What Really Changed My Mind

As a young child, I was always drawn towards the field of health care. I remember reading about the many options that are held within it and wondering what path it would lead me on. Neonatal nursing was something that always came into my mind, but it was often pushed to the side by people and teachers who thought I should become a pediatrician instead. This became a real struggle for me, but as I grew up and began researching and exploring the health care field I came to a decision for myself. I came to the realization that everyone was wrong. I didn’t want to be a doctor at all. This sudden burst of independence from what everyone else wanted was the first step to reaching my end goal. Along with this, an accelerated education, volunteer

My sister Sarah had always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, ever since she could be around the animals on our farm. A couple years after graduating college, Sarah decided to make her dream of becoming a vet a reality. Sarah applied to many veterinary schools, all the while being optimistic that she would be accepted, and was finally admitted to a veterinary college in Grenada. Sarah struggled constantly to receive good grades and maintain her schoolwork. Nevertheless, Sarah remained optimistic that she would finish veterinary school with exceptional grades, and achieve her childhood dreams. Finally, after five grueling years of veterinary school, Sarah graduated and fulfilled her dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Optimism inspired my sister to reach her dreams, making it one of her top

When I was younger, I fell off my bed and cracked my head on the bed frame. I was sent to the emergency room and was given stitches. I had to keep going to the doctors for check-ups and me being a child, I was curious of the doctors and always asked them many questions about their occupation. At a young age I became very interested in the medical field. My mother being a surgical technologist and my ex-stepfather being a CRNA, I fell in love with the health care system and that’s when I knew I wanted to help others by becoming a nurse anesthetist.

It was near the end of my 8th grade school year, about 2 month away from graduation, when something I never expected to happen actually happened. This event really changed my life forever and shaped me into who I am as a person today. I had just arrived at my house after school when my parents received a call that my grandma was ill and that we should come down to check on her. As we rushed down to my grandparents house, my family was deeply concerned about what may have happened because my grandma had never really had many health issues before this. As we arrived at their house and walked through the door, we were greeted with the sight of my grandma sitting in a chair with a blanket around her while she was sleeping. My family’s first reaction

I used to tell my friends and teachers that I wanted to explore the medical field because that was what my family wanted me to do. They wanted me to become a doctor as it is a well praised profession that pays extremely well. As I grew older and entered middle school, I realized that becoming a doctor wasn’t something I was immensely interested in. Instead of a doctor, I wanted to become a veterinarian, treating animals instead of people. I’ve become aware of my passion for animals ever since I began having pets: from fish to hamsters to dogs. I decided to focus on animals when I first took one of my hamsters to a veterinarian. I thought that their profession was fun and interesting because it revolves around animals, something that I love and grown up with. Although studying veterinary sciences is difficult and competitive, becoming an animal doctor has been one of my greatest

Growing up I never thought about going into the medical field as a career. I did chef and restaurant management, took classes on computer repair and even working in a call center, but never did I think of anything medical. I was living my life content with what I thought was the best that I could ever accomplish. I was sitting thinking one day that I wanted to be able to truly help people. I loved watching medical shows and figured why not, I could do great in the medical field. So for the next few months I did my research and looked for the best option for me. I came across

Since I was four years old, sitting in my grandmother’s living room I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian. Anytime anyone would ask me “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I would simply answer with that. Not until I was told that I would be getting medically retired from the military, after 8 years, did I realize this was not what I wanted to pursue. I was 26 years old, realizing that animals don’t live forever and I would have to face death in this

I remember my fingers leaving shallow depressions on her cold pale skin. As the Paramedics left the room, they sadly instructed us to say our goodbyes and that they would be back shortly. If I had known she was going die, I would have said more to my grandma when she kissed me on the cheek the previous day. Our large family sat in the living room crying as my grandma was placed in a large black bag before being taken away. That sorrowful morning I watched as the paramedics unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate my grandma. This frightful and gloomy experience would inspire me to one day save lives. After witnessing a patient code, working as patient care technician (PCT), and experiencing the sincere generosity of two physicians, I became certain that I wanted to be a doctor.

It was June 10, the day we got out of school and headed to the beach. It was our annual family trip to Myrtle Beach which meant going to Family Kingdom, River City, to the ocean, and playing around. I couldn’t wait it was finally time to go and as soon as we got on the highway my mom stops the car and turns around because she forgot her pillow. That didn’t really bother me because everyone forgets things. We were about two hours into the trip when my brother realizes that he forgot his phone. He complained the whole rest of the way how he wanted to go home and he didn’t want to go all because of his phone. But the best part was soon to come. We stopped at a convenient store to rest and get a snack. I got a bag of Chex Mix and a Blue Raspberry

"BOOM!" "BANG!", went my mom of her feet onto the floor! I ran over to help pick her up off the floor. I got her into the bed and checked for any scrapes or bruises. After I got her all patched up and comfortable I came to realize that the last time this happened she hadn't had her medicine in days. So I proceeded to give her the correct medication and stayed over the next few days to nurse her back to health. Over those few days even at a young age, I realized that the medical field was just for me. I enjoyed doing what I did to help my mom and wanted to continue to help others the same way I helped her.

The person who first sparked my interest in pursuing a career in medicine was my Mom. She used to tell me a story and say “you are one of my many miracles sweetie.” After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and undergoing multiple rounds of chemo and radiation, the doctor told my Mom she would

Describe a time when you changed your mind. It need not be a life-changing event; you may have changed your mind about a book, piece of music, a political opinion, or a person you know. What made you change your mind? Was it an argument, or an encounter, or an epiphany, or something else? What happened as a result?

A couple years ago I lost my grandpa to an illness. It had to do with his diabetes and then it begin to progress to the point where he ended up in the hospital and then needed to be in a nursing home. After seeing the way that nursing home treated him and the other patients/residents made me not only disappointed in the nurses but also encouraged me to one day pursue a career in the medical field. When I graduated high school and went to college I was unsure on what I wanted to do. I was interested in automotive technology and radiology as well. Since I was undecided I begin some basic courses. After 2 years in college I was still unsure and decided to give myself the experience of working in the Eagle Ford Shale. It was heavy labor in all

I was allergic to the post-surgical medication and it caused me to break out. Thus, I spent many nights in the emergency department and a lot more time in my doctors’ offices than I would have liked to at that age. By the time I was twelve I had already been a patient of a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, pediatrician, endocrinologist, and I was about to become the patient of an oncologist. Routine pre-surgical blood work came back abnormal and due to my family history, I was immediately sent to an oncologist. The reason for my abnormal results that day was never found out, but I am very fortunate I had nothing wrong with me. At this point, I realized that when I grew up I wanted to be a physician. I wanted to be the person that helped so many others like myself. I felt, at the age of 13, that I owed my health to these physicians and that it was my duty to give back.

It was a normal day, after school we got a text to come straight home right, no big deal right? I walked up the steps, dreading every step I took because she’s going to make me do dishes or something. I’m going to have to do a set of chores before I can leave again, normal day like I said. Little did I know, I would dreaded this day a lot more than expected. Once I seen the look on her face, I knew it wasn’t just dishes. She began to tell us to not be scared ,but she won’t be here for long. She has cancer and with only six months to live. I was in disbelief, shocked and all I could think is “how could you leave me like this?”, selfish right? I remember going down the stairs to sit in her car ,but she was too sick to drive, therefore, it would become mine. I sat there replaying a new Eminem CD over and over and over. So this is the beginning of a life-changing experience, your sweet 16 is supposed to be the best year of your childhood. Unfortunately, I will forever remember my 16 as the last year I kissed my mom , the last year I got to tell her something about my day and the last year she made me do dishes.