Why PA?

Our world today is beyond chaotic and oftentimes hard to face. However, the birth of a baby can bring enormous happiness to a family. For some, the experience doesn’t go as smoothly as hoped and those parents must place their newborn child’s health in the hands of others. My ultimate goal is to be a member of the team that takes on that role. After completion of my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue a Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree. These aspirations serve as milestones that I strive to reach in my career goal of working as a Physician Assistant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a hospital. I aspire to be that reassuring presence that can assure a new mother and father that their child is going to be healthy and stable. In situations where the baby is too young to save, I hope I can provide comfort and necessities to help the family get through such a difficult time. I strive for this because I care deeply about the people I am around and, if I can make someone smile or ease somebody’s pain, then I have done a small part in making the world a better place. I know that if I can be challenged and persevere, at the end of every day, I can say that I did something great and fought valiantly. I’ve reflected on my education at great lengths. As I look towards my future, I have decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology degree because it will serve as a pivotal stepping stone to a more focused career in the health science world. 

Recently, I had the pleasure to experience where all my hard work and education could land me someday. One chilly March morning, I entered the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Immediately, I was directed to change my clothes and scrub-in. Soon after there was a storm of pagers sounding and a commanding voice stating that a unit needed to go out to attend the Cesarean Section down the hall. Suddenly, I was feeling slightly nauseous and overwhelmed. A Resident started to provide me comfort by telling me that I would be okay and if I was feeling dizzy I should sit down. Putting on a hairnet and gown I entered the operating room. Right before my eyes, I was able to see a set of twins, a boy, and a girl, take their first breaths outside of their mother’s body. Here were two newborn babies who through their entire time in utero were under constant observation, but now with the help of the NICU doctors, they were perfectly healthy and would be going to their new home in less than twenty-four hours. There was something about seeing a life that started poorly turn out positively that was amazing. Throughout the course of the day, I saw two more births; another c section and a natural delivery. I saw a mother filled with anxiety, as her baby had an umbilical cord wrapped around his neck three times, slowly relaxing as the doctors of the NICU proceeded to treat him until he was in stable condition. I was able to experience healthcare worker-patient connection as they provided her with ease during this difficult, stressful moment as well as provide excellent care While it was exciting to see new patients come in and treatment plans devised, one of my favorite parts of the day was getting to witness a family taking home their baby. I watched as a joyous new mother and father got to carry their son out of the NICU for the first time in his life and I remembered that earlier in the day the resident had told me that sometimes there is absolutely nothing that they can do to save a baby. Sometimes the baby receives every possible treatment, and sometimes you get to witness one of the best experiences in life when a family can go home. I realized that day that even though working in the NICU can fill one with sadness, at the end of the day there are so many more babies that one can nurse back to health. This entire experience led to my great desire to work in the NICU after I complete my education. 

Every parent that spends time in the NICU will want to know that their child’s care team is well educated and can formulate the right treatment plans that lead to the best outcomes. As a healthcare worker, my education will be critical. I need the knowledge to be able to react to constant changes in situations and adapt to each case. These facts are only escalated when working with preemies. Thus, my education provides a key foundation in allowing me to achieve my goals of treating these incredible young and fragile children. I know without a doubt that this is my dream job and I am prepared to persevere and dedicate myself to my education to turn this dream of mine into reality.