I'm finding it hard to acquire clinical experiences. Help?

[Lawpy]

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Please read through this thread thoroughly. I stated why I cannot volunteer right now. Stop skimming and reading what you want to read and read everything before commenting. The purpose of this thread is to see if I'm on the right track hun. Most of the advice given is understandable, but like I said A THOUSAND AND ONE TIMES, I have life circumstances that prevents me from doing everything at once.

It was two years ago for crying out loud. I was unprepared, young, and naive. I'll retry soon, but like everyone said "find something you qualify for" whatever that's supposed mean. All the clinical jobs I've applied for required at least 3-6 months steady work history or a CPR certification for goodness sake. I qualify for these jobs alright, maybe I'm lacking in my interviews or cover letters or maybe someone was a better fit or maybe someone got hired internally. I will definitely not put "I" so much so thank you for the advice. I totally understand.

Umm CNA certifications here are about $1500 and that's not including money for the books, transportation, tests, and uniforms. Think again hun. And they are about 13 weeks in duration. Oh and I do care about getting clinical experience, that's why I'll be testing next week for a clinical aide position. Omg wish me luck. 🙂

Oh wow, I would like personally congratulate you on getting into medical school. Being that were probably from different states, I think you should take into consideration that things may be more expensive or more challenging to obtain certifications by state. That's like me saying the housing is way better and cheaper here, so don't lie me and say that it more expensive and crappier to live there. Point is, everything varies by location.

 

[JB50]

What in the world ahahahahahahahahhaha

 

[libertyyne]

Huh.
↑
LOL.
Do you think not getting clinical experience would be a set forward?

Things you dont want to do
1. Volunteer for clinical Experience.
2. Go to school for clinical experience.
Don't lie. CNA certifications are the same. Mine was two weeks long, 5x a week,, 550$. Don't bullsh*t or make excuses. If you really cared about getting clinical experience you would have been able to by now and you wouldn't have bucked literally every suggestion that ARE good experiences..

look at who you quoted.

 

[JB50]

look at who you quoted.

ahahaha sorry broski

 

[holycrap]

Walking a few miles in high heels? Nice try.

Carry your heels in a bag then switch them, not rocket science sis.

 

[Mednight]

Where are you from? State is all I need.

Maryland

 

[Mednight]

Carry your heels in a bag then switch them, not rocket science sis.

Carry a bag? Walk through neighborhoods with high crime? Don't think so. But seriously the public transportation here is about 3 miles out, that's a 1hr and 30 minute walk. I'm so thankful for whenever my dad is able to take me to where I need to go.

 

[Mednight]

LOOOOOOOOOOOL

 

[LivMoore]

Carry a bag? Walk through neighborhoods with high crime? Don't think so. But seriously the public transportation here is about 3 miles out, that's a 1hr and 30 minute walk. I'm so thankful for whenever my dad is able to take me to where I need to go.

get a bike

 

[JB50]

spoon feed or

 

[holycrap]

Carry a bag? Walk through neighborhoods with high crime? Don't think so. But seriously the public transportation here is about 3 miles out, that's a 1hr and 30 minute walk. I'm so thankful for whenever my dad is able to take me to where I need to go.

1.5 hours isnt much just wake up earlier, and carry mace with you. Problem solved.

 

[Canterbury]

See, I was thinking about do something of that nature. You know...something different than just working in a hospital or clinic. How did you become a optometry tech? I'm pretty sure in my state you need to be certified. Ugh!

In my state (Florida), there is the option to become certified, but you don't actually need it. I know that my employer prefers to do all of the training herself. I've seen similar positions advertised on Craigslist.

 

[Mednight]

Update:
Interview on Monday for Clinical aide. Clinical aides transports patients, specimens, schedules, and records. Plus they provide assistance to staff in managing patient care before, during, and after procedures, specifically in the Radiology department. Is this significant enough experience? What are some questions that they may ask me during the interview? Someone please help!?

 

[BenignBeignet]

Oh goodness, you have so many certifications. How much they all cost?????????? I have a pre-employment test coming up to become a clinical aide in the ER, I'm excited as h.e. double hockey stick. Any input on what I should be doing to get on the right path ? And 19 years old?! Lucky you.

