CNA to doctor?

[mdheadly]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has taken the CNA to doctor route before?
I had been undecided about what to do in life for some time and so flip flopped on my majors while I was in college quite a bit. Therefore, my gpa has been crap. I have finally settled on going to medical school and am sure about this. However, because of my gpa I'm pretty sure I won't get in immediately after my undergrad. I wanted to get my CNA license after graduation, gain some experience, take classes (from the money I earn) to pad my GPA and then apply.
If anyone has done this before? how was your experience? Did you get time to take classes? Any suggestions/tips? Is it better to enter a 2 year post-bacc program or just take individual classes?

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[Fivo]

Well it's not like you're switching careers or something. Many premeds work as CNAs while they attend undergrad. As for classes/grades, you can either do a formal post-bacc or sign up for classes on your own. It's up to you and how much money you have to spend.

 

[ChartaBona]

I've been working as a CNA for the past year, and I was accepted to UVM on Tuesday. I had no real clinical experience before becoming a CNA.

I graduated with a 4.0, however.

 

[Josh7]

I've been working as a CNA for the past year, and I was accepted to UVM on Tuesday. I had no real clinical experience before becoming a CNA.

I graduated with a 4.0, however.

Congrats on your acceptance, how did you like being a CNA?

 

[ChartaBona]

Congrats on your acceptance, how did you like being a CNA?

Thanks 🙂. I've been working as a CNA for a year, and It's okay, but I can't imagine making a career out of it like some people do. It's a critical job in healthcare, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.

The job is entirely patient exposure, so that's a plus. I work in a dementia unit at a nursing home and have to deal with people that may not remember anything from a minute ago. The people have no filter, so the conversations can be quite amusing, to say the least.

Most patients that come to our unit never leave. Roughly a third of the people have passed since I started working. The first few deaths were pretty hard on me, but then I toughened up, so to speak. I try to take solace in the fact that these people lived long fulfilling lives, and their suffering has ended.

For me however, the main issue is that the job is physically demanding and will give you a slightly sore back some nights. People that have been doing this for many years tend to be physically worn down. I've lost 50 lbs since I started working as a CNA. Part of that was due to eating healthier and going to the gym, but being on your feet 8 hours/day helps as well.

 

[Josh7]

Thanks 🙂. I've been working as a CNA for a year, and It's okay, but I can't imagine making a career out of it like some people do. It's a critical job in healthcare, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.

The job is entirely patient exposure, so that's a plus. I work in a dementia unit at a nursing home and have to deal with people that may not remember anything from a minute ago. The people have no filter, so the conversations can be quite amusing, to say the least.

Most patients that come to our unit never leave. Roughly a third of the people have passed since I started working. The first few deaths were pretty hard on me, but then I toughened up, so to speak. I try to take solace in the fact that these people lived long fulfilling lives, and their suffering has ended.

For me however, the main issue is that the job is physically demanding and will give you a slightly sore back some nights. People that have been doing this for many years tend to be physically worn down. I've lost 50 lbs since I started working as a CNA. Part of that was due to eating healthier and going to the gym, but being on your feet 8 hours/day helps as well.

Wow, that sounds like a crazy interesting experience! I know what you mean about having patients that probably won't leave since I volunteer in Oncology but I can't even imagine having to be around patients for weeks on end and seeing all of their lasts days 🙁

Thanks for sharing your experience. Really interesting.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I worked as a CNA for two years, and am now in med school, but I had already decided to go to med school and started my post-bac at that point. I was an EMT, however, before deciding to pursue med school. I think that being a CNA gives you a great head start because you are already quite comfortable around patients and in a hospital setting. You also learn a ton about how patient care trickles down from physician orders to patient through the nursing and therapy staff. I am ahead of many of my classmates in a clinical context, although behind those who have a stronger science background.

You still need great grades and MCAT score, so don't let your job get in the way. CNA jobs are very flexible and can certainly be compatible with school if you don't get scheduled for too many hours. 12 credit hours and working 18-24 hours a week is very doable. Get a few hours of fun non-clinical volunteering in per week and you have a very strong application, provided that you are doing well academically.

My biggest problem about being a pre-med CNA was that people often underestimated me. Especially since I am female, EVERYONE was shocked when I told them I was going to med school. 🙂 They assumed I was either not in school or that I wanted to be a nurse. I got frustrated by this, sometimes, but just remember that it doesn't matter what these strangers think of your capabilities. Do great work at your job and succeed in school, and that's all that matters.

