamwork skills that dancing has helped bring out in me.
Beth says
Hi, this is my second time applying and i submitted my personal statement last year and you were so helpfuL! If you could help me with the one i rewrote for this cycle i would really appreciate it.
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A woman handed me a yellow square of paper, but I was too young to read what it said. I was the only one in my preschool class to receive one after our eye exams, I thought I won a prize! But when handing it to my mom when she picked me up from school, fear overcame her face when she saw my vision in my left eye was 20/700. At the age of four, I was diagnosed with amblyopia, meaning I was legally blind in my left eye. I immediately began a treatment plan of eye patching to strengthen my weak eye, which lasted for several years.
Wearing my eye patch to preschool was my first memory of feeling vulnerable. Once I overcame my amblyopia diagnosis and achieved 20/20 vision with glasses, I strived to help other kids like me. In 2001, at the age of 5, I was recognized as the ambassador of Prevent Blindness of Wisconsin and my success story was told at charity events, advertised in pamphlets, and also created into an interview segment to be shown in doctors’ offices. In this role and up until my senior year of high school, I helped raise thousands of dollars for this organization and later was awarded 2013 Ambassador of the Year, for continuous involvement in their organization. My passion for reaching out to others in vulnerable times started at a young age, but later on in life I truly uncovered my health career aspirations from another series of personal experiences.
By the time I graduated from high school, I had endured three orthopedic surgeries, a broken wrist and fibula, three torn ligaments in my ankle, and suffered chronic knee and hip problems due to playing competitive basketball. It was safe to say I had my fair share of doctor’s visits, physical therapy sessions, and interactions with several healthcare professionals. The physician assistants (PAs) that evaluated me and spent the most time listening to my concerns had the greatest impact on my overall satisfaction with my healthcare experience. My consultation with the PAs at each visit was very thorough and I admired their extensive medical knowledge, clinical skills, as well as their dedication and passion for their patients and career. I always felt a personal connection with them and had the aspiration to one day connect with patients the way they had connected with me.
No, it was not an immediate epiphany to become a PA, but my own experiences were an opportunity for me to consider how I could contribute to patient care in healthcare. At one point, I thought about becoming a physical therapist, a dietician, or maybe a child life specialist because I was interested in health and wellness. I later discovered my interests in healthcare expanded far beyond this scope and was interested in diagnosing patients and analyzing their condition to create a plan of treatment. These interests developed from my experiences as a nursing assistant, hours shadowing PAs, and fascinating science courses taken at UW-Madison. These opportunities led me to further explore the PA profession and I am excited for the chance to explore multiple discipline in my future practice as a PA. At this moment, I have an interest in family medicine, but that is not to say my interests through life won’t expand into something different. I love to take on new challenges and continue learning, and in order to maximize my potential as a PA, I may want to explore medicine further in another specialty.
To gain a foundation for my future medical practice, I will continue to work as a nursing assistant at Unity Point Health-Meriter Hospital in the department of general medicine until I earn the opportunity to continue my education towards becoming a PA. Throughout my recent experiences, I have continued validation that I enjoy caring for patients and I also embrace the culture and environment within the hospital. I enjoy working with a team of nurses, physicians, various therapists, unit coordinators, social workers, as well as the patient’s loved ones to maximize patient health outcomes. A collaborative approach with multiple providers has brought a greater satisfaction to my career as a nursing assistant and I am looking forward to increasing my roles and responsibilities in the healthcare team as a PA.
I fantasize about the day when I’ll have the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of medicine, solve challenging medical cases, and work with a team of professionals to ensure quality care for each patient. My experiences have provided me with the knowledge, patience, and maturity to be a successful medical provider. A career as a PA provides the opportunity for a lifetime of learning, and I could not be more excited to be moving forward in my aspirations in becoming a PA.
Greg says
As a young boy, sports can dominate your world. From playing in a different sport every couple of months, to idolizing those who made a life out of it and play professionally. Growing up I could never definitively say what I wanted to do besides playing sports. But after struggling with skiers thumb and enduring the agonizing pain of iliotibial band friction syndrome, I discovered sports medicine. At the time, I was lucky enough to interact with sports medicine professionals on every level and shadow a physician who specialized in sports medicine, a physical therapist (PT), and the athletic trainer (AT). Of the three, I was more interested in the latter two profession because of the amount of patient interaction they had. After a couple of health professions classes gave me an introduction to the medical field, I had finally found a career path. Something that allowed me to finally answer the daunting question of ‘what do you want to do?’ with confidence and inspiration.
Heading into college, my original plan was to go to PT school after completing the athletic training education program (ATEP) at the University of South Florida. It wasn’t until I was in the ATEP that I was exposed to a physician assistant (PA), Larry, who works in the orthopedics department that oversees the ATEP. Before Larry, I had no idea that PAs existed – what they were, what they did, or how they operated. A former AT himself who had gone on to PA school, I couldn’t help but compare his role to ATs. He would often come to the athletic training clinic in the athletics department where he would evaluate injuries, order and review imaging, council athletes on what their options are, and communicate with the ATs on the student-athletes condition. This peaked my interest to see how similar the professions are, yet how much more he could do for patients.
