Second draft of narrative for CASPA, thank you so much for your input!

[lutherta]

Here is what I have so far, but I am still feeling like it is not quite capturing my passion to be a PA. Incorporating addiction into medicine is also one of my interests since I have seen a lot of it in my family, but I didn't know how to tie that in, or if it is even important to do so. Plus, this is still too long for CASPA so I need to shorten it and not sure what to take out. Anyway, please let me know what you think of this draft, thanks so much!

 

Tears started pouring down my face as I hung up the phone. “We need to talk when you get home” my mother said. She had just gotten back from the doctor so I knew it was not good news. My mom was around the right age for menopause, so we thought that was why she was exhibiting so many changes in her health. Luckily we encouraged her to go get checked, just to be sure. She was diagnosed with aggressive endometrial cancer, at the young age of fifty. Watching her fight through the full hysterectomy, radiation, resulting back surgery and colitis due to the radiation drove me to work hard every day towards a career where I would have the opportunity to significantly lower the chances of anyone having to watch a loved one struggle so much.

My supervisor in the Breast Cancer Research lab recognized my potential from my previous job as an animal care supervisor and animal care technician, and hired me to do cancer research. As I rapidly gained knowledge and experience in the research, including cancer stem cell theory and treatments we are studying in mouse xenograft models, I became excited about this amazing potential for a cure for cancer! Within a year on the job, I received raises for my dedication and hard work. I considered going for a PhD and continuing the research I was doing; I love the daily sense of accomplishment, but I still felt something was missing. That is direct patient contact and ability to provide medical care for them.

A few co-workers were soon leaving for physician assistant (PA) school. I inquire about the profession, and read some literature about it. This profession sounded like a perfect fit for my caring nature. I have always had the natural urge to care for others, especially the weak or suffering; it is the most fulfilling feeling to know you have helped another. Another appealing aspect of the PA profession is the ability to work autonomously and as part of a healthcare team towards the common goal of patient’s overall health and well-being. It will be reassuring to receive confirmation from a physician that I am providing accurate healthcare. While researching the PA profession, the vast opportunities for specialties for a PA became apparent. Finally, the most determining factor is that PAs are less costly to hire, and are therefore cost-efficient to a company to hire and so possibly more readily available. It bothers me tremendously that people die or live in pain just because they cannot get the care they need due to finances or accessibility to a healthcare provider.

At that time, my grades did not accurately reflect my capabilities, largely in part due to a medical disability. Unfortunately I did not recognize that I had a disease that was significantly affecting my academic performance. Before I graduated, with determination and hard work, I was able to fight through some of it enough to improve my grades slightly. If I was as motivated and applied myself as I do now, I could have achieved higher grades. I got the medical attention I needed and stayed focused and dedicated to that for a year, and then I enrolled in the few prerequisite courses that I still needed to complete. I had re-taken some classes because I felt I had denied myself the chance to learn the material the first time. Taking these courses renewed my motivation to learn and I now had a newfound appreciation for my courses. In my current position, I continue to fine-tune many skills required to be a successful caregiver, including multi-tasking, prioritizing, and problem solving. I work closely with people of many different nationalities as well as those who do not speak English as a first language, so I have learned how to effectively communicate with many different cultures. I have also had the unique experience of being raised in a very diverse family, my father is Punjabi and was raised in Belgium, and my mother was raised in Brazil. I am extremely comfortable with diversity, and I am therefore able to bring that comfort and experience to others.

Unfortunately I was not accepted my first time applying to PA school. I was extremely disappointed, but realized it was not the right time for me, and it gave me the opportunity to gain more experience, and further explore all of the specialties I can consider going into. I was selected to go to Ghana to procure tissue samples for our lab from women with aggressive phenotype breast cancer. There I was touched by how grateful they are for the simplest things. I handed out extra ice packs we had to patients waiting in the non air-conditioned oncology building, and they were so thankful. We also visited the children’s ward. There were children with some of the most awful injuries, yet they were still smiling and grateful when we handed them a coloring book or small toy. One of the most touching scenes was a line of people waiting out on the sidewalk, in over hundred degree weather and over night, just to spend five minutes with a physician. When they did finally see the physician, they had so much gratitude. It made me realize how much we take for granted here in America, and can really work on our patience. I strongly believe that like a smile, patience is contagious, and I can help teach it to others.

Watching loved ones struggle with disease, caring for others in need, and all of my life experiences have made me more determined and driven to follow this dream. I really look forward to developing close relationships with my patients and making sure they are receiving the best possible care. I believe being a PA is one of the most rewarding careers anyone can have, and given the opportunity, I am confident I will be an asset to the PA profession.