 

[mdheadly]

Your reply was very helpful🙂 Thanks!
I just had a question for you:
On average, how many classes did you take while you were working? I've already completed the basic pre-reqs that most med schools require and wasn't sure what other classes I can take to bump my science gpa. I've been asking around and if you have any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[mdheadly]

I worked as a CNA for two years, and am now in med school, but I had already decided to go to med school and started my post-bac at that point. I was an EMT, however, before deciding to pursue med school. I think that being a CNA gives you a great head start because you are already quite comfortable around patients and in a hospital setting. You also learn a ton about how patient care trickles down from physician orders to patient through the nursing and therapy staff. I am ahead of many of my classmates in a clinical context, although behind those who have a stronger science background.

You still need great grades and MCAT score, so don't let your job get in the way. CNA jobs are very flexible and can certainly be compatible with school if you don't get scheduled for too many hours. 12 credit hours and working 18-24 hours a week is very doable. Get a few hours of fun non-clinical volunteering in per week and you have a very strong application, provided that you are doing well academically.

My biggest problem about being a pre-med CNA was that people often underestimated me. Especially since I am female, EVERYONE was shocked when I told them I was going to med school. 🙂 They assumed I was either not in school or that I wanted to be a nurse. I got frustrated by this, sometimes, but just remember that it doesn't matter what these strangers think of your capabilities. Do great work at your job and succeed in school, and that's all that matters.

Your reply was very helpful Thanks!
I just had a question for you:
On average, how many classes did you take while you were working? I've already completed the basic pre-reqs that most med schools require and wasn't sure what other classes I can take to bump my science gpa. I've been asking around and if you have any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[plumhill]

I would look for a hospital that hires sitters/SCAs or patient care companions (I'm a sitter so granted, I'm biased!) I've found that the scheduling is incredibly flexible and the responsibilities aren't quite as stressful since I'm usually only sitting with 1-4 patients at a time and I'm not responsible for some of the more labor-intensive tasks that PCAs do. Some of the units allow you to read or do homework if the patient is sleeping which is really useful for when you're in school. Especially working out of my hospital's float pool, I've been allowed to sit in all of the units and departments in our hospital, including the ICU, the ED, the rehab hospital, the psych hospital, among others, which is incredible exposure.

 

[Geebeejay]

I've been a PCA for more than 2.5 years, and I highly recommend it. Definitely exposes you to truly invaluable patient-centered experiences that really stretch beyond just your med school application. That being said, it won't cure a bad GPA, so work very hard on improving that aspect of your application.

Sitting is good because of the flexibility (where are you from PlumHill? J.Co. only permits 1:1 sitting where I'm from!), but I would suggest going for the full PCA for the full experience. And sitting gets old quick (we frequently run out of sitters from the pool and the floor PCAs end up sitting). The breadth of experience is more important than the resume.

 

[EarthtoneJon]

I earned CNA certification as a sophomore, worked in the field for a year and a half, and got multiple acceptances following a gap year. It was my only real clinical experience (aside from that, I had shadowed a physician, and worked as a medic at a camp for visually impaired youths.)

I can tell you this: every single medical school admissions person I ever talked to about my experience as a CNA absolutely ate it up. They thought it was a great way to demonstrate that I was serious about medicine. They loved the essays in my application about it, and always asked me about it in interviews, listening intently. After all, CNAs work closely with nurses (and in some environments, physicians.) They are very well-rounded caregivers. They tend to be on their feet a lot, performing high volume, stressful tasks that are at the core of health care, but that tend to go unnoticed. Where I worked, CNAs helped elderly patients get their days started at 7 AM, changed catheters, gave medication, helped rehab patients with mobility, and worked with nurses to devise care plans. Really, really good job to have as a pre-med student! Ask about per diem shifts, so that your schedule can be as flexible as needed.

 

[Fivo]

I earned CNA certification as a sophomore, worked in the field for a year and a half, and got multiple acceptances following a gap year. It was my only real clinical experience (aside from that, I had shadowed a physician, and worked as a medic at a camp for visually impaired youths.)

I can tell you this: every single medical school admissions person I ever talked to about my experience as a CNA absolutely ate it up. They thought it was a great way to demonstrate that I was serious about medicine. They loved the essays in my application about it, and always asked me about it in interviews, listening intently. After all, CNAs work closely with nurses (and in some environments, physicians.) They are very well-rounded caregivers. They tend to be on their feet a lot, performing high volume, stressful tasks that are at the core of health care, but that tend to go unnoticed. Where I worked, CNAs helped elderly patients get their days started at 7 AM, changed catheters, gave medication, helped rehab patients with mobility, and worked with nurses to devise care plans. Really, really good job to have as a pre-med student! Ask about per diem shifts, so that your schedule can be as flexible as needed.

