What does YOUR road look like?

[Traumaturtle]

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Like almost everyone looking at this forum, my goal is med school; the title TRAUMA SURGEON stitcked on my long white robe. However, my trip along the way has been unique to say the least; not by choice of course, but unique none-the-less.

When I sit back and wonder if I could have changed anything, what would it be, I'm not so sure that I would have. It hasn't been easy, but I have learned so much along the way.

had i gone from a 4 year university and straight into med school I probably would not have gotten my EMT cert. That in itself has been invaluable. I've learned how to talk to people that don't fit into text book situations; that are in pain; that have dieing family members;...that are human! Being a doctor is part book smarts and part street smarts. What I have learned so far is street smarts.

had i not gotten my EMT, I would certianly not have been able to work as an ER Tech at a Level II Trauma Facility. Although I have seen incredible things there, I have learned more about myself then anything. I think there is a part of medicine that is known, but not talked about. How do we as humans, do unhuman things to people, asureing them that it is for the better, and still remain...human? have you every thought about how barbaric putting in a chest tube is? NG tube? Foley cath? There is a copeing mechanism that one has to develop, in order to be an effective healthcare proffesional. And had I not walked down MY road, I might not have been able to build such a solid foundation. there is no other feeling in the world like getting a heart rythm back on a 3 year old that had been found down in the tub. The emotional ups and down of an Emergency Room are incredible and had I gone on to med school right from college, I would have missed out on all of this!

What has your journey brought you? What have you gained by not being "traditional?" Would you trade it for your dream? Has your path made you work harder? Or just made you more sinical? Do you have any words of wisdom to pass on to people looking at the mountain ahead of them, wondering if its worth taking the first step?


Good Luck!
~TraumaTurtle~

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Like almost everyone looking at this forum, my goal is med school; the title TRAUMA SURGEON stitcked on my long white robe. However, my trip along the way has been unique to say the least; not by choice of course, but unique none-the-less.

When I sit back and wonder if I could have changed anything, what would it be, I'm not so sure that I would have. It hasn't been easy, but I have learned so much along the way.

had i gone from a 4 year university and straight into med school I probably would not have gotten my EMT cert. That in itself has been invaluable. I've learned how to talk to people that don't fit into text book situations; that are in pain; that have dieing family members;...that are human! Being a doctor is part book smarts and part street smarts. What I have learned so far is street smarts.

had i not gotten my EMT, I would certianly not have been able to work as an ER Tech at a Level II Trauma Facility. Although I have seen incredible things there, I have learned more about myself then anything. I think there is a part of medicine that is known, but not talked about. How do we as humans, do unhuman things to people, asureing them that it is for the better, and still remain...human? have you every thought about how barbaric putting in a chest tube is? NG tube? Foley cath? There is a copeing mechanism that one has to develop, in order to be an effective healthcare proffesional. And had I not walked down MY road, I might not have been able to build such a solid foundation. there is no other feeling in the world like getting a heart rythm back on a 3 year old that had been found down in the tub. The emotional ups and down of an Emergency Room are incredible and had I gone on to med school right from college, I would have missed out on all of this!

What has your journey brought you? What have you gained by not being "traditional?" Would you trade it for your dream? Has your path made you work harder? Or just made you more sinical? Do you have any words of wisdom to pass on to people looking at the mountain ahead of them, wondering if its worth taking the first step?


Good Luck!
~TraumaTurtle~

VERY GOOD🙂... well my road is just starting...i am a NON-trad in every since of its meaning...i am so excited about volunteering at the local trauma hospital in jan...well more like NErvous as hell...i can only pray that my experiences will be simliar as yours...Good LUCk

MuchLOve
PMG😉

 

[Traumaturtle]

If I can give you a little advice...

If your trauma center is a teaching hospital, be as nosey as you can! Ask questions, shove your face in there, listen in on doctor talking to patients or dictating reports. It's an incredible way to learn!

Also, if you get to watch traumas...GRAB BLANKETS. Sometimes at work when we get super bad traumas everyone wants to watch and it pises the doctors off. They say "IF you aren't doing something, GET OUT!" Well if you have blankets, then you are doing something because HYPOthermia is a bad bad thing. So make yourself part of the team by grabbing blankets; now you are DOING something!