ACLS and PALS together maybe $400, EMT was virtually free (took it at a CC), and phlebotomy was like $1,800. All out of my pocket which sucked, but worth it. Honestly the EMT was the best decision I ever made. I think if you can get a certification over the summer at a CC (cheaper) or a private program, I would do that. But it depends on your personality too, but since you want to be an aide in the ER (or Rad dept?), I'm guessing you'd be open to EMT. As far as what the experience has to offer, anything is great if you can learn from it (never be afraid to ask questions to the staff). Questions on the interview will likely be a lot of ethical questions (dealing with patients) and why you want the position. Make it seem like you're clear-headed and confident about why you want it.

 

[Mednight]

ACLS and PALS together maybe $400, EMT was virtually free (took it at a CC), and phlebotomy was like $1,800. All out of my pocket which sucked, but worth it. Honestly the EMT was the best decision I ever made. I think if you can get a certification over the summer at a CC (cheaper) or a private program, I would do that. But it depends on your personality too, but since you want to be an aide in the ER (or Rad dept?), I'm guessing you'd be open to EMT. As far as what the experience has to offer, anything is great if you can learn from it (never be afraid to ask questions to the staff). Questions on the interview will likely be a lot of ethical questions (dealing with patients) and why you want the position. Make it seem like you're clear-headed and confident about why you want it.

I do plan on starting an EMT class this summer while being enrolled full-time. I also so want to take a CNA class. Reasons that I want to take EMT and a CNA class is so I can become a Patient Care Tech(e.g. ER Tech) which is a more advanced than just being a CNA or EMT alone. You need both those certification to become that. I'm trying to look for EMT training right now, so far there are only 2 locations that are close to me. I'd rather take it at a CC, but I'm enrolled at that CC for the summer. I don't know if they will let you enroll in two programs. Also if I enroll in the EMT class at the CC, it says that I need to be "affiliated with a fire department" or something like that, that's why I'd rather take the class at a training program.

If I may ask, why did you need to be ACLS and PALS certified? for EMT? or personal enrichment?

 

[Mednight]

I interviewed for the aide job and it was BULLCRAP. I thought I'd be doing more than just transporting patients. They never called me back and it's almost been a week since I interviewed with them. I think it's meant to be because I honestly don't want to be transporting patients for 12 hours a day, it just wouldn't feel like a meaningful experience.

 

[Goro]

LizzyM has written about someone who refused to volunteer clinically because he didn't want to do something for free. He lasted less than a semester in med school..

So, I suggest you back up and not have so many conditions.

Honestly, I'm big on volunteering non clinically rather than volunteering clinically. I'd rather get paid for clinical experience, its just my preference. I've volunteered as a tutor at a school in a low income area. Next volunteer mission is in a kitchen(food prep for the homeless and people with chronic illness).

I don't know how people are EMT and go to school at the same time. I don't plan on taking a gap year until I graduate college. So me going to school for EMT is a bit excessive while I'm already in school trying to get my bachelors. That would just be another setback. Are there free training programs? If so, how long would it take?

 

[floatingribs]

why don't you just get the CPR license if certain jobs require that (a 4-6 hour class for $65 or smth is really the bare minimum). Another thing to look into which may not constitute as direct clinical experience is becoming and ER registrar. It's terrible because you gotta collect copays from patients who haven't even seen a doctor yet but it's in a hospital, the pay isn't too bad (better then scribing), + they don't require a certification.

 

[Mednight]

LizzyM has written about someone who refused to volunteer clinically because he didn't want to do something for free. He lasted less than a semester in med school..

So, I suggest you back up and not have so many conditions.

Yeah I take that back. I meant that I wasn't going to ANY volunteering right now. Obviously I need money for transportation(I can't work for free right now, I was I could but I cannot). Something so little and simple to others may be a more complex situation to someone else.

 

[Mednight]

why don't you just get the CPR license if certain jobs require that (a 4-6 hour class for $65 or smth is really the bare minimum)

I am CPR certified.
Honestly, being a premed is expensive. You have to pay for classes to get clinical experience. I'm trying my best here. I really don't know where to start. Should I go to EMT training this summer ? Should I take a CNA class(which is highly recommended by others) ? Should I volunteer first? But if I volunteer in a hospital what should I volunteer doing ????????????

