Hello everyone! This is long but thank you for taking the time to read if you do. I love this group so much already and am really taking in all of the good advice. I am a non-traditional student at 36.5 years old who is a mother, wife and small business owner. I started back to school 3 years ago knowing that I wanted to go into the medical field after soooo many medical issues of my own, but wasnt sure where and what I wanted to do. I became a CNA, then a Phlebotomist, all while doing Pre-Nursing pre-reqs as well. (Pleb was not a pre-req but I really wanted to learn the true art of this and I LOVE it.) I then finished my first year of Nursing School and went on my very first medical mission trip last Summer to Kenya with International Medical Relief. Something hit me while there. I wanted to be more than an RN and know I wanted to do more in terms of the patient. I knew that I was capable of it but self-doubt tends to hit when you least expect it. I thought about it intently and made the switch to a 4 year school and am now a Biochemistry major. While this adds more classes that I now need to take and a little longer time frame to finish, I am over the moon happy, holding a 3.8 cumulative gpa and look to apply to PA School at the University of Colorado School of Medicine by 2017. Currently, I am absorbing as much information as possible to make me a better and more ideal candidate for PA School. My grades are good and I intend on keeping them up, my hands on experience surely help and I will add to it by completing another medical trip this year and next, and I have already made contact with PAs that I can shadow. I wont lie though, I still have self-doubt and know its something that I cant turn off. Its terribly difficult doing this with a family but I am persistent and committed to the time line and amount of work. For those curious, and its okay if you arent, what piqued my interest to the medical field was myself always be a patient and a few years of too many diagnoses. I realized that I obtained a wealth of knowledge and had to explain it to every nurse and specialist that I saw. I was asked often if I was a nurse because I seem to know it all when new people met me. Flattered indeed but why not go for the gold and become that person. I was hit head on by a drunk driver in late 2008 and had an ACDF performed on C-4/5 and C5/6. Still to this day I suffer in pain. I often, as in twice a year, have spinal ablations performed. I also suffer from Spinal OA, AS and DDD. I have spinal ablations done in my L spine region as well. I inject with Enbrel weekly. Then there was that Brown Recluse bite that caused first cellulitis, then necrosis, MRSA and a portion of my leg was lanced out and had to heal from the inside out for 6 weeks. Next I was diagnosed with Central Adrenal Insufficiency and I found myself totally into Endocrinology because of its complexity. From there, due to major hormonal issues from the CAI, a uterine ablation & tubaligation were performed. Insert 3 knee surgeries (ACL reconstruction, IT Band release and minisical repair and grade IV patellar osteoarthritis which had to be shaved down. Most recently (2012), I had pulmonary embolisms and severe pneumonia this past November...I am a HOT mess. I have an internal knowledge and passion for pain management, endocrinology and orthopaedics. I wouldnt mind Plastics either. I want to be a Physician Assistant for so many reasons and perhaps it came across through my words and personal experiences. I am alive and now thriving for a reason and that reason I now know why. Nothing like hands on training, right? ;) I find my support in my other medical friends that are MDs, NPs, PAs and RNs. I value you all and your hard work and dedication to your job. Thank you. ~V
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 19:02:11 +0000
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