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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 (29th 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
Caroline Sahlen says
As a little girl in Florida, every weekend I would visit my grandmother’s house, I would sit on the counter swinging my legs as the warm humid air from the window would hit my face. “Which do you want, Mint Chocolate or Butter Pecan?” My grandmother would ask. “Butter Pecan!” I would yell, purposefully copying my grandmother- Butter Pecan had always been her favorite. I loved imitating her, I would go to her room and try on all her jewelry and shoes, wishing I was old enough to wear them. My grandmother would put them away after and promised me I would have all the ones I wanted when I was older. As I grew older my grandmother seemed to age faster and faster, becoming extremely forgetful, the more confused she became, the more angry. She was diagnosed with severe dementia and later Alzheimer’s disease. I started visiting less and less, and they sold their beautiful home to move to a facility. I visited rarely. When I did, my mother would get upset as her mother couldn’t remember her, and she couldn’t remember me. My grandmother passed away only five years after being diagnosed, but as she promised I inherited all her jewelry.
The journey of life is unpredictable, you never know what will happen or what you will be diagnosed with. My grandmother did not know that she would lose her memory, I did not know as a young girl what my future held. I realized I wanted to help people like my grandmother, and so I became a CNA. On my first day of the job at Namaste Alzheimer center, I cried in front of the chaplain. I cried because I remembered my grandmother and how she suffered at the end, but also because I knew she would be proud of me. I pulled myself together and was excited to help my residents. Working with Alzheimer residents, you must always be alert. You have patients that are almost fully independent, some dependent, and others on hospice. I supervise my entire shift as with dementia, our residents try to walk away and forget where they are going or try to go outside on to the street. I aid them in activities of daily living, such as: toileting, feeding, bathing, transferring, and more. As a CNA we work as a team with our LPN’s, RN’s, psychiatrists, RT’s, and other CNA’s. Being a CNA, the residents trust us the most. They rely on us consistently, hence we are informed and notice their changes in health more often. Working as a team is critical as care plans must be updated for residents to be treated accurately and thoroughly. Whether it’s from trouble swallowing, to balance issues, to end of life care; residents should have their comfort and quality of life upheld.
In memory of my grandmother, and all my residents that have touched my every day, I strive to be the best CNA possible. I would keep this philosophy as a physician assistant to endeavor to be the most compassionate, trustworthy, and hardworking healthcare provider. Every patient is someone’s loved one, and as a physician assistant I will treat them as such. Working as a team and being able to counsel patients on preventative care, diagnose and treat illnesses and much more would just give me a greater autonomy than I do now, to be an extraordinary contributor to assist in their overall health. I know that my grandmother would be proud of the person I have become and how I have had some bumps in my road, but continue to preserver and ultimately strive for my ultimate goal to become a physician assistant, and not one that is only interested in medicine but the person as a whole.
Whitney Prosperi says
Caroline,
This is a touching story about your grandmother and the way her life compelled you to help patients.
I would condense where you can so you can highlight your clinical skills and medical knowledge. You may even want to include a story showing your personal touch with patients.
Also, include observations from shadowing or working with PAs so that you can show your understanding of the role. Then display why you are a good fit for the PA path.
I would proof carefully so you can catch all typos and grammatical errors.
Good luck.
Caroline D.C. says
“Can you please move your head! I can’t see the baby!” the doctor said as I removed my head from his view of my best friend’s birth canal. I was utterly fascinated. Having shadowed an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, I had witnessed births before; however, this one was different. This perfect little human about to take his first breath was my godson, Enzo. When it was my turn to hold him — rivers flowing down my cheeks — I could vividly envision myself in the exam room with blue gloves and a white coat, observing his interactions and eye contact to assess for adequate social and cognitive development. I envisioned myself examining the movement in his wrist after he sprained it during soccer practice years down the road. This very moment only confirmed what I had already known for many years: I wanted to practice in pediatrics.
I have wanted to go into the medical field for as long as I have loved children. Memory boxes at home are riddled with pictures of five-year-old Caroline holding her two-year-old cousin even though her mother always told her not to. I loved taking care of my cousins! I was never slow to change their diapers, feed them, bathe them, and play with them. This flame of enjoyment was the same with every child I encountered and, when I was in high school, my passion for kids manifested itself in my passion for biology. I was the nerdy girl, always excited for the cat, frog, or pig dissection. I knew then that these dissections were small glimpses of the surgeries I could eventually take part in one day.
My desire to work with underprivileged kids brought me to volunteer at the Wesley Rankin Community Center, where children came after school because their parents had to work. Here, I helped them grasp multiplication, I read “Green Eggs and Ham” to them, and I chased them around the playground. While volunteering at Wesley Rankin, I observed in the children compassion, honesty, and innocence that made me want to pursue a career in pediatrics. It was their warm smiles — even after I had disciplined them — that kept me coming back every week. Year after year, I watched them mature into bright young teenagers with aspirations that reminded me of my own when I was their age. It was only when I shadowed a PA in the emergency department during my senior year in college that I began to consider other fields. I always thought about obstetrics as a backup plan, but when I came home excited to tell my parents that I was considering emergency medicine as a career option, they were almost as surprised as I was! Something about the unpredictability of the patients from young to old and mild to life threatening was so thrilling to me.
My determination to strive as a physician assistant (PA) is deeply rooted in my desire to have a more fulfilling adulthood than my parents have had and providing for them in their old age tenfold what they have been able to provide for me. I have never taken for granted the fact that my parents sold all that we had in Rio de Janeiro in order to give their only child a better chance at a future. Even at eight years old, I understood what was happening and had an idea of all the doors this would open for me. To this day, I remember vividly how difficult it was to overcome the tribulations on our journey. Today, I have nothing but gratitude for all that we went through as it resulted in my aptitude for languages. My residence as a child in Brazil, Mexico, and the United States of America granted me fluency in Portuguese, Spanish, and English at the age of eight. As a consequence of my multilingualism, I had to navigate my way through barriers of communication on my own while simultaneously guiding my parents through the same obstacles. I could not come home after my first day in second grade and ask my parents to help me with my math, reading, or writing. Resilience saw me through all aspects of school and taught my parents how to use the Internet, how to order food at restaurants, and how to read road signs. It is this resilience and determination that empowered me to unravel how to apply for college, scholarships, and PA school. It is this resilience that pushed me to graduate cum laude while working two jobs, volunteering, and finding the time to travel the world.
It is this resilience, my loving family, and my utter fearlessness of the unknown that will allow me to excel in this rigorous program and through my difficult first years as a new PA. I am certain that my cultured background will serve as a tool to relate to my patients of all ages and backgrounds. Acceptance into this school will bring me one step closer to the future of caring for others that I have always dreamed of, a future in which I can use my past struggles and compassion to provide the best level of health care that I can. It is my consistent perseverance and determination that have gotten me this far but my curiosity for the human body’s incredible processes that will keep me there.
Juliette C says
During my senior year of high school, I one morning to an exceptionally bad hair day. As quickly threw my hair up in a ponytail, something frightening happened.I noticed the back section of my head was bare and soft. Panicking, I called my mom into the room. As I flipped my head over, she gasped and immediately grabbed her phone to take a picture. My heart sank as she turned the phone around to reveal a 4 inch bald spot in the back of my head. As most people do when confronted with a medical question, I immediately turned to google to search my symptoms. All results pointed to alopecia areata and stated that a dermatologist should be seen. I booked the first available appointment with my local dermatologist, who happened to be a physician assistant. She thoroughly explained to me that this was an autoimmune disease with no specific cause.Determined to find a cause, reason or explanation, I took it upon myself to further research alopecia.
My curiosity about the underlying causes of my disease and my research on other autoimmune diseases, along with the compassionate care I received, sparked an interest in the medical field that would lead me down my path to becoming a PA. I reached out to the PA, Beth, who successfully treated my alopecia only six months prior and began shadowing her. Her compassion and empathy were unlike any other experience I had in healthcare. Transitioning from her patient to her shadow allowed me to mirror that same compassion and empathy to patients I came in contact with. Whether treating a young boy with acne or an older woman with basal cell carcinoma, Beth taught me to approach each patient with reassurance, ensuring they felt understood, the same way that I felt only months before.
As my career in healthcare evolved, I carried this same compassion with me throughout my daily routines. During one shift as a patient care assistant at Shands Hospital, after a seemingly innocuous sheet change on a ten year old patient’s bed, I was called back into the room with Christian and his family in a panic. I had accidentally bundled his stuffed elephant with the rest of his linen and sent it down the laundry chute . He looked at me with wide, tear filled eyes and without explanation, I knew how much the elephant meant to him. Thinking back to my own experience as a patient, I understood the negative impact stress has on mental as well as physical health. I vowed to treat each patient with the same compassion I was given, in an effort to reduce their anxiety. Feeling comfortable in a medical setting, especially a hospital, is rare, so when I had stripped Christian of his comfort, I was determined to do whatever it took to return it. The charge nurse and I traveled to the basement to dig through the seemingly never ending pile of laundry from the day. Forty five minutes later, I searched through one final basket and when I saw a red ear of a stuffed elephant, I could not help my excited scream as a wave of relief came over me. When I returned the elephant to Christian and his family, I felt myself becoming choked up as they were at a loss for words trying to show their appreciation. Again, I not only realized how compassion was such an important aspect of the patient experience, but just how fulfilling a life caring for others can be.
