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Single Edit One-on-one Service Supplemental Essays
Your success is our passion. (See just some of our 100's of testimonials and comments below). We are ready to help. Our current PA school essay editing service status (26th April 2024): Accepting New Submissions
(Photo: Me circa 1987, just thinking about my future PA School Essay)
- Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement?
- Are you out of ideas, or just need a second opinion?
- Do you want an essay that expresses who you truly are and grabs the reader's attention in the required 5,000-character limit?
We are here to help perfect your PA school essay
I have written countless times on this blog about the importance of your personal statement in the PA school application process. Beyond the well-established metrics (GPA, HCE/PCE hours, requisite coursework, etc.), the personal statement is the most crucial aspect of your application.
This is your time to express yourself, show your creativity, skills, and background, and make a memorable impression in seconds. This will be your only chance, so you must get it right the first time.
For some time, I had been dreaming about starting a physician assistant personal statement collaborative.
A place where PA school applicants like yourself can post their PA school essays and receive honest, constructive feedback followed by an acceptance letter to the PA school of your choice!
I have been reviewing a ton of essays recently, so many in fact that I can no longer do this on my own.
To solve this problem, I have assembled a team of professional writers, editors, and PA school admissions specialists who worked to revise and perfect my PA school application essay.
Beth Eakman has taught college writing and worked as a professional writer and editor since the late 1990s. Her projects have involved a wide range of disciplines and media, from editing technical reports to scriptwriting for the PBS Kids show Super Why! Her writing has appeared in publications including Brain, Child Magazine, New York Family Magazine, and Austin Family Magazine. Beth lives with her family just outside Austin, Texas. She is driven to help each client tell the best version of their story and achieve their dream of becoming a physician assistant.
Deanna Matzen is an author with articles featured in Earth Letter, Health Beats, Northwest Science & Technology, and the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. With an early career in environmental science, she developed a solid foundation in technical writing. Her communication skills were further honed by producing and editing content for a non-profit website, blog, and quarterly journal. Inspired to extend her craft, she obtained a certificate in literary fiction, which she draws on to build vibrant scenes that bring stories to life. Deanna loves working with pre-PAs who are on the cusp of new beginnings to find their unique story and tell it confidently.
Carly Hallman is a professional writer and editor with a B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric (summa cum laude) from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. She has worked as a curriculum developer, English teacher, and study abroad coordinator in Beijing, China, where she moved in 2011. In college, she was a Gilman Scholar and worked as a staff editor for her university's academic journal. Her first novel, Year of the Goose, was published in 2015, and her first memoir is forthcoming from Little A Books. Her essays and creative writing have appeared in The L.A. Review of Books, The Guardian, LitHub, and Identity Theory, among other publications.
Read more client testimonials or purchase a revision
We Work as a Team
Our team of professional editors is wonderful at cutting out the "fluff" that makes an essay lose focus and sets people over the 5,000-character limit. Their advice is always spot-on.
Sue, Sarah, and Carly are amazingly creative writers who will take your "ordinary" and turn it into entirely extraordinary.
I mean it when I say this service is one-of-a-kind! We have spent countless hours interviewing PA School admissions directors and faculty from across the country to find out exactly what it is they are looking for in your personal statement.
We even wrote a book about it.
To collaborate, we use Google Drive. Google Drive is free, has an intuitive interface with integrated live comments in the sidebar, the ability to have a real-time chat, to collaborate effortlessly, and to compare, revise, or restore revisions on the fly. Google Drive also has an excellent mobile app that will allow you to make edits on the go!
Our team has worked with hundreds of PA school applicants within the Google Drive environment, and we have had enormous success.
The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
I have set up two options that I hope will offer everyone a chance to participate:
- One-of-a-kind, confidential, paid personal statement review service
- A collaborative, free one (in the comments section)
Private, One-On-One Personal Statement Review Service
If you are interested in the paid service, you may choose your plan below.
The Personal Statement Review Service is:
- Behind closed doors within a private, secure network using Google Drive.
- It is completely interactive, meaning we will be able to provide real-time comments and corrections using the Google Drive interface.
- Telephone consultations are included with all edits above the single edit level. It’s often hard to communicate exactly what you want hundreds of miles away; for this reason, we offer the option to edit right along with us over the telephone while sharing in real-time over Google Drive. This is an option available to all our paid clients who purchase above the single edit level.
- We provide both revision and editing of all essays. What’s the difference? See below
- We will provide feedback, advice, and help with brainstorming and topic creation if you would like.
- We will help with a “final touch-up” before the big day, just in case your essay needs a few minor changes.
Why Choose Our Service?
- It’s not our opinion that matters. We have gone the extra step and personally interviewed PA school administrators from across the US to find out exactly what they think makes a personal statement exceptional.
- We are a team of PAs and professional writers, having worked over ten years with PA school applicants like yourself, providing countless hours of one-on-one editing and revision.
- Our clients receive interviews, and many go on to receive acceptance into their PA School of choice.
Because we always give 100%, we will open the essay collaborative for a limited number of applicants each month and then close this depending on the amount of editing that needs to be done and the time that is available.
Our goal is not quantity but quality. We want only serious applicants who are serious about getting into PA school.
Writing is not a tool like a piece of software but more like how a photograph can capture your mood. It’s more like art. The process of developing a unique, memorable personal statement is time-intensive, and it takes hours to compose, edit, finalize, and personalize an essay.
As Antoinette Bosco once said:
And this is why I am charging for this service. We love helping people find stories that define their lives, and we love helping individuals who have the passion to achieve their dreams. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when an applicant writes back to tell me they were accepted into PA school.
There is no price tag I can place on this; it’s the feeling we get when we help another human being. It’s just like providing health care. But this takes time.
Interested? Choose your plan below.
Read more client testimonials.
Free Personal Statement Review
Post your essay in the comments section for a free critique
We want to make this opportunity available to everyone who would like help with their essay, and that is why we are offering free, limited feedback on the blog.
You post your essay in the comments section, and you will get our critique. It is that easy. We will try to give feedback to every single person who posts their COMPLETE essay here on this blog post in the comments section.
Also, by posting your comment, we reserve the right to use your essay.
We will provide feedback on essays that are complete and fit the CASPA requirements (View CASPA requirements here). We will not provide feedback on partial essays or review opening or closing statements. Your essay will be on a public platform, which has both its benefits and some obvious drawbacks. The feedback is limited, but we will try to help in any way we can.
Note: Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, I will delete your stuff. Otherwise, have fun, and thanks for adding to the conversation! And this should go without saying: if you feel the need to plagiarize someone else’s content, you do not deserve to go to PA school.
* Also, depending on the time of year, it may take me several weeks to reply!
We love working with PA school applicants, but don't just take our word for it!
How to submit your essay for the paid service
If you are serious and would like to have real, focused, and personalized help writing your personal statement, please choose your level of service and submit your payment below.
After you have submitted your payment, you will be redirected to the submissions page, where you can send us your essay as well as any special instructions. We will contact you immediately upon receipt of your payment and essay so we may begin work right away.
Pricing is as follows:
Choose your plan, then click "Buy Now" to submit your essay, and we will get started right away!
Every purchase includes a FREE digital copy of our new 100-page eBook, How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement, Our 101 PA School Admission Essays e-book, the expert panel audiobook, and companion workbook. This is a $65 value included for free with your purchase.
All credit card payments are processed via PayPal over a secure HTTPS server. Once your payment is processed, you will be immediately redirected back to the essay submission page. There, you will submit your essay along with some biographical info and all suggestions or comments you choose to provide. You will receive immediate confirmation that your essay has been securely transmitted as well as your personal copy of "How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement." Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, or problems - I am available 24/7.
The hourly service includes your original edit and one-on-one time over Google Drive. It is simple to add more time if necessary, but you may be surprised at what a difference just a single edit can make. We find our four-hour service to be the most effective in terms of time for follow-up and full collaboration. We are open to reduced-rate add-ons to suit your individual needs.
Writing and Revision
All writing benefits from rewriting when done well.
When you are in the process of writing a draft of an essay, you should be thinking first about revision, not editing.
What’s the difference?
Revision refers to the substantial changing of text. For example, it may include re-organizing ideas and paragraphs, providing additional examples or information, and rewriting a conclusion for clarity.
Editing, on the other hand, refers to correcting mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
On all submissions, we perform both revision and editing.
How to submit your PA school essay for the FREE editing service
Follow the rules above and get to work below in the comments section. I look forward to reading all your essay submissions.
- Stephen Pasquini PA-C
View all posts in this series
- How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay
- The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
- Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?
- 7 Essays in 7 Days: PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 1, “A PA Changed My Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 2, “I Want to Move Towards the Forefront of Patient Care”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 3, “She Smiled, Said “Gracias!” and Gave me a Big Hug”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 4, “I Have Gained so Much Experience by Working With Patients”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 5, “Then Reach, my Son, and Lift Your People up With You”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, “That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 7, “I Want to Take People From Dying to Living, I Want to Get Them Down From the Cliff.”
- Physician Assistant Personal Statement Workshop: “To say I was an accident-prone child is an understatement”
- 9 Simple Steps to Avoid Silly Spelling and Grammar Goofs in Your PA School Personel Statement
- 5 Tips to Get you Started on Your Personal Essay (and why you should do it now)
- How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement The Book!
- How to Write “Physician Assistant” The Definitive PA Grammar Guide
- 101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
- 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
- 7 Tips for Addressing Shortcomings in Your PA School Personal Statement
- The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement
- The Ultimate PA School Personal Statement Starter Kit
- The Ultimate Guide to CASPA Character and Space Limits
- 10 Questions Every PA School Personal Statement Must Answer
- 5 PA School Essays That Got These Pre-PAs Accepted Into PA School
- 7 Questions to Ask Yourself While Writing Your PA School Personal Statement
- 101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
- 12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
- 7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
- You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
- What’s Your #1 Personal Statement Struggle?
- 31 (NEW) CASPA PA School Personal Statement Examples
- How to Prepare for Your PA School Interview Day Essay
- Should You Write Physician Associate or Physician Assistant on Your PA School Essay?