During my senior year in the ATEP, I performed some general medical observations to shadow other areas of medicine. In one of those observations I encountered another AT who had become a PA, Jennifer, who works in a family health clinic. Again, I was intrigued with the fact that she had gone on to become a PA. One of the patients we encountered that day had Lynch Syndrome with a family history of multiple cancers. As part of the exam I was allowed to perform a full upper and lower quarter screen with Jennifer observing. Upon talking to professionals in both fields, it became more and more evident to me (likely as it did for Larry and Jennifer) that I can take the orthopedic skills and knowledge I currently have, couple them with the education from PA school, and broaden my scope of care so I may help a larger population.
Having been able to practice as an AT for a couple years now has allowed me to grow and develop as a clinician gain confidence with each step along the way. It’s always inspiring to be able to rehab an injured athlete back onto the field and watch their joy as they participate once again. But not everybody’s journey is easy. Many families out there struggle make it by and a simple injury such as a possible stress fracture can spell disaster. In cases like these I feel defeated and stuck in limbo with the overly used “just sit it out” because they aren’t able to access the healthcare they need. I have this vision of being part of a medical team operating an outreach mobile health clinic to underserved high school students. One where limbo can be avoided.
The rigors that the ATEP set forth with a structured two year curriculum, studying a full time course load from 8am-12pm and 25 hours per week of clinicals to follow in the afternoon or sometimes even precede class, being involved in extracurricular activities within the program (student organization, honor society, fundraising, etc.), having maintained a 3.50 average GPA in the program, and passing a national certifying exam, has instilled in me the confidence that I can be successful in PA school. But it isn’t enough to just be successful, nothing is so simple. Most things are multifaceted and require more than good grades to be successful, it also requires passion, dedication, growth, commitment, and hard work. These are all things that I bring to the table and look to fuel my personal success in life.
Angela says
This is the first draft of my personal statement and I just wanted some feedback if i was on the right track. Thank you!
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou said this not intending it be the perfect description of a physician assistant. From my job shadowing and personal experience, physician assistants are the ones who will take that extra minute not only to comfort the patient in need but their loved ones. They are the providers who come into the room, and you instantly feel you can trust them. You watch them treat their coworkers with the utmost respect because they are a team. Most importantly, when the room is chaotic, they are focused on the task at hand. These are the reasons why I want to be a PA.
High blood pressure. Diabetes. Dengue. Diarrhea. These are some of the most common illness that patients had in Cuyali, Honduras. On my medical trip in Honduras, we set up a clinic in the school yard of the small village. There are no hospitals in the area or dentist which is why many families traveled miles to seek free health care. I had the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and ophthalmologist. After seeing approximately 800 patients in three days, I knew I was going for the right career. Even with a language barrier, I helped a 12-year-old girl who recently lost her father, slow her heart rate down. Her heart rate was between 120-130 beats per minute during the whole consultation, but after practicing breathing techniques, I managed to get it down to 110 beats per minutes before we sent her off to the hospital for further treatment. The patients that needed dental care were getting their teeth filled and pulled in lawn chairs, yet they did not mind the temporary pain since these teeth have been giving them problems for months. I found a 70-year-old man a pair of glasses which made this his first time being able to read his Bible in 30 years. These experiences were so humbling and eye-opening and just amplified my love for healthcare.
Patriotism-. Pride. Honor. These are the characteristic of the veteran who entered Bay Pines, VA hospital. While volunteering for a week at the hospital not only did I get to collect numerous war memories from the veterans I assisted, I got to build relationships with some of the medical staff. One of the PA’s on staff had also served in the Navy for four years. He told me about his experience in the military, but he also shared why he loved being a PA. He could take the extra minute to gain his patients trust by listening to their stories. He loved that his coworkers worked so well together and that he had a talented team. In the military, he was the leader of his group of men which made teamwork a significant aspect of his life. While watching him go from room to room, one thing stuck out to me; he entered each room with a smile. It did not matter what had happened in his previous consultation. He entered the next room smiling hoping the next visit would go smoother. I hope to carry this on throughout my career.
While at the VA hospital I job shadowed both a physical therapist and occupational therapist. Both health care providers were astounding, and their careers are fascinating, but I still found myself wanting to become a PA. I had the opportunity to job shadow a wonderful pediatrician. I loved how she interacted with her patients and the environment of her practice, but I still found myself wanting to pursue a career as a PA.
During my academic career, I went through a lot of personal obstacles. I lost my grandma my freshman year to dementia. A few months before she had a UTI and after it was treated her health rapidly declined. The entire process went too quick for my family to comprehend. On top of that, I was working full-time while going to school full-time. For these reasons, I did not get as good of grades as I would have liked my freshman semesters and I had to retake two classes. During my junior year, my family lost my aunt in a similar fashion to my grandmother. I also spent a lot of time in and out of doctor appointments after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Currently, my doctors and I are still trying to find the right medication that works best with my thyroid.