Shadowing, non clinical work experience and non clinical volunteering is a no brainer, it's just everything else...that requires MONEY!

 

[Mednight]

Time for me to make a new thread.

 

[Goro]

Get a job, any job, to pay the bills, and then find time to volunteer.

Yeah I take that back. I meant that I wasn't going to ANY volunteering right now. Obviously I need money for transportation(I can't work for free right now, I was I could but I cannot). Something so little and simple to others may be a more complex situation to someone else.

 

[Mednight]

Get a job, any job, to pay the bills, and then find time to volunteer.

I don't start work until the end of this month, so I have a secure job, but classes that you have to take to acquire clinical experience costs a lot of money that I don't have. Hopefully nothing goes wrong with my loan disbursement and I can use the money from that to do what I have to do.

 

[Goro]

Keep in mind that there is no law that you have to go to medical school at age 21 or 22. Med schools aren't going anywhere. Take all the time you need.

I don't start work until the end of this month, so I have a secure job, but classes that you have to take to acquire clinical experience costs a lot of money that I don't have. Hopefully nothing goes wrong with my loan disbursement and I can use the money from that to do what I have to do.

 

[LivMoore]

Don't take expensive classes to get clinical experience then....
Find clinical experience through volunteering and then keep a job to pay the bills, then maybe the experience you gain while volunteering could get you a clinical job later on.

I don't start work until the end of this month, so I have a secure job, but classes that you have to take to acquire clinical experience costs a lot of money that I don't have. Hopefully nothing goes wrong with my loan disbursement and I can use the money from that to do what I have to do.

 

[Mednight]

Keep in mind that there is no law that you have to go to medical school at age 21 or 22. Med schools aren't going anywhere. Take all the time you need.

I think that's what it is. I'm rushing. The only reason I'm rushing is because it will take me 6 years total to get my bachelors degree and I have some nerve to want to take a gap year. Most likely I'll be 24 when applying, but 25 when I get accepted.

 

[Mednight]

Don't take expensive classes to get clinical experience then....
Find clinical experience through volunteering and then keep a job to pay the bills, then maybe the experience you gain while volunteering could get you a clinical job later on.

That's my thing. What should I volunteer doing ?

 

[21Rush12]

Are you a troll or just super annoying? What do you want from us? News flash: you're finding it hard to find clinical experiences because you have some grand idea of what you'll be doing and you don't have any qualifications or training. You told us a week ago that you were interviewing for a job transporting patients and lab specimens, and then complained that your job would then involve largely transporting patients and lab specimens.

This whole thread reeks of complaining and entitlement and I don't understand what you hope to accomplish or how you reasonably expect to make progress if every option that opens a door for you is not good enough.

How do people get certifications? They work for them. They do the s* jobs. They volunteer at places in exchange for having their EMT paid for. They give a damn about their community and the people they are serving, not how they can look the best on paper or how many patients they have to introduce themselves to to feel validated.

The opportunity is all around you, you aren't satisfied with it, and there's nothing anyone can say to you that will spoon-feed you whatever experience you have in mind that you deserve.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[Goro]

FYI, some of my all time best students have been in thier 30s and 40s.

I think that's what it is. I'm rushing. The only reason I'm rushing is because it will take me 6 years total to get my bachelors degree and I have some nerve to want to take a gap year. Most likely I'll be 24 when applying, but 25 when I get accepted.

 

[Mednight]

FYI, some of my all time best students have been in thier 30s and 40s.

That scares me much.

 

[chickpeagoals]

That scares me much.

I don't see a problem with them being in their 30s and 40s....

 

[BenignBeignet]

I do plan on starting an EMT class this summer while being enrolled full-time. I also so want to take a CNA class. Reasons that I want to take EMT and a CNA class is so I can become a Patient Care Tech(e.g. ER Tech) which is a more advanced than just being a CNA or EMT alone. You need both those certification to become that. I'm trying to look for EMT training right now, so far there are only 2 locations that are close to me. I'd rather take it at a CC, but I'm enrolled at that CC for the summer. I don't know if they will let you enroll in two programs. Also if I enroll in the EMT class at the CC, it says that I need to be "affiliated with a fire department" or something like that, that's why I'd rather take the class at a training program.

