Benefit of non-medical ECs?

[priorities2]

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Hello,

I just realized this summer that medical school might be something that interests me. Just wondering, if I have really cool ECs but they aren't really medical (like if I have a really meaningful on-campus job advising other students, and do research in the family studies and psychology depts (coding and on-site work with diverse population) and have some volunteering experience with other diverse populations and have taught an online class to freshmen) ... what if I just got certified as a CNA and did that for a summer and then continued with my other experiences? Do I actually need to start all new ECs that are related to medicine? Or do medical schools also value non-medical involvement?

 

[samsunimomo]

Hello,

I just realized this summer that medical school might be something that interests me. Just wondering, if I have really cool ECs but they aren't really medical (like if I have a really meaningful on-campus job advising other students, and do research in the family studies and psychology depts (coding and on-site work with diverse population) and have some volunteering experience with other diverse populations and have taught an online class to freshmen) ... what if I just got certified as a CNA and did that for a summer and then continued with my other experiences? Do I actually need to start all new ECs that are related to medicine? Or do medical schools also value non-medical involvement?

Because I have very non-traditional ECs, I've asked medical admissions officers a similar question. They say that non-medically related ECs give you an additional dimension as a person on an application. However, the typical pre-med extracurricular activities are absolutely necessary to demonstrate your commitment to medicine.

But I don't understand why you want to be certified as a CNA. Wouldn't it be more relevant to get an EMT certification? 😕

 

[LizzyM]

But I don't understand why you want to be certified as a CNA. Wouldn't it be more relevant to get an EMT certification? 😕

In part, it depends on what you want to get out of medicine. If you want to develop a professional relationship with patients and care for them in a very intimate way over a period of time, then CNA > EMT, IMHO. EMT is pretty much limited to first aid and driving fast and sometimes just drivings at a normal pace to deliver chronically ill and disabed patients between their living quarters and a treatment facility (radiation, chemo, dialysis).

 

[NickNaylor]

Because I have very non-traditional ECs, I've asked medical admissions officers a similar question. They say that non-medically related ECs give you an additional dimension as a person on an application. However, the typical pre-med extracurricular activities are absolutely necessary to demonstrate your commitment to medicine.

But I don't understand why you want to be certified as a CNA. Wouldn't it be more relevant to get an EMT certification? 😕

The only "typical" EC that I would consider to be "required" is some form of clinical experience. Apart from that, though, it really is fair game as long as you can discuss your experiences and how they relate to your decision to become a physician intelligently.

(sent from my phone)

 

[music2doc]

Hello,

I just realized this summer that medical school might be something that interests me. Just wondering, if I have really cool ECs but they aren't really medical (like if I have a really meaningful on-campus job advising other students, and do research in the family studies and psychology depts (coding and on-site work with diverse population) and have some volunteering experience with other diverse populations and have taught an online class to freshmen) ... what if I just got certified as a CNA and did that for a summer and then continued with my other experiences? Do I actually need to start all new ECs that are related to medicine? Or do medical schools also value non-medical involvement?

Because who wants a medical robot?! Com'on... they want to see a real human being... and so will your patients!

In part, it depends on what you want to get out of medicine. If you want to develop a professional relationship with patients and care for them in a very intimate way over a period of time, then CNA > EMT, IMHO. EMT is pretty much limited to first aid and driving fast and sometimes just drivings at a normal pace to deliver chronically ill and disabed patients between their living quarters and a treatment facility (radiation, chemo, dialysis).

While I understand your logic, EMT opens up more interesting doors, IMO. Sure, you can do the ambulance thing, but EMTs are also hired as ED Techs, school and camp "nurses," patient care techs (in other words, allowed to function as CNAs), tele techs (with add'l trng or ED Tech experience), medical assistants, etc. I've found my EMT cert is respected as valuable background for many other jobs as well.... The scope of practice is simply much broader and much more in-depth than the CNA's. I can do things like run IVs, give certain shots (under very specific conditions), give certain meds, apply/remove foleys, etc. that CNAs are simply not permitted to do [ever].