You forgot to mention the worst part of the job...

 

[EarthtoneJon]

You forgot to mention the worst part of the job...

Hahaha!

 

[plumhill]

I've been a PCA for more than 2.5 years, and I highly recommend it. Definitely exposes you to truly invaluable patient-centered experiences that really stretch beyond just your med school application. That being said, it won't cure a bad GPA, so work very hard on improving that aspect of your application.

Sitting is good because of the flexibility (where are you from PlumHill? J.Co. only permits 1:1 sitting where I'm from!), but I would suggest going for the full PCA for the full experience. And sitting gets old quick (we frequently run out of sitters from the pool and the floor PCAs end up sitting). The breadth of experience is more important than the resume.

I'm from the Midwest, and JCAHO doesn't make much of a fuss as long as sitters can clearly visualize all of their patients (the only time I'd have to watch 4 patients is when I'm in the ED though and everyone's sitting in the hallway waiting for a room). On most units I'm never sitting for more than 2 who are in the same room. And I do agree that being a PCA would give you more experience; unfortunately, only students who are in nursing school where qualify for student hours as a PCA 🙁

If your'e a sitter in a single department then it could get really old, but since I work out of our float pool, I usually have very different cases each shift that keeps things interesting enough

 

[Geebeejay]

I'm from the Midwest, and JCAHO doesn't make much of a fuss as long as sitters can clearly visualize all of their patients (the only time I'd have to watch 4 patients is when I'm in the ED though and everyone's sitting in the hallway waiting for a room). On most units I'm never sitting for more than 2 who are in the same room. And I do agree that being a PCA would give you more experience; unfortunately, only students who are in nursing school where qualify for student hours as a PCA 🙁

If your'e a sitter in a single department then it could get really old, but since I work out of our float pool, I usually have very different cases each shift that keeps things interesting enough

Ah that makes sense. I work at a (very) big-name east coast hospital ED, and it's all 1:1 (which is often stupid and a waste of resources, but it is what it is). Rarely a dull moment, but only after so many psych patients threaten to, in some way, kill you and all of your friends, all before becoming extremely chemically restrained, it gets pretty old 🙂

 

[AsianPersuasion]

Became a CNA at 16 and I've been doing it for the past 4 years now. it sucks. I really don't like my job. Yeah I provide the most basic care and I help residents who can't do it themselves, but as a guy they all see me as a human forklift. Can't wait to go to med school!!!

 

[plumhill]

Ah that makes sense. I work at a (very) big-name east coast hospital ED, and it's all 1:1 (which is often stupid and a waste of resources, but it is what it is). Rarely a dull moment, but only after so many psych patients threaten to, in some way, kill you and all of your friends, all before becoming extremely chemically restrained, it gets pretty old 🙂

Totally understandable...but you can't take it too seriously or take anything done/said personally 🙂 especially if you're stuck in a room with two withdrawing patients who keep screaming at you for vicodin...you just have to laugh it off!

 

[Dash2021]

I can tell you this: every single medical school admissions person I ever talked to about my experience as a CNA absolutely ate it up. They thought it was a great way to demonstrate that I was serious about medicine. They loved the essays in my application about it, and always asked me about it in interviews, listening intently. After all, CNAs work closely with nurses (and in some environments, physicians.) They are very well-rounded caregivers. They tend to be on their feet a lot, performing high volume, stressful tasks that are at the core of health care, but that tend to go unnoticed.

This x1000. Applied last year with 0 clinical experience and was rejected mid-interview at one school, no acceptances. Only difference between this year and last is 80 hours of physician shadowing (2 physicians x 40 hour weeks) and being a CNA. Near instant acceptance. While there was a little interest in they shadowing (probably because this is such a necessity it is uninteresting to the interviewers), most questions from interviewers was about my CNA experience.

I agree that ADCOM's like to see CNA experience because of the type of clinical experience you are exposed to, as well as the fact that it's a rough job. If you can stand to change pt's, get kicked, have every bodily fluid on you, get to know terminal pt's, make next to nothing, and are still interested in medicine then the ADCOM can feel confident you are committed to the field. Physicians/med-students do the bulk of the interviewing at the schools I've been too. They know that there is a huge difference between volunteering at a nursing home and passing out towels, and "getting your hands dirty" working a job. It also gives you a peek at the nasty buisness side of medicine.

