This is one good piece of advice to current PA students. Something similar, may happen to you. I remember that conversation vividly. It was the summer of 2007. Two months before I was set to graduate from PA school. 

I had traveled for a rotation to Connecticut. It was the farthest from home I had ever been. It was not an easy 4 weeks. Things didn’t exactly pan out the way I had planned for a number of different reasons and I struggled mentally to get through it. Let’s just say, I was not myself. 

Enter Reality Check

For my mid rotation evaluation, I was called in to my preceptor’s office. I remember seeing her sitting at her desk. She didn’t look happy, and I was nervous. It was by far the most difficult conversation I have ever had in my professional career to date. She said a number of things that affected me so deep to my core. Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly constructive criticism, but quite the opposite. As I started to cry in her office, she said quite coldly, “Oh, it is okay to cry.” I had never felt so small. I questioned whether or not I could even be a good PA.  

You Have a Choice.

I could have let that conversation define me or could have blamed others for the role they played in that situation, but instead I made a choice. I chose to learn from my mistakes, accept responsibility for my actions, and rise above. That’s exactly what I did. 

The Student Becomes the Teacher.

I now take PA students for their internal medicine rotation, and I remember the exact way I don’t want to treat my students. I have to say, I am a damn good medical provider and like to think that I have created a safe collaborative environment for my students. 

You have a choice in how you want certain experiences to define you. Always choose to rise above.

Be Prepared.

As a PA student, you may experience a very similar situation. You may have preceptors who get pleasure in making you feel 2 inches tall. They may ask you off the wall questions in front of patients or staff just to embarrass you. I am so sorry that this will happen to you. I want you to remember something… you are better than that. That what doesn’t kill will make you stronger, and you will become the provider you always wanted to be. 

Break the Cycle.

If/when you have the opportunity to teach someone, remember those experiences. Do not become the preceptor that leaves this negative impression on someone’s memory, but be the person your student looks up to. Be the provider, your student wants to be. Create that open safe place where your student can openly share ideas, and you can discuss differential diagnoses, treatment plans, and patient care without your student being afraid to offer their opinion. 

Be that person. Remember, making someone feel small, does not make you bigger. In fact, quite the opposite. 

Until next time, much love my friends,

Court