From working at the nursing home for the past three years, I understand the meaning of compassionate care. Between my experience of working with my teammates in high school sports, and working with my E-Board for the Pre-Pa club I understand how to be a good teammate. Since I was a leadership safari guide and the vice-president of the Pre-PA club, I know how to be a good a leader and work independently as well. I love all the characteristics of a physician assistant, and I feel that from my experiences and my personal characteristics, I would make a great contribution the PA world.
fer khal says
Hi! tHIS IS MY FIRST ATTEMPT at my personal statement but I really need direction and focus. I dont even have an ending paragraph, i know i need to cut down on my count
Januaruy 12, 2005: I sit outside of my middle school, waiting to be picked up by my aunt, staring at a still sky. I already knew why I was being disturbed from school, without a single word being spoken to me. At the innocent age of 12, I instantly knew that my father had passed away after a nine month hopeless battle with brain cancer. I am not sure how to fathom a young child realizing something as horrific as their parent dying now that I look back, but all I could do on that somber day was stare at all the broken crying faces in the hospital and think to myself: “I hope I never spend this much time in a hospital again.”
December 2011: My first set of finals approach during my very first semester of college majoring in integrative physiology. It is a roller coaster of emotions for me, more than the average student, as I struggle to balance my full time academic load, part time job, volunteer work and my familial responsibilities. I have always had the drive to push myself in academics, after my father’s death the only stable aspect of my life was school, and surprisingly I gravitated towards the sciences. I always need a challenge, to continue to motivate myself and excel to the best of my abilities, and the most enjoyable challenge I find of interest is human anatomy and physiology. The weight of my academic work load and extracurriculars were of no real issue to me. The real controversy throughout my four years in college, and in my present life, was/is? my defiance towards my family’s cultural standards of a girl. Being raised as an Afghan American girl from a family of refugees with strong cultural beliefs, my pursuit in enhancing my education always became a point of contention amongst my family. Family is always your number one priority, becoming a great wife and mother one day is more important than going over and beyond?? for your education. Nevertheless, I persisted.
October 2012: My involvement in GlobeMed, a student run non-profit, has cultivated my interests in public health and global health. A passion ignited in me, a passion I wish I had the opportunity of being exposed to earlier in life. My commitment to GlobeMed led me to become the Director of Community Building and eventually the Global Health Co-Coordinator, where I delved into issues regarding lack of resources and access to healthcare amongst certain populations. This is where I truly began to feel that I could make a difference as a healthcare provider and as an advocate for disadvantaged minorities. But I never felt comfortable with the idea of becoming an MD, I did not want to pursue something that would only please my family for the name and not me.
June 2013: I was selected to become an intern for the Undergraduate Pre-Health Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. I realized I thrived off of the hands on patient care experience as I spent my entire summer shadowing multiple ophthalmologists, being an overly excited assistant in the OR during procedures, following medical students, and picking the brains of other healthcare professionals. I learned how captivated I was by each different specialty I encountered and how I was thirsting to learn more in each field. This summer is when I was first introduced to the Physician Assistant career path. I was amazed, I had finally found an area of healthcare where I could be a hands on provider and still not be limited to only one aspect of health. There is movement, there is fluidity. Though I have spent my life defying the cultural boundaries my family has continuously attempted to impose in my life, I do value where my roots are from and the strong family bond that I have. Becoming a Physician Assistant allows me to keep my personal life at balance with my professional life, which is an act I could not see as an MD.
Present day: I am rushing from one patient to another in the Emergency Department, always by the side of a doctor or physician assistant. I am so grateful to have found this position, there are not many opportunities where you can see first hand exactly what and how providers work in real time by getting to know how to communicate with a patient, what kind of assessment is needed, exams, labs and their results. I find myself with many enjoyable challenges during every shift of understanding patient exams, formulating possible diagnoses and creating treatments plans. I am aware of their interaction with their supervising doctors and the extra time they try to spend with patients. PAs come into works every day readily prepared to assist their attending doc at any time and in any way that they can.
Bria carey says
thank you for taking the time to read through and give me suggestions as to how i can improve my personal statement. this is just the rough draft 🙂
Personal Statement
It was just a typical day in Labor and Delivery triage, a pregnant patient was sent over from her doctor’s office because she was experiencing decreased fetal movement. After getting her vital signs I noticed that her blood pressure was off the charts and asked her if this was normal for her and she replied, “yes, my blood pressure gets really high when I go to the doctor’s office; it just really stresses me out.” We see patients with “white coat syndrome” all of the time but this was my first time seeing it this extreme. A few mintues later the nurse was teaching me how to find the baby’s heartbeat when I just happened to take a look at the patient. She didn’t think anyone was paying attention to her but her lips were quivering and there were tears welling up in her eyes. Without hesitation I put down my clipboard, wiped her face, and said “let’s take some deep breaths together, everything is going to be alright.” She later told me how nervous she had been and thanked me for taking the time to see her as more than just a patient. Now, I definitely didn’t cure her syndrome in one day but this patient encounter in particular sparked my interest and got me thinking about how I could incorporate my psychology skills in my medical career.
Following graduation I started working at a rehabilitation center as a certified nursing assistant to gain some more patient care experience. One day I was preparing to put one of my disabled patients on a bedpan when the physician assistant on duty, Tom, walked in to discuss his plan of action but what he did next is what really took me by surprise. He warmly greeted the patient with a handshake they had come up with and then put on a pair of gloves to help assist me with toileting the patient. The level of trust the patient must have had in Tom to allow him to help during such a vulnerable moment is what I strive t have with all of my future patients as a PA. I knew in that moment that I wanted to be that kid of health care professional. The one who wasn’t afraid to get “down and dirty” when it came to the well-being of the patient. I yearned to have the same unique privilege of being the person someone could come to not only for professional medical counsel but for personal counsel as well.