If I may ask, why did you need to be ACLS and PALS certified? for EMT? or personal enrichment?

Interesting, I'm about to start a new job at trauma center in June as a PCT, but EMT is only requirement for the ED ... but if that's what the hospital requires I suppose you can, I would double check that those are both necessary though because both would be quite expensive. Plus working in the field on the ambulance is also a great experience, you can take a valuable assessment technique form working on an ambulance. What else are you taking at that CC? I took the EMT class, medical terminology, and trig all in the same semester, and there was no problem.
The ACLS and PALS were for personal enrichment 🙂 I see and do electrocardiograms every day, might as well be able to interpret them!

 

[BenignBeignet]

Are you a troll or just super annoying? What do you want from us? News flash: you're finding it hard to find clinical experiences because you have some grand idea of what you'll be doing and you don't have any qualifications or training. You told us a week ago that you were interviewing for a job transporting patients and lab specimens, and then complained that your job would then involve largely transporting patients and lab specimens.

This whole thread reeks of complaining and entitlement and I don't understand what you hope to accomplish or how you reasonably expect to make progress if every option that opens a door for you is not good enough.

How do people get certifications? They work for them. They do the s* jobs. They volunteer at places in exchange for having their EMT paid for. They give a damn about their community and the people they are serving, not how they can look the best on paper or how many patients they have to introduce themselves to to feel validated.

The opportunity is all around you, you aren't satisfied with it, and there's nothing anyone can say to you that will spoon-feed you whatever experience you have in mind that you deserve.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

This is the most true thing I've read, which I've noticed from the OP a little. I get these certifications to be a better healthcare provider and actually be able to make a difference outside of just work. It was never to get clinical experience, but to pursue and immerse myself in the field that I seriously love so much, while also having the opportunity to make a difference here, with my family, community, and around the world. It's not about looking great on paper, and that's exactly what Med Schools hate. They can sniff out people who arent genuine with what they've accomplished. Do what's right for you and what you want. To be honest, for example, I may not even do any research besides the things for my degree. Why? well for one I work full time. I dont have time to research and work and take classes full time. But do i care that there's a huge notion for pre-meds to pursue research? no i dont give a rats butt. We all walk our on path. There is no "perfect" pre-med applicant. The best applicant is the one who stuck to himself and did what he felt was right, not what blogs emphasize so heavily (while of course meeting requirements for medical school). thats my opinion.

 

[WunderMay]

I am in the same predicament. I don't have an income & I've decided to just take a Home Health Aide certification course. They are free here in NY. At least this way I can pay for my transportation to other opportunities and gain clinical exposure.

CNA was my first choice, but I won't be spending $2,000 for that.

ETA: This was a troll, wasn't it...

 

[Mednight]

Some classes here are free, but supposedly I live in a part of Maryland where things are better than those of the metropolitan area as if I don't struggle just like those people, that's the area I came from, I just happened to move out.

Free classes are for those in a poverty ridden area, they don't even need a G.E.D. for crying out loud.

But I'll be doing EMT this summer, which is probably free through a fire department or a couple hundred dollars. I'm not paying $1500+ for a CNA class, not right now, I still need a car.

I am in the same predicament. I don't have an income & I've decided to just take a Home Health Aide certification course. They are free here in NY. At least this way I can pay for my transportation to other opportunities and gain clinical exposure.

CNA was my first choice, but I won't be spending $2,000 for that.

ETA: This was a troll, wasn't it...

 

[Mednight]

I didn't even finish reading your post. I got super annoyed really quickly. I'm not a troll that's one. Two, I don't need your opinion. Three, I want to the interview to find out that it was not as described, I'll only be transporting patients which has no substance to me. Thank you.

Are you a troll or just super annoying? What do you want from us? News flash: you're finding it hard to find clinical experiences because you have some grand idea of what you'll be doing and you don't have any qualifications or training. You told us a week ago that you were interviewing for a job transporting patients and lab specimens, and then complained that your job would then involve largely transporting patients and lab specimens.

This whole thread reeks of complaining and entitlement and I don't understand what you hope to accomplish or how you reasonably expect to make progress if every option that opens a door for you is not good enough.

