Need help figuring out a plan and get clinical hours

[lee9786]

For a quick background, I'm 35 years old, graduated with a BS in Nutrition Science 2007. Post BS I obtained a number of prerequisites from 2007 to 2009 for PT school (which mirrors most Medical School admission requirements academically minus Ochem). I currently have 3.69 GPA and 3.92 sci GPA. I have to still take the MCAT which I'm currently studying via Kaplan and feel very confident with the material.

So I am 'Nontraditional'. I did apply to 2 PT schools in the 2009 cycle. I only applied to 2 schools due to the cost. There are a lot of other concerns I have with PT with one of them going to the DPT level but I'll save that conversation for another day. Those concerns were enough for me to limit to 2 schools as I had second thoughts about investing so much in the career. Bottom line is life happened, my grandmother got sick, and I took care of her for a couple years. I ended up getting a job working as a Food Service Director at a nursing facility. Hated the job but it paid well. No growth. Not challenging intellectually. I felt like I was wasting my talent. In transition, I'm currently working part-time at the local nursing home cooking. << no valuable experience for my long-term goal but helps with financing things. I did plan and save money prior to quitting my director job in anticipation of earning a lower wage.

So as of March of this year I've decided to work toward getting into Medical school. During the summer I've been studying for the MCAT, I've signed up for OChem in the Fall, and have established myself as one of the two science tutors at the college I'm taking the class at. (I actually worked in the same position back in 2009.

My glaring problem is relevant EXPERIENCE. I have none really pertaining to clinical. I am working to apply for the 2017 cycle so I can start a program in 2018.

So here is what I see as some options. Any input is greatly appreciated.


1) CNA program - There is a 8 week long program starting in September. Cost $550. I could be out mid October and start working as a CNA part-time to log clinical hours. Pros = many jobs in the area with flexible scheduling, decent pay, can start early. Cons = I've worked with CNAs for years so I know the responsibilities, I don't find the work really edifying in preparing me for med school/to be a doctor.

2) EMT classes - There is a 6 month program starting in September. Cost ~$550. I would be out in mid February, which I'm concerned is too late. I did get clarification that the ambulance company does currently have job openings (one full-time and one part-time). My concern is finding a job with the cert. Pros = I have a desire to learn the information and put it into practice, I could be assertive in working to obtain a ER Tech position. Cons = the length of time it takes to get the certification. I'm not sure I'll be able to get the clinical hours needed to apply to Med school if I don't get done with the program until February.

3) Medical Scribe - This seems like a great way to get experience and log clinical hours. The problem is there are only so many jobs available. I've only seen two job postings in the area (I live in a somewhat rural area) which I've applied to. So a big pro would be finding a job in the area. I'd be all about this position if I could find a job. I've thought about getting the certification for it and trying to contact local private clinics. Most tell me that would be a waste of money though and no guarantee of anything.


I do plan on applying to both MD and DO schools. I just have to find good ones that welcome nontrads. I'm concerned about expiration of prerequisites a bit.

I see in the reapplicant section people applying up to 3 times. While I applaud that, I couldn't see me doing that due mostly to my age. If this doesn't work, most likely I'd start focusing on PA as an option.

I think a lot of it has to do with lack of planning, which is one thing that I don't have really right now either. So I need to develop a solid plan.


Any advise is greatly appreciated in helping me devise a plan to get my application in for next cycle. I have two semesters of O chem to complete (Fall and Spring).

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[TaupePremed]

Why don't you consider getting way fewer hours of clinical experience. Like, maybe only 150 hours.

Do something that is straight-up volunteering with no training where they will definitely take you, you can start immediately, and no pay.

Then also get 150 hours of shadowing. You didn't mention shadowing above.

Actually becoming a nurse or actually becoming an EMT seems excessive and it seems too late. You need to do the MCAT and shadowing as well.

Good luck.

 

[Catalystik]

For a quick background, I'm 35 years old, graduated with a BS in Nutrition Science 2007. Post BS I obtained a number of prerequisites from 2007 to 2009 for PT school (which mirrors most Medical School admission requirements academically minus Ochem). I currently have 3.69 GPA and 3.92 sci GPA. I have to still take the MCAT which I'm currently studying via Kaplan and feel very confident with the material.

So I am 'Nontraditional'. I did apply to 2 PT schools in the 2009 cycle. I only applied to 2 schools due to the cost. There are a lot of other concerns I have with PT with one of them going to the DPT level but I'll save that conversation for another day. Bottom line is life happened, my grandmother got sick, and I took care of her for a couple years. I ended up getting a job working as a Food Service Director at a nursing facility. Hated the job but it paid well. No growth. Not challenging intellectually. I felt like I was wasting my talent. In transition, I'm currently working part-time at the local nursing home cooking. << no valuable experience for my long-term goal but helps with financing things. I did plan and save money prior to quitting my director job in anticipation of earning a lower wage.

So as of March of this year I've decided to work toward getting into Medical school. During the summer I've been studying for the MCAT, I've signed up for OChem in the Fall, and have established myself as one of the two science tutors at the college I'm taking the class at. (I actually worked in the same position back in 2009.

My glaring problem is relevant EXPERIENCE. I have none really pertaining to clinical. I am working to apply for the 2017 cycle so I can start a program in 2018.. I'm not getting any younger lol

So here is what I see as some options. Any input is greatly appreciated.


