Personal Narrative: A Career In Medicine

Ten years from now I see myself trying to buy a house. First the things I would do would be going to college and finding a job. I think it would be a little difficult but not as bad. Finding a job would be one of the most Important ones because you are always going to need money. Some of the decisions I would make would be living in town for a while till I for sure know where I'm going and what my job is going to be like. I would have to start saving once I get job for the important stuff and not going into debt. Going to debt right now would be a little bad, especially if you don't have a good job and aren't getting paid well. Also ten years from now I would be doing everything by myself. I am not going to be

Though I have another year and a half before I complete my schooling, it is always important to find out as much information about my future field of work. Knowing what is to be expected when going in for a job interview will not only be a bonus for myself, but allow me to feel confident when giving answers.

I remember being awaken by the loud commotion going on from the living room, so I decided to go check. I went out calling for my parents, but to my surprise, I only saw my mom on the phone crying from the reflection of a mirror. I wondered where my dad was. I got closer towards the living room and stood by the wall. I witnessed my dad sitting down on the floor having trouble to breath complaining about chest pain while my mom stood next to him. I closed my eyes in fear. I then heard something calling me to open my eyes. It was a siren that got louder and louder each second. I stood up and saw red lights shining through the window. There was a knock at the door and my mom went to open the door. Two men and a woman came through the door in navy

“Letto diciassette!” I froze at the sound of “bed seventeen,” and watched with horror as the Italian nurse ran into my grandmother’s hospital room. The monitors were beeping out of control, yet my heart seemed to be beating even faster and louder. I stood at the end of the dimly lit hall, shaking and unable to move. A health care provider spotted me standing there, desperate, alone, and vulnerable, and made her way over to comfort me. The feelings I experienced next are what I remember most when I look back on that dark and gloomy day in Italy. The feelings of hope, reassurance and genuine kindness. The feeling that a missing piece of my heart had been put back where it belonged. That is what I remember most and that is the role I want to fill as a physician assistant.

“It's not the operation itself that is the concern it's the anesthesia. That’s a bigger risk than the operation.” (Gupta)My career would be in nursing specifically an anesthesiologist. Basically they give anesthetics to patients undergoing a procedure. Also they have to keep a close eye on the patient during the procedure to watch out for signs of distress or a bad reaction. I am a very caring person and get very concerned with the well being of others. So naturally I want to go into nursing to help others when they are at their worst. I found it is difficult to find a career and a school that will meet my needs but will keep me entertained. If you don’t enjoy something you won’t want to be there or do that career for the rest of your life.

Other responsibilities included scheduling, verifying insurance, cash management, collecting copayments, registering patients, and scanning clinic records. New Patient Services Representatives (PSR) were trained, medical records were reorganized, and streamline processes improved patient flow. Work also entailed creating a wait list protocol and working with Rehab therapists to coordinate and handle scheduling issues, that may arise.

Having lived in three different countries in my childhood, it was a challenge for me to I wade through the unspoken rules of each culture. My Chinese heritage, reminded by my mother’s cooking, complements my penchant for Japanese snacks and trinkets. At the same time, I proudly represent Seattle where I grew up. My friends were often confused by my habits or certain beliefs and my family often did not comprehend what I was learning and struggling with at school. These obstacles were not solved overnight; I slowly learned to understand, taking the advice of many helpful teachers and mentors. I had to learn how to ask for help and advocate for myself. In my pursuit of medicine, I recognize healthcare transcends this cultural barrier, but the

Oliver came up to the Department of Radiology for a pre-operative stat echocardiogram. Fairly young and seemingly healthy, he warned me that he was in a lot of pain and could not lay flat for the exam. I propped him up so that he was comfortable, and we began. A third of the way through the exam, Oliver exclaimed “I can’t take it anymore, I have to let my legs dangle.” Initially confused, I quickly became aware of this patient’s affliction when he pulled the sheet off of himself, exposed his legs and displayed an extremity that quickly transformed from vibrant pink skin to ischemic blackish blue. Staring at the floor with a distressed look upon his face, he revealed, “I am having my foot removed today.” Horror washed over me thinking about

The events occurring during the summer of 2012 opened my eyes to what would become my life’s ambition. I discovered first hand how moments matter and how fragile life can be. My destiny is in the medical field and I am a believer that things happen for a reason.