Growing up I have always been the “counselor” of my friend group. At a very young age I began to notice that with strangers and friends alike people felt really comfortable confiding in me whether it was for advice or just a listening ear. This drove me to obtain a degree in psychology with a focus in biology. What drove me to the PA field as the opportunity to incorporate two of my passions, psychology and medicine. It was eye opening to me how much my psychology degree was actually used day to day in my healthcare jobs. Through my exposure to several physician assistants I began to notice similarities between the two professions. These PAs had to listen critically to the patient’s complaint, highlight and focus on the right details, form conclusions based on the evidence, and then effectively communicate the next step to fixing the problem. Physician assistants are granted those few extra minutes to get to know the patient beyond what’s written in their chart and I think that having that insight is what makes this such a promising career. I want to be apart of the PA/Physician “team” and I know that a team isn’t successful without trust because I lived it first hand. From being a cheer captain throughout high school, step team captain of my sorority, to holding a sisterhood chair position under an executive board; I have been both the leader and the follower. Knowing when to take charge and make tough decisions and how to receive instructions and execute them accordingly will definitely be an asset I can bring to this team.
Providing patient care at both the rehab center and labor and delivery has taught me how to treat a certain type of patient; those in pain, stressed out, and just needing to be comforted. I know that the experience I have gained by working in these environments will only enhance my ability to care for people in all realms of the hospital. When I pull up a chair and sit down with my future patients I strive to be that “white coat” they can depend on without inducing the dreadful “syndrome” that so commonly accompanies it
Janelle says
WHAT A WONDERFUL RESOURCE FOR APPLICANTS! tHANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS INCREDIBLE SERVICE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FEEDBACK!
Never being one to do things traditionally, my first foray into medicine was atypical at best. I was an inquisitive 8-year old, bound to self-diagnose appendicitis after watching a particularly gripping rerun of Punky Brewster. The beloved protagonist, Punky, suffered a crippling stomachache that resulted in an emergency appendectomy. The episode left a tremendous impression on me and I became petrified at any sign of abdominal discomfort. My mom was in nursing school at the time, so I armed myself with her copy of Taber’s Medical Dictionary and quickly became proficient in the signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis, including how to palpate McBurney’s point. This perpetual fear of falling ill fostered a quest for knowledge that would guide me toward a career in healthcare.
As I transitioned from precocious child to inquisitive adult, not even my first job was normal. While my friends made minimum wage busing tables or folding shirts, I was working 8 to 16 hour shifts in an emergency room auditioning for a potential career in healthcare. I was fortunate to work with a group of doctors, physician assistants (PA) and nurses who saw potential in me and invested their time in exposing me to the fast-paced environment of an ER. They took their time teaching me technician skills to assist them with procedures and helped me recognize that I had the aptitude and ability to handle stressful situations with maturity, poise, and empathy. As incredible as these experiences were, I found myself drifting towards preventive medicine as I witnessed many health issues occur due to lack of patient knowledge or limited access to resources. I felt as if pursuing a research driven career would help me serve a greater number of people.
Ultimately, I completed my doctoral degree and had the opportunity to merge my graduate training in exercise science with health promotion into
the field of pediatric obesity research at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. I had the opportunity to develop weight management research programs, conduct innovative school-based research using wearable technology, and work with children and families on health behavior change clinically and within the community. My aspiration to understand how things work finally melded with my goal to help people live healthier lives. I was truly impacting the lives of people in need, and admittedly, I was good at it, but something was still missing. While working with research participants in the clinic, I recognized how little influence I was actually having on their health and plan of care. I had envisioned reaching more people through research than in a clinical role, but the opposite was true.
After interacting with PAs in the clinic setting, I realized that the skills I acquired through research – such as critical thinking, initiative, curiosity, and collaboration – and my compassion for the patients I served, would be a good match for this profession. Formally shadowing a pediatric PA, I witnessed how she autonomously cared for patients and had the ability to diagnose and prescribe care while having a physician to consult with on complicated cases. From this experience, I was convinced that completely changing careers was a risk worth taking.
I find myself secure in this decision based on my enduring interest in medicine and my desire to empathetically impact the health of patients. It is the culmination of my non-traditional experiences that make me valuable in the PA profession. Throughout this soul-searching expedition it has become evident to me that the 8-year old hypochondriac-version of myself, the one without fear of change or disappointment, would have the gumption to live her truth.
myla giroue says
Dear Sue and the team,
Thank you for giving your time to give feedback on the essays, reading the replies you wrote for others helped me form my own essay. I have trouble getting my essay to fit under 5000 characters, please help me figure out what to cut out. thank you!
I found my happiness in the dining hall’s all you can eat buffet. My dream came true, I get to eat as much as I want, I never had to be alone and scared and my mother was put on restraining orders. It was my life’s goal to escape my childhood but once I achieved it, I was lost.
