ADCOMS: is scribing not a good enough clinical experience? I was told that I should get a CNA job instead

[pengdori]

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Hi,

I'm currently getting feedback from an advisor regarding reapplying for the third time; I had weak clinical hours prior to this upcoming cycle but I'll have about 2000 more hours as a scribe at a high-volume cancer center in a T10 university. It's full-time with great benefits, insurance, and pay (more than double of median CNA/EMT wage) so I can't possibly quit this job until I get into medical school since I have to pay for my postbacc student debt soon. The feedback I had was that adcoms would want to see direct hands-on patient experience, and that I should get a CNA certification, work as one for 6 months to a year before reapplying; a former adcom this advisor personally knows stated that this current job will not enhance my application, and I wanted to know if this would be the sentiment of all the adcoms.

I thought I was ready to apply this year because my flaws, besides my low GPA (which I cannot change much since I already went through 24 units of postbacc and did well), were my clinical hours (had less than 200 last application). But if my current job (2000 hours in) isn't considered good experience, then I'm really out of luck to reapply this cycle.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Goro]

This is datapoint 1492684292 that must advisors are m0r0ns.

Ascribing is a very common clinical activity. In my eyes it's glorified shadowing, and fills three specific roles to your benefit.

Shadowing
Patient contact
Employment

So ignore your advisor

 

[Catalystik]

Hi,

I'm currently getting feedback from an advisor regarding reapplying for the third time; I had weak clinical hours prior to this upcoming cycle but I'll have about 2000 more hours as a scribe at a high-volume cancer center in a T10 university. It's full-time with great benefits, insurance, and pay (more than double of median CNA/EMT wage) so I can't possibly quit this job until I get into medical school since I have to pay for my postbacc student debt soon. The feedback I had was that adcoms would want to see direct hands-on patient experience, and that I should get a CNA certification, work as one for 6 months to a year before reapplying; a former adcom this advisor personally knows stated that this current job will not enhance my application, and I wanted to know if this would be the sentiment of all the adcoms.

I thought I was ready to apply this year because my flaws, besides my low GPA (which I cannot change much since I already went through 24 units of postbacc and did well), were my clinical hours (had less than 200 last application). But if my current job (2000 hours in) isn't considered good experience, then I'm really out of luck to reapply this cycle.

Thank you in advance.

Is this in-person scribing? Do you ever interact with the patient in any way?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi,

I'm currently getting feedback from an advisor regarding reapplying for the third time; I had weak clinical hours prior to this upcoming cycle but I'll have about 2000 more hours as a scribe at a high-volume cancer center in a T10 university. It's full-time with great benefits, insurance, and pay (more than double of median CNA/EMT wage) so I can't possibly quit this job until I get into medical school since I have to pay for my postbacc student debt soon. The feedback I had was that adcoms would want to see direct hands-on patient experience, and that I should get a CNA certification, work as one for 6 months to a year before reapplying; a former adcom this advisor personally knows stated that this current job will not enhance my application, and I wanted to know if this would be the sentiment of all the adcoms.

I thought I was ready to apply this year because my flaws, besides my low GPA (which I cannot change much since I already went through 24 units of postbacc and did well), were my clinical hours (had less than 200 last application). But if my current job (2000 hours in) isn't considered good experience, then I'm really out of luck to reapply this cycle.

Thank you in advance.

Many of us here are current or former adcoms... scribing 1000-2000 hours is fine to me and the committees I worked with. When I was an advisor and asked adcoms (before I became one), every one of the professionals were pushing in favor of scribing even over shadowing (10 years ago). @Goro points out why.

 

[pengdori]

@Goro @Mr.Smile12 Thank you for your input! I just needed clarification and I'm glad I asked. I personally think this experience is super meaningful so I'm glad to hear both of your input. Thank you!

 

[pengdori]

Is this in-person scribing? Do you ever interact with the patient in any way?

It is in-person; I scribe for different oncologic subspecialties like head/neck and surgical oncology. I also place orders, coordinate with nurses/doctors on making sure patient information is available before visits, other administrative things etc, but the most interaction I have with patients are small talks here and there and walking them out to the exit. I definitely don't feel the same towards my past ED scribe job vs current job because the level of my involvement is much higher, much more challenging, and I put in way more hours since it's a full time position.

 

[Catalystik]

a former adcom this advisor personally knows stated that this current job will not enhance my application, and I wanted to know if this would be the sentiment of all the adcoms.

It is in-person; I scribe for different oncologic subspecialties like head/neck and surgical oncology. I also place orders, coordinate with nurses/doctors on making sure patient information is available before visits, other administrative things etc, but the most interaction I have with patients are small talks here and there and walking them out to the exit. I definitely don't feel the same towards my past ED scribe job vs current job because the level of my involvement is much higher, much more challenging, and I put in way more hours since it's a full time position.

I agree with @Goro and @Mr.Smile12 that this activity WILL enhance your application.

 

[pengdori]

I agree with @Goro and @Mr.Smile12 that this activity WILL enhance your application.

Thank you so much for the input!