1st Draft (First Time Applicant); Revision/Constructive Criticism --> ANYTHING APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!

[jgi123456]

        "Excuse me! Excuse me!" I cried out, frantically, as I had just received news that my grandma had been moved to a nursing facility due to her Alzheimer's condition worsening. I rushed over to the front nurse's station to ask which room she was in and was escorted to her room. Bright fluorescent lights lit up the hallway, as I nervously gathered my thoughts on how I could greet my grandma, the one who had raised me from childhood and became a second mother to me as well. Would she recognize me today? Hopefully, these flowers aren't too much, I murmured to myself. I had brought over her favorite purple orchids, in order to brighten her mood and maybe she could recognize the familiarity of the connection to me. To my relief, my grandma recognized me instantly, and continued to recognize me till her last day at the nursing care.

 

 

     At the end of year 2014, my grandmother spent the last few months of her life fighting a debilitating case of pneumonia which also opened the door to other various health problems. Throughout her treatment, both her physician and the physician’s assistant took turns overseeing her treatment. This was my first actual encounter with a PA, and during this time I learned a great deal about what PA’s do to support their patients, particularly relating to the lung and kidney infections for my grandma. I found it extremely intriguing to see a mid-level provider take part in the important role amongst his/her supervising physician and the nurses, working as a collaborative team to ensure the highest patient care possible.  Having worked as a buyer previously for 3.5 years, I thoroughly loved the “team-based” approach with the head buyers and my vendors and clients. However, I had left the career as I’ve always felt that the satisfaction from thriving upon sales and profit with wasn’t fully there for me. Witnessing my grandmother’s PA’s soothing compassion, professionalism, and accuracy with her treatment led me to develop interest for the profession.

 

     Inspired by the experience my grandmother had with her PA, I took a few basic science courses to test my interest in science and excelled in all of them. Taking Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology class further helped me discover my passion for the human body and the phenomenal importance of understanding it to lead healthy lives. It urged me to learn more about the medicine and the root causes of diseases and illnesses where I can actually help patient by treating and diagnosing them. I discovered my desire to counsel patients in maintaining proper health for preventive care, rather than just on “treatment.” To utilize this knowledge in a medical setting, I volunteered at the COPE’S Clinical Care Extender program in St. Joseph, a program that is designed to give access to direct patient care for pre-health professionals, to see where I stood in terms of interacting and caring for the ill. My duties consisted of providing basic patient care such as feeding, bathing, and taking their vital signs, but most importantly, showing the patients that everyone in the healthcare field is an extended family member to them that provide not only care for their illness, but also unconditional love at their most vulnerable times. However, despite the satisfaction that I received from knowing that even a single minute of my time given to patients can have a significant positive impact in their lives, I also felt a sense of frustration due to the limitations of what I can provide for them. I wanted to offer more than just bedside care. I observed the nurses and their assistants and admired them for their recognizable diligence and compassion, but their roles still didn’t satisfy the answers that I was looking for. I was curious as to why certain human beings were more prone to certain diseases and how each different individual’s body responded differently to certain treatments.

 

     Even though I felt that there was some sort of lackluster with my scope of volunteering at St. Joseph, I also found a blessing for me as I was able to encounter a handful of physician assistants on the floor who were able to answer many lingering questions for me that I had regarding their profession. I was able to realize that being a physician assistant is what would fulfill my dream in achieving the type of patient care that I wish to provide. I would have more power and control to assisting patients rather than just doing bedside care as a nurse. This shines a part of my personality because I love doing a variety of different types of tasks that specializes in flexibility. I could utilize my attention to giving medicinal help without having to be a doctor, and instead partake in diagnosing and giving the best therapeutic care from small needs like physical exams to bigger care like assisting with surgeries. This type of freedom in the healthcare world makes me love the idea of becoming a PA. As a PA, I will work as part of a team that ensures every patient receives the care he or she needs. I am excited to be a PA that makes a difference in the lives of others, and I look forward to spending the new few years of my life learning from and growing with peers that have similar aspirations.

[OLW2018]

I didn't read the entire essay, but "..rather than just doing bedside care as a nurse" needs to be removed. Do not demean other professions in your personal statement!

[kenab]

In the second paragraph you wrote "physician's assistant". Big no-no. I do like the talk about working as a team though

 

 

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