I am writing basically what has happened in my life to help me decide I want to be a PA. I feel it's not good enough though and I shouldn't be so literal. Any advice?
I couldn't move my hand. I knew it was broken. My mom took me to the emergency room and I had to listen to a doctor tell me I would have to get a pin put in my hand. I was devastated because that meant I had to say goodbye to basketball season. I was a sophomore and my coach told me if I played another game like I did my last one I will be looking at a varsity jersey; I had no choice but to say goodbye to that opportunity. My mom told me to calm down and we went home and I was to see the orthopedic surgeon that week. All I could think about was missing the biggest game against our rival, the game I was supposed to shine in. That week I went into Orthopedic Associates and was expecting bad news. The PA, with a firm handshake and an immediate joke, greeted me on how he has been in the business for a while and has developed a strong handshake with both hands. He was warm, nice and always smiled when he had a chance to. He told me I would not need a pin and asked what my favorite color was and put me in a cast right then and there. It was my first encounter with a Physician's Assistant and I immediately wanted to be like him. I had never broken a bone so when I did it was devastating. His funny personality and bright smile made me forget how upset I was for not being able to play. He told me the perks of having a cast and how everyone would get to sign it and I could make up some heroic story as to how I broke it. It was then, my sophomore year in high school; I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to be a Physician's Assistant.
I grew up in a family of five with two sisters, myself being the middle child. I always felt like my expectations were held higher by my parents, and I always had to do things on my own if I wanted them. I developed a strong sense of self and determination at a young age. I got my black belt in Kenpo Karate when I was ten years old, making me feel accomplished already. I had to work hard to win tournaments and I had to deal with the anger of parents when I would beat their sons in a match. I was taught young that self-control, respect, etiquette, discipline, determination, and good character would get me far in life. I believe these characteristics are necessary for becoming a PA.
During my junior year in high school we had career service week and I immediately thought of the PA. I got to go in and see patients with the PA. He included me in each visit and explained every problem and every x-ray to me. I got to go into the operating room and see four surgeries. I saw two knee replacements, a hip replacement, and an ACL reconstruction. The ACL reconstruction was the coolest thing I have ever seen. I saw the PA assist in these surgeries and support the surgeon. This helped me develop a better understanding of the roles of a PA. The PA is there to assist and support the physician but also is able to have his own patients and prescribe medicine when necessary. The PA always showed compassion and concern with every patient. He did all he could do to relieve them and give the care that was needed. My senior year I was chosen for the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine, a 10 day medical conference at Babson College. I saw so many different branches of healthcare and was able to experience a lot of different things. This was a valuable in helping me decide that PA was the path that I wanted to take.
I was also able to shadow my PA at Prime Care, a family practice in my community. This experience showed me another light of the PA profession. This was more of a laid back general routine for the PA. We reviewed labs, looked at charts, saw patients, and educated patients on how to become healthier. After this experience I was able to see another door for a PA, expanding more on how unique and versatile the profession is.
Through shadowing, volunteering, talking with people in the health care profession, and taking steps to become certified to practice patient care, I have confirmed I want to be a PA. With my education, experiences, and personality, I believe I am a person who can handle the pressures and the workload that it takes to become a PA. I find myself always improving, learning and growing with every opportunity and experience I am given. From shadowing in different settings such as Primary care, Orthopedics, and Emergency medicine, I was able to better understand the profession and see the work skills and the type of qualities it takes to be successful in it. I have a seen a lot of different departments and professions of healthcare and I believe that a PA is the most versatile and unique profession in healthcare. To be a PA would be very rewarding. When given the chance, I will dedicate myself to learning and growing to become the best PA that I can be.
Hi Taylor,
1. Can you be more specific about the question? Are there any guidelines/limits (Word limit, how specific you should be etc.)
2. You do a good job of building credibility by telling the reader how you know that PA is the career path for you. However, your essay could use some polishing. A big plus is to always show, not tell - while you've done quite a bit of showing, I also notice a lot of telling i.e. "I am personable, outgoing, responsible, respectful person" --> You shouldn't have to write this out; we should be able to flesh out these characteristics through the anecdotes you tell us.
3. There is a section in your essay where you insinuate that the reason you want to be a PA is because you don't want to be an MD (because of the time commitment) --> I suggest you try not to be negative in your comments, it feels like you are "dissing" the MDs!
4. "What made me confirm at that time to be a PA was ..." sounds awkward.
Cheers,
Diana
