New Medical Student

[Muz911]

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I am a new (older/non-trad) medical student (starting in the fall) with a MA in Anatomy and several years of professional EMS/ Hazmat/ Rescue/ lifeflight training. I am naturally attracted to EM/ trauma, and would like to integrate my old life with the new. I would greatly appriciate any and all suggestions on making this a reality. (schools to try for residency, fellowships, sub-specialties, a general roadmap, or if this is even possible.) Anyway, this is my first post here, nice to meet ya.

👍

 

[emdoc21]

Many of your questions can be answered by exploring www.emra.org and www.saem.org.

 

[DrQuinn]

EMDOC as usual has given good advice. At your stage of the game, its more important to do well in medical school, keep your options open (you may love Psychiatry), and have a good time. In the meantime, become a student member of EMRA and SAEM. They are both great organizations, and maybe you can be involved in those organizations as a student as well.
Q

 

[Muz911]

Thank you for the links, and the replies. I will research these sites for information.

 

[ollaguna]

I agree with Quinn, keep an open mind. I started med school 2 years out ot physical therapy gradschool (more specifically NSU...Quinns Alma Mata). In in the begining I related everything to rehab. I was set on going into PM&R, untill I started learning more about other fields and what they had to offer. Now I want to go into EM medicine, the total extreme of tertiary rehab. Use your backround to your advantage (maybe you'd like to tutor anatomy?) but don't limit yourself cause it'll only hold you back. Concentrate on taking in as much as you can now, picking a field is way int the future right now. Becoming a SAEM/EMRA member is cool in the sense that you can keep up with what's going on in the field, but I don't think it's so necessary right now. You can always go to your library and read the issues. You could join school interest chapters to get some exposure, but don't limit yourself to just one field.

Good luck!

 

[FoughtFyr]

Good luck!

I found the transition from "the street" (10 yrs fire and ALS EMS) to medical school challenging but worth it. I'm an M3 now and the end is in sight!

Medical school has been the most fun I never want to have again!

If I can help in any way feel free to e-mail me...

- H

 

[tonem]

Congratulations MUZ,

Congrats on getting in. Where are you going next year? The only thing I'd add to the excellent advice you've received so far is that probably the most important thing you can do in medical school is do very well on Step I of the Boards without that nothing else matters -- actually it does but a poor score will severely limit your options.

I have to add that I was also in the fire service for a few years before I got hit in the head too many times and applied to medical school.

 

[Muz911]

Thanks for the replies, I am glad to see I am not the only old smoke eater to drag his butt off the street.... 😉 . I will keep my options open as per suggestion, but honestly I doubt that I will change my mind on this one (but hey ya never know maybe i really will enjoy Psychiatry). For Tonem, Indiana University has shown the wisdom and foresight to admit me. 🙄 As for the step 1, I may be paranoid but I bought and have covered the first 100 pages of "first aid for the USMLE step 1" over the last 2 months (I cover a few pages a night) and plan to have the book pretty well memorized by Fall. Any other study materials that you would recommend or any pertinent advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so very much.

Muz

 

[md_student10021]

It's too early for first aid. actually, the 1st 100 pages are all anatomy, and w/your MA I'm sure it's easy. Don't bother trying to memorize First Aid because there is an enormous amt. of information you'll learn over the next 2 years.


congrats and good luck.

 

[Apollyon]

Volley FF for 9 yrs, and paid and volley paramedic (still certified). Did med school expressly to do EM, and the only thing that ever even made me waver was anesthesia (procedures and set hours), and that did NOT last long.

Going to Duke for EM in July.

 

[Wrangler]

Your fear, dedication, and analness will certainly serve you well in med school. Just a few words. Concentrate on truely learning and understanding the concepts behind the nonclinical years and you will do well on the USMLE. 1st Aid will help you pass, or consolidate your knowledge, but what you know beyond it will make all the difference.

And have some fun too. 😀