My grandmother raised me in the poorest part of Shanghai, until my mother took me to United States when I was 11 years old. My mother physically and emotionally abused me, at times the unprovoked beatings rendered me unable to go to school for the day. My mother and stepfather were seldom home and did not provide me with food or clothing. I learned from an early age to be independent, forging parental signatures through school in order to attend classes. I worked as many hours as I can without compromising my grades. In Asian culture, it is taboo to speak of matters at home to others. Unable to tell others about what was going on, I endured the abuses until I was able to escape. Spending every lunch period with my guidance counselor in senior year of high school, I was able to muster enough scholarships and grants. A month after I graduated high school, while working three jobs, I received a devastating phone call. A man told me my grants have been taken away due to my incomplete parental information on fafsa. Out of options, and unwilling to give up, I called my guidance counselor and told her my situation. We fought to get through to the university with my story and I was fortunate to be granted a special circumstance case which waived the need to provide parental information. None of these could have happened without the help and support of my guidance counselor, Jan. In order to pay back the kindness that Jan and the others have given me, I made myself a promise to help others.
In sophomore year I started volunteering at the hospice. A hospice where people spent the last days of their lives seemed to me like the perfect place where I could learn how to begin mine. I learned more than I could ever imagine as their youngest volunteer. Patients came and went, each teaching me a little lesson about life, but it was Mike who helped me discover my passion.
Mike was a 67 years old Caucasian man who was mortally over weight. It took 6 of us to transfer him from the ambulance to the hospital bed that he never left till he was gone. I was about to head home one night when Mike had a heart attack. Mike had a DNR order but despite no medical action he survived. After the doctor and nurses made sure he was stable, Mike laid alone in his room looking much smaller than all of his 400 pounds. I sat down in the armchair next to him and took his hand into mine. “That must have been very scary.” I said. With one look he conveyed all his emotions and vulnerability. I told him again and again that it was okay. He gripped my hand tightly and his eyes looked into mine. I felt his laborious breathing eventually slowing down, for what felt like an eternity we just sat and breathed together. “Thank you” he managed to utter. Mike wasn’t there when I showed up for my shift next week but I will never forget how mike made me feel and how he showed me how I can be of service to others.
My passion for serving others combined with my excitement for physiology ultimately led me to the path toward becoming a physician assistant. Physician assistants have a little more time to themselves than doctors, time that I needed to catch up on living. Having never been to the doctors before I went to college, I knew nothing about how health care actually worked. After shadowing eight different health care professions, I gained an understanding of the role physician assistants play and how it fits in with the team working around them. After graduating college, I started working as a medical assistant at a federal certified health center where I was surrounded by providers who were great mentors to me.
Working with physician assistants, I learned how demanding the profession is. “That patient don’t have the qualifications and education but he questions my judgement and diagnosis.” A physician assistant named Rhina said, shaking her head in frustration. “So what keeps you coming back?” I asked. “Because I have an idea of the person that I want to be, and just because it’s hard, you don’t stop going after it.” Replied Rhina. One physician assistant, Morgan, can often be seen tearing through the halls yelling, “I am getting killed out here!” Another, Danny, was disappointed that he was unable to extract the piece of glass from a patient’s hand, apologized to the patient and referred him to surgery. Being a physician assistant, they were prepared for failures and stress, and they learned to take care of themselves so that they can come back the next day to do it all over again.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.” Said Ralph Waldo Emerson. Becoming a physician assistant is not my destination, it is the start of another chapter. I want to be a physician assistant for the excitement of the medical challenges, building rapport with the patients and a lifetime of endless learning. My childhood developed me to be resilient to hardship and determined to achieve my goals. A thirteen years girl with stage four neuroblastoma told me “God gives his toughest battles to his strongest warriors.” I will achieve my dream of being a physician assistant for the 12 year old me who never gave up on herself, for those who encouraged and believed in me when I faltered, and for the patients who I hope to serve in the future. This journey I welcome with the bad and the good, and I will never cease trying, to heal, to understand and to provide.
Lisa Anderson says
Joseph Campbell once said “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us”. Without knowing it, the sentiment of this quote has guided me throughout my life towards what I feel is my calling: to become a physician assistant. While my childhood friends admired Power Rangers, I idolized Bill Nye the Science guy. To me, he represented society’s unrelenting curiosity of the unknown while making science entertaining and accessible. As a child, I consumed countless pamphlets on social issues and spent hours watching documentaries trying to understand the how’s and why’s of the circle of life. I even set up my own collection in a cookie jar that eventually contained 150 booklets covering topics from drug addiction to HIV/AIDS. My desire to become a physician assistant is inspired by my mother’s example as a social worker, my personal experiences as a student, and from exploring different aspects of healthcare in the workplace.
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I marveled at how caring and perceptive my mother was with her clients and their foster families. I remember her showing me an amulet and a beaded jewelry set given to her as a symbol of appreciation and payment from an aunt where four nieces and nephews were placed in her care following the death of their parents. I was so proud of my mom not only for providing the children with appropriate counseling services but for her openness to accepting those items as a form of payment. Every afternoon we made home visits to clients in order to follow up on their life after adoption. Through each case I began to picture myself following in her footsteps to help improve the lives of others.
During my undergraduate years, I underestimated the amount of time required to master my workload as a Biology major. As I embraced Boston for what it had to offer as America’s college town, my focus drifted away from academia and towards the social experience. Consequently, my grades suffered and I had to retake a course that was part of the curriculum. That gave me a lot of time to think about the direction I was heading in. I knew that if I was serious about being a physician assistant, I would have to change my ways and give my education top priority. While working hard to improve my grades, I learned that collective work and responsibility goes a long way. Through mentorship and engaging in everything from social change to community service, I became fascinated by behavioral health and humanistic patient care.
