Graduate / I have always dreamed of having a job where I could care for and help others [11]

Question: Please describe your motivation towards becoming a physician assistant

I have to write an essay for a physician assistants program, but I've been having trouble with it. It's a combination of finding the best opening paragraph, and not knowing how to organize my ideas. I've written down a little bit, but I feel that it is so disorganized. If anyone could give me some idea on how to improve it, I would be very grateful! It also needs to be around 5000 characters, so far I have 1500.

It's not finished, I know it's bad, please bear with me!

As a child, I had always dreamt of a career that would enable me to help and care for others. This desire influenced me as I got older and led me to apply to Marist College as a major in biomedical science. In my junior year, I completed an internship in which I was able to shadow a physician assistant in an emergency room. By the end of my internship, I felt that by becoming a physician's assistant, I would be able to take care of others to the best of my ability. This profession would allow me to diagnose, treat, and help people with their medical problems.

With professional training as a physician's assistant, I would like to try and work in a clinic in an underprivileged area. I think it is important that everyone have an equal opportunity for health care. The presence of a clinic for those who cannot afford health insurance could greatly improve their quality of life. I would like to be a part of a facility which helps people get the health care that they need. It's important for someone to be willing to treat people in these areas: high poverty and crime rates tend to discourage most from working in urban communities.

During my internship at St. Francis Hospital, the physician's assistants helped me discover that this is what I wanted to do. Each week, I was able to observe one of them treat the patients that came into the emergency room. Here, I learned that to be a physician's assistant, one must be able to listen and talk to their patients. They were able to show their patients compassion and helped with their problems. I walked away from this experience hoping that I could someday help people in a similar way. This internship also helped me realize that I would like to work in an emergency room. I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and feel that I could work well and quickly in an emergency room. Also this type of setting allows me to treat a wide range of ailments, as well as meet a variety of people.

Another aspect of my learning experience emerged in the time I have spent shadowing Dr. Kayastha. He is a family practice physician who I have been shadowing in my spare time. I think I have learned a great deal from him. Dr. Kayastha shows his patients compassion and has immense patience. During the appointments, he examines his patients, or just talks with them. He has shown me that to be a health care professional, one must listen to the patients. They must walk away from their appointment feeling satisfied, and knowing that they have been listened to and understood by the person who is treating them.

My education, as well as other experiences, has instilled in me the skills that I believe are necessary to become a physician assistant. Working in a laboratory setting has improved my observational skills: I am better able to pay attention to all details no matter how minor. Laboratory work has also improved my ability to keep a detailed record of all my observations. Also, the group work done in laboratories have helped my social skills; I can collaborate with others to complete a task or to solve a problem. I have also taken the initiative to further my knowledge on my own. I have taken a BLS class and become certified. Also, by shadowing Dr. Kayastha, I have learned about basic examination such as taking blood pressure, and checking blood sugar levels. He has also taught me how to examine the ears, nose and throat of a patient as well as listen to their heartbeat, and listen for breathing sounds. The knowledge that I have gained in this past year will be invaluable in aiding me in my goal of becoming a physician's assistant.

Through my experiences, I have learned that there is an emotional aspect to health as well as the physical one. Having the proper support makes a huge difference in the recovery of a patient. In knowing that they are respected and being listened to, patients will be more receptive to treatment and heal faster. I believe that I can give people the patience and compassion that they look for from a physician's assistant. I feel that this is something I am meant to do. I enjoy working with people and find it easy to relate to others. I am able to systematically resolve problems, as well as consult others and ask for their help when it is needed. If I am allowed to become a physician's assistant, I believe I would be able to provide quality care to my patients and make a difference in peoples' lives.