Suggestions for clinical experience.

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Hello, everyone. </p>

<p>I am a non-traditional student returning to school to finish my degree and, following that, attend medical school.</p>

<p>I am approximately a sophomore. I will take three years to finish my degree, and I plan on taking the MCAT two years from now.</p>

<p>Until then, I would like to get some kind of patient care experience to give me the best possible chance of getting into medical school.
I don't really care if it's volunteer or paid, as long as I have a good experience.</p>

<p>My question is, what is the best way to go about getting clinical experience?
It seems ideal for me to be in some situation where I could shadow a physician or even a PA, whether it is at a hospital or private practice.
What is the protocol for approaching a physician or PA to get them to agree to help you?</p>

<p>I live in New York city and last year I tried just going to the volunteer department of a well-known local hospital. I was told that legally they can't really let volunteers do much of anything.
I asked about shadowing and the woman in charge said absolutely not and that they "can't help me with that."</p>

<p>Any yet I remember hearing from a friend some time ago that we waltzed into the volunteer office at a smaller hospital in Brooklyn, and they had him shadowing in the ER on his second day.</p>

<p>Is it all in your approach, or does it just vary from hospital to hospital?</p>

<p>I am friendly with a couple of physicians, one of whom is a Physiatrist, which is an area I am very interested in (and also have some experience with such patients as I have worked as a personal trainer for several years).
Should I just call her up? Write a letter? Surprise her with a bouquet of tulips?</p>

<p>Also, would it be worth it to go through EMS training and just do that? It would be a lot of work, but would sure give me good experience I imagine, plus I'd be getting paid.
I just don't want to over-commit myself, as I am very focused on getting stellar grades.</p>

<p>Many moons ago I worked at a psychiatric hospital as a mental health worker (so I have some patient care experience, charting, basic day-to-day stuff), and I am also a Neuroscience major, so I may have some edge in getting into that situation, though that is not really my preference.</p>

<p>So what's the best bet on getting into a good clinical volunteer or work position? I have absolutely no idea, so I am open to suggestions. I'll try anything twice.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for all your help.</p>

<p>Best,
Ammo</p>

2

<p>Here is my input-</p>

<p>I started volunteering about a year and a half ago- probably a bit longer. When I started people didn't really know me, and I was basically stuck on candy-striping duty (ie delivering flowers and talking to people).</p>

<p>After about six months I applied for a unit placement, which upgraded me to patient contact and transport.</p>

<p>After about a year the staff knew me and the NA's and RN's knew me by first name basis (on several floors and different units). From there I became acquainted with a few physicians and asked them if I could observe procedures...procedures evolved into hour+ shadowing experiences.</p>

<p>It all boils down to networking- a wise M3 in the ETC once told me that if you know you want to do something and you are told you can't...you have two options. One- don't do it, or two- find a way to do it.</p>

<p>Start working- meet people and network. Give it a month, ask around and you will get plenty of experience.</p>