- Meet the World’s Sexiest PA School Applicants
- PA School Reapplicants: How to Rewrite Your PA School Essay for Guaranteed Success
- How to Write a Personal Statement Intro that Readers Want to Read
- PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist
- How to Deal with Bad News in Your Personal Statement
- Inside Out: How to use Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling to Improve your PA Personal Statement
- Ratatouille: A Pixar Recipe for PA School Personal Statement Success
- Personal Statement Panel Review (Replay)
- Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews
- Start at the End: Advice for your PA School Personal Statement
Anthony says
Hi,
I’ll admit this is pretty rough, but I was hoping you’d have some constructive criticism. Thank you!
//
After five rounds of interviews in four months, I was finally offered a job as a medical scribe. I was excited to start— I could round out my military healthcare experience with some time working with civilian providers, and I had even specified that I wanted to work with a group of internists so I could get some better insight into more complex and prolonged cases. These, I figured, would help me get into PA school, and eventually become a great physician assistant.
On my third day of training, I quit.
I had blown past some of the warning signs during my interview process and tour of the hospital— “Here’s the desk you’ll be spending your time at,” “You realize you can never put hands on patients, right?” and so on. While the desk was in an air-conditioned room, and the chair looked comfortable enough, it was the assurance that I would never actually spend time with any patients that made me start to second-guess my application.
I’ve been taking post-baccalaureate classes since I left the Army, and figured that I’d be okay with sitting down, staring at a laptop, and doing my work. But only 20 hours into my scribe training, the feeling that I was about to hate my job rose to the fore, and I quit. The prospect of sitting in a cubicle and typing dictations for 10 hours a day became anathema.
I thought back to the things I was passionate about as a combat medic— practicing evidence-based medicine. Talking to patients. Thinking of differential diagnoses and ruling things out. Providing excellent treatment. Following up with patients, and ensuring everything was working out. Bringing cases I didn’t know how to solve to the PAs I worked for, and learning what they would do. Working as a team.
While I was in Afghanistan, some of those were more difficult than others. First, the vast majority of Afghans don’t speak English. From a military perspective, it’s actually a big red flag when they do. So, it’s hard to interview patients beyond the “point to where it hurts” stage. Second, when a child comes up to your platoon with a big cut on his hand, there are a lot of constraints on what you can do. Usually, I ended up showing the kids how to put some bacitracin ointment on, and gave them their own packet. By the time that kid brought his friends, because he told them the Americans were giving out free stuff, we already moved on.
Limited though my example is, it’s those little interactions that drove me to become a combat medic, and now drive me to become a PA. The smiles. The word “مننه.” Like many young people, I enlisted because I figured there was a lot of suffering going on, and I wanted to do my part to leave the world better than I entered it.
Now that I’m a little older and more experienced, I feel the best way I can do that is as a physician assistant.
While I was an undergrad, I took full advantage of all the extracurricular activities my university had to offer. When I graduated, I quickly realized that the world didn’t need another kid that spent too much time partying and playing rugby and not enough time applying himself. I realized I wasn’t on track to do anything I considered worthwhile.
On my first day of training to become a medic, I tried something new out— I wrote down the words “Distinguished Honor Graduate” on an index card and taped it over my desk. Four months later, out of a class of 300, my prophecy was fulfilled. Since then, I’ve acquitted myself as best I can to become an excellent PA, and define my own fulfilling and challenging career. I keep in touch with my former subordinates, and continue to offer advice and mentorship when they need it. I created a website selling handmade items; it failed, but I learned something new. I’m learning the programming language Python, which I hope to one day use while conducting medical research and data analysis. I’m volunteering with a Big Brother/Big Sister organization near me. I read about immunology and genetics in my free time, because I think the topics are fascinating, and plan on spending some time as a PA in those fields.
As the saying goes, little things can make a big difference.
My hope is that the little things I did, and continue to do, might improve some lives around the world. I’ll be honest, I never want to go back to Afghanistan. But my wish is that some of those kids, hopefully now teenagers, remember me and think of their own ways to make some big differences.
Anthony says
Please disregard above; I’ve worked on it some more and gotten this-
//
After five rounds of interviews in four months, I was finally offered a job as a medical scribe. I was excited to start— I could round out my military healthcare experience with some time working with civilian providers, and I had even specified that I wanted to work with a group of internists so I could get some better insight into more complex and prolonged cases. These, I figured, would help me get into PA school, and eventually become a great physician assistant.
On my third day of training, I quit.
I had blown past some of the warning signs during my interview process and tour of the hospital— “Here’s the desk you’ll be spending your time at,” “You realize you can never put hands on patients, right?” and so on. While the desk was in an air-conditioned room, and the chair looked comfortable enough, it was the assurance that I would never actually spend time with any patients that made me start to second-guess my application.
I’ve been taking post-baccalaureate classes since I left the Army, and figured that I’d be okay with sitting down, staring at a laptop, and doing my work. But only 20 hours into my scribe training, the feeling that I was about to hate my job rose to the fore, and I quit. The prospect of sitting in a cubicle and typing dictations for 10 hours a day became anathema.
I thought back to the things I was passionate about as a medic— practicing evidence-based medicine. Talking to patients. Thinking of differential diagnoses and ruling things out. Providing excellent treatment. Following up with patients, and ensuring everything was working out. Bringing cases I didn’t know how to solve to the PAs I worked for, and learning what they would do. Working as a team.
Some of those were more difficult than others in Afghanistan. First, the vast majority of Afghans don’t speak English. From a military perspective, it’s actually a big red flag when they do. So, it’s hard to interview patients beyond the “point to where it hurts” stage. Second, when a child comes up to your platoon with a big cut on his hand, the treatment you can provide has a lot of constraints— how much time do you have? What do you have in your aid bag? What can you use up, and still be prepared if something bad happens in a few hours? Usually, I ended up showing the kids how to put some bacitracin ointment on, and gave them their own packet. By the time that kid brought his friends, because he told them the Americans were giving out free stuff, we already moved on.
Limited though my example is, it’s those little interactions that drove me to become a combat medic, and now drive me to become a PA. The smiles. The word “مننه.” I’ve provided more difficult and sustained treatment to patients that were much worse off, both independently and while working on a trauma bed led by a PA, but the kids are the patients I talk about.
Like many young people, I enlisted because I figured there was a lot of suffering going on, and I wanted to do my part to leave the world better than I entered it. Now that I’m a little older and more experienced, I feel the best way I can do that is as a physician assistant.
While I was an undergrad, I took full advantage of all the extracurricular activities my university had to offer. When I graduated, I quickly realized that the world didn’t need another kid that spent too much time partying and playing rugby and not enough time applying himself. I realized I wasn’t on track to do anything I considered worthwhile.
On my first day of training to become a medic, I tried out something new— I wrote down the words “Distinguished Honor Graduate” on an index card and taped it over my desk. Four months later, out of a class of 300, my prophecy was fulfilled. Since then, I’ve acquitted myself as best I can to become an excellent PA, and define my own fulfilling and challenging career. I keep in touch with my former subordinates, and continue to offer advice and mentorship when they need it. I attempted to create a website selling handmade items; it failed, but I learned something new. I’m currently learning the programming language Python, which I hope to one day use while conducting research and data analysis. I planned and built a garden for my wife. I read about immunology and genetics in my free time, because I think the topics are fascinating, and plan on spending some time as a PA in those fields.
As the saying goes, little things can make a big difference.
My hope is that the little things I did, and continue to do, might improve some lives around the world. I’ll be honest, I never want to go back to Afghanistan. But my wish is that some of those kids, hopefully now teenagers, remember me and think of their own ways to make some big differences.
Amanda says
It is 10 a.m. when we receive our first call of the day; a non-emergency dialysis transfer. As simple as these calls are, I still do not enjoy them. Seeing these patients always made me wish there was a way I could help. My partner and I came up with a solution. We purchased a mini disco ball, and let our patients play DJ with the hope that it would make their ride more enjoyable. My partner and I are driving through Dallas morning traffic on our way to Veterans Affair Hospital with a solid idea of who we are picking up. We called him “Mr. King” due to his love for Elvis Presley. We loaded him into the truck, and for the next 30 minutes we were lost in conversation. With disco lights bouncing off the inside walls of the truck, and Elvis playing the background, one would think we were having the best time of our lives. When we left Mr. King at the dialysis center we could see the sadness in those eyes. As we drove back toward the station, a Party City caught my eye. Before I knew it, I was in the store buying another disco ball. We head back to the center where we found Mr. King sitting in a room. The memory of his face lighting up at the sight the disco ball still brings a smile to my face.
That was the last time I saw Mr. King. His nurse informed me that his disease won the battle. That experience created my purpose: to investigate each of my patient’s illnesses and provide outstanding care as a physician assistant, with the hopes of curing and educating as many as possible. While I have known since a young age that I wanted to be in the medical field, it was not until I lost my favorite patient to an incurable disease that truly motivated me to become a Physician Assistant.
Over the next couple of months, I found myself applying to medical technologist programs. As much as I was enjoying the patient experience and emergency medicine, I was eager to continue my education in the medical field. I would overlook my patient’s lab values when made available and I wanted to learn more about them. As a medical technologist, I can now immediately identify critical values and understand the significance, both of which will help me diagnose and treat my patients as a physician assistant. Additionally, I am constantly in direct communication with nurses and providers. Not only was I furthering my education while in the medical technologist program, but I was also demonstrating my true academia potential while working as an EMT which has prepared me for the rigorous physician assistant curriculum that lays ahead of me. While in undergraduate courses, I was neither focused nor committed until my later years in school. Henceforth, my GPA shows an upward trend. While being behind the scenes working as a medical technologist is a promising career, it will not fulfill my need to be in the forefront of patient care.
Since I primarily work in the Hematology and Chemistry laboratories, the majority of my day consists of performing differentials on blood smears and I am able to recognize cells that could be potentially cancerous. This led me to the oncology floors shadowing a PA. My shadowing efforts solidified my decision to become a PA. Before my shift, I took a couple of hours out of my morning to round on the floor with the PA, pharmacist and charge nurse. One particular day stands out to me. A patient was severely deteriorating from AML. The physician assistant took charge of the situation and began ordering labs and discussing medication changes with the pharmacist. Watching them work together to find the best course of action for the patient furthered my excitement of the position.
My medical journey has greatly prepared me for a career as a physician assistant. I constantly think about my future patients, all of which will be as important as Mr. King. I see myself engulfed in my work to ensure that they have the best care possible. I want to bring out the light in people. Just like the walls of the truck were brought out through a small, yet powerful disco ball.