Upon graduation, I searched for an opportunity that would allow me to interact with patients and view healthcare in action. I shadowed internists, medical assistants, and a nutritionist at a private medical practice located in Harlem. Observing their work on a day to day basis exposed me to a different side of healthcare that I had previously seen. Some patients were turned away from treatment due to the denial of coverage by their insurance providers. Service and organization are assets of private practices and yet their role in the public health ecosystem was diminishing in value due to the Affordable Care Act. Their purpose of delivering quality patient care and interacting with the community is often forgotten, but it is important for keeping everyone healthy.
Providing healthcare services in times of distress is a valuable contribution. As an emergency room volunteer, I helped provide services when a patient was admitted for a fall on the subway tracks. We were over capacity in the department, but we were fortunate to have a doctor with us who had already brought her splinting kit. The doctor cleaned the wound and stabilized the man’s right leg. She asked if I would like to prepare the splints and with the patient’s permission I proceeded. Although I appreciated being involved I wanted to be the one doing all of the splints, preparing the fractures for surgery, and removing the casts after healing had taken place. At the same time I was fortunate to encounter a great PA. Shadowing Ron allowed me to see first-hand the positive impact that Pas have on their patients. Just seeing the joy brought to a patient by the simple act of providing a listening ear has provided me with a sense of purpose.
As children, we learn about the world through observation and experience. Every encounter prepares us to become the next generation of leaders who will make a difference. As we become older, reality sets in and we realize that the world is bigger than we imagined. Change is a lot harder to come by. In order for it to happen, we have to leave our comfort zone. With time, I will be a successful physician assistant who appreciates the challenges of healthcare and tackles stigmas that plagues underserved communities.
Annie Penquite says
Thanks in advance for the feedback.
I can replay the memory in my mind as if it happened yesterday. The setting was unusual because I had been home alone all day. This would never normally happen due to my close-knit family. It was inevitable for me to be home alone this day, January 16, 2011, since I had practice that night and my sisters were out-of-town for basketball. For me, this date would be placed in my autobiography in bolded, capital letters as the day a part of me died, and another part gained life.
My grandparents have lived next to me my entire life. Grandma had left with the rest of my family, but I knew Grandpa was home. Grandpa was, and still is, my rock. He wanted us to feel accomplishments and understand what it takes to succeed; he fueled my passion for basketball. I play basketball because I am driven and a hard-worker, but more importantly, I play basketball for Grandpa.
Like every child, when I was younger, I was consistently asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I have a very strong type A personality. I am competitive; I set goals, and am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the desired goals, all the while being self-critical of my work. My organized/planning mind ached for knowing exactly what my future would entail. I am passionate and knew my work would be my greatest passion. On that day, my wondering would come to an end with my future staring me in the face.
I went to ask my Grandpa if he would like to grab some lunch with me, which would put a smile on his face. I unlocked the door with the pass code I knew by heart and walked in to complete silence; absolutely nothing. It was an eerie feeling, one where I did not need someone else to tell me something was wrong. I searched the house only to find Grandpa collapsed on the bathroom floor. The part of my heart my Grandpa held, spilled out of my chest onto the tile floor.
I called 911 franticly in tears. The woman on the line used a soothing voice to ease my mind. She described to me the procedure I needed to take to start CPR. My mind immediately switched from pure terror to urgency. My hands begin to move and work in a way I never remembered learning. The medics arrived and took over quickly. I was greeted by a police officer with open arms. I allowed myself to cry as I came to the realization; my Grandpa would not make it. At fifteen years old my career path was undecided but in a matter of hours, I knew medicine would become my passion driven by the aching need to comprehend and understand why.
A significant part of my life was lost in the matter of seconds but life continues after a tragedy. My passion for basketball did not waiver after the death of my Grandpa. I continued playing throughout high school and into college. Basketball for me was not just a high school sport I participated in, but a lifestyle. I have a passion and drive for the game that is difficult to explain. This drive brings toughness and desire to play through anything including illnesses and injuries. Basketball took its toll on my body and I sustained multiple injuries that led me to my near-by family practice clinic. I became familiar with the doctors and physician assistants in the practice, which only fueled my desire in medicine.
High school was coming to an end and I was still unsure of my medical career choice. However, a kind physician assistant at my local clinic answered that question. Stacy became my first glimpse into the physician assistant profession. She allowed me to shadow her and gain experiences from my own local family practice. My goal was now set that I wanted to become a physician assistant, and I knew I had a long way to go, but I was up for the challenge.
Every hour shadowing a physician assistant allows for various learning opportunities, but one significant moment stands out. I want to become a physician assistant that not only treats but educates my patients. I have watched my mentor Stacy treat patients, but by spending the time to sit and talk with them about their health and how to better it, she is creating a relationship. She allots time to teach me while treating patients. One of my first times shadowing, and before I knew Stacy well, I remember how she spent the time to explain, read, and identify an x-ray to me. She went in and asked the patient all the questions she needed for a diagnosis and ordered x-rays. Instead of assuming I had seen a patient before with abdominal pain; she explained the reasoning behind the questions she asked the patient. I understood the kindness she showed me was not mandatory yet it left me in awe.