No matter what unit of the hospital I worked, the two aspects that remained constant throughout were empathy and teamwork. As I took patient vitals, I excitedly watched as the doctors, PAs, and nurses seamlessly worked together to deliver the most efficient care for their patients. As a result, I am aware that teamwork is vital in the PA profession, and have come to realize that my involvement at UF has well equipped me. The most gratifying of these experiences was acting as a hospitality captain for Dance Marathon (DM) at UF Health Shands Hospital, the largest student run philanthropy, raising funds for children in Shands Hospital. Uniting as a team, we raised over three million dollars to aid children that visit Shands. In addition to DM, serving on the executive board of my sorority and volunteering with the UF Pre PA Association, my experiences have taught me that individual work pales in comparison to the difference people can make when they rise as one for a common cause.
Since my first experience as a curious patient of a PA, I have grown into a young woman confident in her decision to pursue a career as a physician assistant. Being a PA allows me to utilize the traits that have manifested throughout my years of healthcare experience and education at the University of Florida – determination, compassion and leadership. I am eager to continue to learn and evolve as a PA, while working alongside inspiring healthcare professionals, like Beth and delivering compassionate care to patients like Christian.
DaRelle says
My brother’s death in May 2018 set me back on a journey that I’ve been bypassing for four years. My brother was gone, and I was forced into a period of self-reflection. Faced with the decision to remain in an unfulfilling job to meet financial needs, or to pursue a nurtured interest from my undergraduate days, I made a daunting yet rewarding decision to return to the pursual of physician assistant studies.
The following August, I enrolled in the courses required by the EVMS. To prevent making the same mistakes that won me subpar grades during my first two years of college, I established a study schedule and repeated it daily. The hesitation that I started the semester evolved into certainty when I continued the upward trend in GPA that began my junior year of college. When I pursued classes such as biochemistry and human anatomy and physiology, I reaffirmed confidence in my ability to be successful. My new-found assurance prompted me to break my safety bubble and move into the unknown to grow an understanding of the role of the PA.
Dedicated to becoming more familiar with the profession, I searched for opportunities to shadow a PAs in a variety of fields. After a series of refusals, my attempts were fruitful as I secured a spot with the affable PA-C Amy. Shadowing her awarded me an invaluable opportunity to learn about the daily routines of PAs directly from the source. Each day presented itself differently. On occasion, patients would arrive complaining of mysterious symptoms that required further testing before diagnosis and treatment. In contrast, other days seemed to be exclusively devoted to treating patients with sinus infections. Regardless of each patient’s reason for being seen, PA-C Amy approached each patient with the same compassion, consciousness, and enthusiasm.
Learning something new was a common occurrence while shadowing. For example, I learned how the presence of chronic conditions influences the development of medical regimens of acute illnesses Once, a patient came into the office with complaints of uncontrollable diarrhea and lightheadedness upon exertion. After obtaining his vitals, I realized that his blood pressure was alarmingly, and his high heart rate abnormally low. Knowing his history of hypertension, PA-C Amy made the call not to increase the dosage of his antihypertensive, as it would consequently lower his heart rate. Instead, she referred the patient to a cardiologist and scheduled for a stress test. Upon further testing, they found that the patient required an angioplasty and placement of a stent. Being a part of a team that helped save that patient helped me to understand the importance of collaboration in the medical field. This experience left me with feelings of accomplishment and fueled my desire to provide care more comprehensively.
Volunteering as a medical assistant exposed me to the heart of any successful medical office-patient satisfaction. Obtaining medical histories, checking vitals, and collecting and processing samples all became a part of my routine, but what I looked forward to the most was seeing Ms. Riggsbee. Once a month, Ms. Riggsbee would come into the office to receive her B12 shot. As she made her way through the building, she would pass out her favorite candy, Mentos, to every member of the medical team that greeted her. Nearing the end of her appointment, everyone in the office was smiling from ear to ear from the laughs we shared. Small moments such as the experience shared with Ms. Riggsbee, made me eager to volunteer, and further inspired me to become a PA.
To reach my goal of becoming a PA, I believe conscientiousness, work drive, and teamwork are essential on an individual level. That is why I have decided to study at Eastern Virginia Medical School, as my beliefs align with the program’s views on the importance of patient-centered care. Furthermore, I am attracted to the school’s adherence to a low student to faculty ratio rate, as it creates an intimate atmosphere where students can learn and incubate their inner PA qualities while receiving personalized instruction and simultaneously demonstrating the importance of synergy. Last but not least, I am confident that the curriculum of the program, including the nationally renowned Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning in conjunction with the various clinical rotations available, will maximize my understanding of the scientific, medical and health knowledge needed to deliver excellent patient-centered health care on Hampton Roads.
Stephanie S says
It happened fast. She was running, then she was down – screaming. But I saw what happened. She planted her left foot and pivoted to chase the ball; a classic non-contact injury. As I ran out onto the field, my gut told me the injury. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). I was in the second year of my Master’s of Athletic Training (AT) program and my supervisor happened to be at a different game that day. After I completed the injury evaluation, I called my supervisor. She reaffirmed that I performed a thorough evaluation and she also suspected an ACL tear; she thanked me for being there.
I recommended the family see their physician to schedule an MRI to confirm the injury. Later that week, the family told me she had torn her ACL. At this news, a warm feeling washed over me that I will never forget. It was my body telling me: “You are good at this, you know what you are doing”. It was a feeling I had never felt with anything else. Later that week, I sat down with the athlete and her family and presented research I found on different grafts for surgery and the pros/cons of each one. At school, I performed preoperative rehabilitation therapy to achieve full range of motion. At the end of the season, her soccer team presented me with a custom plaque thanking me for my dedication. It was this collective moment that made realize the medical field was for me and eventually led me to want to become a Physician’s Assistant (PA).
My medical field journey started in high school in an AT class. I worked alongside my high school AT and was impressed by his ability to connect and care for his athletes. He was the kind of professional I wanted to be. My journey continued at Colorado State University (CSU) where I pursued a degree in Health and Exercise Science. During my time at CSU, I continued to build my knowledge and experience in the medical field through classes and extracurriculars. My senior year I accepted a student position with the CSU Football Program during the 2014 season. It was my personal goal to make sure the athletes felt cared for during practices and games. Once I completed my CSU bachelor’s degree, I knew I was passionate about medical practice and working with athletes, so I pursued a Master’s of Science in Athletic Training at Weber State University (WSU). Here I had my first opportunity to work alongside a PA in an urgent care setting. I learned he started as an athletic trainer but transitioned into a PA to further his medical practice. He talked about the broader scope of care he provides compared to that of an athletic trainer. This stuck with me. As I gained a better understanding of the AT field I knew it’s medical limitations, and felt I may want to advance my practice at some point.
Once I graduated WSU, I obtained a job at Brighton High School (BHS) in Colorado as the Head AT as well as AT teacher. While I have loved my time at BHS, I kept thinking about what the PA in Utah told me and knew I wanted to be more involved in general medical care outside of acute sport injuries. I was fortunate to have had multiple opportunities to work alongside and shadow the BHS team doctor’s PA at school and the clinic where she worked. I witnessed amazing collaborative effort between the physician and PA and also how she confidently worked with her patients independently. I deeply admired her ability to connect with her patients during a time when they were uniquely vulnerable. She also told me about her career journey as a PA. She started in trauma surgery, then went to primary care and currently works in orthopedic care. This career flexibility was enticing. Seeing her work collaboratively with a physician, work independently with her patients and the possibility to change career settings further confirmed my ambitions to become a PA.
The last 8 years of studies, work and extracurricular activities made it an easy decision to pursue primary care medicine as a PA. I’m passionate about being more involved in the entire medical process, instead of just my scope as an AT. With this decided, I researched programs and took the proper prerequisites while still working my full time job as an AT and teacher. I also had the opportunity to shadow a PA in an orthopedic clinic and a private family practice, which further confirmed my desire to be a PA. During summer break 2019, I was grateful to accept a volunteer position as a Therapy Assistant at Adam’s Camp. This will further prepare me to work collaboratively with different disciplines and with diverse populations. It’s also a way for me to give back and help these adolescents participate in physical activities I cherish.
Although I am very proud of these honors and accomplishments, I remain humble and focused on my long-term goal of becoming a PA. I know there are many worthy professional candidates for you to consider. I hope my professional and academic experience shows how much I have prepared for this next step. Thank you for your consideration.
Andrew says
Cancer…. unfortunately, most people know what this word means. For me this word means losing a grandmother. Not only did I lose someone but so did the rest of my family. As I mourn, I felt the need to console my grandpa and the rest of my family. Planning a funeral and figuring out how we were going to pay for it felt impossible and overwhelming. These issues all stem from one thing … cancer. The cancer crept into our lives and left us with a gigantic hole in our family. I felt that all of this could have been avoided. I felt angry but mostly I felt lost. These are just a few of the problems that families face when losing someone to cancer.
Most people want to blame the doctor. They don’t know how overworked doctors can be, working for days on just a few short hours of sleep. Most people forget that they are people with problems like you or I and they can make mistakes. Fortunately, in 1965 a profession was born … physician assistant. This profession was created to solve the physician shortage. Physicians were extremely overworked causing them to make horrible mistakes. A mistake like overlooking the breast cancer my grandmother had.
