I am only a sophomore right now in college so I've got quite a while left until even the application process starts. But, my main question is will working in a direct patient environment such as a dialysis clinic have an impact on my application. My current gpa leaves much to be desired (it's only a 3.1 right now) but raising it up every semester. I've had two years so far of 40 to 50 hours a week experience at a dialysis clinic.
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Quick question.
Started by gabulldogsfan10
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yeah, that sounds like worthwhile experience. we can tell you more yay or nay if you can tell us exactly what you're doing there. keep bringing that gpa up and make sure the rest of your application is bulletproof. you've still got plenty of time.
Lets see my job title is Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician. I do everything from vitals, sticking patients, putting patients on machines, taking patients off the machines, doing all of the water checks that are required and making the baths that we use to cleanse there bloods. I can't see any way to get more direct patient care than this. I also come in contact with doctors and already have both a MD and a DO lined up for shadowing once the time get's closer. By time application process comes around I'm thinking I should have around 3 and a half to 4 years of experience.
yeah, that sounds good man. it'll definitely help your app. increase gpa, solid MCAT score, leadership activities, and something else you're passionate about and your app will be very competitive.
The only way that you can get more influential patient contact is by becoming a nurse, or maybe sleeping with patients. I did both of those things and I got in.....
Hey gabulldogsfan10 - I have about 5yrs experience volunteering at a Hospice center and was able to take part in a lot of the patient care, so I figured that would really help support my application. However, on en "exit interview" with one school, I was told that although I had a lot of experience working with patients, the Hospice environment didn't expose me to physicians...mainly working in the facility are nurses and I guess, for this particular school, that wasn't enough to prove that I new what I was getting myself into. During this interview, it was suggested that I focus my time on shadowing and to make sure I get an MD/DO recommendation for every experience I have - not just a volunteer coordinator. I say all this just to caution you about the way some schools will view certain activities just because there may not be a lot of doctor interaction. I am not sure how much physician exposure you receive at your dialysis clinic, but if possible, it would be very good to get a rec from a MD/DO. All this said, if you enjoy what you're doing at the clinic, are learning lots, and actually feel like you're helping the patients/staff - try to remember that these things more important in the end. Just your experience with sticking patients will be helpful once in medical school because you'll be comfortable in that area, while some of your peers I'm sure will not be. Good for you for starting to think these things through so early in your process! Keep that up!
That sounds like an awesome patient contact experience! That should definitely help you.
Adcoms are gonna look at that and there will be no chance for you!!!!!! GO GATORS!!!!!!!
But also that seems pretty sweet