 

[priorities2]

While I understand your logic, EMT opens up more interesting doors, IMO. Sure, you can do the ambulance thing, but EMTs are also hired as ED Techs, school and camp "nurses," patient care techs (in other words, allowed to function as CNAs), tele techs (with add'l trng or ED Tech experience), medical assistants, etc. I've found my EMT cert is respected as valuable background for many other jobs as well.... The scope of practice is simply much broader and much more in-depth than the CNA's. I can do things like run IVs, give certain shots (under very specific conditions), give certain meds, apply/remove foleys, etc. that CNAs are simply not permitted to do [ever].

Hmm, cool. So I spoke with a pre-med student who did work as a CNA over a summer and she said that she didn't even have to take a course-she just self-studied and passed the test and got a job. Do I have to be studier extraordinaire in order to do that, or would other CNAs say that self-studying for the test is sufficient? How does EMT training/cert compare?

Edit: I'm also only interested in psychiatry (eventually outpatient/private practice), not in anything that would typically require an ambulance. Not sure if this would make CNA a better option in my case.

 

[LizzyM]

Do whichever is faster and cheaper. It is a road to medical school, not the destination. Foleys? Shots? most doctors don't even do that stuff. Where I am that's nursing. Frankly, I think your time can be better spent doing other stuff (research, volunteering, having fun) than learning how to be a junior nurse (EMT).

If you are planning to make a career of it, EMT might be a better idea but if this is for a summer during college and, at the most, a gap year, CNA is fine.

 

[priorities2]

Do whichever is faster and cheaper. It is a road to medical school, not the destination. Foleys? Shots? most doctors don't even do that stuff. Where I am that's nursing. Frankly, I think your time can be better spent doing other stuff (research, volunteering, having fun) than learning how to be a junior nurse (EMT).

If you are planning to make a career of it, EMT might be a better idea but if this is for a summer during college and, at the most, a gap year, CNA is fine.

Cool, so you are pretty much saying that I can have any ECs/free time activities I want as long as they are meaningful to me. I mean, most of my ECs are related to psychiatry (advising, psych research, volunteering with kids w disabilities) ... so maybe that is all I really need + some clinical experience as a CNA wouldn't hurt.

 

[music2doc]

Do whichever is faster and cheaper. It is a road to medical school, not the destination. Foleys? Shots? most doctors don't even do that stuff. Where I am that's nursing. Frankly, I think your time can be better spent doing other stuff (research, volunteering, having fun) than learning how to be a junior nurse (EMT).

If you are planning to make a career of it, EMT might be a better idea but if this is for a summer during college and, at the most, a gap year, CNA is fine.

Absolutely agree neither is inherently "better" for med school admissions. I simply prefer the work that the EMT cert opens for me (e.g., actual -- albeit very simple -- pt assessment, several simple technical/procedural skills, semi-independent work/decision-making, feeling of having "your own" patients, etc.) over the stuff a CNA typically does (bed changing, bed pan changing, v/s, pt transport, diaper/clothing changes, bathing, etc.).

 

[boshtrich]

The Jesuit schools (Creighton, Georgetown, Loyola, Saint Louis) really value non-clinical EC's as their mission's are based on service to the community. I would still get some clinical experience, but non-clinical volunteering is definitely a big plus.

 

[davidbm95]

Hello,

I just realized this summer that medical school might be something that interests me. Just wondering, if I have really cool ECs but they aren't really medical (like if I have a really meaningful on-campus job advising other students, and do research in the family studies and psychology depts (coding and on-site work with diverse population) and have some volunteering experience with other diverse populations and have taught an online class to freshmen) ... what if I just got certified as a CNA and did that for a summer and then continued with my other experiences? Do I actually need to start all new ECs that are related to medicine? Or do medical schools also value non-medical involvement?

You're better off with medical experiences such as hospital volunteering. I think these non medical EC's just round you out as an applicant but don't increase your chances for acceptance.

 

[gettheleadout]

You're better off with medical experiences such as hospital volunteering. I think these non medical EC's just round you out as an applicant but don't increase your chances for acceptance.

If you mean compared to non-medical EC's then I disagree. If you mean as opposed to health care employment then I think it depends. Having both non-medical and medical EC's is best. OP should continue activities that are meaningful regardless of relevance to medicine and just get some clinical experience and shadowing.


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