Graduate / 'From veterinary to ambulance' - Physician Assistant Personal Statement [2]

I'm looking for reviews regarding my personal statement for an application to a physician assistant program. The instructions read, "The Admissions Committee is interested in your reasons for entering this field and in your ability to express the motivation behind your decision. Explain below the unique factors and experiences that led you to this profession. If you are already certified or licensed in a health professions field, explain why you wish to continue your education." No length limit was given. My essay currently stands at 802 words. Any suggestions or critiques are welcome.

A sweltering barn full of horses, donkeys, and alpacas seems an unlikely environment to cultivate an interest in becoming a physician assistant. However odd it may be, this is exactly the place that allowed me to discover my passion for medicine. My journey since that summer of 2006 has taken me far from animals, but my enthusiasm for healthcare has grown with every step. Every subject I've studied, hour I've volunteered, and job I've worked since my time in that barn has strengthened my desire to work as a physician assistant. I am anxious to begin my next journey, one that will lead me to a career that marries my interest in medicine with my passion for service.

Following my freshman year of undergraduate studies, I was presented with the opportunity to work as an equine veterinary technician in a teaching hospital. For a budding pre-veterinary student a better job did not exist. Little did I know this job would teach me more about myself than about becoming a veterinarian. I found joy in caring for my patients and working as part of a team to teach senior veterinary students. My passion for surgery and emergency blossomed with every patient I encountered. But as I stood in the operating room one afternoon I realized the medicine itself excited me every day, not the patients. Upon my return to school the following year I met with my advisor to inform her I had decided to pursue human medicine and have never looked back.

The years since my work at the veterinary clinic have led me to discover why practicing as a physician assistant best fits my strengths and interests. My time as an undergraduate student was split between two endeavors: studying for my science courses and volunteer work. I chose a major in microbiology and I was thrilled to find the curriculum was not set in stone, allowing me to choose professional electives that would build a foundation in clinically relevant knowledge. Any time not spent on academics allowed me to volunteer with a philanthropy society connected to the Naval ROTC program. Within this group my desire for service grew beyond any passion I have ever known. By my senior year, I found myself juggling graduate level biology courses with acting as president of my service society. I was set on a path to find a career that could bring together my loves for medicine and service.

Through volunteering and shadowing in clinical settings I have felt very drawn to the work performed by physician assistants. In many offices I visited, quick accessibility to care has been improved by the addition of multiple physician assistants within one practice. This level of availability can be very important in both preventative medicine and treating acute conditions, making a physician assistant a very important part of the healthcare team. I also am very attracted to the ability to adapt to changing needs within medicine. I welcome the idea of being able to adjust my career to different specialties in response to current patient needs. By becoming a physician assistant, I hope to become an integral part of a healthcare team to meets the needs of patients in a very personal way.

My goal to become a physician assistant has become the guide for my volunteer and work experiences within the last few years. While still a student, I volunteered with a local clinic for low income patients or those without access to health insurance. Their gratitude for access to even the most basic healthcare was apparent and continues to be a point of inspiration for any job I tackle. Upon graduation I began work in an addiction services clinic. This position taught me new levels of patience and compassion for patients that I had not yet experienced. I recently began work as an EMT for a critical care transport company. I strive to continue to gain as much clinical experience as possible and am enjoying working in a public service setting. I take pleasure in being able to put my medical studies into action and learn more about the practical application of my knowledge. I am anxious to further my education to allow myself to better serve patients in need.

My journey from a veterinary barn to working in an ambulance may not be a typical path, but it has cultivated a passion for healthcare I may not have otherwise discovered. My enthusiasm for service to others will drive me to discover how I may best serve my patients. With each patient I deliver to a hospital as an EMT, I become more excited about my next step in my path. I look forward to the day when I will be the physician assistant accepting those patients to provide them with a higher level of care.