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Journey


"For the highs and lows and moments between, mountain and valleys, and rivers and streams, for where you are now and where you will go, for 'I've always known' and 'I told you so,' for 'nothing is happening' and 'all has gone wrong,' it is here in this journey that you will learn to be strong, you will get where you're going, landing where you belong."
-Morgan Harper Nichols

My journey was much different than I expected it to be. I was the girl in high school that knew her college major, knew her career, and knew her life ahead. Well, little did I actually know. Traveling from California to Washington, I entered college as a Biology major seeking a career in Marine Biology as a behavioral researcher for sharks and whales. (I still absolutely love the ocean). By my sophomore year, I switched my major to dietetics. After taking anatomy and physiology, my interest in human medicine became very apparent. I began shadowing different healthcare fields...doctors, dietitians, and physician assistants. After shadowing an ER PA, I felt I finally found a profession that I was called to. I was captivated by the material and fell in love with the relationships I developed with patients. It was a place where I could challenge myself and apply teamwork and strategy. It was a profession where I could openly portray my compassion and love for others. So by my junior year, I finally switched my major to Applied Human Biology to pursue PA school.

Initially, I felt behind in my patient care experience. I was an athlete and most of my free time was consumed with weights, practice, games, or studying...seriously no social life. During my winter quarter of senior year, I began scribing in Pediatric Urgent Care. Once I graduated in June 2016, I accepted a full-time position as a scribe in Primary Care (I highly recommend this! You learn so much.) I began applying to PA school in April of 2017, took my first interview in July 2017, was accepted in October 2017, and I will begin school in January 2018. (Don't rule out January programs!). 

I am very thankful for my advisors, mentors, and support system through this journey. The process of becoming a PA can be difficult and stressful (I am still going through it), and I think it is great to have a support system to lean on when the going is great, and the going gets tough. 

"Its not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."

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