From Student to Clinician: Appreciating the Journey and Those Along the Way

Jessica Boudreaux-Milligan, MMS, PA-C
Student Member of the PAEA Board

It is difficult to believe that only four years ago, most of my patients had four legs and were covered with fur or feathers. You see, I had spent most of my post-high school life in veterinary medicine and the notion of going into human medicine was, well, at that time, not something I was considering. But my ideas of what I was going to “be when I grew up” changed over the years and, while I may miss my earlier patients from time to time, becoming a PA was the best decision I have ever made (even better than when I said “I do”!).

I was first introduced to the PA profession when I was a medical assistant at my local Ob/Gyn office. One of our patients was a physician assistant (PA) in pain management. It was during her monthly visits that I learned what the profession had to offer and how PAs could manage and influence patient care in so many different specialties. So, the next several years were spent catching up on various academic classes I hadn’t taken as an undergraduate in my pre-vet major, moving about the country, and finally landing a spot in the Saint Louis University PA program, class of 2007.

I know that as faculty members it is one of your goals to prepare your incoming students as much as possible for their first day, week, month, and year in your programs. And being a type-A personality, I thought I was prepared. I remember it well: I had spent the week before orientation organizing my binders, sometimes two or three times over, intending to keep every note and handout, as well as making doubly sure that my book list was complete and prereading some beginning chapters for that all-important first semester. But nothing can prepare an adult student psychologically for the joys and stressors of a professional program. It was, in the purest sense, a unique experience. Through the daily lessons, labs, homework, and the home life at the end of the day, my 29-month journey molded both my knowledge and my family for my future as a medical professional.

Having also been the PAEA student member at large for most of my PA school experience, I am able to empathize on a different level about the stressors that faculty members face on a daily basis. Dealing with students who come from so many different social, professional, and ethnic backgrounds and delivering a comprehensive education that addresses virtually all core elements of medicine to these students is a daunting task at best. But I have met many of PAEA’s faculty members who not only complete this task and do it well, but who go above and beyond for their students: serving as faculty advisors for their classes, getting involved with their students in community projects, and encouraging them to accomplish still more by urging them to become the future leaders in the profession, whether as clinicians or educators. I applaud those of you who choose to teach the next generation of PA clinicians and educators. May we “newbies” continue your drive to do more and teach others at every opportunity, inspiring the next generation of PA students to follow in our footsteps.

As a new graduate and clinician (I graduated in December 2007), I have learned even more about myself and what I want out of life, both professionally and personally. I recognized while I was a student that I wanted to practice in cardiothoracic surgery, and I was fortunate enough to land two great jobs in the field within the first six months following graduation. I was commuting almost 100 miles each way daily for a few months with the first position, and it was during the hour-and-45-minute drives that I learned to value time away from work and off the road. But this choice provided a wonderful segue to my new (local) position in CT surgery; and looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way (well, except for the fuel costs!). And I am learning that the true meaning of “work hard, play hard” means anything you want it to, including short commutes, extra time at home, and a great job you’re willing to devote yourself to everyday.

All of us change in some way over the course of three years, but I must admit I believe I am a different person compared to the student who began PA school in August of 2005. Have I become a lean, mean, surgical PA machine? Perhaps not. But I am getting there, becoming more proficient everyday, and I have my faculty, my family, and my surgical team to thank for that. Oh yes, and all of my two- and four-legged patients from many moons ago give their chirps, barks, meows, neighs, and moos of approval as well.