That being said being a CNA will not, in and of itself, fix a bad GPA/MCAT. It can, however, make a mediocre candidate more interesting.

 

[Doctor246853]

Thanks 🙂. I've been working as a CNA for a year, and It's okay, but I can't imagine making a career out of it like some people do. It's a critical job in healthcare, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.

The job is entirely patient exposure, so that's a plus. I work in a dementia unit at a nursing home and have to deal with people that may not remember anything from a minute ago. The people have no filter, so the conversations can be quite amusing, to say the least.

Most patients that come to our unit never leave. Roughly a third of the people have passed since I started working. The first few deaths were pretty hard on me, but then I toughened up, so to speak. I try to take solace in the fact that these people lived long fulfilling lives, and their suffering has ended.

For me however, the main issue is that the job is physically demanding and will give you a slightly sore back some nights. People that have been doing this for many years tend to be physically worn down. I've lost 50 lbs since I started working as a CNA. Part of that was due to eating healthier and going to the gym, but being on your feet 8 hours/day helps as well.

This.

 

[Fivo]

This x1000. Applied last year with 0 clinical experience and was rejected mid-interview at one school, no acceptances....

LMAO. How does one get rejected mid-interview? Were they like "Ah ah ah, stop right there, say no more. You're gone..."?

And it's funny that you guys have all been talking up your CNA experience at your interviews. I don't think I've even talked in detail about any of my clinical experiences. Maybe a few things here and there, but mostly about the other parts of my app. I guess you guys must have had some stinkingly awesome stories to talk about?

 

[Dash2021]

LMAO. How does one get rejected mid-interview? Were they like "Ah ah ah, stop right there, say no more. You're gone..."?

And it's funny that you guys have all been talking up your CNA experience at your interviews. I don't think I've even talked in detail about any of my clinical experiences. Maybe a few things here and there, but mostly about the other parts of my app. I guess you guys must have had some stinkingly awesome stories to talk about?

Close.

"Next year when you apply..."
"You really need some clinical exp. Look, some of these guys have been to Africa."

I at least didn't have to wonder how the interview went, and on the flip side he did give me good advice for this cycle (after subtly insulting me through the entire interview).

As far as talking about he exp., it depends on the interviewer. Some are really interested in your clinical stuff, some want to know about my past (non-trad going back to college 10 years after HS), some about opinions about health care. But the ones who want to know about clinical exp. LOVE the CNA stuff.

 

[Geebeejay]

Totally understandable...but you can't take it too seriously or take anything done/said personally 🙂 especially if you're stuck in a room with two withdrawing patients who keep screaming at you for vicodin...you just have to laugh it off!

PatientI WANT VICODiN...I WiLL KILL YOU!
Sitter Hahahaha, Oh Larry...you always want that vicodin...lordy, lord

Ya you can't take it seriously (well you should, sorta...I don't wear my name badge when I sit for certain patients), but it still gets old.

 

[EarthtoneJon]

Close.

"Next year when you apply..."
"You really need some clinical exp. Look, some of these guys have been to Africa."

I at least didn't have to wonder how the interview went, and on the flip side he did give me good advice for this cycle (after subtly insulting me through the entire interview).

As far as talking about he exp., it depends on the interviewer. Some are really interested in your clinical stuff, some want to know about my past (non-trad going back to college 10 years after HS), some about opinions about health care. But the ones who want to know about clinical exp. LOVE the CNA stuff.

Well, I'm glad to hear you improved your application. Personally, if this had been me rejected "mid-interview," I would be furious. I would tell him / her:

You mean to tell me, you allowed me to pay for your secondary application, pay the traveling expenses, get all dressed up, and take the time out of my busy life to interview at your school, and I was dead on arrival? So unprofessional. And your tie is ugly.

 

[Dash2021]

Well, I'm glad to hear you improved your application. Personally, if this had been me rejected "mid-interview," I would be furious. I would tell him / her:

You mean to tell me, you allowed me to pay for your secondary application, pay the traveling expenses, get all dressed up, and take the time out of my busy life to interview at your school, and I was dead on arrival? So unprofessional. And your tie is ugly.

Lol, unfortunately it was one of my top pick schools. My biggest consideration in picking a school is location, because my highest priority is minimizing the impact of my being an absentee parent/husband for the next 7-11 years. Besides, med school is all about being crapped on, wiping it off, smiling and asking for more. No sense in getting worked up about someone douching all over you.

