Completely rewritten from scratch

[Recook]

I feel like my first narrative did not really convey how I was introduced to the profession, why I would like to be a part of the profession or how my experiences relate to the profession.

If anyone could give me some feedback on my new narrative, I would really appreciate it. I would like to submit my application sometime within the next 2 weeks. Thanks!

Here it is:

 

Watching someone take their last breath is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, especially since that someone was my dad. The hurt and pain I endured while watching my dad die a slow painful death pushed my limits all the way to the bitter end. It made me realize that I did not want anyone to feel the way he or I did that day. I knew wanted to heal people for the rest of my life.

Though I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare field, little did I know I would be so intrigued and motivated to become a physician assistant later on down the road. My first encounter with a P.A. was at my doctor’s office. A lady walked in and sat down in a chair in front of me so that she was eye level with me and introduced herself as a PA. She took my history and asked me what was going on and how she could help. Not only did she seem very concerned for my health, she was concerned for me. She was very knowledgeable and helpful with explaining my diagnosis and treatment plan. My interactions with that woman lit a spark in the back of my mind.

 

Once I graduated college, I got a job offer to work in a basic and clinical research lab at the University of Texas Medical Branch as a research associate. Since then, I have been involved in two projects: characterizing the vestibular system of caspase-3 deficient mice as well as gentamicin ototoxicity in mice. I have also had the opportunity to be an author for a publication on case studies involving cochlear implants. All of these projects have helped me build upon my team work and communication skills tremendously. Team work, I know, is especially important in the PA profession. Working alongside physicians and other health care professionals is something that sets the profession apart from others. I feel that this is important because it relays a message of reassurance to patients.

 

I have always had a passion for learning and knowledge. Learning is one of my favorite hobbies. This is part of the reason I have always been drawn to the healthcare field. There is still so much to learn about human health and diseases. Knowing that there is still so much out there, motivates me every day to pursue my aspirations of becoming a PA.

 

Since the projects I was involved with took up much of my time, I did not start shadowing my supervisor, a physician, until March of 2013. I have been taken aback by how many different diagnoses can be made in just one day of clinic, from allergies to myringotomies. While shadowing at her clinic, we see mostly adult patients. I have direct contact with patients by doing a general exam of their ears, nose, and throat. I also have had the opportunity to assist with an arch bar removal and have had experience with flexible laryngoscopy. I also am currently shadowing at a pediatric clinic where I have learned that not only do the patients need to be cared for, but also the parents. Parents naturally want the best care for their children. It’s difficult enough to make decisions about healthcare for yourself, but it’s even more difficult when the decisions needed to be made are for someone that is completely dependent on you. I feel that education is an important factor when it comes to healthcare. Educating the patients and their families can be a tremendous step in treating patients.

 

As a PA, I want to focus on what I believe is the most important part of the health care field and that is, health. Since I am currently shadowing two physicians, I inquired about the duties of a physician assistant versus a physician. I was informed that a PA is responsible for looking over the past history, taking current history, examining, diagnosing, performing minor in-clinic surgeries, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and even prescribing medication. This information, combined with my own research of the profession and my hands-on experiences while shadowing in the clinic have confirmed my decision of becoming a PA.

 

Nobody is perfect and I believe that everything happens for a reason. Something good can emerge from even the most devastating events. When Hurricane Ike hit the Gulf coast, my life took an unexpected turn and I found myself faced with some hard decisions. Due to the fact that I had just lost my home and all of its contents, I was forced to move to Louisiana to live with family for a month. During this time, the University I attended would not allow me to drop my classes or make up tests missed, which unfortunately impacted my grades. It was a very stressful time and given the circumstances, I feel that not only did I come out a stronger person, but that turn of events played an important role in strengthening my skills of working under stress. I feel that I can use that outcome to my advantage as a PA

 

As a PA, I hope to channel my passion for knowledge to patients by educating them on not only their condition, but more importantly preventative and primary care. I will also strive to utilize research as a means to spread hope and insight to the incurable, a way of developing new treatments, and to encourage and inform my patients.

 

Again, this is just the first draft so any suggestions on content and/or grammar is appreciated!

[PAhopeful13]

Hi so far it looks good but I would change this : "I was informed that a PA is responsible for looking over the past history, taking current history, examining, diagnosing..." Saying I was informed shows you just were told and it's not coming from you.