Deirdre Hofman says
In the winter of 2008, I lost my aunt to colon cancer after fighting it for three and a half years. I remember her bright smile and warm laugh as she tried to hide the discomfort of the war she was losing. I saw as she became weaker, yet remained the concrete base of her family. The pain I felt for losing her was the greatest moment of pain I had known, but more so the empathy I experienced for the two, young daughters she had left behind was far greater. Too soon after this loss, my family’s hearts were shattered once again when we lost my grammie to breast cancer the following year; the glue to our family felt as if it had disappeared. The two strongest women in our family had left us physically, but their perseverance was passed on. While my gram was in the hands of hospice care, my mother and I would visit her. I observed the pure compassion and the wealth of knowledge her healthcare providers expressed towards my grandmother, and our family. While coping with the heartbreak of my losses, I told myself I was going to make a difference in the lives of people suffering from cancer—as well as their families; producing my desire for a career in healthcare and be of service to others.
With my strong passion for healthcare in mind, I made it a priority in high school to better prepare myself by centering my schedules around science courses. In 2011, my younger sister was hit in the mouth with a softball at her practice. I met her at the emergency department where she would be receiving stitches. I was a little confused when the young man, who said he was a physician assistant, came into the room and said he would be taking care of my sister. I had heard of the profession prior, but this was my first personal encounter. The PA was exceptionally personable, confident, and knowledgeable without confusing my sister and me with medical jargon. Most importantly, he made my sister and me feel more comfortable being in the ER alone while he stitched up her mouth. I immediately began to picture myself in the PA’s position and began pursuing my future career.
During my time at the University of Mississippi, I was given the opportunity to travel to Ecuador and be able to aid the medically underserved communities of Tena. I was able to participate in several areas of the mobile medical clinics that we set up for the members of the community including: dentistry, pharmacy, obstetrics and gynecology, triage, and education. While I was assisting the dentist, a small boy with his mother approached us to receive a cleaning. As the boy slowly climbed into the chair he appeared apprehensive towards the strange set of tools that sat next to it. He immediately got out of the chair and stood back by his mom. I went up to the boy and, with my broken Spanish, I tried to calm him down and assure him that it was okay. He still held his mother’s hand tight, but warmed up to me. I brought the fluoride rinse over to him and showed him how it was easy and painless. I let him look at it, smell it and soon he was allowing me paint his teeth with the fluoride. This experience further confirmed my desire and passion to become a physician assistant, as PAs provide hands on patient care while maintaining a relationship, and trust, with the patient.
I continued to expose myself to the medical field and healthcare team while volunteering in the emergency department at the hospital near my university. Once I graduated, I made applying to PA programs my main priority but was unsuccessful in being accepted. Although I was upset, I kept my head held high and began to work on bettering myself in order to become a better candidate. I continued to work full-time as an EMT where I have gained hands on patient care with a wide variety of patients. Through this experience I have been able to learn more about the healthcare team and how they interact within the team, as well as the patients. I have learned the importance of communication, especially between healthcare team members and with your patient, and have enhanced my skill of active listening through constantly obtaining assessments of patients. In addition, being an EMT has provided me the opportunity to learn the importance of patience and compassion, and how those two components can greatly affect the care of patients.
This Spring I was also provided with the opportunity to shadow a PA in orthopaedics and sports medicine. During this experience, I observed the one on one relationship between the PA and the physician and how their roles overlap and differ in this particular setting. The PA demonstrated the same qualities of compassion and knowledge. I saw the genuine relationships the PA made with her existing patients and the comfort she provided to her new admissions. While shadowing, I felt the same sense of belonging I did when I first saw a PA back in the ER years prior, thus enhancing my passion of becoming a PA.
Bei says
If you had to choose a flower to describe your life, what would it be? I would like to think that I am a white rose kissed by the morning dew, beautifully blooming, spoiled and untested by nature. However, I am more like a dandelion that keeps coming back year after year despite harsh winters and weed killers.
After moving to America and learning English at age 11, I made it to high school where I was an honor roll student. As part of our community service I volunteered at the nursing home where my mom was working as a nursing assistant. Through my interactions with the residents, I learned that I was curious and fascinated by the medical field. I became a CNA and started working part time on weekends. I felt like I was the on the “right track” as I knew what I wanted to do with my life before I even went to college. Everything seemed clear and within reach until the day after I graduated from high school and got the phone call that my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage IIIC.
At that time I didn’t understand the significance of her diagnosis. She began chemotherapy treatments after surgical intervention, and by the end of summer, she was in remission and I moved out to start college. Just when I thought I jumped back on track with my life, I received that devastating phone call for the second time – her cancer relapsed. I moved back to Madison as our trips to the hospital became more frequent. As an only child, I oversaw all the transportation, interpreting, and filling out paper works. My grades started to slip at that time and continued to fall until my junior year when I lost my mom to cancer.
For the first time in my life I lost the motivation that drove me to learn a new language, thrive in a completely foreign country, to excel in classes, and fulfill the potential my mother saw in me. Realizing how far I’d fallen and how far I was from my dreams I studied twice as hard to graduate on the Dean’s list during my final semester. I chose dietetics because I found disease prevention through nutrition interesting and it allowed me to work in the medical field like I have always wanted.
National match rate for dietetics program are less than 50% and when I didn’t immediately match to a dietetic internship, I decided to strengthen my application by working as a full-time CNA at a hospital. Although this was not what I wanted to do, I enjoyed working in a hospital and gained hands on patient care experience. I eventually matched when I tried again and became a clinical dietitian in South Florida.
Over the past year and half, I gained clinical care knowledge on top of my patient care experience while managing critical care and intermediate care units. Although I was using my knowledge and skills as a dietitian daily, I keep finding myself curious about patients’ medical management and wishing that I could do more for the patients. I had stayed late at work to research and talking to different doctors and PAs in hope to learn more about difficult procedure and medical interventions. Through these conversations and shadowing PAs, I realized that being a clinical dietitian was no longer enough for me. Being a PA will satisfy my lifelong curiosity for medicine due to its versatility in different areas. I know that the program is intense and competitive. I also understand that my grades are the biggest weakness on my application. I took accelerated courses while working full time to strengthen myself as an applicant. It was difficult, but I had finally learned that medicine is what I am passionate for.
I did not take a straight shot at becoming a dietitian, nor am I taking the direct road to PA school. Life has thrown curveballs at me and I did not always dodge them, but like the resilient dandelions, I kept on working towards my goals. I did not let my losses and failures define me, but I allowed them to mold me into a passionate and determined person and clinician. I have full confidence in myself that I will do well in the physician assistant program. I cannot wait until I become a successful physician assistant and contribute to the medical field.
Jeffry says
I had known Mrs. Calloway for almost two years. I had done several visits with her in my time as a clinical research coordinator at Cardiology Physicians of Fairfield County, and I had never seen her look like this. Her face was red and she was sweating after taking only one flight of stairs and a short walk to the exam room. She told me she felt exhausted, and that occasionally it felt like her heart skipped a beat. An EKG confirmed my suspicions: Mrs. Calloway was in atrial fibrillation. As I rushed around the office, trying to track down a doctor or an NP who was qualified to handle this, I felt a sense of frustration creep over me. If I had started PA school last year, I could already be on my way to being able to help patients like Mrs. Calloway myself, instead of scrambling to find somebody else. As I rounded the corner and caught sight of the NP I renewed my determination that, by this time next year, I would be a PA student.
Having been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in high school, I was introduced to the idea of pursuing a career in the medical field in an unconventional way: as a subject in a clinical trial investigating the effects of exercise on blood glucose in patients using a closed-loop insulin pump system. I met a PA for the first time during that trial, and went on to shadow her several years later. It was her involvement in my care and her compassion for my well-being that led me to consider PA as a career. She worked on a team with several other physicians, but it was she who answered my questions and spent the most time with me, helping me through the difficult time after my diagnosis. I participated in several other studies, and eventually went on to become a clinical research coordinator myself. While I enjoy the work I am doing now, and am especially captivated by the novel treatments we investigate (I worked on a study that led to the approval of an entirely new class of medications used to lower cholesterol), I am not totally fulfilled with my responsibilities. As a researcher, it is my responsibility to observe and record information. However, I realized that I am not content being an observer when I have the ability to do more, to be an active participant in managing my patients’ care. Becoming a PA would allow me to step up and contribute, working alongside the physician rather than looking for one to do what I couldn’t.
I have worked hard over the past year to gain more experience, and have nearly doubled my patient care hours as well as gathered some volunteering experience. Along the way, I have made new acquaintances who have helped me along my path towards becoming a PA and strengthened my resolve to further my education. There is Julian, a bright and respectful sixth grader in the Family and Children’s Association’s afterschool program where I started volunteering. In exchange for teaching him some biology, he taught me a thing or two about how chess is played. There is Mr. Diaz, a young man who came to Americares Free Clinic for help with his ulcerative colitis. I had just started volunteering there and was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of his warm smile and gratitude for receiving the treatment he needed. I even met a PA in the ED at Stamford Hospital where I was receiving treatment of my own. He stitched me up (quite literally), but more importantly, kept me in stitches the whole time with his jokes and humorous attitude. He reinforced my belief that quality care doesn’t just refer to the quality of the treatment, but the quality of your interaction with the patient. Each of these experiences have given me more insight into the type of PA I one day hope to be: one who educates his patients as much as they educate him, who earns their smiles and gratitude, and who puts them at ease, even in difficult or frightening situations. Most importantly, I want to be a PA who has the ability and knowledge to make my patients feel better, in every sense.
It is a PA’s responsibility to educate their patients, volunteer their time and effort to improve the community around them, and work as part of a team to provide the highest quality care. Through my time tutoring students I have helped to educate them the way a PA educates their patients. Through my time volunteering at the clinic I have tried pay back the community that has given me so much. Through my job I have worked on a team with my fellow researchers to provide the evidence needed to approve life-saving medications and procedures. I have now set my sights on becoming a member of a team who improves the lives of their patients not only by using those same medications and procedures, but by taking the time to listen to and understand my patients and their goals, as a truly great PA does. Whether they be a research patient suffering an arrhythmia, or a young boy recently diagnosed with a chronic illness, as a PA I know that I will have the power to change their lives for the better.
