Physician Assistant Career Progression

According to a recent Forbes article, the healthcare industry projected that there will be increasing need for providers in the upcoming decade than ever before. One of the major factor in overcoming this need would be the increasing role Physician Assistants will play in the future of healthcare. They are going to be the screeners, the communicators that filter the patients through to the doctors. The healthcare industry is changing and being a Physician Assistant makes me feel that I can aid the industry in its evolution towards a more affordable and efficient system. In order to pursue my career goal as a Physician's Assistant, I would need stellar grades to be competitive in this growing profession. Unfortunately, there were academic problems

It was my first time away from my family, friends, and in a whole new environment. Initially, juggling four science classes was a daunting task, but I want to push myself during the short amount of time that the program allotted me. Despite many sleep-deprived nights and constant fear of slipping up, I managed to survive the quarter with my best science G.P.A yet. But for me, the real goal of this program was to not only raise my G.P.A but to prepare me emotionally and mentally for life in graduate school itself. For instance, Professor Pasaoglu would constantly challenge us with ethical scenarios in healthcare. Professor Ancheta would encourage us to integrate different biochemical pathways together for a more comprehensive view of the body functionality, instead of just understanding them in compartmentalized lessons. Professor Mukherjea would educate us on the important role that public health play in relation to the overall healthcare industry. These professors and many more contribute to my growth as a student and as a future healthcare

Surprisingly, most of them do not relate to medical cases, they were memorable because of the conversation that I had with the patients themselves. One of my memorable patients was Miss B, she came in for a particularly bad fall and on the surface, she seemed to be a standard patient. I was sent in to assist the patient in her basic need such as brushing her hair and keeping her company. As I brushed through strands of tangled hair, she proceeded to tell me her story. She expressed that she is a nun and was the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary send to perform tasks on Earth. As she was telling me this, she seems to be aware of how others perceive her view and therefore herself to be abnormal. Despite her eccentric view, she continued to be a pleasant patient, always thanking me for my care. We spoke amicably for hours as I helped her with various tasks, and at the end of my shift, she sends me off with a smile, saying I made her day by simply listening to her and not judging her differently for her belief. I always heard that a listening ear is the best medicine sometimes, but never have the privilege to see the effect of it for myself. She let me understand that being in the medical field is far more than just knowing how to diagnose sickness, and prescribing