Statement Of Purpose: A Career As A Physician Assistant

During my undergraduate studies, a professor presented me with a quote I’ve remembered over the years. He defined vocation as, “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” This quote has challenged me to find a vocation where these two points meet. I have come to realize providing quality healthcare to those in need fulfills my deep gladness. I believe my desire to provide that care, coupled with my skills and academic achievements have led me to pursue this career path. I am confident I possess the passion, the drive to learn, and the abilities needed to provide quality care and meet the challenges faced as a physician assistant (PA). While working at Avera McKennan Hospital I learned the everyday tasks needed to be completed by a patient care technician (PCT). It took time to adjust to some facets of the job, but many came very naturally to me. One aspect was conversing with patients, and demonstrating respectful bedside manner was never a challenge. …show more content…
As a PCT, I was able to effectively employ that communication style in carrying out the more challenging tasks involving patients. For example, giving a bed bath can be an uncomfortable and vulnerable situation for some patients. Being personable allowed me to alleviate some of the patients’ anxieties about the situation while also staying within the confines expected of a medical professional. From my experience, it is even more clear how important those interactions are to providing quality healthcare. My involvement with Avera confirmed my passion for working as a part of a successful health team and has motivated me to pursue a career as a PA. A couple weeks later, I was presented with a different