After shadowing Stacy for over a year, she continues to teach me about everything it means to be a physician assistant. She wants me to feel prepared for when I become a physician assistant myself. If I can be a teacher to a student someday while giving inspiration in the same way Stacy unknowingly gave me, I will have mastered all the elements in being a physician assistant.
Jesse K says
Hi I am definitely interested in the paid service the team is offering here. A glimpse of commentary edits is very much appreciated.
The following is my personal statement:
In my Human Physiology class back in 2014, Professor Chang advised me to change my career goal as a physician’s assistant after he asked students that scored Cs or lower on the first two exams to meet with him. He told me “You won’t make it.” Those words have emanated with me ever since that encounter to the point that I began to believe him.
My academic performance dwindling stemmed from an incident that occurred in the summer of 2011; my father was hit with a fatal stray bullet in a crossfire between rival gang members. This incident haunted me for months because I did not know the first thing about keeping a person alive; all I did was sit next to my father as I watched him die in my arms. The couple of years that transpired involved myself having to work just to get by and to take on parental responsibilities as the eldest sibling. I was in a dark place during that time; as a result, my grades became compromised and for a period time I listened to Professor Chang and decided to change my career.
I had begun to convince myself that a career as a clinical laboratory scientist was a great alternative. After switching career paths, I enrolled in a phlebotomy program and was hired as a phlebotomist for Quest Diagnostics. After starting work as a phlebotomist, it was not long before I knew I was on the wrong side of the fence.
I did not enjoy the laboratory aspects of phlebotomy; instead, I found much more pleasure interacting with patients and getting acquainted with them. As a matter of fact, most of the knowledge I have acquired in regards to pathophysiology is from my interactions with the patients. The location where I worked at was next to a cancer clinic. We serviced many oncology patients; one in particular was Mrs. Lopez. The first day I met her was when I recently got hired and she was making jokes about cancer. She told me she was diagnosed with colon cancer and that it had metastasize. Physically, she appeared ill but her spirit was so vibrant that you forget she had cancer. Several months later, she comes in a wheel chair with her daughter; Mrs. Lopez usually comes in alone. Her face is hardly recognizable due to drooping skin from weight loss. I drew her blood as usual but it has become increasingly difficult due to the chemotherapy. The vibrant woman I recalled no longer was there. She lacked the energy to hold her own head up; let alone even speak. Weeks later, I noticed Mrs. Lopez stopped coming in for her weekly blood draws.
As a phlebotomist, we are not licensed to diagnose or devise a treatment plan for patients; nor are we allowed to give advice. I knew pursuing a career in patient care was the right path for me because I was not satisfied with just drawing blood. Mrs. Lopez had me draw her blood every week. Successfully hitting a hard-stick patient did not satisfy me anymore; I wanted to do more for patients like Mrs. Lopez. The restraints set in place due to the level of my education impeded me from offering more.
At this point, I revisited the idea of pursuing a career as a physician’s assistant. I came upon the opportunity to shadow Anna. I gained so much insight for the role of a PA from this opportunity. My first day with Anna involved her making rounds in the ICU checking on post-op patients. Although PAs by definition work under the supervision of a physician, the level of autonomy was evident; Anna removed tubes, applied sutures, and prescribed pain meds/antibiotics without having to consult with the physician first. What resonated with me most about this experience was the team-oriented aura that Anna and the surgeon exhibited. When discussing about treatment of the patients, they were both engaged and the surgeon valued Anna’s input as though she were an equal and not a subordinate under his supervision. The actual operating room experience itself solidified my choice to pursue a career as a PA; while the surgeon’s focus was on getting the chest open, Anna was harvesting the left radial artery by herself. The teamwork exemplified by the pair was like watching a painting unfolding. Witnessing a PA at work firsthand, I was in awe at how valued a PA is in the healthcare system. This shadowing experience really set the tone for my pursuit in a career as a PA.
In all my experiences, I have grown and matured significantly. Every impediment I encountered that knocked me down, only molded me into someone stronger. Academically on paper, I am not the smartest student; however, I have since then proved to Professor Chang and hopefully to all of you that I will succeed because I currently have the highest grade in my Human Physiology course. I am no longer that young, frail boy. Failure has always been my greatest mentor and rising above failure has been the fuel that has driven me miles towards this path to becoming a physician’s assistant.
Sheryl C. says
It was Herb’s* turn to answer the final question – “If you could have any super power, what would it be?” Without hesitation, he answered “I would want the power to bring my wife back so we could be together again.” Herb didn’t talk about his wife very often, but when he did it was like she was by his side yesterday, despite her passing away years previously. The memories he had of her defied the dementia that plagued his mind.
Moments like this remind me why I want to pursue a career in healthcare: to get to know those I care for and truly be able to make a difference in their life. As a physician assistant (PA) I will get to be at the forefront of healthcare, advocating for my patients while also educating them and improving their health. While working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I loved being able to help make each day worthwhile for my residents, however watching both my residents and their families suffer from a disease like dementia was heartbreaking. My scope of practice as a CNA was frustratingly limited, but I didn’t want to wait until becoming a PA to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others suffering from dementia. I wanted to understand what treatment options were available as well as how to prevent the most common form of dementia – Alzheimer’s disease. This curiosity and desire to do more led me to research; I found a mentor who supported my drive to understand and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. I quickly dove into my research exploring how insulin resistance affects neurodegeneration and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Research like this is key to healthcare because as research progresses, both preventive and curative medicine can improve.