Fortunately, my grandmother had a physician assistant who caught the cancer allowing her life to continue instead of ending like the way it did in my first paragraph. The physician assistant caught what the doctor had overlooked. This one physician assistant not only changed the future for my grandmother, but, for my whole family. This was my first experience hearing about what a physician assistant was.
It was the end of my junior year in college while majoring in secondary education. I had my doubts about going into this profession. I knew that I wouldn’t be happy teaching for the next 40 years. Suddenly, the word physician assistant echoed off the walls during one of my family gatherings. “What’s everyone talking about?” I asked my mother. “A physician assistant found breast cancer in grandma. He found it early enough that she’ll be ok,” my mother replied. I felt so grateful and relieved to know that my grandma was going to be ok.
I couldn’t get the term physician assistant out of my head. I felt the need to research it. I looked on my computer for hours finding out everything I could about this term. The more I found out about the profession the more I wanted to be a part of it. I realized then that I was pursuing the wrong degree. I took a semester off, researched the profession and set up a job shadowing experience. I shadowed a physician assistant in general medicine for 80+ hours. I went to Pre-PA Society meetings to meet different kinds of PA’s. These experiences confirmed that this was something I needed to do.
I knew that switching my degree wasn’t going to be easy. Changing from secondary education to biomedical science meant that none of my credits would transfer. That meant that I would have start completely over. I couldn’t let three small years stand in the way of the rest of my future. I knew that I would have to sacrifice a lot to get that degree. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
I’m a first-generation college student who had to pay for my way. I worked through school bouncing from job to job. The constant change in schedule from semester to semester forced me to find any job that would hire a college student. These jobs did not pay well which made it impossible for me to rent. I became homeless for 3 years while pursuing my degree, but, luckily for me I owned a car. This car became my home until I could find a place to sleep.
I was fortunate enough to have friends that would let me crash on their couch or an extra bed from time to time. I would bounce from apartment to apartment until finally a friend with a basement allowed me to put up a wall to create a bedroom for myself. I paid him as much as I could, and he was gracious enough to have me. This wall meant big things for me. I finally have privacy, comfort and some stability. I no longer had to worry about where I was going to sleep. I could focus on my main priority, getting my degree.
My senior year I was able to fully focus on my degree and get some valuable patient care hours as a phlebotomist. I currently work at Bronson as an LCA to gain an understanding of how a lab operates. This journey has been challenging but extremely fulfilling. I am eager to continue my pursuit as a physician assistant.
Sarah says
I thought the medical field was about diseases and cures; symptoms and diagnoses; patients’ complaints, and doctors’ theories. But I was proven wrong. On one of my first days as a medical assistant, a mother brought in her child, a son, probably around 6 years old. Her son was in pain, could barely move, and just lay on the table with a sad expression on his face. With the care and tenderness that I have seen her exhibit with other patients, the PA examined the child. She felt around for a few moments, listened, and then she frowned. From the clinical standpoint, it was straightforward—send the child to the hospital. But from the implicit viewpoint, the one I learned about on that day, it was not so clear at first. Only later, after the whole episode occurred, did I realize the underlying points of the visit.
For the past year and a half, I have been fortunate to work as a medical assistant in a pediatric office. My daily interactions with patients provide an opportunity for me to share my caring, compassion, and ever-growing knowledge. Often, a child will be nervous, anticipating his upcoming encounter. With a warm smile and a few calming words, I try to help the child relax and realize that visits to the doctor are not scary. Alternatively, some parents need reinforcement, and for them I express my feelings and let know how I care for their child.
Furthermore, I usually spend a few extra minutes in the room talking to the parents just so we can build up a rapport. Patients are usually more comfortable and feel that they can trust their provider when they know the person helping them, rather than when they have to deal with a stranger. I try to make each visit pleasant by helping patients recognize that, at the doctor’s office, everyone cares, we are all here to help. Yes, part of that involves talking with the patient, but sometimes this entails going the extra mile. With each patient, I am given a new challenge and I do my best to succeed. My goal is that all patients should remain healthy and always be content.
As a PA, I hope to fulfill this goal with every patient that I encounter. When I shadowed a PA in the cardiology department of a local hospital, I watched how she interacted with her patients. During an admission, I perceived how even though the PA did very little in terms of physically taking care of the patient at the moment, much was accomplished by way of her gathering a history and outlining the planned treatment. After talking with the PA for a few minutes, the family seemed somewhat relieved, knowing that their loved one would receive competent care. This is how I intend to emulate the PA that I shadowed and attempt to fulfill my goal.
Additionally, during my shadowing stint, I observed how the PA collaborated with fellow PAs, doctors, and nurses. I enjoyed the fact that the PA was most involved in designing the course of treatment, prescribing medication and ordering appropriate tests, while the doctor was there for consult and final approval, and the nurse actually carried out the plan. From this experience, I learned that medicine is a community where everyone has to work together in order to attain success.
However, with all that said, there still remains the lesson regarding medicine that I learned that time, on one of my first days at work.
As the mother heard that her son had to go to the hospital, her face fell, overwhelmed with the anticipated events that would now fill her afternoon. And as if not wanting the prognosis to be true, she asked, “Does he really have to go? He has a big play in school today. Can he go to school?”
It seemed inane, how the mother could be so nearsighted. Yet, looking at the mother and then at her sick son lying on the table, it dawned on me; I realized that healthcare is not all about healing the sick—much of what we do results in knowledge and values gleaned for ourselves. I came to understand the true meaning of the oft-quoted phrase, “love is blind.” Yes, there is an alternate meaning to the phrase, but from my perspective, I understood how the mother could ask if her child could go to school when he lay there so obviously in pain and in need of medical attention. As William S. Burroughs, an American writer and visual artist, stated, “The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” Meaning, that the superficial is nothing; it is the depth of the concepts and ideas that brings knowledge. Obviously, this concept can apply to all areas of life—not just to schooling. As a PA, one should be able to look at the patient’s symptoms and treat accordingly, yet more so, a PA should delve deeper, uncover the whole story, become intuitive to patient interactions, and by doing this, one should be able to not only help their patients, but to also gain much themselves from the life lessons learned.
Maris says
Slumped over in a wheel chair, holding back my tears my dad held my hand as I waited in the busy ER with a very broken ankle. With the lobby under construction, all the patients waiting to been seen were squeezed into a back corner. All we can hear are bells and whistles and overheard calls asking doctors to answers phones or go to a certain room. Then we hear the big one “Code Blue ER 14” and like we were in a movie, nurses and doctors seemed to appear from every corner running past the make-shift waiting room through the mysterious doors labeled “Authorized personnel only.” I couldn’t help but wonder what happened behind those doors. Every time someone would go in and out I would get just a peak of the scene, but never enough to fully understand what was going on. My turn finally came and after my x ray the doctor informed me my ankle was in fact broken, as if I couldn’t tell by the distorted twist and peculiar bulge pushing under my skin. He told me he was giving me “Sleepy medicine” so he could put it back in place. I was terrified and confused by his vague statement and scanning the room for an answer. I woke up in my bed room with a cast on my leg and countless unanswered questions.
My ankle healed but my questions didn’t. What was the sleepy medicine? How did he put it back into place? If he fixed it why did I still have to have surgery? As I began college I knew I wanted to be involved in the medical field and being a nurse seemed like my only choice. After my first nursing class I knew it was absolutely the wrong decision. Thankfully my advisor introduced me to respiratory therapy. She set me up to shadow one of her former students and I realized this is it. I could finally make it through a class without falling asleep. I was interested in the topics, clinical were so exciting and I actually enjoyed studying. I was offered a job before I even graduated and I fell right into my first career. As an RT my work assignment changes every day but I seemed to fall in love with working in the emergency room. I get to experience the chaos behind the doors first hand. I finally had answers to all my questions.
In the high speed world that is an emergency room I seem to adapt and overcome every curveball thrown my way. I was soon offered a position as an advanced respiratory therapist and taught to place Arterial lines and Intubate patients, a skill most hospitals won’t allow RT’s to do. Placing arterial lines soon became my favorite part of my job. Being the lone advanced RT on night shift of a 500 bed hospital I found myself placing 1-2 lines a night. But that wasn’t enough for me. I want to do more. Unfortunately as an RT that is about as far as my license will take me.
For months my coworkers told me to pursue further education. They told me I could do more. And I have finally come to agree with them. Arterials lines and intubations are a huge responsibility but I’m ready to take on a bigger role as a health care provider. I am excited and intrigued by the responsibilities and opportunities I can pursue as a physician assistant. From assisting in surgeries to counseling patients a PA faces a wide variety of duties. As it is today I love working in the ER however with the flexibility PA provides I can pursue something more procedural to encompass my enjoyment for placing arterial lines. The opportunities seem nearly limitless.
Spending three years as a respiratory therapist (RT) I can’t quit say I’ve seen it all but I can say I’ve seen more than most other people. I believe my background in respiratory therapy has prepared me for a career as a PA. I have learned so much about medicine but also about the human experience. I show compassion and empathy for my patients and the experiences they have had. I am knowledge and confident in my abilities to learn and grow as a healthcare provider. I am committed not only to my education but also to my patients and their families.
Hannah Hunt says
My hair was sticking to the back of my neck while sweat trickled down my forehead. I was ready to stop walking but I knew that was not an option. Since my grandmother lost the battle to cancer years ago, “Relay for Life” has been something my family prides ourselves in supporting.