Also, I got in to that school this year based on some of his advice (could have done w/o the insulting but, whatev). Different interviewers, same school, my second interview ended with telling me his recommendation would be that I was "highly admitable". So whatever else I want to say about the school, they at least have pretty good mid-interview feedback.

 

[Skull Pell]

My biggest problem about being a pre-med CNA was that people often underestimated me. They assumed I was either not in school or that I wanted to be a nurse. I got frustrated by this, sometimes, but just remember that it doesn't matter what these strangers think of your capabilities.

This. CNA's represent!

 

[GemelloMD]

This is wicked encouraging guys/gals. I applied 2 years ago to 6 schools, 2 interviews, and 2 waitlists. Before the cycle was over I was diagnosed with cancer and had to withdraw. Since then I've gotten a masters degree, got married, and have been working as a CNA for the past year. All I have left is the MCAT and to apply next year. I'm hoping the CNA and the life experience will help get me in!

Everyone's right, people always assume I'm in nursing school. It's odd, when I started I felt a need to qualify it with "but I', applying to med school." However, after I've done the job for a year I realized, this is good hard work. Whoever looks down on a CNA's knows Jack about what goes into a good quality of care. We'll be better physicians because we know what goes into fulfilling an order for an IM injection of Haldol on a detoxer. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. That is, unless by "anything" I mean medical school. Then, yes. I would trade it.

 

[Skull Pell]

In my opinion, our work as cna's are underrated with all the hard work that we do. Every night during my shift, I'm obliged to give care with the nurse to morbidly obese pts, end stage cancer pts, multi system failure pts and all the other sickest pts in the hospital; that and basically give the support the family of the dying person needs at the time when they need it the most. At one point i had to do cpr on a frail old guy who didnt make it; had to give brady care a couple hours after. It takes a certain character to 'endure' this job and I'm pretty damn sure it'll only make us better MDs in the near future. After a whole week of finals, it's time to scrub up and do a night shift from 7 to 7 - kudos to us fellow cna's

 

[Geebeejay]

In my opinion, our work as cna's are underrated with all the hard work that we do. Every night during my shift, I'm obliged to give care with the nurse to morbidly obese pts, end stage cancer pts, multi system failure pts and all the other sickest pts in the hospital; that and basically give the support the family of the dying person needs at the time when they need it the most. At one point i had to do cpr on a frail old guy who didnt make it; had to give brady care a couple hours after. It takes a certain character to 'endure' this job and I'm pretty damn sure it'll only make us better MDs in the near future. After a whole week of finals, it's time to scrub up and do a night shift from 7 to 7 - kudos to us fellow cna's

I don't think it's really underrated or even overlooked. Every person who has interviewed me has commented on my work as a CNA, and how valuable it probably was to me, and how this skill set will likely make me an excellent doctor. Most of them acknowledge that this job is a necessity to the medical profession, and had nothing but accolades to give me for having had such a job. Add in there the long hours, the (air-quotes) BS that naturally comes with such a job, and the exposure to medicine, and it's hard to argue otherwise.

Someone with little exposure to medicine, or little exposure to CNAs might not realize the true nature of our jobs, but it's really not the point to get others to recognize our accomplishments anyway.

 

[Life Sucks]

CNA...you mean the nurse's *****, or the certified forklift. You guys, I respect your courage.

 

[yossarian444]

I earned CNA certification as a sophomore, worked in the field for a year and a half, and got multiple acceptances following a gap year. It was my only real clinical experience (aside from that, I had shadowed a physician, and worked as a medic at a camp for visually impaired youths.)

I can tell you this: every single medical school admissions person I ever talked to about my experience as a CNA absolutely ate it up. They thought it was a great way to demonstrate that I was serious about medicine. They loved the essays in my application about it, and always asked me about it in interviews, listening intently. After all, CNAs work closely with nurses (and in some environments, physicians.) They are very well-rounded caregivers. They tend to be on their feet a lot, performing high volume, stressful tasks that are at the core of health care, but that tend to go unnoticed. Where I worked, CNAs helped elderly patients get their days started at 7 AM, changed catheters, gave medication, helped rehab patients with mobility, and worked with nurses to devise care plans. Really, really good job to have as a pre-med student! Ask about per diem shifts, so that your schedule can be as flexible as needed.

It's not just medical school admissions...I got asked about my CNA experience a few times during residency interviews...and they too ate it up.