Gabriela Jovanovic says
It’s simple physics; every action has an equal and opposite reaction. My love for medicine is a reaction that stems from one moment, one action. A moment that, at the young age of fifteen years old, would change the way I lived my life and how I would discover the medical field. In the summer of 2009, I was involved in a horseback riding accident that shattered my pelvis. I spent a few days in traction before I underwent extensive surgery. After months of exhausting therapy, I was finally able to walk again. My appreciation for the human body began after my accident, but my love for medicine originates from the impeccable example set by my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mehta, and his medical team.
Striving to gain more from this medical practice, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to shadow Dr. Mehta and his team at Penn Medicine in the summer of 2015. Here, I realized that my interests were in the critical thinking and diagnostic aspects of medicine. My days in the clinic consisted of eagerly studying various fracture X-rays and observing several surgeries in awe. Additionally, I had met and shadowed my first PA, Katie. I noticed immediately how passionate she was about her profession and patients, just as I had witnessed previously with Dr. Mehta. In a hectic clinic, where the doctors couldn’t spend more than 15 minutes with a patient, I was most captivated by the amount of time she spent educating and treating each patient, allowing them to become comfortable with approaching her for medical advice.
After the encounter with Katie, I was drawn to the PA profession. They have the freedom to choose and change specialties, freedom that appealed to me. Trained as a generalist, rather than a specialist, PAs have experience in several fields of medicine and the ability to perform surgery. Diversity of knowledge in a variety of different fields leads one to be a more holistic healthcare provider. PA is a profession where stagnation is not an option and a passion for lifelong learning is a must.
Although the grades I earned my first year as an undergraduate were low, I learned a very hard, however necessary, lesson that year. My time management skills were not quite perfected and I had yet to find the studying techniques that allowed me to excel in my harder science courses, primarily in that first semester. Yearning to reach my fullest potential, I cracked down on myself the following semesters. In my junior and senior year, I earned my best grades in college and a GPA that was competitive for PA school.
I also challenged myself outside the classroom developing as a leader on campus by becoming a Resident Assistant for freshman. Assisting them in their transition to college was great leadership experience and I can relate this experience to the fact that in healthcare it’s not always about what you can do the patient but rather for the patient. I became a volunteer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, washing patient’s hair on long-term care units where this “luxury” can be often be neglected. I once had a woman cry while I washed her hair as she told me that this was the first time in months she felt like a human being again and not just “the patient in room 313”. I remembered just how wonderful taking my first shower was when I got out of the hospital, so I was ecstatic to make someone else feel that refreshed. My actions as a volunteer had created a reaction in this woman that left me feeling so rewarded that I knew I needed to pursue a career that left me feeling more rewarded every day.
PAs hold an important role in advocating for their patients. Working closely with underserved and underrepresented populations in healthcare has always been a priority of mine. When I began working as a direct care professional at Quality Management Associates, a home for the intellectually and developmentally disabled, I learned just how integral education and communication was in patient safety. When administering Prednisone to one of the patients, a 45-year-old man with mental retardation and multiple sclerosis, it was important that I built a rapport with him so that he trusted me as well as speak in concrete terms so that my request was completely understood. Explaining to him, simply, that the medication was going to alleviate the pain he was feeling in his back, he immediately took it. By focusing on education, rather than just forcing our patients to take the pills set in front of them, I’ve successfully built a better patient relationship.
My desire to become a Physician Assistant has been a long, yet rewarding journey. The riding accident, once believed to be the worst day of my life turned out to be the best thing that happened to me. But walking out of clinic after speaking with Katie that very first day, I knew this was the career I envisioned for myself. The application of analytical thinking and the compassion observed in every PA I’ve shadowed solidifies that my future is in medicine and that I aspire to be a PA. I have worked hard to gain health care experience, quality hands-on patient care, and leadership experiences. My improvement in junior and senior year highlight my ability to improve upon my work habits and show that I can handle the rigor of PA school. I look forward to one day setting an example for an aspiring medical professional to become a Physician Assistant. I wish to help treat patients with empathy and concern but also through a strong academic foundation, one that I know I can receive through your Physician Assistant program.
Leia says
This is a rough draft. I would greatly appreciate any feedback to see if I’m heading in the right direction. Thank you!
“You can always be a medical assistant forever.” His parting words slowly shook the complacency out of me. Had that comment been made two years prior my reaction would have been completely different – one that stemmed from contentment. Yes, I could be a medical assistant forever, and I would have been fine with that. Unbeknownst to Dr. Smith, he in part had planted a seed. During the time that I worked at his office the seed sprouted and grew timidly at first. With every new learning experience thereafter it began to grow more steady. It branched out as I became more confident in my skills and knowledge. Eager to contribute more but lacking the proper nourishment, the buds of this seedling became latent. Until my last day there, those sincerely spoken words spurred an urge for those buds to bloom.
The person who provided the seed was a physician assistant I met at a job interview. Polly and I immediately clicked upon her noticing that we graduated college the same year. Her positive energy was infectious, and she conversed with me in an upbeat and self-assured manner. I could tell how her demeanor can put an anxious patient at ease. She remarked on my journalism degree and asked how I ended up in health care. I explained that from early childhood, I had an inclination for writing and science. Throughout high school, I explored both interests and leaned toward the path of an aspiring physician. Being the first member of my family to attend college, I lacked direction and guidance. Though ultimately I decided not to pursue medical school due to the extensive financial and time commitment, my path permanently paved toward health care. After informing Polly that I desired more hands-on experience with patients, she stated that I should become a PA. She said this with such conviction, the notion was firmly implanted in my head. Her enthusiasm and certitude in the PA profession left me something to consider.
While working as a medical assistant at SoCal Dermatology, Dr. Smith entrusted me with a wide breadth of clinical responsibilities. I enjoyed working as a team because it meant our patients received the most effective care. My favorite independent duty involved administering local anesthetic because it provided the most intimate interaction I could have with our patients. I realized that sometimes it’s not so much the verbal reassurance, but a gentle touch that patients respond positively to. Such as the time when Carmen came in with her husband. Just several months earlier they had celebrated the birth of their third child. But they also received the devastating news that she had metastatic adenocarcinoma. Large tender nodules started appearing on her skin. She wanted them removed to help alleviate the discomfort. Injecting her with numbing medication, I had to fight back tears. She looked so frail and was already in pain from the spreading cancer. I paused frequently to give her breaks, placing my free hand on her shoulder. She nodded when she was ready. No words were exchanged. She managed to smile at me when we were done. We learned that she passed away not long after. I wished that I could have been more helpful. But I realized that I offered her comfort and emotional support in the time I spent with her. The doctor walked in, shaved off the lesion, offered his condolences, and went to see his next patient. As a PA, I would be able to spend that quality time with my patients. I want to be the one holding the scalpel and my patient’s hand.
The inner workings of the human body intrigue me to no end. The immensity of it, rather than intimidate, excites me because it simply means that I can continue learning indefinitely. Though juggling work, well-being and classes had been brutal at times, the few times I faltered, I always got back up. This seedling is on the verge of blooming. It would be a privilege to undergo the rigorous training of a PA. I am confident that my studious nature, fine attention to detail, and persistence would see me through. Only then would my transformation into a full-fledged flower be complete.
Alyssa says
When I started college, my career goals were to work in a laboratory. The courses were challenging, and I thoroughly enjoyed my biology, mathematics, and anatomy courses. I always looked forward to the laboratories because of the meticulousness and critical-thinking that is required in a laboratory. As the semesters passed, I began to find myself asking: How do I recognize a disease? How do you get it? How do I treat it?
To begin to answer those questions, I specialized my Biomedical Science degree to concentrate on Medical Microbiology. One of my favorite courses was an infectious diseases course that taught me the importance of getting a thorough patient history as well as having a comprehensive knowledge about disease transmission and pathogenesis. A course in molecular diagnostics has exposed me to the ever-changing techniques used to diagnose infectious and genetic diseases.
The fall semester of my junior year, my mom’s battle with stage III colon cancer took a turn for the worse. I was working two jobs to support myself financially through college and combination of stress about my mom’s well-being and from my jobs had an impact on my academics. Her illness helped me come to the realization that I want to be involved with evaluation and management of patients. I enjoy working as a team, meeting new people, and learning new things, which introduced me to a career as a physician assistant. To reach my new career goal, I became a different student in the spring semester of junior year. I began to apply every class I was taking to each other, as opposed to compartmentalizing them. Doing this made excel my senior year and go the extra mile.
Since last the application cycle, I have been becoming more involved with patient care. I worked as a phlebotomist for the American Red Cross. I participated in the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive, where we collected over 2,000 units of blood in two days for patient’s in need. Additionally, I earned my EMT-Basic license, and currently work as a medical assistant and Mohs technician at a dermatology practice. As a medical assistant, I work with patients everyday by obtaining histories and chief complaints, wound care, suture removals, and assisting with medications.
Working with a physician assistant has helped me see the minutiae of this career path and the working relationship between the physician assistant and the supervising physician. One of my first experiences of this was when a patient came in to see our physician assistant for hyperhidrosis. The patient was in his early 30’s, and had been suffering from hyperhidrosis. The patient had previously received Botox injections in his axillae to relieve his symptoms, but it was not very effective. After taking time talking with the patient about his daily routine and researching for treatment alternatives with a physician, the physician assistant prescribed the patient Oxybutynin. The medication worked so well, the patient came to his follow-up beaming and said, “I now sweat like a normal person at the gym!” The symbiotic relationship between the physician assistant and the physician made a huge impact on this patient’s daily life, and is one of the many aspects that draw my interest in being a physician assistant.
Another desirable feature of the profession is being able to change specialties. I have an interest in emergency medicine, primary care, and dermatology as well. There are many specialties, and having flexibility to try something new is ideal for me. Through EMT training, my patient’s will benefit from my situational awareness. From my life experiences, I can relate to my patient’s in a personal way. The attention to detail I developed through my hobby of calligraphy, and academic curiosity will allow me to provide the quality care expected of a physician assistant and the care every patient deserves.
Alyssa says
There are so many typos there ^^. Sorry!