We take part in this fundraiser event every year, to fight cancer. As a tradition, someone from our group walks around the track during the entire 24 hour event. It was my turn to walk and I had to do my part. Once cancer invaded my grandmother, I could not do anything to help her. I felt helpless, watching the disease transform her body; from the once strong individual, to the frail and decompensated woman who could no longer fight the demon that had taken over her. Yet, I gained inspiration from the physicians who cared for my grandmother. Years later, I decided my contribution to society would be to aid in the fight against cancer. Improving the quality of healthcare for future generations more in depth than Relay for Life is my goal. I am so fascinated with the mindset of saving lives by assisting physicians in my best capacity.
Years later, I learned my aunt was struggling with addiction. I knew opioid addiction was a recurring issue in our community, but I did not know it was an issue in my family. That is, until the day we found my aunt unresponsive. I remember feeling the urge to do something, but I could not do anything. I then pictured my grandmother’s face, and felt an even stronger urge to pursue the medical field.
With limited access to basic social amenities, and more than 70 % of the population in poverty, only 3.70 % earn a graduate or professional degree. My drive and desire to learn took me out of my comfort zone and I embarked on a journey into unfamiliar territory. I pride myself in the efforts and determination to continue my education. Coming from an underserved area will allow me to provide more sympathetic and passionate care.
My desire to integrate myself into the medical field is also in part due to the underserved area in which I grew up. Where medical professionals are minute and visits to the clinic were always a hassle. Sitting for hours in the health department which was overflowing with people was a challenge I faced growing up. Even now as a mother, I face the same issue, with only one children’s clinic in the entire city until 2017.
Coming from a community where education isn’t valued was never an issue, until I enrolled in my first Chemistry and Physics courses at NCCU. I was new to the curriculum; but, almost all my classmates completed these courses in high school. This was not only a disadvantage but also a challenge. During this time, I also learned I was pregnant. I never knew my own strength until I became a single mother. Working and going to school full time as a single parent was overwhelming. Graciously, I am blessed with an amazing support system, uplifting and encouraging me. Growing up in Lumberton, taught me valuable skills that are not taught in a classroom. Such as integrity, egalitarianism and leadership, which will be valuable when assisting patients. I volunteered while at NCCU, conducting research on various treatments for pancreatic cancer. I did this for some time, followed by employment at LabCorp, where I worked as a technician. I was sure that becoming a medical professional was what I wanted to do after working as a lab technician. Upon departure from LabCorp, I took a job as a personal care aide. working individuals from diverse backgrounds strengthened my intrapersonal skills .
Addressing patients needs, while learning desirable qualities that are required of a successful physician assistant was enjoyable. These multifarious experiences keep my dream alive. Every day, I wake up with the renewed hope of making my dream of being one of the best physician assistants, a reality. Becoming a PA will allow me to work in the medical field, without confinement to one specialty. I was fortunate enough to shadow two PA’s; one in pediatrics and the other in the emergency room.
I am blessed with an amazing support system, uplifting and encouraging me. I volunteered while at NCCU, conducting research on various treatments for pancreatic cancer. I did this for some time, followed by employment at LabCorp, where I worked as a technician. I was sure that becoming a medical professional was what I wanted to do after working as a lab technician. Upon departure from LabCorp, I took a job as a personal care aide.
I know I will succeed in the PA program; any obstacle I have faced, I’ve conquered. I have made mistakes and even poor choices, but I have learned so much from my experiences. I have gained insight. I have stood when I felt like falling and persevered when I felt like quitting. I have studied when I felt like quitting due to exhaustion. Through all this, I never gave up. The obstacles I’ve faced made me a stronger, more determined and more compassionate individual. I understand what it means to have empathy for others. I am excited about my future, and I am excited about attending and graduating from PA school. I am thrilled about the idea of one day being able to serve and help others the way so many people have helped me.
Jade says
I have had the same two dreams consistently for the past year. In one dream I am walking across the stage tears streaming down my face as I humbly accept my pretend piece of rolled up paper indicative that I have completed my under graduate degree and am on my way to the next chapter to becoming a physician assistant. This dream then transition into the other of my white coat ceremony, equally emotionally fueled with tears of joy, a racing heart and the proud looks on the faces of my loved ones yet again. Currently, in the purgatory of my last semester and my CASPA applications the toughest part of it all is my personal statement and the daunting question of why I want to become a physician assistant. The answer is more of a feeling or an indescribable emotion of “I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life.” A statement I utter on a daily basis as an affirmation. The difficult part is transcribing this deeply embedded profound emotion into 5,000 words or less convincing you, the reader, that amongst the several thousand applications which you receive from my outstanding peers and future colleagues that I deserve the white coat that you possess. Which brings us back full circle, why do I want to become a physician assistant?
I come from a generation of care givers; my grandmother was a local healer in St. Thomas in the early 1920’s. People would come from all over the island when they were sick to be treated with her herbal remedies. Whether it was the herbs or just the faith of the individuals who sought after her that healed them but as family stories have it she knew what she was doing. My mother was also a caregiver in her younger years she would be considered the modern day home health aide. She always said she wanted to become a nurse but she was raising five children alone. Now here I am first generation college graduate; as a senior in high school I knew my life would be in medicine after volunteering at a local hospital for school credit. As a volunteer my duties were limited but this one interaction with a patient and her husband planted a seed that I had could not fathom would lead me to becoming a physician assistant. It was the genuine emotional response this patient expressed for a simple gesture of kindness by simply aiding her to the bathroom and then back to her bed after she stated she was waiting for some time. It was the familiar feeling of gratitude. In later years, I went on to become direct care support staff in a group home for special needs individuals. My role as a direct care support staff was to improve the quality of life of the individuals living in the group home by assisting them with daily routines and activities. However, my role went so far beyond its description. My position required compassion and empathy. Being able to identify that beyond physical limitations these individuals are people, and want to be noticed for who they are and not by what they could or could not do. One of the people I spent a lot of time with said to me “no one has ever seen me beyond my wheel chair.” Then, in her early 40’s she expressed to me she was in a car accident when she was in her 20’s on her way with a group of friends to an extended campus sight to pick up text books when she was ejected from the car. She said she wishes everyday she could go back to that day and put on her seatbelt. “But, you took the time to me the same person I have always been since I was last able to walk.” Eventually, I left my position in the group home and I became a pharmacy technician for CVS at a location in an underserved population. It was at this time that I learned of the chemotherapy medication Megestrol acetate. On this one particular day, a patient comes in to pick up his medication which happened to be Megesterol acetate as I went to ring him up I told him his total was give or take $130.00. He mentioned he had insurance and unfortunately I had to explain his insurance company did not cover this medication. The pharmacist did everything she could to try and bring the cost down but unfortunately as I previously mentioned this is a man living in a underserved population where many residents are below poverty level therefore, $130.00 means a meal off the table or a bill not being paid. In short, the man left without his chemotherapy medication. One of the toughest pills to swallow was my responsibility to turn him away without it. I resigned two weeks later as this was a commonality and I made the promise to never turn away my future patients regardless of their ability to pay for care. From this I learned humility. Currently, I hold my phlebotomy certification and I volunteer in a free clinic that serves the lower Westchester County. As a volunteer phlebotomist I have learned the value of trust from my patients. The clinic is established in a church as a pop-up medical facility. There are about four stations; one for vision one for hearing the area where patients see the doctor and lab station where I am. When the people from the community walk in you can see their anxiety as the setup is not an actual medical facility and is indicative of their socioeconomic status in some sense. However, they trust us to provide the same quality of care as if they were on a typical doctor’s visit as an insured patient would. It is important for me to be professional, follow protocol and procedure, and ensure them they are in the best hands. Currently, I am a unit clerk in a trauma one hospital this title requires me to be culturally competent as I commonly interact with people from different backgrounds and all walks of life.
These experiences have cultivated me to be a better person but have also prepared me for what it takes to be a quality physician assistant. My dream is to improve the health and life of others as the generations of women in my family have done before me. My purpose is to ensure my future patients never feel neglected and their calls for help are always heard. My desire is to be a constant reminder through my work ethic to treat the person and not the ailment. My hope is to reduce health care disparities that are a direct result of any individual’s socioeconomic status. I promise to never betray the trust of my patients by remaining honest and transparent with our interactions and their level of care. Lastly, I will maintain the integrity of my title as a physician assistant by always being culturally competent and never allowing my personal ideologies to interfere with my duties as a healthcare practitioner.
JADE says
THIS IS MY REVISED ESSAY PLEASE DISREGARD THE ONE ABOVE
I have had the same two dreams consistently for the past year. In one dream I am walking across the stage tears streaming down my face as I humbly accept my pretend piece of rolled up paper indicative that I have completed my under graduate degree and am on my way to the next chapter to becoming a physician assistant. This dream then transitions into the other of my white coat ceremony, equally emotionally fueled with tears of joy, a racing heart and the proud looks on the faces of my loved ones yet again. Currently, in the purgatory of my last semester and my CASPA applications the toughest part of it all is my personal statement and the daunting question of why I want to become a physician assistant. The answer is more of an indescribable emotion best described as “I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life.” A statement I utter on a daily basis as an affirmation. The difficult part is transcribing this deeply embedded profound emotion into 2,000 words or less convincing you, the reader, that amongst the several thousand applications which you receive from my outstanding peers and future colleagues that I deserve the white coat that you possess. Which brings us back full circle, why do I want to become a physician assistant?
