I do not have much experience formally writing essays so any and all feedback is welcome!! I am happy to share the wealth and review your essays as well Thank you in advance!
The personal philosophy that guided the life of Walter Reuther, a famous American labor union leader, exemplifies my genuine passion in life. Walter once said, “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well”. My experience helping others in the healthcare field has provided me with an overwhelming sense of personal worth and happiness. While the path that led me to my current job as a patient care technician was not easy, it has been the most rewarding experience of my life.
My parents both came from a small rural town in New York where education was not their main priority. My father only graduated high school, while my mother received a two-year degree from a community college simply due to the persistence of my grandparents. When my parents divorced in 2006, I was left to pay for my college degree on my own. I held two part-time jobs throughout my entire four years of college. As a result, my GPA suffered, as having money to live became a priority over the extra time I needed studying for an exam. However, I was determined to persevere because I knew my purpose in life was to help others in the medical field. There was not an hour of my day throughout college that I did not take full advantage of. I was either at work, studying, or volunteering because my dream of being in the medical profession was my top priority.
After graduating college, I wanted to immerse myself in the healthcare profession. I began working as a patient care technician at Unity Hospital on a cardiac and stroke floor. It was here at Unity that I was exposed to the often life-threatening heart conditions and the debilitating complications following a stroke. The job was extremely challenging, frequently involving post-mortem care and the delicate emotional issues that surround the end of life.
However wearing at times, my job was exceptionally gratifying. I was in direct contact with patients and their families. Aside from taking care of their medical needs, I was able to help them emotionally by talking with them and listening to their concerns. It was through these intimate moments with my patients that lead me to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant (PA). I discovered that when the patients asked me specific questions about their illness and plan of care, I was left feeling helpless. I had a strong intrinsic desire to learn more about the diseases and I wanted to have a greater responsibility in their treatment and plan of care.
My own medical emergency would soon transform me from a healthcare worker to a hospital patient. I awoke one morning in 2011 with crippling abdominal pain. After several hours in the emergency room, the doctors had not found the cause of my aliment. I was extremely afraid and concerned by the time the PA came in to assess me. The PA entered my room and calmly began to explain my plan of care. She explained the procedures the healthcare team wanted to perform and why they were necessary. After the procedures were over, she came back into my room to explain that I had been diagnosed with diverticulosis. She immediately explained the condition and offered to answer any questions I had. I was amazed at her friendly and compassionate manner when communicating with me. She treated me like a person, not just another patient. I knew from this moment on I would pursue my dream of becoming a PA to the fullest of my ability.
Physician Assistants have the medical responsibilities that I desire: being able to diagnose and treat patients while employing a holistic approach with regards to the patient’s emotional needs. While shadowing a geriatric PA at Unity, I realized the Physician Assistant career embodies the true meaning of patient advocacy. The PA sat at the bedside of her patients and explained their plan of care while also engaging the patient in the conversation. She asked the patients about their concerns and was genuinely interested with their emotional well-being in addition to their physical state. I was overjoyed to discover the intimate moments that I had with my patients talking with them at bedside would only become amplified when I became a PA. My passion for learning and my genuine love of helping others gives me confidence that I will one day become a Physician Assistant who will go above and beyond to give my patients the absolute best medical care physically and emotionally.