Alexa says
As the Community Service and Civic Engagement Chair for the pre-health organization on campus, I was responsible for the training and orientation of prospective volunteers for work in a healthcare setting. In my responsibility of providing these students with a crash-course on hand hygiene, I wanted to design a lesson that would connect our role as volunteers to the importance of infection control. I asked the students to write a list of everything they touch on an average day from the time they wake through the time they go to sleep. This comprehensive list included everything from door knobs, to a cell phone, a friend’s hand, a pen, a fork, food, a computer, to a toothbrush, and the list goes on. With this list, I was able to drive home the concept of the unconscious spread of germs from the objects we touch and the importance of preventing the spread of these germs to the patients we care for. Even more importantly, however, I asked the students to consider metaphorically how we touch the lives of patients and patient families on a daily basis. In describing a few personal patient encounters, I was able to illustrate to the other volunteers how a simple touch, including anything from an encouraging pat-on-the-back to a gentle hand-hold, could have a profound impact on a patient’s experience. For me, these are the experiences that continuously provide the motivation and momentum towards my career in healthcare.
Throughout my early education, I explored a number of careers, including psychology, biomedical research, nursing, social work, and teaching. Half-way through my college career, I was introduced to my dream job. A career that would include all of the most fulfilling and rewarding aspects of each of the careers that I had previously explored. As an intern at a family services center, I was involved in the organization of monthly community health events. For one particular event, the center invited a bilingual pediatric physician assistant (PA) to speak to parents in the community and answer any family health related questions. Following her question and answer session, I spoke with her to learn more about her career. With additional research, career exploration, and shadowing, I have been introduced to the many roles of a PA. Throughout these experiences, I have learned that PAs have the capacity to provide the scientific background and medical knowledge of a scientist, the direct patient care and compassion of a nurse, the guidance, advocacy, and empathy of a social worker, and the influence and leadership of a teacher. With each of these attributes only touching the surface of the many roles of a PA, I can say without hesitation that I have found my niche in the medical field.
As community service and civic outreach have always been an integral part of my life, some of the most reverential memories from my childhood remain as glimpses serving meals at a local homeless shelter with my dad. Although my father struggled with mental vulnerabilities and substance abuse disorder, he always found great contentment and gratification in his time helping others. Inspired by my dad’s sentiment for caring for those less fortunate despite his own circumstance, I have made community service a central aspect of my own experience, considering each volunteer opportunity as a chance to cultivate an understanding of socio-cultural, demographic and economic differences, and the specific effects of these differences on overall health and wellness. As a period of grieving following my father’s suicide became evident on my transcripts, resulting in a low chemistry grade and withdrawal from the Bonner Leaders program, I have taken great comfort in knowing that my dad has helped to provide me with the foundation to become a thoughtful and responsible civic leader in the community with a broader perspective on mental health and well-being.
The values and attributes that I have acquired through community service have not only been reinforced in my patient care work as a Resident Care Technician and a Clinical Research Coordinator, but they have been deeply embedded within my character providing me with a broader perspective and the necessary insight into health disparities. Witnessing these inequalities first-hand has provided me with the drive to pursue a more active role in community health and care for at-risk, underserved, or disadvantaged populations. I am confident that my experiences throughout my education have led me to the career that will allow me to continue to develop my passion of civic mindedness in the medical field as a competent and compassionate leader at the forefront of patient care.
Without hesitation, I can envision myself as a member of the medical community as a student, classmate, and future healthcare provider. The insight I have gained since the previous application cycle has allowed me to again recognize the rigor of the PA curriculum and my ceaseless dedication to this life-long academic pursuit. My enrollment in the continuing education program at Thomas Jefferson University has enabled me to continue to strengthen my academic proficiency in Masters level science courses and to provide me with the necessary competencies in order to ensure a seamless academic transition.
Jaclyn says
It is the year 2009 and it had been one crazy Monday morning. One of those where the calm before the storm never happened as you hit the ground running. As the lead surgical technologist, I had been training that day and my trainee was preparing for our emergent irrigation and drainage of a hematoma. This was her third irrigation and drainage for a brain bleed to date, and I had the utmost confidence in her abilities to carry out what I had so meticulously trained her for. It was not long after completing the prep table that we received word that the patient was being wheeled back to the operating room and that there was suspicion of brain herniation. This meant that we needed to ensure that we were not only ready, but swift and able to assist with draining the bleed as quickly and safely as possible. As the patient rolled in the room, I quickly noticed that our physician assistant (PA) had not yet arrived, so it became imminent that I scrub in as well to act as first assist. Nearly 10 years have gone by since that day my role in the patient care setting looks quite different now.
Sitting in our neonatal intensive care unit faced with a terrified mother who was devastated that her intrauterine growth restricted infant needed additional nutrition beyond what her breast milk could provide, I had to tap into my counseling skills to protect this mother’s fragile state and ultimately ensure my patient, the infant, received optimum care. The physician had already discussed the risks and benefits of using human milk fortifier (HMF) to boost the mother’s nutrient rich breast milk, but the she was so devastated it was difficult for her to see past the crashing of her birthing plan. In rounds I had learned that the mother had continued to refuse consent for us to provide the HMF to her infant for the previous 4 days and they needed to pull out the big guns, me. After thorough collaboration with out neonatologist and charge nurse I was able to gather all essential information to assist with getting the mother to buy in to her infant’s much needed care. I was able to lean on my training as an registered dietitian (RD) in order to counsel the mother and guide her thinking towards what was most important to her, the health of her baby. After our lengthy discussion, the mother became calm, collected and more relieved about the use of HMF in her infant’s care.
Working in the hospital and outpatient settings over the years as both a surgical technologist and RD, I have illustrated great discipline and developed the true submission it takes to put others’ lives ahead of your own. While the above stories are just a few examples of my beneficence, I can not help but recognize what more I could be doing for my patients on a daily basis. Presently having the privilege of serving patients during multidisciplinary rounds as an RD, I am able to observe the integral skills in caring for patients that a physician assistant (PA) holds as well as the diversity in which they are able to provide care. As a PA with a RD and surgical technology background I would be abundantly capable of ensuring my patients received the best care possible combining my knowledge of medicine, surgery and nutrition ultimately resulting in improved patient outcomes.
The resolve to push on and never give up is one of my greatest strengths. This strength is demonstrated by my abilities to complete over 14 years of rigorous coursework to achieve the titles of surgical technologist and registered dietitian. The long and bumpy road I chose was not without its bumps and bruises although it did lead to some of my most intriguing learning experiences. My grades while not exceptional in the early years of my academic career, have dramatically improved by the growth in my maturity and resolve to persevere as demonstrated by their exponential increase over the years. There is no hiding that my journey to becoming physician assistant has been a long and hard road, but I do not regret the path that led me here and can only be thankful for the experiences that I have had to deliver me. I am aware that completing PA school will be one of the more challenging tasks in my life to date. I also know that I am more than capable of meeting and exceeding the expectations of an exceptional student and future physician assistant.
Khusbu Patel says
I have been struggling to try to perfect my essay, but I just seem to be at lost. It would be greatly appreciated if you give me some feedback. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
“Oh Bhagwan”,“Oh god” are the words I heard as a little girl and continue to hear every time I see someone in pain. An eleven-year-old just witnessed her grandma get struck by a large cattle right before she was ready to nurse it. The pain she had exhibited in that moment I could vicariously feel through her agonizing body language and trembling hands. The whole incident was a complete blur and what I had to do in that moment had seemed to been lost; I felt hopeless. The one person that supported my childhood became partially immobilized. From that day forward, I knew I had lost a part of her. She was not the same after enduring that daunting burden and my chance of continuing to make new memories with her was taken away.
Ever since that incident, I have continued to search for another chance to feel close to her, eagerly waiting to find some resemblance of her in every new memory I make and I wish to find it each day, as the product of my life and of my career. Being born into an Indian family comes with its own expectations and not having a mother figure growing up, my grandma had always been that “friend” a girl finds in her mother. Before she passed, she told me to find something in life that fills my soul with happiness, not the ego of others. This was the last thing she told me that was ingrained in my mind and it wasn’t until my senior year of college that I found my calling.
“Is anyone there”? “Can someone get me out of here”? Screaming for help with every bit of breath she had left in her. The collision was something the team I worked with had never experienced before and we knew immediately that we needed fire extrication. It is required under EMT protocol to keep away from the scene until it has been declared safe to approach, but I could see my patient having respiratory distress. Ignoring my partner’s sentences, in that moment, I knew that I had to disregard the rules, give my injured victim high flow oxygen, and get her to the hospital. One of the reasons why I think I was so quick to break the rules was because seeing the discomfort she was in, it brought back memories of my childhood when I was desperate to help my grandma; I surely did not want to relive that moment. I stayed back with Jane since it was my last call before my shift ended. She became very fond of me because I was tall like her granddaughter. I did not have the heart to leave her so I waited with her until a family member arrived.
It was during this time as an EMT that solidified my desire to become a Physician Assistant. Working with the ambulance was a life changing experience, but I knew I craved a wider scope of practice; yearning to be involved in the treatment plans of patients rather than merely following orders. I was interested in the diagnostics and analytical aspects of medicine, I wanted to sit down with my patients, understand them and their problems, create a bond with them that many other healthcare professions simply just don’t have the time for. I want to build a broader foundation of knowledge and be able to have evidence-based approaches to caring for my patients. So, I knew that becoming a physician assistant was the answer.
The barriers I have had to overcome throughout my undergraduate career have shaped me into the self- reliant young woman I am today and the confident, compassionate PA I will be in the future. The time I’ve spent in school, volunteering, and on the ambulance helping my community has taught me immeasurable lessons about persevering through the hardships and being courageous through all of the life’s obstacles. It has allowed me to regain a piece of my grandma in every new memory I make with my patients. Similar to how I leaped out of the ambulance to attend the car crash victim; I plan to leap into the PA career knowing without a doubt that it is my calling.
Caleb Miller says
Hi my name is Caleb this is my rough draft any help would be greatly appreciated thank you.
It is hard to explain how certain moments in our lives shape us ultimately leading us to decisions that we make in life. Which day is more important than another? What experience is more valuable, holding a greater significance compared to others? Is it holding open a door for an elderly woman as she enters a store? Or donating blood for the local Red Cross? Or is it simply asking someone how their day was? Everyday we are granted a new set of challenges that present us with opportunities providing countless choices. It is these choices that we make that mold us into whatever it is we are to become; each one contributing its own importance in our lives.
