Personal Narrative: My Volunteering Experience

“ Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better!” This is currently my life statement. I have unfortunately gone through the medical school application process once before with no avail. Negative thoughts filled my mind, feeling of hate ensured, and I regretted the sacrifices I had made; I was devastated. But then one day during an exhausting training session that my Sensei designed he said the statement above, I was flabbergasted. It hit me at that moment that it wasn’t the process I should be upset at, but it should be toward my work ethic. I must work harder in order to be better.

Do not be mistaken I have worked hard during my undergrad years. I was a full time student, a member of three different scholar programs, was a research assistant, presented at scientific conventions, co-authored a published article, volunteered in different organizations, and worked. Despite the fact I gain wonderful

experiences and memories from this, I see now that I should had focused on a few activities instead of trying to be “super student.”
So what did I do to make myself “better;” well I narrowed my focus.

I left my position at the laboratory, I stepped down to a part-time position, and I joined a hospital volunteering program in New York Methodist Hospital (NYM). I had joined a volunteering program before but I didn’t have the opportunity to involve myself in the patient care logistics of a hospital or worked with the doctors and nurses. Nevertheless, I did not have any similar issues with NYM. I was assigned to a general post-op floor and work very closely with the nurses, physician, and other medical practitioners. Therefore, I was reminded why I made the choice to become a physician. Why I went against my traditional family’s goal for me to be a well-offed housewife. I was in awe watching the physician treat the patient in a spectrum of injury but keeping a calm demeanor, even when it was a difficult case. The physicians took charge of the situation, confident in their knowledge and ability.Solidifying my belief that I must improve and apply again to achieve the career that I truly

desire.
“But why don’t you just become a nurse,” a statement that I have heard for many years. Although, I worked closely with nurses and understand the importance of collaboration of all members of a medical team. I want to be the leader, one who is truly responsible for helping people. Where there is no hierarchy in my process, meaning that each patient is treated to the best of my ability. I am not in this for the payment; if I wanted to live an easy comfortable life I would have married a lawyer or doctor just as my aunt suggested. No, I am a person that care about others too excessively to idly go through life without unconditional helping people. I know that if my follow my kaizen path (a Japanese word that means never ending improvement) I will reach my objective. I am fully aware that my past turbulence experiences are not limited to my past. But to be frank I want to be a physician and I genuinely do not care how long or how difficult this path is.