Scared, nervous, anxious my emotions were all over the place. I didn’t know the interview was going to be a group interview? “Great!” I said to myself, now I have to deal with making myself stand out more. I thought to myself I need this internship so I can be able to look at different careers in the medical field. I need to calm myself down now the interview is about to start. Each time it came to my turn I felt so nervous that I couldn’t get the right words out of my mouth. Nine questions went by and the interview was finally done. I shake hands with both interviewers as I step out the door I felt intimidated by the other applicants. I don’t even know if I aced the interview or completely bombed it.

Henry Ford once said, “Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success”. Throughout my pre-med journey, I have sought out opportunities that will continue to develop the skills I need to become the compassionate physician that I strive to be. I was immediately attracted to the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) and the opportunity to spend six weeks immersed in the medical community. I was given invaluable experiences in medicine from a perspective that I only could have dreamed of. My heart raced as I took my first eager steps into an operating room and watched fervently as the surgeon broke and re-aligned a young boy’s deviated septum. I was in awe of the precision and composure of the physician. I saw the

When I first started in the medical field it was a bit difficult for me for many reasons. It was my first job that I ever had at the age I started. I learned very fast and it has been a good learning experiences for me as well. The task that I thought that I was not able to do was a preauthorization but that was because I was doubting myself. The reason for that was the process of gathering the information and making sure that the patient information is correct. I do think I have done everything I was looking for in this line of job but am also interested in learning new thing as I continue to work in this field. I like the line of job am in as for my dislike I don’t have any. I will continue to progress in the medical field as I like to learn

However, the second semester of my sophomore year, I took mammalian physiology which I fell in love with. In this class, I learned many things about the human body. Everything made so much sense, which made me enjoy studying. I always liked to know how things work and learning about my body was amazing. The only thing missing in this class was getting actual exposure on how the body’s organs work together. Joining the NERA program provided me with the hands on exposure I sought. I had a chance to see my mentor opening up rats' chests and I was able to see their organs. I saw for the first time a real heart beating. I saw all the organs and I became obsessed with how all these organs work together to create life. All the information that I learned in mammalian physiology was very crucial in my understanding of the research. All the pictures of organs in my mammalian physiology book became real in that research. After six weeks of research, I had to present it in a lecture hall. I was very nervous, but surprisingly during the presentation, I was so comfortable that I answered questions. I was very excited when one of the doctors asked me a question and I answered it correctly. I was so happy and ecstatic after the presentation that I spoke about this experience for days. At the end of the program, I came to the realization that medicine was for me. I learned that my focus is on surgery

It was 6 AM at the Military Hospital where I work as a house officer in medicine. I usually arrive at the hospital very early to see my patients before morning rounds. Walking towards my unit and enjoying the scenery of well-manicured lawns in the peace and quiet of the morning, I hear a scream from the unit. Mr. K a young man in his mid thirties, rushes out of the unit to the lawn yelling and screaming “ help me, someone help me”. Realizing who was approaching, he walks towards me saying, “doctor help me, can’t you see I am dying, can’t anyone help me”. I calmed him down and walked him back to his room. Mr. K is being treated for End Stage Renal Disease and requires dialysis but cannot afford it. His family has declined further care because the cost of dialysis will exhaust the entire family savings. Mr. K dies within 2 days of this event. I developed a special interest in Nephrology from that time and will never forget that encounter.

Though the injury was not awful, devastating was the news I received just two weeks into football season. After finally making varsity cheerleading, my broken foot forced me to wait yet another year to gain the position for which I worked so relentlessly. However, I did not let it entirely dampen my spirits and relied on my optimism to peel out positives. In fact, my immobility had an astounding way of revealing the compassions and sympathies of my family and friends who graciously helped me maneuver throughout my days. When considering future patients, I reflect on this vulnerability and the similar opportunity to provide support. Aware that a sick or injured condition can be frightening, I also recognize how it opens a door for disclosing