It was like any other day for me at the time heading to class early in the morning but this day would be one that changed my life forever. As I sat in my human anatomy and physiology lab I couldn’t help but check my phone. My mom had texted me and without hesitation I checked it only to receive the worst news of my life. The text read: your dad has cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma, on his tongue. My heart sank in the pit of my stomach, struggling to find my breath I sat there stunned like a deer in the headlights. I couldn’t believe that someone in my family had cancer, you hear of people having it all the time but never suspect that it could happen to those close to you. The next few days were filled with disbelief as we found out the plan of action and the necessary treatments in order to rid my father of this. He eventually became cleared after a single treatment of radiation tubes placed in his mouth and surgical removal of the spot on his tongue. It wasn’t longer than a few months our worst fears had now become reality.
After a check up with his oncologist they revealed that my dads cancer had persisted, although it had not spread this was a devastating blow to not only my father but to me as well. This time around the treatments would be far more taxing and intense. He went through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, where he eventually had to get a feeding tube placed into his abdomen because he could no longer consume food regularly. My dad had become so weak that normal tasks to some became a struggle for him. It became clear to me one afternoon when I was with him, handling his care for the better part of the day. I felt a strong calling after a bout of getting my father to the bathroom. It was afterwards when I administered his medication through his gastrointestinal tube that ultimately led to his pain dissipating that I realized I wanted to provide care for others. It was this defining moment in which I decided I would become a healthcare provider.
I didn’t know at that exact moment I wanted to be a physicians assistant but it would be a considerable contributor to eventually coming to that realization. I had another experience along the way furthering my strive for a life as a healthcare provider. I was studying at the University of Bradley and it was during a lab for comparative animal anatomy and physiology. Only a select few students were to perform nephrectomies on juvenile Fischer rats for this particular lab. I was luckily one of those students, and as we began I had never felt so exhilarated in my life. I ended up performing this procedure on six of the rats, and followed their progress post operation, all of which lived. After that day I was determined to become a surgical physicians assistant. Since that time I have had countless experiences that have only further cemented this goal. Now I may not pursue becoming a surgical physicians assistant any longer but instead practice in another field. That is what is so appealing about the PA profession; that one is able to transition from one specialty to another without the hassle of going through residency while also being able to do diagnostic work that leads to a plan of care for individuals unlike what nurses are able to provide.
There are many other facets to the PA profession that fit my skills and personality. For instance I work well and tend to do my best work when part of a team. For a little over a year now I have been apart of a team at Saint Francis Medical Center where I work in the lab. I am called on to do many tasks one of which includes delivering blood. During this process I have had to work not only with my staff in the lab but with various others throughout the hospital from nurses to doctors. These interactions have given me a foundation of what is expected as a healthcare provider.
Although my grades are not where I would have liked them to be, from my freshman year to the year I graduated they improved. I understand there may be applicants that have better scores or GPAs than myself. However, with that being said, I will do anything and everything that it takes to fulfill my dream. For it is through the myriad of experiences that have shaped my life that I believe I was meant to be a physicians assistant.
Leslie says
Please give me some comments/feedbacks. Thank you!
Water dripped down David’s skin, while the smell of shampoo gently permeated the dimly lighted room. I thoroughly wiped down his body with a warm washcloth, making sure not to leave a spot behind. David was a long-term nursing home resident who had been paralyzed due to a stroke. To me, he was more than a body to take care of; the photos hanging on the wooden board above David’s head revealed a more nuanced backstory. My eyes roamed over pictures of him hugging Donald Duck with his beautiful family in Disneyland. As I softly wiped saliva from David’s intubated mouth, I saw a shadow of a man he once was. At that moment, I wished to free David’s soul back to his loved ones. However, I was only a nursing assistant student, and a sense of helpless urgency struck me. I began to wonder whether I could spend my entire life bearing witness to the suffering of patients who cannot be cured by modern medicine.
As I continued to explore my passion for healthcare by working as an ophthalmic technician, the endless encouragement from my coworkers during my training period showed me the powerful support system in the healthcare field. One of the tasks I practiced was measuring ocular pressure, which required me to press my coworker’s cornea with an applanation tonometer. If done incorrectly, this process could lead to vision impairment. However, all of my coworkers volunteered to be my test patients without hesitation. In the beginning, I was nervous and my hands shook when I pushed the tonometer toward my coworkers’ eyes, but they never lost faith in me. Instead, they continued to encourage me and give me tips to measure the pressure. The continuous support from my coworkers empowered me to overcome my fear and mastered the skill. In the same way, I have begun to appreciate the joys of helping others to achieve their goals. Being a part of a new recruit’s training process and seeing her eyes light up after I showed her the optic nerve on an ocular scan, I feel proud to be a part of the healthcare support system. Therefore, even though there will always be patients, like David, who invoke in me a sense of helplessness, I am confident that, as a PA, I will have a team of dedicated healthcare professionals who inspire each other to continuously improve ourselves and defeat illnesses together.
In addition to the strong support system, the intricate biological processes in a human body have always attracted me to medicine. In order to fulfill my desire to learn more about human physiology, I participated in Liang-Yo Yang’s research lab in Taipei Medical University that focused on the mechanisms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I explored whether TBI would activate the mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates cell growth and proliferation, and increase the expression of RANTES, a T-cell marker that recruits leukocytes to sites of inflammation. To address my hypothesis, I measured the RANTES and mTOR levels of mice exposed to brain concussions intended to replicate TBI. Although it was discouraging the results from western blots were often inconclusive, I reexamined the experimental protocols, searched for possible flaws, and repeated the experiments until they yielded useful results. Through this research project, I learned how to think like a scientist and troubleshoot experiments. I also realized the significance of perseverance to solve unanswered questions in medicine through countless times of trials and errors. As a PA, I aim to utilize the mindset and persistence I gained from research to fully understand the physiology that is responsible for patients’ diseases and provide effective treatments to alleviate their sufferings.
Even though my enthusiasm toward teamwork and scientific research spark my desire to join the healthcare field, it is my experience of shadowing Adrienne PA-C that solidified my decision to pursue PA as my career. After shadowing Adrienne five times, I realized that PAs serve not only as health providers, but also as friends and supporters of their patients. When a twenty years old patient shyly admitted her unexpected pregnancy in the exam room, Adrienne approached her as a friend. Adrienne sat beside the patient and asked if she had discussed the situation with her parents. Adrienne then explained to th the patient her options regarding the pregnancy. From the patient’s successive nodding and the gradual relaxation of her originally tensed body, I knew that Adrienne gained the patient’s trust, a necessary component for a patient who was making possibly the most daunting decisions in her life. Watching the interactions between Adrienne and her patient, I aspire to become a PA like Adrienne who knows her patients personally and supports them through their journeys to recovery, not only medically, but also emotionally.
Shadowing Adrienne in Los Angeles Christian Health Center, which gears toward patients from low-income families, I also witnessed the limited medical resources available to underprivileged communities. There were countless times when I would watch Adrienne desperately scrolling through various Excel sheets to find a medicine that was covered by her patients’ minimal insurance coverage. This scene led me realized the need for healthcare reforms to bring additional medical resources to disadvantaged communities. In addition to the realization of limited medical resources, my volunteer experience at Venice Family Common Ground Clinic showed me the immense influence of helping the underserved communities.
Spending four hours of my free time each week to teach the homeless clients in the clinic about HIV prevention with self-designed brochures, I empowered them with the knowledge to protect themselves. As the clients told me that they share the brochures with their friends, I saw a rippling effect of increasing homeless communities being exposed to information about HIV. During monthly clinic tea party, when clients described what they learned and how the clinic improved their lives from living on a street to having a shelter, their appreciation showed me and other clinic staffs that our efforts made a difference. Clinking my teacup with that of the clients, I was even more motivated to educate and help the people in need. From this experience, I have come to understand the effects I can bring to homeless communities. To me, they are not hopeless as commonly perceived; instead they just need a chance to fight for their future. Their desires to learn and improve inspire me to become a PA with the mission to serve underprivileged communities.
As I continued to spend more time with David, my feelings of uncertainty began to fade away. Every twitch of his fingers and subtle quirk of a smile were indicators that David was still struggling to survive. In the years since I spent my early mornings with David, I have come to appreciate how the different components of healthcare come together to improve a patient’s quality of life. With teamwork, my peers and I can provide more effective patient care and extend our help to disadvantaged communities. And, by utilizing my background in research, I plan to provide with my patients the most up to date advances in medicine. Moments of helplessness are inevitably part of medicine, but my goal will always be to transform that despair into hope.
Helen L Rose says
Would you mind critique this very rough essay:
I’ve always wanted a career in health care. I find the field very interesting, being able to help people in their time of need is a satisfying feeling. I have worked in the medical field for over the last 10 years, I worked as a certified nursing assistance & a physical therapy assistant where I had direct patient care contact & was able to see firsthand how medicine & compassion helps people heal. I also worked as an administrative assistant in a hospital setting, which allowed me to see the ‘behind the scenes’ process of healthcare. Currently I work as a medical assistant in a private practice, which has provided me with direct experience with working with a physician & being to see firsthand the interaction between patients & the process involved in practicing medicine.
I have experienced firsthand the power of compassion, patience & understanding which I believe are pivotal characteristics in being a physician assistant. My boyfriend is an Iraqi veteran who has liver failure due to an injury he sustained during his active duty in the Army. During his recurrent hospitalizations for recurrent cholangitis due to liver disease I have learned to put myself in his shoes & feel the pain, stress & worry of the disease that he has to deal with on a daily basis. The patience I’ve learned to have with him to empathize with his disease & his daily struggle with the disease. I appreciate his strength & courage he has to remain positive, upbeat & strong through his ordeal. I have gained a better understanding of his disease by researching & investigating it which I believe has helped me having a better appreciation & empathy for people.
I also had a chance to shadow a physician in an emergency room setting, it gave me great perspective on the role of a physician assistant. The P.A. I shadowed had 20 years’ experience & was willing to answer any & all questions I had. I appreciate the role of a PA after this experience, he took the time to listen to the patient’s complaints & concerns, explained the steps involved in their care & made them feel comfortable & at ease with the experience in the emergency room. I felt like he had a calming spirit that made the patient feel at ease.
I believe I’m capable of becoming a physician assistant because I feel like I’m a focused & goal oriented individual. While in undergraduate I wasn’t your traditional student, I was older than most students, was working full time & was self-financing my education. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree at 32 years old & became the first person in my family to do so. Secondly, being able to focus on my studies & work full time while commuting to school every day was a very exhausting experience but that was my goal & I remained focused until I met it. Also, having the stress of having to financially navigate my education along the way has helped me become a stronger individual.