I volunteered at a Trauma Facility and then was able to work at one. Wouldn't trade it for the world!

Cheers

 

[thoffen]

Like almost everyone looking at this forum, my goal is med school; the title TRAUMA SURGEON stitcked on my long white robe.

Most people looking at these forums don't even want to be surgeons. The glory of medicine is that you go through the same 3+ years of education as everyone else, so you're not locked into any particular specialty before you have the experience to choose one. It's not wrong to believe you want to be a truama surgeon per se, especially considering you have the experience to understand it; but, it's necessary to be interested in other areas of medicine, or else the wards will chew you up and spit your ass out on the curb.

 

[Krisss17]

Hi TraumaTurtle,

I have to agree with you...I, too, don't regret my steps along this route. Although I envy the trads at times, I wouldn't trade it at all. I feel that I will have more to offer my patients by going through the experiences I have.

Medicine is the goal, but I plan to enjoy it step along the way from finishing my bachelors degree, to preparing and taking the MCAT, to the application process. I've noticed how a lot of trads are just looking towards the goal...to me, that is missing a chunk of experiences along the way. Life doesn't start once you've got your MD/DO...it starts when you take that very first breath...don't let your life pass you by. You've only got one!

Kris

 

[Lokhtar]

Haha, I actually do regret all the steps that I've had. I probably wasted four-five years of my life. I could have been graduating medical school next year, instead of starting it in two years 🙁.

 

[Drewsuf]

I also took the long road.....

I graduated from a well known 4-year university with a degree in psychology. During my senior year I also took night classes to become an EMT. Right after graduation I worked in a major city as an EMT. Learned some invaluable things and had a blast while doing it. I then decided to travel a bit and also moved clear across the country. I became an ER tech in a local hospital. This allowed me to get pre-hospital and hospital experience. All of the physicians there are great. They all let me help with all sorts of different procedures such as LP's, triple lumens, suturing, removing objects, running codes, ect. I even got to scrub in on a number of surgeries!!

I then went into a traditional masters in bacteriology. I just finished my first semester with a 4.0 and am doing some research in immunology. I'm going to apply to med school (finally) this june!! I had a great time doing all the things I did, but am also ready to be in med school!! Excited to move forward in my medical career and hoping for the best!!

 

[Johnny_D]

Like almost everyone looking at this forum, my goal is med school; the title TRAUMA SURGEON stitcked on my long white robe. However, my trip along the way has been unique to say the least; not by choice of course, but unique none-the-less.

When I sit back and wonder if I could have changed anything, what would it be, I'm not so sure that I would have. It hasn't been easy, but I have learned so much along the way.

had i gone from a 4 year university and straight into med school I probably would not have gotten my EMT cert. That in itself has been invaluable. I've learned how to talk to people that don't fit into text book situations; that are in pain; that have dieing family members;...that are human! Being a doctor is part book smarts and part street smarts. What I have learned so far is street smarts.

had i not gotten my EMT, I would certianly not have been able to work as an ER Tech at a Level II Trauma Facility. Although I have seen incredible things there, I have learned more about myself then anything. I think there is a part of medicine that is known, but not talked about. How do we as humans, do unhuman things to people, asureing them that it is for the better, and still remain...human? have you every thought about how barbaric putting in a chest tube is? NG tube? Foley cath? There is a copeing mechanism that one has to develop, in order to be an effective healthcare proffesional. And had I not walked down MY road, I might not have been able to build such a solid foundation. there is no other feeling in the world like getting a heart rythm back on a 3 year old that had been found down in the tub. The emotional ups and down of an Emergency Room are incredible and had I gone on to med school right from college, I would have missed out on all of this!

What has your journey brought you? What have you gained by not being "traditional?" Would you trade it for your dream? Has your path made you work harder? Or just made you more sinical? Do you have any words of wisdom to pass on to people looking at the mountain ahead of them, wondering if its worth taking the first step?


