Personal Narrative: A Personal Experience Of Working In Medicine

As I exit the locker room, I strap on my black cleats and tighten my gloves. I grab my silver helmet with the lightning bolt logo, touch the sign that says “Play Like A Champion Today,” and walk into the tunnel. Finally, we hear our team’s name, and we run onto the field ready to defeat the fear of losing embedded in our minds. The opportunity arose, and whether we seized it or not, this would be my last game. We took away from that day more than just a win, or a loss. As somber as I was to let this moment go, I knew I had not let my team down. There was no anguish, no agony. These lessons from football have carried over in my journey to become a physician. I knew I wanted a career in healthcare, and football has better prepared me for that.

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 sat at the kitchen counter, staring at the green cabinets and bowls of fruit. I wanted to play in tonight’s soccer game, but my mind was still foggy from the drugs I received in the hospital the day before. I didn’t want my teammates to see me like this. My hair was matted from where my head rubbed against the blue hospital pillow, and a wrinkled piece of clear tape secured a nasal feeding tube onto my cheek. I hated what the tube meant: that I was inadequate and that I couldn’t drink by myself. I was someone who insisted on doing everything on my own, and the thin, flexible tube was a physical reminder that I could not. My mom and dad lauded my bravery, but I dismissed them. I didn’t believe bravery was dictated by necessity.

Three years ago my grandpa got very sick, and was admitted into Hospice. Every day I watched as CNA’s and nurses took care of him, helping our family. The support of those caregivers made me want to be a CNA for the summer, and possibly pursue a career in the medical field. Helping people has always been a passion of mine. The happiness I feel by helping others, is what I strive for. Compassion and kindness are two of my most valued traits. I would not be the person I am today without them.

Well the doctor office I normally go, they are nice and polite. I never have problems when I go there. The last time I went which was a couple months ago, the lady at front desk was very unprofessional. She had her pants unbuttoned, playing her music loud, and she was popping her gum. I never seen her before because I usually go earlier in the day. I was very disgusted. The whole time I was talking to her I was thinking is she serious. I could not believe she really like that at her job. I wanted to tell somebody who could do something about it but I did not want to go through some whole extra stuff. I was very amazed that she was hired on though. As a medical assistant, I would make sure I had my hair pulled back and my scrubs were clean and

Nigeria, 2001, I awakened startled with people screaming indiscriminately. My dad's head was bleeding profusely, and my cousin, sitting in the passenger seat was bleeding from his neck. There were shards of shattered windshield everywhere. I was in the backseat uninjured but scared. This commotion was the aftermath of a car accident involving my dad, my cousin and me, while he was driving us to school. Next, we were rushed to the hospital, however, upon arrival, we were refused treatment until we paid an admissions fee. This practice was common in my country. Although the incident was disturbing, it drove me towards a career in healthcare, mainly working with patients who have a difficulty affording their medical care.

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.

My wrists burned terribly and the stinging pain seemed to rivet through my entire body. I didn't mind it though,it gave me a sense of being alive, a sense of that somewhere in the midst of this all, I'm still human and even thought I feel dead, I know I'm not.

Hi doctor. I'm wondering if I need to be concerned. I keep getting what seems gas. The mild/dull pain is always in a different area. It bothers the most the most when lying down. Therefore, sleeping at night has been a challenge, leaving me unrested. It also bothers when pain is around the groin, it sort of feels like if I had an urine infection, but I'm urinating okay. I've been taking the Omeprazole, thinking it might help. But it has not. What do you think?

When individuals think of dead people, images of loved ones might scroll through their brain or perhaps they are reminded of the infamous quote, “I see dead people” from the movie, The Sixth Sense. However, for me, the two words evoke a momentous memory in which I inspected cadavers. I was a teenager at the time, attending a summer medical program and it seemed as if I had entered the gates of heaven or simply put, the gates of Georgetown University. I had always wanted to pursue a career in medicine, and this was evident in second grade when I dressed up as a doctor for career day. It was sensational strutting around in my immaculate, white lab coat and using my Fisher Price stethoscope to “hear” the other students’ heartbeats. I felt the

When I woke up I had no idea where I was. I was dazed and really confused. The nurse came in and said, “Jaclyn you're in the Toledo Flower Hospital and you passed out.” My parents were sitting there with worried faces. I just wanted to know what was going on. She was giving me a medicine through my IV, looking as if she was frantic and dripping with sweat. As soon as I got my medicine a stretcher burst through the door. There was a bloody unconscious man lying on it. My nurse immediately ran to them and she was rushing around and looked like she was on an adrenaline rush. She was yelling for a Doctor, but there wasn't one around. She had to make the decision to intubate the patient without the doctor and that was a risky decision.

Allied Health was my first real exposure to the medical process, and allowed me to gain a clear picture of why I believe I would excel in this profession. The first semester of Allied Health was spent in the classroom, pouring over basic medical practices, medical terminology, and anatomy. Before this, I had known subjectively that being a doctor meant knowing a lot of stuff, but I was unprepared for the overwhelming amount of objective information Dr. Lynott taught us for two hours each day. Going into her office one day to inquire about a poor grade, I remember asking "Is it really this much studying to be a doctor?" Her immediate response has shaped my idea of what it means to be a medical doctor to this day. "When a patient is on the table, that much studying could mean the

My decision to enter the field of medicine was affirmed when I had an eye-opening experience with my new pediatrician. I had just moved from Guyana to the U.S and I remember being anxious and uncomfortable as I had a good relationship with my previous pediatrician, who I had known for years. However, when I arrived at her office, she greeted me with a smile and asked me about my medical concerns that day. Throughout, the exam she explained what she was doing and why it was important. I remember being amazed, learning about my body was an incredible experience for me. When I asked her why she had explained all this to me, she said “It is great that you can come to me, but I also need to teach you how to take care of yourself so if a problem

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

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.