Alumni Career Q + A with Waynette Taylor, Physician Assistant
Name, Age, Occupation, Graduation Year
Waynette Taylor, 37, physician assistant, Graduated 2019
Why did you choose to go down the career path that you did?
I chose to become a PA because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes. It was diabetes that was the major driver in me becoming a PA, and I remain passionate about it today. I wanted to be a healthcare provider that I felt my family and community deserved: someone who listened to their concerns, advocated for their healthcare needs, helped them to understand the pathophysiology of their disease states, and spent the time and energy explaining how their medications worked to further advocate for medication adherence.
How did NAU prepare you for your career?
They believed in me. They understood my drive and allowed me to rotate through clinical sites that best aligned with my goals. They provided quality education that separated me from every other medical student. The didactic educators were top-tier, and I felt well prepared for every clinical rotation.
Why should others consider pursuing a career in your field?
PAs are well prepared to assess, diagnose, interpret lab tests and imaging studies, and design treatment plans for patients. PA school is challenging because it should be—trust the process.
What do you hope to see in the future for your profession?
I hope PAs will have more support for autonomy in the future. We are leaders in healthcare. This will improve our compensation for the work we do and the quality of service we provide.
What’s the best part of your job?
Improving health outcomes and making a difference in the lives of my patients.
What would you say to a student interested in pursuing your profession as a career?
PA school is challenging but worth it! If your desire is to make a difference in healthcare, choose to become a PA.
What are some ways you practice self-care to avoid burnout / what do you do for fun?
For me, it’s spending time with my loved ones (family and fiancé). I also enjoy traveling, hiking, skiing, and shopping. To avoid burnout, I meditate often and send many prayers of gratitude to the holy ones.