I come from a generation of care givers; my grandmother was a local healer in St. Thomas in the early 1920’s. People would come from all over the island when they were sick to be treated with her herbal remedies. It is uncertain whether it was the herbs or just the faith of the individuals who sought after her which aided in their healing. But as family stories have it she knew what she was doing. My mother was also a caregiver in her younger years. She would be considered the modern day home health aide. Her dream was to become a nurse, however, she raising five children alone. Now here I am first generation college graduate; as a senior in high school I knew my life would be in medicine after volunteering at a local hospital for school credit. As a volunteer my duties were limited but this one interaction with a patient and her husband planted a seed that I had could not fathom would lead me to becoming a physician assistant. It was the genuine emotion of gratitude this patient expressed for a simple gesture of kindness. The patient expressed she had been calling out for assistance to use the restroom for an extensive amount of time and she felt ignored and neglected. She was deeply appreciative for my help. In later years, I went on to become direct care support staff in a group home for special needs individuals. My role as a direct care support staff was to improve the quality of life of the individuals living in the group home by assisting them with daily routines and activities. However, my role went so far beyond its description. My position required compassion and empathy. Being able to identify that beyond physical limitations these individuals are people, and wanted to be noticed for who they are and not their physical incapacities. One of the people I spent a lot of time with said to me “no one has ever seen me beyond my wheel chair. “Mary expressed to me she was in a car accident when she was in her 20’s on her way with a group of friends to an extended campus to pick up text books. She was in a terrible car accident and was ejected from the vehicle. The statement she made reverberates with me to this day, as many clinicians often forget patients are people too. Eventually, I left my position in the group home and I became a pharmacy technician for CVS at a location in an underserved population. It was at this time that I learned of the chemotherapy medication Revlimid. On this one particular day, a patient comes in to pick up his medication which happened to be Revlimid as I went to ring him up I told him his total was give or take $700.00. He mentioned he had insurance and unfortunately I had to explain his insurance company did not cover this medication. The pharmacist did everything she could to try and bring the cost down but unfortunately as I previously mentioned this is a man living in an underserved population where many residents are below poverty level therefore, $700.00 means several meals off the table or important bills unpaid. In short, the man left without his chemotherapy medication. One of the toughest pills to swallow was my responsibility to turn him away without it. I resigned two weeks later as this was a commonality. I made a promise to never turn away my future patients regardless of their ability to pay for care. From this I learned humility. Currently, I hold my phlebotomy certification and I volunteer in a free clinic that serves the lower Westchester County. As a volunteer phlebotomist I have learned the value of trust from my patients. The clinic is established in a church as a pop-up medical facility. There are about four stations: one for vision and hearing, another for height and weight, the area where patients see the doctor and the lab station where I am. When people from the community walk in you can see their anxiety as the setup is not an actual medical facility and is indicative of their socioeconomic status in some sense. However, they trust us to provide the same quality of care as if they were on a typical doctor’s visit as an insured patient would. It is important for me to be professional, follow protocol and procedure, and ensure them they are still receiving quality care. This can only be achieved by communicating effectively with the patients and making sure my work is a reflection of my work ethic. Currently, I am a unit clerk. As the first point of contact for many patients I am expected to kind, receptive, and culturally competent. This positon has been worked to shape who I will as a physician assistant because patients often want to engage in conversation and openly express their thoughts and concerns pertaining to their care. From these interactions I am better equipped to provide an improved level of care knowing what patients expect and are looking for from their clinicians.
These experiences have cultivated me to be a better person but have also prepared me for what it takes to be a quality physician assistant. My dream is to improve the health and life of others as the generations of women in my family have done before me. My purpose is to ensure my future patients never feel neglected and their calls for help are always heard. My desire is to be a constant reminder through my work ethic to treat the person and not the ailment. My hope is to reduce health care disparities that are a direct result of any individual’s socioeconomic status. I promise to never betray the trust of my patients by remaining honest and transparent with our interactions and their level of care. Lastly, I will maintain the integrity of my title as a physician assistant by always being culturally competent and never allowing my personal ideologies to interfere with my duties as a healthcare practitioner.
Gianna Brown says
Every day we are faced with life changing experiences, no matter how great or small. Someone opening the door for you could turn out to be you getting the promotion instead of a co-worker, or missing the bus that would later be involved in an accident. You never know what life is going to throw your way at any given moment.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The incident happened during my sophomore year of college. During one of my classes, I felt this wave of mixed feeling consume me; my vision and hearing vanished and I felt weak in the knees. That was the last thing I remembered before waking up in the hospital. I was alone; with my hearing and vision coming back to me, I saw all the doctors and nurses poking and prodding me to make sure there were no severe injuries and to connect me to monitors and machines. There were so many people around me I was not sure if they realized I was awake; until a physician assistant that was next to me squeezed my hand. She smiled at me and explained everything that the doctors were doing to me; she also stayed with me until my parents arrived. It turned out I fainted from severe dehydration which was caused by a stomach virus that was being spread around. I was very grateful for that nurse that day. She made sure to check on me during my stay and made me feel at ease. In that experience, I received the ultimate patient care form that physician assistant. She treated me like I was her own family in that room; made sure I had everything I needed and explained each step along the way. She taught me a valuable lesson that day which is to always treat someone like they are your family, that kindness goes a lot farther in life than anything else.
Since that day I have worked in the medical industry to learn more about the different roles each person plays when working with patients. Doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses all work together to give patients the absolute best care and experience to be sure they get to feeling one hundred percent again. Patient care is the number one thing that helps patients feel better. If a patient does not trust their doctor, there could be problems with how that person is going to heal; emotionally, mentally, and physically. I am fortunate enough to work at Rothman Orthopedics and work alongside multiple doctors, nurses, and physician assistants and learn each of their roles and how important they are to the care of the patients. My role as part of Rothman is to ensure that patients are being given the best care and experiences every time they speak to a clinical staff member, whether it is on the phone, during office hours, or in the hospital.
I believe that I have the skills and knowledge to be able to give patients the same care and experience I have received from that physician assistant. All of my life experiences have led me to realize that I want to be part of the medical world as a physician assistant; getting the opportunities to study multiple specialties, diagnose and treat patients will bring all of my jobs together into one. I have always felt like there was more to what I needed to do and now I realize that being a physician assistant will give me the opportunity to do accept more challenges and continue learning more each day.
Hannah Hunt says
My hair was sticking to the back of my neck while sweat trickled down my forehead. I was ready to stop walking but I knew that was not an option. Since my maternal grandmother lost the battle to cancer years ago, “Relay for Life” has been something my family prides ourselves in supporting. We participate in this fundraiser event every year, to fight cancer. As a tradition, someone from our group walks around the track during the entire 24 hour event. It was my turn to walk and I had to do my part. Once cancer invaded my grandmother, I could not do anything to help her. I felt helpless, watching the disease transform her body from the once strong individual I knew to the frail and decompensated woman who eventually could no longer fight the demon that had taken over her. However, I was greatly inspired by the physicians who cared for my grandmother until she took her final breath. A few years later, I decided my contribution to society would be to aid in the fight against cancer casualties and be able to improve the quality of healthcare for future generations more in depth than only participating in Relay for Life. I am so fascinated with the mindset of saving lives by assisting physicians in my best capacity.
Years after the passing of my grandmother, I was once again faced with tragedy in my family as I learned my aunt was struggling with addiction. I knew opioid addiction was a recurring issue in our community, but I did not know it was an issue in my family until the day we found my aunt unresponsive. Since no one in my family has any medical background, we were helpless in providing the education and guidance my aunt needed. I remember feeling the urge to do something, but I could not do anything. I immediately pictured my grandmother’s cancer ridden face, and felt an even stronger urge to pursue the medical field.
Another major factor contributing to my desire to integrate myself into the medical field is the fact that I grew up in an underserved area, where medical professionals are limited and visits to the clinic in my community were always a hassle. Sitting for hours in the waiting room of the health department which was overflowing with people was one of the biggest challenges I faced growing up. Even now as an adult, when taking my child to doctor appointments, I face the same issue, with only one children’s clinic in the entire city up until 2017.
Like a bucket of crabs, escaping my hometown seems impossible. When surrounded by people who have no desire to succeed or make any valuable contributions to society as a person, trying to succeed seems intolerable. Overcoming obstacles such as these, became a part of my daily routine on the pathway to success. Not many people in my community or who I surrounded myself with had intentions of attending college, but my drive and desire to learn took me out of my comfort zone and made me embark on a journey into unfamiliar territory. Graduating from high school in a community where few people valued education never seemed to be an issue, until I enrolled in my first Chemistry and Physics courses at NCCU. I was new to the curriculum; however, almost all of my classmates completed these courses in high school. This was not only a disadvantage but also a challenge. Although most of the material was a review for my peers, the material was brand new for me. During this time, I also learned I was pregnant. I never knew my own strength until I became a single mother. Going to school full time, working full time and being a full time single parent was overwhelming but I was blessed with an amazing support system, uplifting and encouraging me. Barriers due to my circumstances where minuet in comparison to my desires to become a medical professional.
I decided to pursue research during my time at NCCU. For some time, I was torn between the lab and becoming a healthcare professional, fighting cancer on the front line. I thought I wanted to work in the lab, conducting research on treatments for cancer, so I volunteered while at NCCU, conducting research on various treatments for pancreatic cancer, something that took the life of my paternal grandmother. I did this for some time, followed by employment at LabCorp, where I worked as a technician. However, after working in the lab while at NCCU, followed by a job at LabCorp, I was sure that becoming a medical professional was what I wanted to do.
