Another Gap year thread...

[ebasappa]

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Hey everyone!

I'm in a bit of a situation and I was hoping you guys could help out. Basically, I'm taking a gap year after I graduate this spring. As such, I'm planning on increasing my clinical exposure because that's my weak spot in my app (I'll probably do a tiny bit of traveling and whatnot too lol) , but I'm having a hard time finding what exactly would be good for me. I could just volunteer at a free clinic, but I'm not sure how great that would look as an activity for a whole gap year; I've already done that sort of thing as a floater in a hospital during high school (for about 3yrs)! I've searched the forums but all I can find are suggestions for opps as technicians (which require certifications), EMT positions (which might be okay but I'm not too enthused about it), or shadowing (I have 50hrs already for 1 doc, maybe that is not "enough"?).

Does anyone have any further ideas as to what might be best suited for me? I'm in Cali if that helps.

Thanks all!!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Become a Scribe: reasonably quick training, decent enough pay, good clinical exposure, close ties to physicians (you are literally working constantly side by side with physicians unlike a lot of EMT and CNA jobs). I wish I had done the whole scribe thing.

 

[MalachiteGreen]

There's also the option of pursuing another interest while maintaining volunteering or part-time work etc. (perhaps at a free clinic if you enjoyed it). This allows you to take advantage of experiences you will not have the time to pursue once in medical school. Could be pursued while working as a scribe as well. Perhaps develop a new skill (art, musical instrument, cooking, etc.) while working.

Volunteering is a good opportunity but I would not let it be the only one you pursue for the year.

 

[MalachiteGreen]

Also 50 hours is very decent. If you're interested though, maybe try shadowing a new specialty or practice setting for a day to give you more breadth of experience.