1) CNA program - There is a 8 week long program starting in September. Cost $550. I could be out mid October and start working as a CNA part-time to log clinical hours. Pros = many jobs in the area with flexible scheduling, decent pay, can start early. Cons = I've worked with CNAs for years so I know the responsibilities, I don't find the work really edifying in preparing me for med school/to be a doctor.

2) EMT classes - There is a 6 month program starting in September. Cost ~$550. I would be out in mid February, which I'm concerned is too late. I did get clarification that the ambulance company does currently have job openings (one full-time and one part-time). My concern is finding a job with the cert. Pros = I have a desire to learn the information and put it into practice, I could be assertive in working to obtain a ER Tech position. Cons = the length of time it takes to get the certification. I'm not sure I'll be able to get the clinical hours needed to apply to Med school if I don't get done with the program until February.

3) Medical Scribe - This seems like a great way to get experience and log clinical hours. The problem is there are only so many jobs available. I've only seen two job postings in the area (I live in a somewhat rural area) which I've applied to. So a big pro would be finding a job in the area. I'd be all about this position if I could find a job. I've thought about getting the certification for it and trying to contact local private clinics. Most tell me that would be a waste of money though and no guarantee of anything.


I do plan on applying to both MD and DO schools. I just have to find good ones that welcome nontrads. I'm concerned about expiration of prerequisites a bit.

I see in the reapplicant section people applying up to 3 times. While I applaud that, I couldn't see me doing that due mostly to my age. If this doesn't work, most likely I'd start focusing on PA as an option.

I think a lot of it has to do with lack of planning, which is one thing that I don't have really right now either.


Any advise is greatly appreciated in helping me devise a plan to get my application in for next cycle.

Did you never talk one-on-one with nursing home residents about dietary options that met their health needs? Did you never help them select the appropriate foods? Did you never delivery food trays to those needing skilled-level nursing?

Have you considered volunteering in your own nursing home to work with those confined to the bed?

 

[lee9786]

Did you never talk one-on-one with nursing home residents about dietary options that met their health needs? Did you never help them select the appropriate foods? Did you never delivery food trays to those needing skilled-level nursing?

Have you considered volunteering in your own nursing home to work with those confined to the bed?

It's interesting, yep we talk to the residents pretty much daily regarding their diets and preferences. As a director, I helped develop care plans and calculate various nutrition assessments.. (I could do that in the state of West Virginia with a CDM). Most places pass that onto the Dietitian. So I also obtained food preferences, educated new residents on their diets, etc. I did a whole lot which I'm not entirely sure counts for much as true 'clinical experience' from an ADCOMs perspective.

I'd actually love to get some experience outside of the nursing home setting volunteering. I've seen a whole lot in this setting. I'd be refreshing to get another perspective. I would like to get more exposure to the emergency medical side of things.

 

[Catalystik]

It's interesting, yep we talk to the residents pretty much daily regarding their diets and preferences. As a director, I helped develop care plans and calculate various nutrition assessments.. (I could do that in the state of West Virginia with a CDM). Most places pass that onto the Dietitian. So I also obtained food preferences, educated new residents on their diets, etc. I did a whole lot which I'm not entirely sure counts for much as true 'clinical experience' from an ADCOMs perspective.

This is relevant to your med school application, though I agree that true "current-patient" status is preferred, so you would want to emphasize your face-to-face helpful interactions with clients (the sicker, the better).

I will add that if you spent any time assisting a PT's clients at some time in the distant past, that will be interpreted as active clinical experience also.

I'd actually love to get some experience outside of the nursing home setting volunteering. I've seen a whole lot in this setting. I'd be refreshing to get another perspective. I would like to get more exposure to the emergency medical side of things.

You can do this by volunteering 3-4 hours per week over the next year in an emergency department. Most places (in my state), you mainly need blood-borne pathogen training, a TB test, maybe a chickenpox titer, and a Hep B series to do that, and it's hard to imagine you don't have that already.

 

[lee9786]

This is relevant to your med school application, though I agree that true "current-patient" status is preferred, so you would want to emphasize your face-to-face helpful interactions with clients (the sicker, the better).

I will add that if you spent any time assisting a PT's clients at some time in the distant past, that will be interpreted as active clinical experience also.

You can do this by volunteering 3-4 hours per week over the next year in an emergency department. Most places (in my state), you mainly need blood-borne pathogen training, a TB test, maybe a chickenpox titer, and a Hep B series to do that, and it's hard to imagine you don't have that already.

Thank you I definitely will be doing volunteering as soon as possible. I have been under the impression I need to get actual hands-on clinical experience which for the most part requires some type of formal training like EMT, CNA, etc. I think I will go ahead and take the EMT classes though as I don't think it will interfere much with other obligations and I think it would be a good learning experience. Possibly while I'm volunteering/shadowing in the ER department I could assist with some things or even get a position as ER tech.

Thank you all for all the help.

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you I definitely will be doing volunteering as soon as possible. I have been under the impression I need to get actual hands-on clinical experience which for the most part requires some type of formal training like EMT, CNA, etc. I think I will go ahead and take the EMT classes though as I don't think it will interfere much with other obligations and I think it would be a good learning experience. Possibly while I'm volunteering/shadowing in the ER department I could assist with some things or even get a position as ER tech.

There are some med schools that prefer clinical experience to come through employment, but for the vast majority, volunteer, clinical research, or employment exposure are looked on as equally able to satisfy patient exposure expectations. Your plan sounds fine to me.

 

[LizzyM]

There is a reason my definition of clinical experience doesn't including having to touch the patients. If you are close enough, even if you aren't touching them, it is a clinical experience.