I have always enjoyed helping people, my current job allows me to appreciate the patient interaction in regards to gaining their trust & making them feel comfortable with their care. To let them know you genuinely care about their health & wellbeing as a person, which I believe is an important characteristic for a physician assistant to have.
Josephine M says
Thank you if you get the chance to review my essay. Any advice or critique will help.
The first time I met a physician assistant, let alone heard about the profession, was at my doctor’s office. The doctor was running behind, and the receptionist asked if I would see the physician assistant instead. After waiting impatiently, I accepted the offer, walked in for a routine checkup, and met Physician Assistant Margaret. Throughout the appointment, I was surprised at how thorough Margaret was going through my medical history, concerns, and physical examination. I was especially impressed when she spent time consulting with me about the different types of medications that not only met my needs but were covered by my insurance and were low-cost. After what was the most comprehensive medical appointment I had ever experienced, I walked out of the office vowing to myself that as a health care provider in the future, I would treat all my patients with the same level of compassion, concern, and consideration that Margaret had shown me. From that day forward, I would happily accept anytime I was offered the chance to see a physician assistant, knowing that I would receive unrushed and excellent treatment. I became more hopeful that cost-effective and comprehensive care can still be provided for all people in our changing healthcare system, and I knew I could be apart of that movement by becoming a physician assistant.
My interest in medicine and health science grew as I attended Stanford University and took courses in cancer and disease epidemiology, women’s health, and human developmental biology. In addition, after taking courses on healthcare policies, I learned how important primary care providers are in increasing access to essential healthcare and preventive services to underserved populations. I was able to witness these lessons in real life as a volunteer at Arbor Free Clinic, which catered to the uninsured population in Palo Alto. As a referral coordinator, I worked with the physicians to counsel patients on low cost resources where they can receive further treatments, long-term healthcare providers, and other medical services. In doing so, I became familiar with common healthcare problems that many people face, and developed the skills needed to counsel and educate patients in a respectful and compassionate manner. These lessons showed me how essential primary care providers are and how rewarding it can be for those who practice it.
My aspiration to become a physician assistant was strengthened through my work as a clinical research coordinator at the Diabetes Research Center. At the clinic, I have learned invaluable knowledge about how drugs are researched, regulated, and marketed to patients. I’ve also become familiar with diabetes type I and II, diabetic treatments, and the lifestyle diabetic patients face. It became evident that through counseling, monitoring, and education, health care providers are essential in tackling the rise in diabetes among our current and future generations. As a physician assistant, I will be the initial step for these patients to either prevent or treat their diabetes. In addition, because all staff members at the clinic work together in conducting the research, treating the patients, and tackling challenges, I have learned just how much I enjoy and thrive in a team-like setting. I want to become a physician assistant because I will be able to work both independently and operate in a team-like setting under the guidance and mentorship of a practicing physician. Furthermore, after speaking with multiple physician assistants, I believe that the ideology, career flexibility, daily responsibilities, and life style of a physician assistant closely aligns with what I want from my career and life overall.
Above all things, I strive to become a physician assistant because I truly love working with patients and witnessing their health progress. As a clinical research coordinator, I follow a patient’s treatment from four months to a year, often seeing them once a month. Regardless if the patient receives the investigational medication, the patient will often improve their overall health by the end of the study due to our monitoring of their health and encouragement to have them take accountability for their diabetes. Hearing that a patient has improved their hemoglobin a1C is now music to my ears. I take great joy in taking complex medical concepts and putting into terms that the patients can understand and apply to their own health treatment. The most rewarding part of my experience has been the relationships I have developed with the patients. Beyond the protocol and procedures, I have the privilege to learn about the patient’s story, life experiences, and challenges. As a result, I have learned how to develop a rapport, counsel, and connect with patients. These relationships and interactions are why I happily wake up for work everyday and the main reason why I am passionate about becoming a physician assistant.
Caitlyn Duran says
Hello,
My name is Caitlyn and I am a reapplicant this year. I am using a completely different statement from last year because I know that programs will have access to my old application. Is this a good idea? I figured it might appear better than simply editing my old one. I would really appreciate your feedback on my essay. Thanks so much for doing this!
A nurse peeked through the door – “Okay come on back John.” I looked up at my fiancé as he shuffled toward the door in pain. Months ago a dermatologist had diagnosed him with Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a skin condition that resulted in chronic flares and remissions of painful cysts all over the body. This time it was on his tailbone.
As we waited in the exam room, I already had a scenario in mind: the doctor would come in, look at the cyst briefly, state that we’d have to drain it, and leave to prepare all within a couple of minutes. However what happened next didn’t fit my script. After the nurse left, a smiling young man came in and introduced himself as Todd, a physician assistant (PA). He was surprisingly familiar with the obscure disease, and inquired about John’s history and even his frustrations as he examined the cyst. He did decide that it needed to be drained, and remained patient and empathetic during the procedure, attempting to ease John’s anger and anxiety. When the ordeal was over Todd stayed warm and friendly as he gave us our discharge instructions and wished us on our way. We both thanked him, grateful for his compassion.
That was my first encounter with a PA, and it left me fascinated. I’d known since middle school that I wanted to work in medicine, but I had never decided which career to pursue. Several months of research, shadowing and interviews later, I knew that becoming a PA was the perfect fit for me.
I believe the quality of patient care is substantially elevated when delivered by an effective healthcare team rather than an individual, which is what makes the physician-physician assistant model brilliant. I’m very intrigued by how PAs can achieve an advanced level of autonomy and even oversee their own set of patients, but still refer to a supervising physician for help with complex cases; this is the ideal balance of autonomy and assistance. Yet perhaps the most attractive aspect of the profession is the ability to work in different fields throughout one’s career. I have never liked the idea of being limited to one area of medicine, and I would love to become proficient in several specialties throughout my life.
Since deciding on a PA career, I have poured all of my energy into preparing for school. This entailed achieving the typical high GPA and entrance exam scores, while scooping up as many advanced classes, research projects, and conferences as possible. However despite all of that effort, when I graduated college I felt unprepared for the next step. I knew that what I was lacking was experience with patients – interacting, talking, comforting, understanding – I needed to feel what it was like to work with people in real life. Luckily I found this opportunity in becoming a certified phlebotomist, where I get to deal with patients in every department of the hospital. In a single shift I might work with a routine outpatient, a nervous surgery patient, a sick child in the ER, a new mother in the maternity ward, even a dying patient in ICU. Not only has my job required me to become a good phlebotomist, but I’ve had to become good at communicating with people in distress so that they will allow me to perform an important yet uncomfortable procedure.
When I applied last year I was proud to have some clinical experience under my belt, but I did know that it certainly was not much, only about 6 months. I also realized that in my obsession to ace every class throughout college I had fallen extremely short in giving back to my community. Therefore when I began planning for how to go about improving my application for this cycle all of my focus was on getting more experience and volunteering. I’ve since worked at the hospital lab for an additional year full time, during which I’ve made leaps and bounds in my interpersonal and clinical skills with patients. However what I believe was much more rewarding was the time I spent serving food at the seasonal homeless shelter in my town on Friday nights. This time gave me insights into the lives of countless homeless that most people walk past every day and don’t give a second glance. It was a harsh reminder of the luxuries we all take for granted, yet I was amazed at how most of my new friends remained unwaveringly optimistic. It was a culture shock that I think too few are exposed to, and I’m so grateful for it because it resurrected in me a hope that I’d long since forgotten from when I first wanted to pursue medicine as a kid: to dedicate some of my time every week to volunteering in an underserved community clinic. My time at the shelter by far resulted in the most valuable development over the past year; not in my application, but in myself as a person.
I truly believe that I have what it takes to become a skilled and compassionate PA. Everything about the profession is perfectly tailored to my desires as a future clinician. I hope that you will consider me for your program, and if you do I can promise that I will not disappoint.
Carie says
There I stood in my parent’s basement, eager to greet my first customer. I prepared the room to be a relaxing sanctuary. The walls were lined with pastel leopard print fabric, my spa stations were set up around the room and my cash box and Winnie the Pooh business cards were strategically arranged at the front. You see, even at the young age of 8, I always wanted to be of service to others. Looking back, my fondest memories are babysitting, helping take care of my older siblings when they were sick, and putting in eye drops for my grandpa. Now, I am older and I still look to serve but in bigger ways. As a Registered Dietitian, I have worked in the hospital with acutely ill patients and formed a private practice where I enjoy building relationships with my clients on a deeper level and watching them heal through the power of nutrition. I aspire to be a Physician Assistant so that I can combine my love of service with my knowledge of food and deliver whole person healthcare. By increasing nutrition awareness as a primary care practitioner, I aim to continue my call to serve in greater ways and help patients by taking steps to address preventative health care.
It is my understanding that few medical practitioners possess in-depth nutrition education, however, in light of increased prevalence of nutrition-related illnesses it is an essential addition to patient-centered care. This first became apparent to me in my teen years. In high school my life revolved around food diaries, label-reading and self-prescribed diets. Innumerable doctor visits and medical tests proved inconclusive. My drive to become a Registered Dietitian stemmed from my own struggles with digestive health and the evident gap in the medical community. My doctors never recommended a Registered Dietitian for assistance with an elimination diet or other medical nutrition therapy nor were they able to provide the information themselves. After graduation and through much self-directed learning, I uncovered my own food sensitivities and, within a few months, eliminated ALL of my adverse symptoms.
This process was eye opening. Shortly after, I founded a nutrition counseling business, Feel Good Nutrition, LLC, in order to help others struggling with their digestive health. Over the years, we have evolved beyond Irritable Bowel Syndrome and now work with clients who suffer from various autoimmune disorders and other food-connected illnesses. My passion for addressing the diverse needs of my clients keeps me current in the field. I spend hours each week reading peer-reviewed journals and listening to educational webinars to provide my clients with the most up to date evidence-based information. Through my company, I have been able to bridge a gap by developing relationships with medical professionals in my area so that I can be a resource to them and my patients regarding the link between nutrition and digestive health.
