PROMPT: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
What should I change or add? Is this a strong essay?
My paces to the door were getting quicker with each step towards the door. The hallway was empty and my shoes were making loud clicking noises, too loud for the early morning. As soon as I walked into the room that one morning, All eyes were glued on me and I was given a heartfelt welcome by several adults wearing similar uniforms, sitting on comfortable royal blue office chairs doing paperwork. I realized these were the people I would be working with for the next week, but what I didn't realize in that very moment was that this job was soon going to evolve me .
Many of my friends spent their winter break off from school, enjoying extra hours of sleep, shopping, or getting away from town. For me it wasn't a usual vacation, but a "staycation", meaning that I stayed in the local area and worked for long hours. I worked as a PT/OT aide at a local nursing and rehabilitation center. I was a sixteen year old girl working with highly skilled physical and occupational therapists, whom were much older than me. Their level of seriousness and commitment that I observed, influenced myself to embark on a higher level of maturity not only in the work place but also at all times.
The early morning started off with me going to the kitchen to pick up beverages for the patients and collecting fresh linens from the closet. It seemed very simple at first, until I came across one of the most important tasks, transferring the patients from their rooms to the therapy session. I struggled to get patients to come to their sessions, I felt like I was trapped in a labyrinth of halls while searching around the facility in frustration. Many of them were either still in bed, sleeping, or not dressed. The fact that nobody was ready, put me in some type of panic because I wasn't succeeding in my job.
At some point I saw a lady who was on the list for therapy, and despite my previous failed attempts of getting others to get up, I blissfully introduced myself, "Good Morning, my name is Michelle, the rehab aide. Are you ready to go to your therapy session today?" The woman was sitting in a large chair and above her was a small sign that read "Legally blind." She quickly got up but slowly strolled by me with her walker; I was fascinated by her avid movements. As we walked to the rehabilitation room she told me she couldn't wait till she completely succeeded in walking with a cane, so she could go home to see her daughter and grandchildren. I was amazed by how therapy would ultimately change this woman's life; each session would make her and others achieve progress, and not only become strong enough to walk better, but have the ability to return to everyday activities.
Throughout the week I got to know each patient on a personal level, and while witnessing their progress improve each day, I became very intrigued. When patients attempted to walk, I performed another essential task, it was following the therapist and patient with a wheelchair on their walk. This part of the therapy uplifted me, I noticed the compassion and dedication of the therapist revealed in their work. The enjoyment I felt while seeing these people get stronger and my admiration for the therapists' care, had me realize that physical therapy is a career I would pursue. A lifelong job that involves a worker to be active and mobile while helping others, as well as giving patients their undivided attention, greatly interests me.
Your essay is good and interesting! I liked the part where no one was ready, I could relate to that from experience. Here are a few fixes;
My paces to the door were getting quicker with each step. towards the door.
The hallway was empty and my shoes were making loud clicking noises, too loud for the early morning.Nice sentence!
As soon as I walked into the room, that one morning,all eyes were glued on me and I was given a heartfelt welcome by several adults wearing similar uniforms, sitting on comfortable royal blue office chairs. doing paperwork.
Many of my friends spent their winter break off from school, enjoying extra hours of sleep, shopping, or getting away from town.
...occupational therapists, who were much older than me.
Their level of seriousness and commitment that I observed, influenced me to embark...
This part of the therapy uplifted me, as I noticed the compassion and dedication that the therapists revealed in their work.
The enjoyment I felt while seeing these people get stronger and my admiration for the therapists' care, made me realize that physical therapy is the career I will pursue.