How do people get certifications? They work for them. They do the s* jobs. They volunteer at places in exchange for having their EMT paid for. They give a damn about their community and the people they are serving, not how they can look the best on paper or how many patients they have to introduce themselves to to feel validated.

The opportunity is all around you, you aren't satisfied with it, and there's nothing anyone can say to you that will spoon-feed you whatever experience you have in mind that you deserve.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[Mednight]

SDN members always think someone is a troll, you guys are slower than I thought. I don't post on here for the fun of it. I'm trying to be a d*nm doctor like most people on here.

 

[trickydick]

I'm surprised no one has brought this up yet. Student loans are the key for a poor person to get into a rich person's career.

I was in your position once, lived in a small town with no big hospitals with shadowing programs or scribes. Didn't really have time for volunteering as I went to school full time and got a job serving food at a nursing home which was 24hrs a week and far away from school and home. However, with this commitment not only was I not volunteering, my grades suffered.

Once I learned about how college financial aid and student loans work, I was able to get in tons of volunteering clinical and otherwise and my grades improved dramatically. Sure it's difficult taking on a bunch of debt but in my experience it was worth it.

 

[Mednight]

I don't see a problem with them being in their 30s and 40s....

I don't see a problem with it neither. It's just not for me. I'm afraid to know what I'll be doing during that 10 year gap. I refuse to struggle after graduating college, I've been in the struggle for too long.

 

[663697]

 

[Mednight]

Lovely post. I've never had a disbursement in the summer because I never took classes in the summer. I wonder how this will play out being that I will be a full-time student this summer.

I have a subsidized loan and I knew I didn't need all of it for school. So basically I got more financial aid then what I needed. Do you think they will give me the loan or take it back because I didn't use it for that semester ? Btw, I used all my grant money though.

I'm surprised no one has brought this up yet. Student loans are the key for a poor person to get into a rich person's career.

I was in your position once, lived in a small town with no big hospitals with shadowing programs or scribes. Didn't really have time for volunteering as I went to school full time and got a job serving food at a nursing home which was 24hrs a week and far away from school and home. However, with this commitment not only was I not volunteering, my grades suffered.

Once I learned about how college financial aid and student loans work, I was able to get in tons of volunteering clinical and otherwise and my grades improved dramatically. Sure it's difficult taking on a bunch of debt but in my experience it was worth it.

 

[trickydick]

Lovely post. I've never had a disbursement in the summer because I never took classes in the summer. I wonder how this will play out being that I will be a full-time student this summer.

I have a subsidized loan and I knew I didn't need all of it for school. So basically I got more financial aid then what I needed. Do you think they will give me the loan or take it back because I didn't use it for that semester ? Btw, I used all my grant money though.

From what I know, as long as you take the classes you say you are going to take they don't track what you do with the extra money. I believe the have a component for "living expenses" built in so you can always get more than tuition. My first semester I took way too much money out in student loans but then I learned how much I actually needed and shrank my buffer accordingly. As for summers that you don't take classes, it takes a bit of planning. I wanted to do research one summer so I took out more money than I needed to during the semesters and "saved" it for the summer, got a part-time job as a landscaper that summer too so I didn't really need as much as I had but it ensured that I wouldn't be in a position where I would have either leave my lab or be on the streets.

I just want to add, taking on a bunch of debt is very scary because getting into medical school isn't guaranteed. I took a couple practice MCATs just to prove to myself that I was capable of getting into medschool. Not saying that you should do the same but read through some of the WAMCs and perhaps other relevant threads on this site to get an idea of what it takes to get in and have an idea of where you stand before you start digging a hole that you may never be able to get out of.

 

[Sardinia]

@Mednight Ross University and St. George have wonderful medical programs. You don't even need any healthcare experience and they will probably give you a shot.

 

[Mednight]

@Mednight Ross University and St. George have wonderful medical programs. You don't even need any healthcare experience and they will probably give you a shot.

Don't be so sarcastic

 

[princesspeach2]

"Also I've been trying my best to get a job in the hospital right next to my school! Literally a 2-3 minutes walk away. "
I apologize if it was already addressed somewhere and I missed it, but why can't you just volunteer at this hospital if it's so close? That seems that it would solve the problem about volunteering costing money for transportation.