My private practice as well as my first job out of college helped me narrow down my desired specialty – primary care. My first job as a Registered Dietitian was as an in-home enteral nutrition specialist. Here I had the opportunity to support a diverse patient population and work alongside a variety of medical professionals. One experience in particular helped me realize the power of rapport building and the patient-practitioner relationship. Judy, a 68-year-old female, received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube after complaining of dysphagia, loss of appetite and significant weight loss. When we met, Judy weighed 97 pounds and had been through a multitude of tests – all negative. Per Judy, she was medical mystery. During my initial visit, we sat for an hour and discussed her medical history and Judy expressed her fear of the feeding tube, I listened. Her husband and I carefully cleaned her stoma site, changed her dressings and trialed her first tube feeding. It all went well and we ended the visit on a positive note. Throughout the next several months Judy had developed intolerances to multiple formulas. We trialed new methods of administration and anything else we could think of to find something that Judy could tolerate. Finally, she started gaining weight! Her doctors still could not find a diagnosis but we focused on the little things. A couple weeks later Judy’s family sent me flowers. Although that was absolutely unnecessary, it made me realize the impact that just one person can have on a patient and their family. Judy inspires me and although I don’t see her anymore she continues to influence the way I practice my profession.
I have come a long way from that little girl in my parent’s basement. Throughout the years, I have developed into a driven person with a caring soul and strong interpersonal skills. Being a Physician Assistant (PA) means that I will be able to serve those who need it most and be a positive influence in my community. My experiences in healthcare and interactions with PA’s has only strengthened my resolve. I hope to be given the opportunity to work as part of a strong healthcare team and make a positive impact by combining my knowledge of nutrition with my desire to care for others. Hopefully someday I can create a better sanctuary for my patients as a primary care PA.
Brittany says
The words that have been going through my mind for the past 6 months have been “don’t give up. No matter what, don’t give up”. These are the words of my grandfather who was a Major General in the Army. His advice resonates with me more now than ever after three unsuccessful Physician Assistant school application cycles. Don’t get me wrong, there were times when I wanted to quit, to take the easy way out and pursue a different profession but my grandfather’s words kept replaying in my mind. His motto has pushed me to keep pursuing my dream of becoming a PA. There is not a career out there that excites more than the PA profession which is why I am not giving up even after receiving multiple rejections. After I received my most recent rejection, I reflected on why I wanted to become a PA and what can I do to make myself more competitive that way I can finally receive that coveted acceptance letter.
Growing up, health and the human body always fascinated me especially the etiologies of diseases. My family always called me their “little doctor” since I was so passionate about the medical field. Once I discovered the PA profession after some late night research, my interest ignited like a fire. I took advantage of every opportunity to learn more about the profession. I became involved with Future Aggie Physician Assistants and made an effort to attend every meeting. During my last semester, I volunteered to be a small group leader and shared my knowledge about PA’s. Additionally, I shadowed a neurosurgeon PA for 2 years and was able to witness first hand what it means to be a PA. I had the opportunity to see the intimate PA-patient relationship, various procedures and surgeries, and the collaborative relationship between a PA and their supervising physician. The PA’s ability to work autonomously and collaboratively with various members of the health care team is what I admire most about the profession. Also the flexibility and versatility of the career appeals to me. While working as a medical scribe, I have had the opportunity to observe the responsibilities of multiple family medicine PA’s within a rural health clinic. PA’s have exceptional bedside manners and are able to demonstrate a dedication of time to each patient even though they are busy. They also collaborate with various physicians within the clinic on difficult cases to aid in determining the best course of action. My time as a scribe has prepared me for this type of work. When our electronic medical record was updated, my physician and I worked closely together in order to bring about a more efficient way of charting. I often deal with situations that require adapting within seconds. One time, my work laptop stopped working so I grabbed a pen and paper and completed the charts during my lunch break.
One aspect of my application that I know needs significant improvement is my GRE score. I am not proud of the GRE score I received. I have been able to sharpen my time management skills, found better GRE resources, and focused on relaxation techniques in order to boost my score. At the beginning of my college career, I encountered roadblocks related to my medical health. I took the correct actions to resolve it and was able to come back stronger. I can use this learning moment as a PA student and as a way to connect with patients who also have health roadblocks in their path. I retook Anatomy and Physiology II in order to enhance my application and to show that I have the intellectual capabilities to be successful not only as a PA student but a practicing PA as well.
Moving forward, I plan to keep my job as a medical scribe in order to improve on my health care experience hours and continue to learn firsthand about the medical field. I have worked diligently on my application to show that I am committed to this profession and that I am a competitive applicant. With my desire to serve others, passion about the medical field, and skills that I have acquired through various academic and medical experiences, I firmly believe I will make a successful compassionate PA. I know deep down in my heart that the PA profession is my true calling and I am willing to do anything in order to achieve that dream. My grandfather’s voice saying “don’t give up. No matter what, don’t give up” has been repeating in my head on a loop. I am not going to give up on PA school. No matter what, I am not going to give up.
Chandler says
The blood was abundant. There was more blood than I had ever seen in my life. Mr. P had no open external wounds yet there was an uncontrollable amount of blood leaving his body. I sat with Mr. P and comforted him as numerous blood draws and tests were done to determine the source of his bleeding. I watched as countless bags of donated blood were hung to replenish his deprived bloodstream. Eventually, I handed him over to his team of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners as they rushed him to emergency surgery to repair what I later learned was a gastrointestinal bleed. I consoled Mr. P’s family and assisted them as they clambered to find out what exactly was going on. I had never experienced a worse feeling than watching one of your patients decline so quickly throughout the day, as Mr. P had. Mr. P, his family, and I had grown close over the few days I had cared for him in the hospital as a Patient Care Assistant. He shared his pilot stories and I shared my life goals. He was kind when I had to wake up in the middle of the night to check on his vital signs, and I was understanding when he was feeling too sick and sullen to get out of bed. I was appreciative of our relationship. He taught me to look deeper than the surface and to not discount any patient complaints. This scenario is one that comes to mind when I think about why I want to become a physician assistant, PA. In those couple of hours I was consoling Mr. P and his family, I yearned to be the provider able to look at all the pieces of the puzzle and determine the problem and then devise a solution.
Caring for others is a desire that has always run deep in my blood. It is something I look forward to and something I cannot live without. It is one of the toughest things to do, but is also the most rewarding. For as long as I can remember, I have grasped every opportunity to be a care giver. At eleven years old, I became what my parents referred to as a “child nurse”. I wasn’t licensed nor old enough to fully understand the extent of what I was doing. My dad has just undergone his fourth back surgery and required a great deal of care and care coordination for his recovery. Without question, I jumped into the role of care giver for my father. I did everything from organizing his medications to conducting his at home physical therapy exercises. I was enthralled with how intertwined his care was. If he didn’t take his pain medication, he wasn’t able to do his physical therapy exercises, and a decline in his recovery could be seen in as little as one day. I went to his doctors appointments and hung on every word, absorbing the information and taking it home to continue caring for my father. This is my earliest memory of realizing that I wanted not only to be a caregiver, but a caregiver in the medical field. Coincidentally, my father never had another back surgery.
In addition to immersing myself in patient care, shadowing a PA was also beneficial in my desire to take up the profession. As an undergraduate student, I was given the opportunity to shadow a Sports Medicine physician. Through this experience, I was able to observe the PA involved in his practice and compare the two professions side-by-side in real life. I observed north of 20 ACL repairs and reconstructions along with clinic visits performed by the two. They had such a cohesive relationship in the operating room as well as in clinic and I found this physician – PA interaction incredibly beneficial to the patient and efficiency of the care. This wasn’t the only PA I was able to see in action. I shadowed cardiothoracic and heart failure PAs in their field of work. The cardiothoracic PA worked primarily in the clinic visits while the heart failure PA practiced primarily in the cardiac inpatient floor in the hospital, working alongside nursing staff and myself in the patient care assistant role. In each of these experiences, I gained knowledge of the medicine in that field and observed the autonomy and meaningful patent interaction each PA experienced.
With countless hours of patient care experience and shadowing together with my desire to provide care, being a PA is an aspiration of mine that I will stop at nothing to achieve. I look forward to using my experience and skills to problem solve and build relationships with the medical team and most importantly, the patient, to achieve a higher quality of care.
Anna says
Hello! I would greatly appreciate any comments or feedback..Thanks!
Some can pinpoint the exact moment they knew they wanted to practice medicine. I cannot. For me, it was a desire that crept in slowly while working with homeless and underprivileged women in my home town. After hearing their stories and their struggles, I knew I wanted my life to be about working with and hearing the stories of others, especially those who fall through society’s cracks. I quickly learned over the next few months that I spent talking with these women that my life had purpose and fulfillment when I was in working with others.
This sense of purpose combined with my love of anatomy and science is what drove me to pursue a career in medicine. During my time taking anatomy, chemistry and microbiology, I developed a love for science in how it relates to people’s health. My passions to work with people while also implementing science collided into a deep desire to practice science everyday in the form of medicine and health restoration.
When I started my college career, I had a vague and misplaced desire to go to medical school. As I became involved in the medical community through volunteering and medical scribing, I quickly witnessed the valuable and incredible role of the physician assistant. The vague desire to go medical school quickly shifted to a clear desire to be a PA when I began to witness the ways in which doctors and PA’s worked coherently as a team while the PA simultaneously worked independently. I was intrigued by this dynamic, and quickly shifted all of my focus into pursuing that life for myself.
The desire to be a physician assistant was solidified when I spent a several weeks shadowing two physician assistants. The depth that these PA’s knew their patients, their stories, their individual circumstances and their needs struck me. Each patient interaction was filled with compassion and empathy. Watching these two women practice medicine with compassion while simultaneously making their patient feel important and dignified amazed me. With each visit to observe medicine being practiced in these settings, the desire to practice it for myself deepened and solidified.
During my time as a medical scribe, I heard countless stories from patients that I will never forget. As care to each of these patients was delivered, I was captivated by the unique ways in which PA’s offered support to the doctors while also seeing their own patients. and practicing medicine independently. I have had the privilege to see PA’s and M.D.’s work together fluidly as one team, and I deeply desire to be a part of that team.
Through my experiences working with people who are suffering or scared, I have learned that there is very little in this life that truly matters except for the impact you have on other people. I want the impact I leave on someone to be because I heard their story and served them with compassion and empathy. The time I have spent shadowing and working in healthcare have convinced me that I deeply desire to support the medical team as a physician assistant. From the underprivileged women who I was able to serve in my community to the many others whose stories impacted me during my time as a medical scribe, I have become convinced that there is no other life I would rather choose.