Good Luck!
~TraumaTurtle~

No matter what your background, entering med school as a non-traditional student will provide you with advantages that traditional students won't have (life experience). It has helped me tremendously this year.

All of you non-trads who are applying, keep your chins up and keep working hard towards your goal. You CAN achieve it.

One other thing, learn to spell. It makes you look more professional when you spell correctly.

Later.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

If I can give you a little advice...

If your trauma center is a teaching hospital, be as nosey as you can! Ask questions, shove your face in there, listen in on doctor talking to patients or dictating reports. It's an incredible way to learn!

Also, if you get to watch traumas...GRAB BLANKETS. Sometimes at work when we get super bad traumas everyone wants to watch and it pises the doctors off. They say "IF you aren't doing something, GET OUT!" Well if you have blankets, then you are doing something because HYPOthermia is a bad bad thing. So make yourself part of the team by grabbing blankets; now you are DOING something!

I volunteered at a Trauma Facility and then was able to work at one. Wouldn't trade it for the world!

Cheers

thanks for the advice..and yes the one that i am planning on going to is a teaching hospital...that's mainly why im choosing to go there...cause everyone i know always say the only go there so if that's true for half the population in vegas then im good as GOLD !! 😀

 

[8744]

Like almost everyone looking at this forum, my goal is med school; the title TRAUMA SURGEON stitcked on my long white robe. However, my trip along the way has been unique to say the least; not by choice of course, but unique none-the-less.

When I sit back and wonder if I could have changed anything, what would it be, I'm not so sure that I would have. It hasn't been easy, but I have learned so much along the way.

had i gone from a 4 year university and straight into med school I probably would not have gotten my EMT cert. That in itself has been invaluable. I've learned how to talk to people that don't fit into text book situations; that are in pain; that have dieing family members;...that are human! Being a doctor is part book smarts and part street smarts. What I have learned so far is street smarts.

had i not gotten my EMT, I would certianly not have been able to work as an ER Tech at a Level II Trauma Facility. Although I have seen incredible things there, I have learned more about myself then anything. I think there is a part of medicine that is known, but not talked about. How do we as humans, do unhuman things to people, asureing them that it is for the better, and still remain...human? have you every thought about how barbaric putting in a chest tube is? NG tube? Foley cath? There is a copeing mechanism that one has to develop, in order to be an effective healthcare proffesional. And had I not walked down MY road, I might not have been able to build such a solid foundation. there is no other feeling in the world like getting a heart rythm back on a 3 year old that had been found down in the tub. The emotional ups and down of an Emergency Room are incredible and had I gone on to med school right from college, I would have missed out on all of this!

What has your journey brought you? What have you gained by not being "traditional?" Would you trade it for your dream? Has your path made you work harder? Or just made you more sinical? Do you have any words of wisdom to pass on to people looking at the mountain ahead of them, wondering if its worth taking the first step?


Good Luck!
~TraumaTurtle~

We don't actually wear robes you know. Just white coats.

 

[CarlyM]

I just decided on med school, hmm, two days ago. I'm a senior in college, getting my BA in biology this May. I was originally planning to be a nurse practitioner but had a change of heart.

I realized tonight, sadly, that I am not even a remotely strong candidate until fall 2010. Haven't taken physics or the MCAT yet, and no clinical or volunteer experience at all. (Although I do have one summer of research, no pub - wooHOO!) So unfortunately I doubt I'll be able to cram it all into, oh, the next 4 months of my undergrad!

I'm kicking myself for not deciding on med school earlier, but what can you do. The traditional applicants are really intimidating me with their ECs; I'm going to really have to make the most of my year off!

 

[Luxian]

I'm kicking myself for not deciding on med school earlier, but what can you do. The traditional applicants are really intimidating me with their ECs; I'm going to really have to make the most of my year off!

Don't worry! Your life has only just begun. You can use this year (or two or three) to make the most of it, travel, date, learn a language, volunteer somewhere, earn some money and actually enjoy a good standard of living before you go back to school. Life experience is good. It doesn't even have to be remotely related to medicine. Just interacting with other people in the real world will give you a great perspective!