A Purple Raider Physician Assistant
I attended Mount Union for undergrad so I was already accustomed with the town and campus. I liked knowing that I could transition into grad school at a place where I knew the layout, faculty, and other students! I knew continuing my education here would avoid the distraction of living somewhere new and allow me to focus on what was important! Based on the positive aspects, and being close to family, Mount Union seemed like the perfect fit to pursue my degree in physician assistant studies. Starting clinical year and experiencing the healthcare industry alongside professionals and other students, I can say that our clinical skills class was one of the most beneficial courses because it gave us hands-on experiences that has allowed me to be ahead when on rotations. Currently in my surgery rotation, I began the first day closing up incisions and scrubbing in on procedures that other students waited weeks for! I feel that I have the Mount curriculum to thank for this because of how we were prepared for these scenarios in our first year.
Real-Life Learning Experiences
So far, my clinical rotations include behavioral medicine, family medicine, dermatology, orthopedics, and general surgery. Throughout this time I have learned so much about the medical field and have continued to find new ways to care for patients. I am grateful to have observed and assisted in the care of many patients. I have enjoyed experiencing different healthcare concentrations and seeing the various levels of care come together. I have learned that taking time to explain or answer a question can change the outcome of an interaction for both the provider and patient. One of my favorite experiences up to this point has been gaining confidence in myself and knowledge about each medical specialty I have observed. I love learning new skills and applying them in my next rotation and am excited to expand upon this as my rotations continue.
Future Physician Assistant
While it seems cliché, I have always loved the idea of working in a patient-focused career where I am helping people. I knew that I wanted to provide high quality patient care and be immersed in the treatment of each individual without going to school for a long time. I chose PA over any other healthcare profession because of the flexibility and versatility that came with it. Being able to diversify and adjust my experience as I navigate the different stages of life was one of the biggest factors in my decision because it created the perfect work/life balance. I love that the PA career allows us to continue to expand our knowledge and find new ways to care for patients every day!