In addition to my research, I became involved with Anatomy Academy, where I was able work with other volunteers to educate young students about basic anatomy principles as well as healthy lifestyle practices. Although a different setting from typical preventive medicine, the purpose was the same – to educate and motivate individuals to take proper care of their bodies. Working with 5th and 6th graders gave me the opportunity to help them understand at a young age the importance of staying healthy while also instilling within them a desire to learn more about anatomy and physiology. I look forward to when I can take what I have learned from Anatomy Academy and use it to teach my patients as a future Physician Assistant in primary care, or even pediatrics.
With my combined experiences, I confirmed that sharing my knowledge and encouraging healthy lifestyles in those I care for is why I want to be a PA. I treasure the opportunity I had to get to know and interact with my residents regularly as a CNA as well as the unique chance I had to educate young students within the community. I am excited for the day when I cannot only care for patients, but care about patients and be a part of a healthcare team that does so.
With an appreciation of both preventive and curative medicine, and a desire to truly make a difference in healthcare, my drive to become a PA is stronger than ever before. As a CNA and researcher, the impact I make can only go so far, but as a PA, the impact is much greater. With my understanding of research and human biology, love for teaching, and genuine compassion for those around me, I know that I can give my patients the best care possible and truly make a difference.
*Name Changed for Privacy Purposes
ANY HELP OR FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREAT! thanks!
Monica says
Hi! I’m really looking for some help. I’ve been told by multiple schools that I am a qualified candidate but that they suggest I reapply as early as possible. Please provide me some feedback as this year is my last shot. I greatly appreciate it and I look forward to your feedback! This is an awesome service you are providing.
Monica
“My face hurts all the time and no one can explain why, please tell me you can help me!” I watched as the doctor fed the scope through Esther’s nose looking for an answer to her problem. Sadly, much like other specialists, we were unable to find the culprit of her pain. The doctor decided to order a CT scan to investigate further, which was my cue to guide the patient out of the room. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Esther looking disoriented. As I asked her if she was feeling okay she began to lose consciousness. I brought her to an exam chair, raised her legs and called for the physician. I began to explain to her mother that this was temporary, would pass just as quickly as it came on and not to be alarmed. As I placed a cool rag on her forehead I explained that Esther had experienced a vasovagal response, a temporary condition in which the body’s stress causes its heart rate to drop, which made her faint. I took her blood pressure, which was normal, and reassured her that the color in her face returned. Her mother turned and thanked me for calming her fears while I took care of her daughter, to which I responded, it was my pleasure.
My work as a senior medical assistant for the past two and half years has fueled my passion and desire to have an influential career as a PA. I have naturally fallen into the MA role and excelled quickly, becoming a leader and mentor. Utilizing strong interpersonal skills, working closely with physicians and patients enabled me to tap into my ability to confidently answer questions with detail and empathy. By gaining the trust of my attending physicians, I have become a valuable team member. Remaining calm during emergency situations taught me how to ensure that a patient is comfortable during their exam. My meticulous attention to detail makes patients feel like they are seen as a person, rather than a chief complaint on a chart. While I enjoy my current position, I have found myself at a standstill desiring to learn more and obtain a more active role in healthcare. Naturally, a career as a PA will fulfill this aspiration.
As a PA I will always be a part of a medical team. I look forward to continue working closely with physicians and building relationships with my colleagues and patients. I will be given the opportunities to explore my role in different disciplines, rather than being confined to one area of medicine throughout my career. My learning will never end, as I will keep up to date with current medical advances through continuing education. I will be able to spend more time with my patients, when compared to most physicians, which will enable me to use my skills to educate them regarding their health. Having years of experience and a passion to further my education and skills, becoming a PA will expand on my strong foundation and enable me to get back out in the field and hold a more active role in healthcare, just as the PAs I’ve admired.
My experience of shadowing PAs has instilled a confidence in me that I will succeed as a PA, by utilizing the skills I have learned from experts in their field. Maira, the PA that works for the same ENT practice as myself, has become a mentor and a prime example of the PA I aspire to become. As the main provider for our practice within our affiliated hospital, she sets the tone for what to expect from Coastal ENT. She is straightforward and concise with her plans, which makes her efficient and reliable. She exudes confidence in her ability to diagnose and treat, which leaves her patients feeling safe. When I work beside her I envision myself taking on the same demeanor into my own career. As a member of a Physician Assistant advisory committee she affirms my strong candidacy for an academic program despite any previous setbacks.
During my time as an undergraduate, I always knew that my calling was to help people as a member of the medical community, but was unsure of my individual path. I had struggled to find the right course and was often discouraged because of the affect it had on my studies and additional time it took for me to reach this point. However, being immersed in the medical field affirms that my desire to become a Physician Assistant is the perfect path for me. The experiences I have gained and the lessons I have learned put me in a gainful position for further study to build upon the foundation of which I’ve laid these past years. I strongly believe that my personal and professional qualities are the assets necessary to become a successful PA and that my aspiration to do good by people as a PA will fulfill me throughout my life.