By the end of my senior year, I still had dreams of becoming a medical provider but I had not put much effort into fulfilling my dreams. I was faced with another dilemma; community service. In order to receive a degree from NCCU, a requirement of 15 service hours were to be completed each semester. I was a semester away from graduation and only had 30 of the required 140 hours. Through hard work and perseverance, I completed the hours, while maintaining straight A’s, working full time and caring for my daughter. Taking initiative was inescapable and being my own leader was mandatory, all though I had my family pushing me to succeed, no one else had the tools for reaching my goal of becoming a PA, only me. I conducted research and spent countless hours preparing for my future aspirations on my own.
I grew up in a small community with limited access to basic social amenities, where more than 75 percent of the population are high school dropouts, and only about 12 percent obtain a bachelor’s degree. Coming from such background, I pride myself in the efforts and determination I’ve applied to obtain my bachelor’s degree in Biology at North Carolina Central University, and my recent graduation from North Carolina State University with my masters in Physiology. I have never considered myself as a minority, searching for pity, instead I have applied my determination and desire to succeed. My culture and community have always taught the importance of valuing God and family, but not much emphasis was placed on education; except in my household. My mother always taught me to value God, family and education, and in that order. My mother always taught me to think critically and logically; which is something I value because it’s a tool that has gotten me far in life
Upon graduation from NCCU, I took a job as a personal care aide. I have worked with various individuals, from very diverse backgrounds, and I have learned that connecting with individuals is approached differently and my intrapersonal skills allow me to communicate clearly and effectively with all people.
I enjoyed every moment of my job, working closely with patients to address their needs, and being able to learn some of the basic qualities that will be required of a successful physician assistant. These multifarious experiences keep my dream alive. Every day, I wake up with the renewed hope of making my dream of being one of the best physician assistants, a reality.
Becoming a PA will allow me to work in the medical field, while preventing confinement to one specialty. Before applying, I was fortunate enough to shadow two PA’s; one who worked in pediatrics and the other in an emergency room. Initially, I had no interest in working in the ER, but after observation of the physician assistant’s role, I enjoyed every aspect of it. In addition, becoming a PA will afford me the opportunity to deal with patients on a personal level, which I will enjoy most of all. I am a family oriented individual who values time with loved ones. After being away from home for so many years, I have decided to move back upon completion of school, if accepted, to obtain employment; in an underserved area, surround myself with family and to give back to my community. I aspire to one day open my own pediatric clinic.
I have always wanted to work in the medical field, however uncertainties existed, accompanied by fear and nervous feelings. I’ve learned to channel these feelings into positive energy, reassuring myself I can do anything if I put my mind to it by learning my self-worth and potential. I have bent, but was not broken which has helped me blossom into a strong, courageous and ambitious woman. Persevering in my weakest and most challenging moments has molded me into the young woman I am today; a woman who believes determination and chasing goals is both rewarding and disappointing at the same time; and requires sacrifices along the way. I have matured and seen myself change in so many aspects. Ways in which I didn’t think I was ready for, but I have learned to embrace these changes and accept the fact that change is necessary. I know I will succeed in the PA program; any obstacle I have faced, I’ve conquered. If admitted to the program, I will not work, I will live with my parents, and will focus solely on school; something I’ve never had the opportunity to do. I have made mistakes and even poor choices, but I have learned so much from my experiences. I have gained insight. I have stood when I felt like falling, persevered when I felt like quitting and I have studied when I could barely keep going because of exhaustion. Through all of this, I never gave up. All of the obstacles I have faced have made me a stronger, more determined and more compassionate individual; who now understands what it means to have empathy for others. I am excited about my future, and I am excited about attending and graduating from PA school. I am thrilled about the idea of one day being able to serve and help others the way so many people have helped me.
M. Hope says
When I was a sophomore in high school, I was on my school’s flag football team. It was my first season playing, and I just so happened to dislocate my finger during practice. My sister picked me up and rushed me to the emergency room. This was my first time being in actually being in a hospital. I remember seeing nurses, doctors, and many other professionals seeing and treating patients, one after the other. I was so amazed by how hectic the emergency room seemed to be, but how organized it was at the same time. That was when I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.
I went into college with the mindset of wanting to attend medical school. I didn’t know much about any other professions, so I told myself I was going to be a doctor. I chose to major in biology, being it was a science major and not knowing much else to major in. Throughout many rigorous biology and chemistry classes, I truly started to love learning about the human body and its processes. I knew that I wanted to keep learning about health and the human body in order to help people in the future.
During the end of my sophomore year of college, I was trying to find ways to gain healthcare experience. I came upon a “Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Course” and after looking more into it, decided to become a CNA. I began working at a hospital almost immediately after acquiring my CNA license. Since my first day of being a CNA and still now, I have loved coming to work and helping patients. Although a CNA cannot do much in medical terms, simply helping people with small tasks or just taking five minutes to sit and talk with them could make their whole day. My compassion and drive grows each time I come to work. I am reminded each day I work that I want to help people, and I want to continue a career in the medical field.
Still at the beginning of being a CNA, I had medical school for my future. During this time, I was introduced to a physician assistant (PA) through one of the nurses. I told the PA I wanted to go to medical school, in which she told me to look into PA school. At the time, I could not tell you what a PA was or what they do. But after doing some research on the profession, my future plans seemed to change. What I discovered was being a PA has the most benefits for someone in the medical field: I can help people with their illnesses while still having time for other joys in my life. I loved the idea of the flexibility of specialties, as I am always wanting to expand my knowledge about the many different areas of medicine. I like the autonomy that comes with being a PA while also having a supervising physician to learn from and work with.
PA’s are able to provide affordable healthcare to underserved families and communities, which I believe is extremely important and a necessity. I grew up in a military family, spending my childhood moving from place to place every three or four years. I lived in both wealthy as well as impoverished areas. I have always had a place in my heart for the ones in need, and by being a PA I can help meet the healthcare needs of our nation.
After shadowing different PA’s, I was certain that being a PA was what I wanted to pursue. I saw them working under the supervision of a doctor while also being independent. The PA’s diagnosed and treated just as many patients as the physician did. I witnessed astounding bedside manner and compassion. Being a CNA for the past year has opened my eyes and truly made me want to continue a career in the medical field. I have learned the different roles of a healthcare team and appreciate every one of them. I have found my “why” in life, and want nothing more than to help, diagnose, and treat patients and their illnesses. I know that being a PA will grant me that desire. My perseverance and eagerness will push me through your rigorous program.
Katrina says
How long does the single edit turn around time generally take?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Katrina, it depends on the time of year but right since the summer rush is over our turnaround time is 48-72 hours.
Stephen
Nhung Hoang says
Aching. Throbbing. Stinging. Sore. When English isn’t your native tongue, all aspects of pain reduce down to one word: “hurts.” This was the blur of my childhood experience in clinics, hospitals, and doctors’ offices. Being my family’s oldest semi-English speaker, I took on the role of medical interpreter at the prime age of 7 when any relative visited the doctor. It was overwhelming and terrifying, the swirl of medical posters plastered over examination room walls with body parts I didn’t know existed and words I had barely figured out how to read. Even more so was the task of communicating my family’s health concerns to providers via circumnavigating difficult terms with what little English I knew, gesturing absurd motions in hopes of a sense of understanding.
Gradually, my repertoire of both Vietnamese and English terminology expanded, along with my confidence and call to serve. I became the external hard drive carrying my family’s medical history, the voice that expressed what my family could not. Until one day, when my grandpa was seen for a simple cough that subsequently turned into a diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer, I lost my voice. He was in perfect health, never so much as touched a cigarette. Suddenly I reverted to the 7-year-old who had no words but “I hurt.” My role evolved beyond interpreter into caretaker as I felt the pressure to make him well. At some point, Grandpa stopped being my chauffeur and I became his, driving back and forth from college to ensure he received the treatment he needed. As he deteriorated, I immersed myself in his battle, meticulously following doctors’ orders, diligently researching every treatment plan that was outlined.
Through the endless support from hospital staff, what astounded me most was the relationship the physician assistant developed with my family. In a hopeless time, he went beyond the call of duty to show his presence and support for my family. I vividly remember him calmly consoling my hysterical grandma in the midst of turmoil while my grandpa, in his wretched hospital gown, tried to mirror his composure and listen attentively to the conversation as if he understood. He allowed me to ask my thousand inquiries, staying even after the doctor left, and demonstrated such patience and knowledge. This encounter illuminated a facet of healthcare I wasn’t aware of, so I delved into exploration of the roles and responsibilities of a PA. Ultimately, we lost to cancer. Heartbroken that my biggest champion wasn’t with me anymore, I strengthened my resolve to become a PA, to serve others as I had cared for him.
Shortly after his passing, I volunteered in hospice care, became a certified nursing aide, and inserted myself into the world of healthcare. As a CNA, I obtained experience delivering direct patient care and the opportunity to be a companion for all the residents I encountered across various nursing, assisted living, and private client homes. I learned versatility in the different capacities I could care for someone. Listening to patients reminisce over their past lives from wars to broadway theaters, wound-dressing a resident while she waited for a red robin—a symbol of her late husband with whom she had shared a love for birds— to land on her windowsill every day, or just singing to a patient through an anxiety attack, I learned the value and dignity of the lives they had lived. I encountered my grandpa in all of them, and this furthered my drive to provide the utmost care to others who had nobody there for them.
