CNA License for Pre-med
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Hi again, I think that if you like the prospect of the work and want to get a large chunk of clinical exposure, the certification/employment process might be worthwhile. Don't do it if you think you are going to hate it though, that'd just be unpleasant all around. I enjoyed the classes and certification process, and while I wasn't able to get an employed position due to time constraints, some AdComs thought it was interesting and we talked about it during the application cycle. Not sure how much of a help it was, but I did enjoy the experience and the work involved. It definitely couldn't hurt you, but don't feel the need to take on the task if you think you will hate the job.
the reason you're getting it would be important. it'd be considered clinical exposure certainly, but there might be other ways to gain clinical without going through the hassle if that's your sole reason. aka don't just do it to "look good" to med school adcoms.
otherwise if you'd like the experience and are interested in the actual position, I don't see why not.
otherwise if you'd like the experience and are interested in the actual position, I don't see why not.
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I mean it looks good in the fact that you're getting decent clinical exposure and will likely give you more to talk about than someone who has only done clinical volunteering. However, like most ECs, it in and of itself is not going to thrust your app over some magical hurdle to acceptance.
Do it because it's a good experience and will show you the good and bad of medicine, not because you hope it will look good on your app. I work as a PCT and I feel it's been a great experience but YMMV.
Do it because it's a good experience and will show you the good and bad of medicine, not because you hope it will look good on your app. I work as a PCT and I feel it's been a great experience but YMMV.
Doesn't matter.
Get your hands dirty and volunteer somewhere.
Get your hands dirty and volunteer somewhere.
If wiping butts is your thing, go for it.
The best part of working as a CNA, for me, was seeing the "dirty" side of medicine. Depending on where you work, a lot of your patients aren't going to be magically cured or even get to go home again, which I think is an important lesson. So many pre-med students talk about getting into medicine because they want to cure people, but that's not always the case. Anyways--most physically demanding job of my life (and I've done field work!)...My arms were ripped after 3 weeks!
Silver Bullet an Chell Marin?
All I can contribute is that it is very stressful, I friend of mine just quit her CNA job.
I recommend that nursing students work as CNAs before starting nursing school but I think the benefit is less for potential med students. As others have said, it's a hard job but it will give you experience with patient care. However, most CNAs have to start at nursing homes which doesn't give much exposure to doctors and medical diagnoses. It may vary by location but if you have to start in a nursing home before getting a hospital job that might change your pathway - It is really hard without 1-2 years of experience in many parts of the county. So before taking the CNA classes, do some research.
Speaking as a former CNA- volunteering is NO WHERE NEAR THE SAME as working in the medical field. You see how teams break down, hierarchies, what 8-16-24 hour shifts feel like, all things they NEVER discuss when youre a bright eyed volunteer... I cannot recommend it enough. It will either make you completely rethink medicine or renew your excitement. It just made me all the more invigorated to go into medicine, and gave me specific things to say on my interview.
It's an asset because it's hands on contact with patients. I must add that this is a diffucult job, you are doing what the nurses won't do and that's changing diapers and bathing patients. It's a fine start and a humbling experience, but there are other things you can do as well to acquire clinical exposure.
Don't limit yourself.
Don't limit yourself.
Better to be a scribe. Honestly, most doctors don't really think being a CNA is all that amazing and you will pretty much never use most of those skills again like you would being a scribe. It's not a bad thing but it's not a great thing. Just something slightly above neutral.
