I will appreciate any opinions on this essay. It's 5000 character limit. Prompt: What is your motivation to be a PA.
"We are going back to Antarctica next month to collect the seals' transmitters and to get data on where they have traveled the past year", explained the graduate student, while physician assistant Judy checked his ears. She concluded that his infected ear stemmed from his recent cold caused his dizziness. Before prescribing him medication, Judy drew him an ear diagram and explained how the hairs in the inner ear fire signals to the brain for awareness of balance and motion and how his ear infection was impairing that function. In one appointment, Judy was able to make a patient feel comfortable while efficiently diagnosing, treating and educating her patient. Being a PA is the most suitable path for me; the career combines my interests in human biology, education, and helping people.
At the age of thirteen, I was ridiculed by my peers for my shyness and physical traits, which resulted in social anxiety. Fortunately, my reflective nature later allowed me to focus on my strengths and gradually regain control of my life. I developed a tolerance for others and their opinions, realizing that other people's environment may not teach them to keep an open mind and understand other perspectives. No longer stifled by my insecurities, I began to think for myself, and self-assurance grew over time. My weakness became my strength, and my tormentors became my teachers. The insight I gained from my childhood has instilled in me the foresight and ability to view people beyond their exterior, resiliency when facing obstacles, and an optimistic outlook that encourages me to move forward.
After graduating college, I taught biology in a classroom setting at Huada Chinese Academy. My experience enables me to break apart a concept, explain and illustrate the details, and connect the ideas, so that students understand the concept as a whole. Like Judy, I want to couple teaching with medicine, because educating patients about their body and medications is just as important as treating them. Not only does it improve the overall quality of their healthcare, but it also alleviates uncertainties and strengthens their sense of control.
My passion for medicine further developed when I was a volunteer at UC Davis Medical Center and later at the Rotacare Clinic in Daly City, which provides health care for the uninsured. One day at Rotacare Clinic, an elderly woman came in for diabetes medication and curiously looked at me while she waited outside the office. Afterward, she searched in her bag for a glucose meter and explained to me that she was confused about how to use it because she could not read English. With the help of a nurse, I slowly translated and explained to her how to use it. This experience showed me what a huge impact one person can have on the well-being of patients. It also showed me that my bilingual skills will allow me to be a better PA as I can serve both the English and Chinese speaking communities. It is very satisfying to know that the volunteer work that I did at the medical center had such a positive effect on people.
During the summer of 2010, I shadowed PA Judy at the UC Santa Cruz Student Health Center, which gave me a thorough depiction of the role and responsibilities of a mid-level practitioner. Judy taught me a number of things, including how to differentiate between a bacteria and yeast infection for pap smears, to carefully examine a patient's behavior and symptoms, and to genuinely care for a patient as an individual. One of her patients was M, a graduate student who was raised by a bipolar mother. Despite her intelligence, she suffers from depression and social phobia. PA Judy not only prescribed her antidepressants, but she also referred her to a highly qualified therapist. Since M was looking for a job, Judy looked into M's eyes and made her promise apply to at least one job where she had to work with people. Before M left, Judy gave her a warm hug and told M she loved seeing her. Watching her successfully carefully treat M while displaying emotional and mental stability, I recognized her contribution to a person's life, family and community and reaffirmed this was the profession for me. She was powerful in the way she could heal a symptom, comfort a distressed patient, and directly affect her community. I believe these are some of the greatest joys and privileges of working in the health field. Judy's happiness with her career and her care toward her patients fuels my desire to become a PA.
Judy's strong rapport with patients reinforces my desire to become a PA who takes the time and effort to provide her patients with a minute of comfort. My experience in shadowing and volunteering has confirmed my decision to become a PA and has opened my eyes to the requirements of medicine: problem solving, analysis of symptoms, communication, and, most importantly, genuine care toward others.
"We are going back to Antarctica next month to collect the seals' transmitters and to get data on where they have traveled the past year", explained the graduate student, while physician assistant Judy checked his ears. She concluded that his infected ear stemmed from his recent cold caused his dizziness. Before prescribing him medication, Judy drew him an ear diagram and explained how the hairs in the inner ear fire signals to the brain for awareness of balance and motion and how his ear infection was impairing that function. In one appointment, Judy was able to make a patient feel comfortable while efficiently diagnosing, treating and educating her patient. Being a PA is the most suitable path for me; the career combines my interests in human biology, education, and helping people.
At the age of thirteen, I was ridiculed by my peers for my shyness and physical traits, which resulted in social anxiety. Fortunately, my reflective nature later allowed me to focus on my strengths and gradually regain control of my life. I developed a tolerance for others and their opinions, realizing that other people's environment may not teach them to keep an open mind and understand other perspectives. No longer stifled by my insecurities, I began to think for myself, and self-assurance grew over time. My weakness became my strength, and my tormentors became my teachers. The insight I gained from my childhood has instilled in me the foresight and ability to view people beyond their exterior, resiliency when facing obstacles, and an optimistic outlook that encourages me to move forward.
After graduating college, I taught biology in a classroom setting at Huada Chinese Academy. My experience enables me to break apart a concept, explain and illustrate the details, and connect the ideas, so that students understand the concept as a whole. Like Judy, I want to couple teaching with medicine, because educating patients about their body and medications is just as important as treating them. Not only does it improve the overall quality of their healthcare, but it also alleviates uncertainties and strengthens their sense of control.
My passion for medicine further developed when I was a volunteer at UC Davis Medical Center and later at the Rotacare Clinic in Daly City, which provides health care for the uninsured. One day at Rotacare Clinic, an elderly woman came in for diabetes medication and curiously looked at me while she waited outside the office. Afterward, she searched in her bag for a glucose meter and explained to me that she was confused about how to use it because she could not read English. With the help of a nurse, I slowly translated and explained to her how to use it. This experience showed me what a huge impact one person can have on the well-being of patients. It also showed me that my bilingual skills will allow me to be a better PA as I can serve both the English and Chinese speaking communities. It is very satisfying to know that the volunteer work that I did at the medical center had such a positive effect on people.
During the summer of 2010, I shadowed PA Judy at the UC Santa Cruz Student Health Center, which gave me a thorough depiction of the role and responsibilities of a mid-level practitioner. Judy taught me a number of things, including how to differentiate between a bacteria and yeast infection for pap smears, to carefully examine a patient's behavior and symptoms, and to genuinely care for a patient as an individual. One of her patients was M, a graduate student who was raised by a bipolar mother. Despite her intelligence, she suffers from depression and social phobia. PA Judy not only prescribed her antidepressants, but she also referred her to a highly qualified therapist. Since M was looking for a job, Judy looked into M's eyes and made her promise apply to at least one job where she had to work with people. Before M left, Judy gave her a warm hug and told M she loved seeing her. Watching her successfully carefully treat M while displaying emotional and mental stability, I recognized her contribution to a person's life, family and community and reaffirmed this was the profession for me. She was powerful in the way she could heal a symptom, comfort a distressed patient, and directly affect her community. I believe these are some of the greatest joys and privileges of working in the health field. Judy's happiness with her career and her care toward her patients fuels my desire to become a PA.
Judy's strong rapport with patients reinforces my desire to become a PA who takes the time and effort to provide her patients with a minute of comfort. My experience in shadowing and volunteering has confirmed my decision to become a PA and has opened my eyes to the requirements of medicine: problem solving, analysis of symptoms, communication, and, most importantly, genuine care toward others.
