Nolan Carter

Background

About Nolan Carter

When I entered college, I knew I wanted to work in the medical field. My favorite classes involved practical applications. For example, in biochemistry we learned how medications impact people’s systems. Nutrition projects taught me how to develop diets for people with diabetes, burn victims, and people who were critically ill. Sophomore year my mom was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. My dad’s job requires him to travel. This meant my little brother needed to care for my mother, while keeping up his grades in school. I was six hours away so it was hard for me to balance being a college student with trips home to help out. The experience taught me caring for others was a calling and the medical field was where I truly belonged. After junior year of college, I interned at MD Anderson in the Leukemia ward. The daily routine included attending status meetings with doctors, the rounds and alternating between inpatient and outpatient care wards. I had the chance to spend hours keeping patient’s company. The time I spent interacting with patients is what made my time there impactful. I learned working directly with patients had to be part of my life. After graduating, I researched medical careers and discovered PA schools. I was excited about the clinical responsibilities, focused and practical training, and ability to switch specialties over time. Unfortunately, I found I needed to return to school for more classes. At Texas Woman's University I took two science courses and earned A’s. Because I knew what I wanted to do with my life, my perspective on studying and course work had changed. I was a more dedicated and competent student and even led study groups for my peers. Once the pandemic began, I did not want to put my at-risk mother in danger so I moved 400 miles to work in a family medicine clinic as a medical scribe. Work as a scribe solidified my life’s goal of becoming a PA. I thrive in the clinic knowing patients I see will return in a few months and I will be able to witness their growth and how the clinic’s intervention improved their lives. At the clinic I first took Covid swabs but have worked my way into direct patient care. I currently aid doctors by preparing patients for knee injections, take patient vitals, draw blood for and assist in PRP injections. I enjoy spending time with patients, building a connection with them and providing quality care. I recently completed an EMT course and received the NREMT-B license. I am currently looking for jobs to serve my community and grow my medical knowledge and career.