cde5614 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hello, I'm trying to obtain what has now become the obnoxious clinical hours. I received my bachelor's of science degree in biology (all pre-med courses) in 2011 and I'm still trying to seek employment for the hours required. I have been a type 1 diabetic for almost 20 years and thoroughly wish that experience could land me a position to work in an medical office, if I was for nothing but to administer injections. Out of desperation, I joined a certified medical assisting program through my local community college since I saw on most PA school forms that this was a frequent route for clinicals. I will be finished with this program next Spring, but in the mean time I have still been seeking out potential positions for clinicals. Other than volunteering at the local hospital, are there any other suggestions for boosting my resume' and application? Any tips or advice are very much welcomed and appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mktalon Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 You might need to change your perspective a little bit on the importance of those clinical hours. Perhaps in the process of learning to value the experience, you'll gain better luck landing a job. If you don't really want the work, interviewers will know that and won't want to hire you. As far as volunteering goes, find a place you actually want to volunteer for. Doing things just for the numbers and to boost your resume, while many of us do it at one point or another, will not inspire much passion or motivation. I love my job right now. It isn't my end goal, but I am learning a ton and can see how this experience will enable me to bring a lot to the table when I finally get accepted to a PA program. Try to find something that will change your view on the "obnoxious" clinical hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cde5614 Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 Perhaps obnoxious was a strong term. I have simply felt lost in the route of landing a job where I can be a great asset but also get hours. If you don't mind me asking-what job are you in now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmood Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 It sounds like you already have a plan and are following through on it: get MA cert, in meantime volunteer at hospital. Are you actually volunteering now, or just thinking about it? You said you won't be done with the medical assisting program for another year. If you really put the time in, you could have a lot of volunteer hours by that point. And with a slight attitude adjustment you could make some great professional contacts within the hospital that will help you in the future - think recommendations, jobs, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cde5614 Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 greenmood, I actually am volunteering now as much as I can since it is the summer months, and made some good contacts for the future. The experience has already been very rewarding (despite family members being greatly confused as to why I am volunteering with my degree). My frustration in the first post stemmed from finally getting the prereqs successfully knocked out and then still not being qualified to work with patients - I understand this now, I was just curious if there were any other ways I could gain some valuable work in the meantime to learn and grow from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjk1229 Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Yup, have been a CNA for 2 years and got my license after I graduated with a BS in Biology. They're right. The degree does nothing for you except help get you into your Master's program. I loved being a CNA and it truly introduces you into the healthcare field... But like others have said, you sound like you're on the right path. Hang tight and finish your certification and you'll learn to see why those hours really are so important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjk1229 Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Yup, have been a CNA for 2 years and got my license after I graduated with a BS in Biology. They're right. The degree does nothing for you except help get you into your Master's program. I loved being a CNA and it truly introduces you into the healthcare field... But like others have said, you sound like you're on the right path. Hang tight and finish your certification and you'll learn to see why those hours really are so important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjk1229 Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Yup, have been a CNA for 2 years and got my license after I graduated with a BS in Biology. They're right. The degree does nothing for you except help get you into your Master's program. I loved being a CNA and it truly introduces you into the healthcare field... But like others have said, you sound like you're on the right path. Hang tight and finish your certification and you'll learn to see why those hours really are so important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Steve Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I was under the impression that a BS in Biology, taken at the "pre med" level does one other thing for ya... set you up to attend med school. So let us pretend you get your MA ticket punched... you look for a job, maybe find one by summer... how long do you work for? 1 year? 2 years? Then you apply to PA school? A year of didactic of PA school could put you finally touching patients 3-4 years from now...you know what else puts you working with patients in 3-4 years from now? Med School. By the time you would be rolling into your clinical year of PA school, with another 50K of school loans to pay, you could be in residency actually drawing a salary...granted, it's not a lot of money but it's cash in your pocket instead of selling plasma to buy more Top Ramen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Steve Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I was under the impression that a BS in Biology, taken at the "pre med" level does one other thing for ya... set you up to attend med school. So let us pretend you get your MA ticket punched... you look for a job, maybe find one by summer... how long do you work for? 1 year? 2 years? Then you apply to PA school? A year of didactic of PA school could put you finally touching patients 3-4 years from now...you know what else puts you working with patients in 3-4 years from now? Med School. By the time you would be rolling into your clinical year of PA school, with another 50K of school loans to pay, you could be in residency actually drawing a salary...granted, it's not a lot of money but it's cash in your pocket instead of selling plasma to buy more Top Ramen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Steve Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I was under the impression that a BS in Biology, taken at the "pre med" level does one other thing for ya... set you up to attend med school. So let us pretend you get your MA ticket punched... you look for a job, maybe find one by summer... how long do you work for? 1 year? 2 years? Then you apply to PA school? A year of didactic of PA school could put you finally touching patients 3-4 years from now...you know what else puts you working with patients in 3-4 years from now? Med School. By the time you would be rolling into your clinical year of PA school, with another 50K of school loans to pay, you could be in residency actually drawing a salary...granted, it's not a lot of money but it's cash in your pocket instead of selling plasma to buy more Top Ramen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 It makes no sense to take a year long CNA course. Just take 3 month EMT course and voluntter/work. Or like PAMAC said, apply to programs that do not require much experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 It makes no sense to take a year long CNA course. Just take 3 month EMT course and voluntter/work. Or like PAMAC said, apply to programs that do not require much experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 It makes no sense to take a year long CNA course. Just take 3 month EMT course and voluntter/work. Or like PAMAC said, apply to programs that do not require much experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsman2PA Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I received my bachelor's of science degree in biology (all pre-med courses) in 2011 and I'm still trying to seek employment for the hours required. To piggy back off of Just Steve's post, where did the Pre-Med route go? Not saying you have to one or the other, just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsman2PA Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I received my bachelor's of science degree in biology (all pre-med courses) in 2011 and I'm still trying to seek employment for the hours required. To piggy back off of Just Steve's post, where did the Pre-Med route go? Not saying you have to one or the other, just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsman2PA Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I received my bachelor's of science degree in biology (all pre-med courses) in 2011 and I'm still trying to seek employment for the hours required. To piggy back off of Just Steve's post, where did the Pre-Med route go? Not saying you have to one or the other, just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akboeder Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 just an FYI, not all CNA courses are a full year. I finished mine in 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akboeder Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 just an FYI, not all CNA courses are a full year. I finished mine in 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akboeder Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 just an FYI, not all CNA courses are a full year. I finished mine in 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cde5614 Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 I chose pre-med because at that time I had not decided which route of the medical fields I wanted to be in. I wanted to have my bases covered course wise that way I could have chosen pharmacy, dental, whatever. I felt the PA school route was more appropriate for me personally, and have never been too interested in medical school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cde5614 Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 I chose pre-med because at that time I had not decided which route of the medical fields I wanted to be in. I wanted to have my bases covered course wise that way I could have chosen pharmacy, dental, whatever. I felt the PA school route was more appropriate for me personally, and have never been too interested in medical school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cde5614 Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 I chose pre-med because at that time I had not decided which route of the medical fields I wanted to be in. I wanted to have my bases covered course wise that way I could have chosen pharmacy, dental, whatever. I felt the PA school route was more appropriate for me personally, and have never been too interested in medical school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.