#future physician assistant

[prettyandpa]

White coat pictures

I highly advise EVERYONE take their white coat pictures on a day other than your actual white coat ceremony. Here’s why...

-white coat should be enjoyed baby!!! It’s not good for your soul to stress about finding that perfect insta worthy pic on this momentous occasion

-for me white coat was literally nestled in between exams (🙀)! I know that’s not the norm as most PA programs have white coat at the beginning-ish of the first year. Irregardless I was so RELIEVED to not be spending those precious hours trying to capture the occasion and instead be able to celebrate with friends and family stress free! I believe I scheduled my photo session like one or two weeks before my actual white coat ceremony

-is your school not serving the photo backdrop you DESERVE ??? Do we want our future linked in defaults to have our school auditorium’s chipped paint in the backdrop of our pics??? I think not !!!! When we schedule our photo session ahead of time, we can avoid spending our special day traveling to more desirable locations (for me it was the Brooklyn bridge)

-consider hiring someone. I know. I’m not normally this crazy. If my roommate or boyfriend can’t take a good photo within three tries I’m over it. But hear me out: White coat is a big deal! This is your first step into the medicine profession. Years from now you will be so happy you documented it professionally! I was the only one in my class to have a paid photo session before hand and I was so shocked more people didn’t do it so I feel like I should share this! It’ll also take away a lot of stress because let’s be honest your mom doesn’t always know the best angles

-wear the same outfit you plan to wear to white coat in your photos. Post photos after white coat. No one knows the difference !!! You sneaky lil thing

-appreciate this time with family and loved ones!! They’re so proud of you and have hopefully been your support system through this entire journey. This day is for them as well! Spend your time taking photos/celebrating with them and taking it in!!! You deserve it <3

[prettyandpa]

White coat ❤️

[sam1994sblog]

[prettyandpa]

In my health promotion and disease prevention class we watched Sicko (a documentary by Michael Moore) and it was so eye opening / concerning. I recommend everyone watch it, especially if you’re in the healthcare field !

[prettyandpa]

Seeing everyone interview for PA school is such a weird feeling. I can’t believe a year ago I was in that position. Things have changed SO much and it’s so surreal! Anyone interviewing currently?

[taulovendmine]

46 hours after I graduated from James Madison University, I walked into my first full-time job as a Clinician I at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. I was so full of excitement and espresso, ready to "change the life of every patient." How stupid I was! What I didn't expect to happen is that during these last 60 days, my patients have changed me in the most brilliantly unexpected ways. You see, we live in a world where childhood cancer, traumatic accidents, and a baby born at 21 weeks are devastating realities that surface to breaking news. However, in this building, these seemingly unnatural occurrences aren't breaking news at all, but their stories are "normal" and "expected" in a way.

Each child has a heart-gripping story of how their life defied all odds, yet  they are the role models of how we all should live, grateful for each and every moment. Any person in their right mind would question "how on earth do these people do it??" and "God, why?" However, when I see families joyful for each day to spend together, worshiping God, and hopeful for a different future than the physician's prognosis, I feel my spirit grow to a new, uncharted level of faith. These children have changed me for the better so that I do believe in miracles, and I don't feel crazy when I passionately plead God for a divine intervention in their fragile lives. 

In this line of work, they often say, "expect the unexpected", and that is all too true. Some people curse the fact that they have to get up for work in the morning, and yes I've not always been super happy about waking up at 5am, but it is an overwhelming joy to care for some of the sickest children in the state. I hope this encourages you to live your best life, starting now. God bless.

xx, Chelsea