"I've seen plenty of hospice volunteer and paid opportunities in my area, but I don't think I'm prepared for that right now."
This seems like it would be a perfect fit that helps you gain clinical experience through employment or volunteering, how come you don't think you are prepared for it right now?

"Carry a bag? Walk through neighborhoods with high crime? Don't think so. But seriously the public transportation here is about 3 miles out, that's a 1hr and 30 minute walk. I'm so thankful for whenever my dad is able to take me to where I need to go."

"1.5 hours isnt much just wake up earlier, and carry mace with you. Problem solved."
I just wanted to comment that I too live in a pretty crappy area (though public transportation is a plenty here), and there is no way I'd feel that getting up 1.5 hrs earlier, walking 1.5 hrs through this area, even with mace, would be a wise decision on my part (I get threatened/yelled at/recently chased and kicked at/asked for sex etc. at least weekly, by mentally unstable homeless people or prostitutes/pimps who get mad while I wait at the corner to cross the street to get to my bus stop-this in jeans, tennis shoes, a backpack and avoiding eye contact with everyone). Plus 1.5 hrs is a lot, I used to walk my dog 1.5 hrs to the dog park and it is exhausting, especially if it's warmer out and there's a lot of hills.

I do feel that getting a bike though wouldn't be a bad idea. It's too congested where I live now where I'd feel safe riding a bike (nor do I have space to store one), but I used a bike as my primary transportation source during and after high school to get to work, school, and volunteer places.

"I think that's what it is. I'm rushing. The only reason I'm rushing is because it will take me 6 years total to get my bachelors degree and I have some nerve to want to take a gap year. Most likely I'll be 24 when applying, but 25 when I get accepted."
Don't feel that just because you are an older applicant than some, you need to rush. If it makes you feel any better, I'm turning 25 this year, and basically starting over so I still have 3-4 years of undergrad to complete, and then will probably take a gap year to work as an EMT or CNA. I currently am getting a part-time job at my local movie theater (15 min walk away from my apt), volunteering with a hospital that is close to my CC where I get to read to kids, help in the play area, etc, which I'm really excited about, and also volunteer with another program that reads to underserved kids once a month (it takes place a 5 min walk from my apartment), as that is what I have an absolute blast doing. I'm also going to start volunteering with a program that distributes food and supplies to homeless people, as it's important to me to do something to help make their lives better.

You might think that those volunteer activities don't sound meaningful or enjoyable, but I find great meaning and joy in doing them, and get excited about it. I think that is what part of your problem is, you are asking us to help you find activities that *you* will find meaningful, but we can't. I think the job that you applied for that involved transporting patients and doing lab stuff would be AWESOME, but clearly, you don't think the same. To me, it sorta seems that you have high expectations of what you think a "meaningful" experience classifies as.

It's unclear to me whether or not you already have a job, but if you don't, then I would just start applying to jobs that are in walking distance of your home or school, that are the typical food service/customer service/retail jobs. That way, you will have the finances to start shadowing, expand the distance you can volunteer, etc. I think you also might have good luck searching on VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins for volunteer opportunities near you. You can also narrow down your interests too.

It also seems that you are just popcorning around with volunteering, trying to find activities that will fit boxes as you and someone else already addressed. You would be better off finding a few activities you *LOVE* and then stick with them for a couple years.

 

[Geo16]

Don't lie. CNA certifications are the same. Mine was two weeks long, 5x a week,, 550$. Don't bullsh*t or make excuses. If you really cared about getting clinical experience you would have been able to by now and you wouldn't have bucked literally every suggestion that ARE good experiences.

Where is this class? I hope it's around Southern California. Only classes I've found were for $1600-2800. If I can take the class for 2 weeks & $550, I would totally go for CNA. But currently, I'm settled for Phlebotomy because it's where my heart calls. But I would totally do CNA after Phlebotomy.

 

[JB50]

I don't see a problem with them being in their 30s and 40s....

Eh, simple math suggests that's probably not always the best decision/best case scenario. If they have the drive to be a physician they could probably succeed in business/sales faster than med will pay off.


But I'm 23 so what do I know ya know?