Personal Narrative: My Personal Experiences With Football

Never would I have predicted that the next chapter in my life would be initiated by a phone call I had received one Saturday following a college football game. This was first time I had participated in a game, a rarity being only a freshman, and also what would come to be the first time I had heard my father cry. Full of euphoria following the win, I walked off the field over to my mom, who I had found standing alone. She proceeded to hand her cell phone over. Assuming what was a congratulatory remark ended up being just the opposite. “You need to head down to the hospital right now, this may be the last time you get to see your grandfather,” he muffled with an extreme amount of emotion. Upon arrival to the hospital, I had learned that my grandfather

I knew that the journey would be difficult and present challenges, but I knew my newly established direction would keep me going. Balancing academics with football was quite the challenge my freshman year, but sticking with my gut and being an active member of the team for four years proved that with challenges come rewards. Football provided me with the opportunity to further develop some of the most important skills be crucial for being a PA; time management and teamwork. The daily practices, games, weight training, film, and travel combined with a full course load speaks volume in itself. The football program also provided me with many additional opportunities to expand my volunteer work outside of my previous involvement in my hometown community. Some of the most noteworthy included the opportunity to be a team leader for the annual Jesuit Day of Service and being selected a member of the academic council, both which occurred during my senior year. The day I got selected into the academic council was a very emotional one because it had reminded me of how far I had come since freshman year. Being an academic resource for all members of the football team was incredibly rewarding as I had the chance to positively shape futures of students who were in the same position as me when making the difficult transition to

I felt very humbled by being named to the dean’s list numerous times and being one of the few across the hundreds of division three football programs to be selected as an All-American. However, I knew during this journey I would have to remain humble, as there were bigger things in store for my future. I proceeded to acquire a position as a nursing assistant on a cardiovascular stepdown unit at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. Looking back at the past year at the clinic, my experience has proven to be extremely invaluable. As a nursing assistant, you get to spend more time with the patients than any other member of the staff, whether it’d be taking vital signs, EKGs, assisting with ADLs, or any other matter that contributes toward the physical and mental well-being of the patient. Out of all the skills I have worked on I feel that my greatest trait is my bedside manner. I knew that this skill would serve invaluable in the PA profession because half of the battle is the ability to walk into each and every room and establish a connection. This connection can greatly improve the quality and efficiency of care provided, as the patient’s trust is confided in the