PCT before applying to Med school?

[dgoody123]

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Hello to you all. I have been lurking for awhile and just wanted to say thank you to each of you who go out of your way to offer advice -- it's much appreciated.

I am putting great thought into the time and expense of becoming a doctor and am wondering about working at a hospital for a couple of years (part time at night) before applying to medical school.

My question is this:

What paid or volunteer position would give me the most exposure to the duties and responsibilities of being a doctor?

My wife is completing her RN and says I should be a Patient Care Technician. She feels that in this position I can be a "fly on the wall" and float to nearly any department I might be interested in. She also makes the point that a doctor who started as a PCT has started from the very bottom and will be able to empathize with each person's position within the hospital.

What do you all think? If you disagree, I would appreciate any advice.

 

[NTF]

Hello to you all. I have been lurking for awhile and just wanted to say thank you to each of you who go out of your way to offer advice -- it's much appreciated.

I am putting great thought into the time and expense of becoming a doctor and am wondering about working at a hospital for a couple of years (part time at night) before applying to medical school.

My question is this:

What paid or volunteer position would give me the most exposure to the duties and responsibilities of being a doctor?

My wife is completing her RN and says I should be a Patient Care Technician. She feels that in this position I can be a "fly on the wall" and float to nearly any department I might be interested in. She also makes the point that a doctor who started as a PCT has started from the very bottom and will be able to empathize with each person's position within the hospital.

What do you all think? If you disagree, I would appreciate any advice.

I agree. They call them PCAs (patient care associate) where I work. I've been one for over a year now, and I've learned more about what patients to through and what the day to day life of doctors are like than any volunteer experience I've had. You really learn how each part of the healthcare team interacts and what they do. You absolutely do learn empathy with each person's position in the hospital and also hour to hour what patients and their families go through. You get valuable time with the nursing perspective which so many doctors really need. It's really been one of the best experiences of my life and one of the biggest reasons I've chosen to pursue medicine.