Desiring a more direct hand in the treatment of patients, I trained to be a medical assistant to Tan, a nurse practitioner who works as an orthopedic PA. Assisting in his interactions with patients reinforced my inclination to devote to others the time and compassion that my grandfather’s PA dedicated to my family while also fulfilling my ambition in practicing medicine. I admire how Tan independently examines patients, delivers diagnoses, and formulates treatment plans but consults his superior doctor to confirm his impressions and better his methods. All the while, he spends more than the allotted time to walk a patient through their diagnosis and care plan, ensuring they understand their ailments fully before dismissing them from our office, however trivial the issue. As Tan’s assistant, I play a part in delivering that sense of understanding I so yearned for as a child, especially to our large community of Vietnamese-speaking patients, and I am eager to take that role further.
My volunteer, shadow, and work experiences have led me here, to the front lines of healthcare where before, I cowered behind a language barrier. I aspire to translate the skills I’ve learned in treating both the ill and healthy, serving both patient and provider, into a means of positively impacting the healthcare of my community through each individual I treat.
Dominic Rubino says
A single mother sits in her hectic work office and itches her left breast. She discovers a hard mass. Although she is scared, her first thought is her son’s well being. I remember sitting at home while my mother reported her diagnosis to me. Receiving this news left me empty. However, I made it my goal to stay composed and become her primary caretaker. Without a father or siblings, I felt overwhelmed as I managed the entirety of this role. My academics suffered, and I barely graduated high school. I lost sight of many self-interests. To find an outlet during this difficult time, I discovered a passion for weightlifting.
Training my body to overcome significant amounts of weight was gratifying; moreover, it brought me solace. I started feeling more focused and less stressed. Furthermore, I set and accomplished goals, which built self-efficacy. With these changes, I was able to work on personal development once my mother completed chemotherapy. Although high school was unsuccessful, deep inside I yearned to pursue a higher education; especially since college degrees are rare in my family.
I entered community college without direction. However, I had been a successful caretaker and weightlifter. Without a clear career goal, I used these factors to help choose a major—kinesiology. This field offered me the opportunity to provide care to individuals through resistance exercises as a physical therapist. Intrigued by this marriage, I became a physical therapy aide. In this position, I developed many patient relationships and affected some lives. For example, I worked with an older gentleman who had crippling depression, loss of kinesthetic sense in his feet, and extreme weakness. Using my experience as a caretaker, I was able to empathize with the patient and develop rapport. Achieving this allowed me to positively affect his mental state, which led to progression in his exercises. Although these patient interactions were rewarding, I felt like I was in the wrong setting.
The surgical stories patients shared with me piqued me interest. I routinely envisioned myself participating in the operations and procedures they reported. Furthermore, often gave praise to the physician assistant monitoring their postoperative care. They mentioned that their PA was always prompt in answering their questions, which set their mind at ease during recovery. Hearing the effect PA’s had on patient care made me feel connected with this profession. After caring for my mother, I had made it my goal to help others feel comfortable in unnerving situations. The PA profession allowed me to fulfill this while engaging in the captivating procedures I had heard about. My realization of this perfect marriage motivated me to gain medical experience.
As I began to explore medicine, I was drawn toward working with the underserved communities. I could relate with these populations. Growing up, my mother and I experienced poverty and sometimes homelessness; moreover, we did not have health insurance. These conditions are frightening, and I vividly remember that feeling. To work closely with these populations, I became a medical scribe in community clinics. Whether engaging with these patients on home visits or in clinic, I was able to empathize and develop a rapport. I had many patients open up about the difficulties they faced waiting five years for housing or being elderly and confined to small rooms with a shared bathroom down the hall. These circumstances compromise quality of life and increase the risk of health problems. This exposure further motivated me to become a PA, but I wanted to further understand how to help these individuals.
To expand my knowledge of patient care, I pursued the opportunity to be integrated into an ambulatory capacity taskforce. Physicians, nurses, social workers, and lawyers collaborated to standardize a comprehensive, outpatient care plan for patients diagnosed with cognitive impairments. This was to address medical, social, and legal factors impacting patient rights and needs—available resources, end of life planning, and capacity. I was asked to record and summarize each meeting and performed chart review for 55 patients on the Curry Senior Center Dementia Registry. Through my involvement, I learned how to sift through and understand the complex web of legal and medical components involved in patient care. I hope to use the knowledge I gained through this experience to further impact patient care as a future PA.
Through shadow and work experience, I have found a profession I am passionate about. I will be able to pursue the goals I have set for myself while helping those in need by advocating for better patient care in a variety of specialties. Until I have this opportunity, I will continue expanding my experience with different populations as a registered behavioral technician. I hope to share my passion for bettering the care of all patients with a medical team as a future PA.
Libby says
Adjusting to a four year University was something I had to learn and extremely quickly after leaving my local community college. Due to financial hardships, I opted to commute to school while renting a home about an hour away from SUNY Cortland. In my first year at Cortland, I worked long hours while attempting to make ends meet which did not leave me enough time to study effectively. During my first semester, I withdrew from my first class which was devastating. I knew I had to refocus myself and finished the semester strong. I am unable to retake that course this semester with the other classes that are recommended. In spring 2019, I received a D in Ecology. This class proved to be challenging because it forced me to think in ways that I never had before. I had to step out of my human biology bubble. Because I did not get the grade I anticipated, this course is set for me to retake in the spring 2020 semester.
Zemirah Delabruere says
As I guided an elderly woman into one of our small rooms at the urgent care I worked at, I noticed she was clutching a piece of gauze over her left eye. As I sat her down on the exam table she began to peel the blood-soaked gauze off of her eye, swollen and inflamed, to reveal two deep lacerations: one on the outer corner of her eyelid and one below her eye. I offered her some fresh gauze as she started to explain how she and her husband were on vacation and taking a tour of a local museum when she slipped on a stair and struck her face. As I listened to her story, I felt empathy for her and wanted to do anything I could to ease her discomfort. Unfortunately, suturing was beyond my scope of practice as a radiologic technologist and medical assistant but I was eager to gather all the required supplies, ensure she was as comfortable as possible, and observe the healthcare provider carefully suture up her wounds. This experience speaks to one of the many opportunities I’ve had over the past fifteen months to observe the PA profession and is one of many that has strengthened
my growing passion for this profession.
My career in the healthcare field began five years ago when I accepted a position as a licensed nurse assistant at a nursing home in the rural village of Derby, VT. I was seventeen years old at the time and had no previous knowledge of healthcare due to my growing up in a sheltered religious commune that discouraged visits to doctors or any kind of outside interaction. Working as a licensed nurse assistant introduced me to the promising field of healthcare and facilitated the development of important patient care skills including compassion, patience, and empathy. I continued to build on these skills over the course of the subsequent three and a half years as a licensed nurse assistant and also learned the significance of teamwork and communication. However, one aspect of my job that I was not partial to as a licensed nurse assistant taking care of the elderly was the proximity of death and the grief that accompanied it. This is what eventually led me to pursue the career of a radiologic technologist, which I succeeded at and achieved a summa cum laude academic honor distinction upon graduation. Working two jobs as a radiologic technologist at a large hospital as well as at a small walk-in urgent care, where I also had the opportunity to perform tasks related to the role of a medical assistant, has given me a better idea of what providing comprehensive patient care entails. These experiences have nonetheless gotten me closer to where I want to be but I believe there is still room in this field for me to grow and obtain a higher level of knowledge and ability.
The first time I learned of the PA profession was two years ago during one of my clinical rotations in interventional radiology as a radiologic technologist student. While closely observing the placement of a chest port by a healthcare professional who I assumed was a doctor, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he was not a doctor but rather a PA. My interest was sparked even further when he told me he was a radiologic technologist prior to becoming a PA and this feeling of mutual achievement is what initially inspired my consideration of the PA profession.
Throughout my experiences shadowing PAs and APRNs in the urgent care I worked at as well as in the emergency and general surgery departments in the hospital, one encounter that stood out to me was when a patient informed me he preferred to be seen by a PA rather than a doctor. I was surprised at first by his statement but when I asked him why, his answer made sense: “PAs are more thorough than doctors.” I saw how this statement could ring true in the sense of often limited time to spend with patients or inadequate interpersonal skills many doctors exhibit. The concept that PAs can make a positive difference in the lives of their patients by simply offering their time and making their patients feel heard is what validated my decision to become a PA.
My journey in the healthcare field, which began five years ago when I left my family and the religious commune which I had called home for seventeen years of my life, has shown me that determination and hard work are the basis to achieving anything worthwhile. The ability to make a difference in peoples’ lives, whether it is simply being there to listen and provide emotional support or delivering a life-saving treatment, is an accomplishment I hope to achieve. My experiences over the course of this journey have taught me kindness, patience, empathy and, more importantly, how to be a team player in the delivery of patient care. I believe it is these skills that will make a great PA: possibly even a PA who will be preferred over a doctor.
A. Bra says
Medical professionals have always made me feel safe,
comfortable and as if they had my best interest at heart. Unlike many children,
I enjoyed hospitals; the idea that they are meant to help people and each room
housing a different person with a unique story. I distinctly remember being
treated for some form of infection as a young child, most likely from biting my
nails, being poked, prodded and injected by a myriad of items, all-the-while I
still felt like it was for my good. The worst part of the entire ordeal was the
wait. My mom had to explain to me that near our low-income public housing
neighborhood there weren’t enough medical professionals. I understand why; the
violence and crime were high, families were poor and regard for education was
low. It was from instances like this, I knew I had to be involved.
I directed my efforts toward getting emergency medicine
certified in the form of an EMT, teaching high school sciences and coaching
eager athletes. From these experiences, I have seen the effects of assisting
those who need it most. These things, however enjoyable, rewarding and
necessary, never have been quite enough for me. They have never quenched my
desire to help people in a medical setting. Helping students with science and
math as well as on the field has catapulted my drive and initiative to help
individuals, this time outside of the classroom. It is from this that I have
come to understand the duties and role of physician assistants. As a provider I
can educate others, with thanks given to my background as a teacher, to finally
get a sense of fulfillment.
I have been in close relation to multiple physician
assistants. A college teammate of mine is a physician’s assistant and my last
two primary care providers are both in the profession. What I love about each
is that they were able to make connections, give me insight and advise me that
this career is perfect for me. The freedom to practice under the supervision of
a skilled, supportive physician to foster a collaborative environment reminds
me of any successful team that I have been a part of. I am also intrigued by
the option of lateral mobility within the profession, as I am invested in
multiple facets of medicine; such as orthopedics, surgical and emergency
medicine.
I make students, athletes, and patients feel heard as if
they matter; they all do. I take notes and jot down important bits of
information all while making meaningful eye contact. I find ways to make a
connection whether it be myself, a friend or a family member I know in a
similar situation. Finally, I take these pieces of the individual and share
them with those that can help and let the individual know I will do whatever in
my power to better their situation.
Around the age of 12, I was an avid fan of the show Trauma:
Life in the ER. I remember being mesmerized by what I was seeing, the various
medical emergencies occurring on screen, sparking my interest to one day
perhaps be able to don a stethoscope, a set of scrubs, or even be the one
holding the scalpel and making an incision. I even got the opportunity to
shadow and get hands-on experience at a featured hospital on the show, Charity
Hospital in New Orleans the summer before it was closed due to complications
with Hurricane Katrina. I helped in the delivery of babies, assess injuries and
be involved in surgeries. It was the culmination of these moments that helped
me realize I wanted to become a trauma surgeon, and thus began my quest towards
my goal.
I began my matriculation as a great student, but an even
better athlete. I admit a lot of my focus was on my athletic career, as the
scholarship money allotted to me allowed me the opportunity to pursue higher
education. As a nationally recognized competitor, my priorities shifted greatly
and my academics suffered. However, as an adult student, I have realized the
importance of placing my efforts, concentration, and resources into my studies.
Thus, all courses taken after the completion of my Undergraduate Degree have
all received an A as the final grade, including both teaching certification and
required prerequisite courses for physician assistant programs.
The joy felt influencing others in positive ways by giving
them the tools required for their ultimate success, as physician assistants do,
cannot be described in words. Helping people realize exercise requires energy
but also helps you feel more energized, that sometimes our genes and jeans may
be related but diet can improve ones’ situation, and that accidents happen but
the overall role of a PA is to provide safety, comfort, and improved quality of
life. This is who I am and how I expect to express myself to patients.
A. Bra says
Could a response to this be posted?
Haley Nadeau says
A 35-year-old woman named Lisa came into the office one day and truly opened my eyes to how pain can be so crippling. I met Lisa with a smile as I called her back. This active and healthy mother used a walker and shuffled down the hall holding back tears. As I helped her sit down on the chiropractic bed, Lisa told me how she fell on her dock getting off her boat and how bad her back was hurting. I properly positioned her body and applied the electric stimulation therapy while also applying a red-light therapy laser on L-5 S-1 of her spine, explaining how each therapy works and what she should expect to feel. After weeks of treatment and adjustments, Lisa was finally getting back to her regular routine. This first-hand experience of watching and helping a person go from rock bottom to their healthy normal state further motivates me to continue down the health field track, specifically as a PA.
Since this is my second time applying to PA school I have had the opportunity to strengthen my application. I have always been interested in how the body moves so I jumped at the opportunity to work at Riebesell Chiropractic Center as a chiropractic aid for Dr. Riebesell. I have gained more experience working with patients as well as creating meaningful relationships with them. Dr. Riebesell has taught me that caring for a patient goes beyond giving them therapy and adjusting them. It is listening and connecting with the patient to make them feel comfortable and cared for. A patient named Jessy comes in to get treated for her migraines. When I first introduced myself instead of giving her heat and walking out the door, I asked if she was sensitive to light. After hearing she was, I went the extra mile to make her comfortable. I shut the blinds and turn the lights down low, I prop pillows under her head and legs and I give her a cloth to cover her eyes. I now do this every time I see her, and she is always so gracious and kind back to me. I make sure every patient I encounter at the office is welcomed with a smile and given the proper attention. I have acquired many skills working alongside of Dr. Riebesell such as kinetic taping a patient and demonstrating how to perform proper stretches and exercises.
Working at the office for over 6 months now and gaining this experience has really solidified my belief in becoming a physician assistant. I shadowed my first PA, Kelly Pjevcevic, at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, and it became clear how necessary and versatile the profession is. We saw many patients in the office my first day as I experienced how injections were given but more importantly how the interaction between the patient and the PA took place. Many of the patients told me that they love coming to see Kelly and mainly are taken care of by her. This freedom to treat a patient without a doctor in the office allows for the PA to create a relationship with the patient. To me the patients almost have better, more personal relationship with the PA because more time is spent with them and I love that about physician assistants. My second day was surgery day. I observed a hip replacement, arthroscopic knee surgeries, as well as a shoulder arthroscopy. Other than the fact that I was able to actually see bones and muscle in person, I was able to interact with all of the team members that assisted in surgery that day. From nurses and scrub techs to the surgeon and PA everyone worked as a team. The kind of teamwork that takes place in surgery feels like home because of my history of playing team sports. At the end of the day, weather in the office or seeing patients after surgery, everything came full circle and the PA is able to witness and help the patient get back to living life.
I want to be a PA because I want to be able to make personal connections with every person that comes in to the office. Everyone deserves an ear for listening and a comforting smile. Being a PA I will have the opportunity to work with a multitude of people where I can spend enough quality time with each patient to make a connection as well as cultivate and execute a proper plan with the team to get them back to a healthy, functioning state. My background in team sports is very strong as I am still a high school basketball coach. We preach communication every practice therefore, I understand how important it is to communicate every process as a PA working within a team. The experience I gained shadowing and working as a chiropractic aid will only benefit me down the road on this journey. I was young and inexperienced my first application cycle apply but after a year of growth and experience I am ready to take the next step in becoming a physician assistant.
M. Hope says
When I was a sophomore in high school, I was on my school’s flag football team. It was my first season playing, and I just so happened to dislocate my finger during practice from a football being powerfully thrown at me. My sister picked me up and rushed me to the emergency room. This was my first time being in actually being in a hospital. I remember seeing nurses, doctors, and many other professionals seeing and treating patients, one after the other. I was so amazed by how hectic the emergency room seemed to be, but how organized it was at the same time. That was when I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.
I went into college with the mindset of wanting to attend medical school. I didn’t know much about any other professions, so I told myself I was going to be a doctor. I chose to major in biology, being it was a science major and not knowing much else to major in. Throughout many rigorous biology and chemistry classes, I truly started to love learning about human the human body and its process. I knew that I wanted to keep learning about health and the human body in order to help people in the future.
During the end of my sophomore year of college, I was trying to find ways to gain healthcare experience. I came upon a “Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Course” and after looking more into it, decided to become a CNA. I began working at a hospital almost immediately after acquiring my CNA license. Since my first day of being a CNA and still now, I have loved coming to work and helping patients. Although a CNA cannot do much in medical terms, simply helping people with small tasks or just taking five minutes to sit and talk with them could make their whole day. My compassion and drive grows each time I come to work. I am reminded each day I work that I want to help people, and I want to continue a career in the medical field.
Still at the beginning of being a CNA, I had medical school for my future. During this time, I was introduced to a physician assistant (PA) through one of the nurses. I told the PA I wanted to go to medical school, in which she told me to look into PA school. At the time, I could not tell you what a PA was or what they do. But after doing some research on the profession, my future plans seemed to change. What I discovered was being a PA has the most benefits for someone in the medical field: I can help people with their illnesses while still having time for other joys in my life. I loved the idea of the flexibility of specialties, as I am always wanting to expand my knowledge about the many different areas of medicine. I like the autonomy that comes with being a PA while also having a supervising physician to learn from and work with.
PA’s are able to provide affordable healthcare to underserved families and communities, which I believe is extremely important and a necessity. I grew up in a military family, spending my childhood moving from place to place every three or four years. I lived in both wealthy as well as impoverished areas. I have always had a place in my heart for the ones in need, and by being a PA I can help meet the healthcare needs of our nation.
After shadowing different PA’s, I was certain that being a PA was what I wanted to pursue. I saw them working under the supervision of a doctor while also being independent. The PA’s diagnosed and treated just as many patients as the physician did. I witnessed astounding bedside manner and compassion. Being a CNA for the past year has opened my eyes and truly made me want to continue a career in the medical field. I have learned the different roles of a healthcare team and appreciate every one of them. I have found my “why” in life, and want nothing more than to help, diagnose, and treat patients and their illnesses. I know that being a PA will grant me that desire. My perseverance and eagerness will push me through your rigorous program.