Job suggestions for someone who wants to study medicine?

thedaveg

Hi all

I am giving serious consideration to applying for the postgrad entry to medicine in 2007 and am looking to find a job in a hospital/care facility that may provide me with some insight as to whether it is the right career for me. In fact, I have decided that I am going to apply and I am looking for confirmation that I am making the right choice. I'm not silly enough to think that my interest in medicine alone would be enough to make me a good doctor.

What kind of positions are out there that would enable someone with a M.Sc in Maths with experience working for a business management consultancy firm to work in an environment that would help my decision. I'm currently considering the roles of care assistants and nurses aides (both entry-level roles if I am correct) but would really appreciate any insight that people can offer.

I know that I am at a disadvantage compared to the people already working in the industry who will be applying, which is another reason as to why I am doing this.

Much appreciated!!!

DrIndy

There are no plans for an interview system under the new proposals, simply grades and the score of an aptitude test, so although experience is good and to see that medicine often over rated is a good idea.

If you are capable of working 80 hours a week, 36 hours in a row and remain functional and continue to keep in touch with friends and family and get a real buzz out of making people better, then its the career for you.

But be realistic or you get dissapointed. Its hard, hard work and I normally just fall into bed when I get home.

thedaveg

I currently work as a business consultant, used to working 90 hours a week, while living in hotels, where the only gratification I received was the knowledge that I helped shareholders get a slightly better percentage return on their investment...... not for me as I have realised. I'm pretty sure that medicine is where I can find the personal rewards that I am looking for in a career!!

Even though the interview process is not involved, I am actually interested in entering the field in some shape or form before applying, so DrIndy, if you could elaborate on some of the roles that I could potentially go for, I would be interested to hear.

I have actually handed in my provisional notice at the consultancy firm with the intention of going for these posts..... just to let you know how serious I am about this issue!!

Cheers!

wheresthebeef

Hey DaveG,
I'm a student nurse, first year TCD. The best thing for you to do to gain some experience at entry level is probably Health Care Assistant (previously known as Nurses Aide). To do this you need a couple of things. You need First Aid, CPR, Manual Handling Certificates. You need to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B which is available from your GP at a cost of €100. You need a garda background check which will usually be conducted by the Agency or place of work that you sign up with. You'll also need character references.

You then need to contact a Nursing Agency such as Nurse on Call (www.nurseoncall.ie) who will register you as a Care Assistant. Nurse on Call offer CPR and Manual Handling Training as well as Vaccination for those who wish to start working through the agency at reasonable prices. After they check your Garda Clearance, References, and certs for manual handling etc... you will be able to put yourself on call to work. You choose your own hours. Pay usually starts at around 11.50 or 12.00 per hour rising to 13.50 or so for weekend night duties.
As a HCA, you can expect to be performing the following duties:
Feeding, Washing, Clothing, Assisting with Toiletting, Assisting patients with reduced mobility, Assisting Nursing Staff in implementing care plans, etc... etc... You should also get a good feel for the hospital environment.

There are other agencies, but some require previous experience
Try:
Alliance Nurses Agency
Medical Recruitment Specialists
Belgrave Scanlon Nursing Agency

I know you're thinking of doing Medicine, but Nursing is also a very rewarding career. The B.Sc Nursing Degree course is now in its 5th year and is extremely challenging and rewarding. With 12 weeks of clinical placement each year, students are given the oppurtunity to experience patient care giving at all stages of their training. The course attracts a large proportion of mature students. There is great scope for specialisation in Nursing today with many post registration courses from H.Dip level to M.Sc level. The scope of nursing practice is ever expanding. If you have any questions, ask away or you can mail me on the address below.

Hope that info is helpful,

David

wheresthebeef

Also, you could try joining a voluntary first aid/ambulance organisation.

The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps (OMAC) is irelands premier first aid organisation with over 3500 members nationwide in 80 communities with a vehicle fleet of over 120 ambulances. We provide medical emergency cover at concerts, public gatherings, horse racing events, sports events and many more.

The St. Johns Ambulance Brigade (SJAB) is similar to the Order of Malta. Both organisations have a common historical background, the difference being SJAB was protestant, and OMAC was catholic. SJAB mainly operates in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and provides similar services to OMAC, although imho their client base is less.

The Civil Defence also has a Casualty Services section which provides ambulances and emergency medical care at events.

The Irish Red Cross is the fourth and final voluntary first aid service in Ireland. They provide more of a community service, and don't really do as many large scale duties as the three organisations above. Still a worthwhile experience though.

GuanYin

thedaveg wrote:

Hi all

I am giving serious consideration to applying for the postgrad entry to medicine in 2007 and am looking to find a job in a hospital/care facility that may provide me with some insight as to whether it is the right career for me. In fact, I have decided that I am going to apply and I am looking for confirmation that I am making the right choice. I'm not silly enough to think that my interest in medicine alone would be enough to make me a good doctor.

What kind of positions are out there that would enable someone with a M.Sc in Maths with experience working for a business management consultancy firm to work in an environment that would help my decision. I'm currently considering the roles of care assistants and nurses aides (both entry-level roles if I am correct) but would really appreciate any insight that people can offer.

I know that I am at a disadvantage compared to the people already working in the industry who will be applying, which is another reason as to why I am doing this.

Much appreciated!!!

There are decent suggestions here as to what you could do, although be aware that and interest in medicine, biology, helping people etc etc are not always a good enough reason to do medicine, although from your post I think you get that.

I'd also say, imho, work experience in the suggested areas, while a step in the right direction, ultimately won't answer all of the hard questions you should ask yourself.
They will offer you the perspective of working selflessly, in tough conditions, for little reward, but if thats all you want to do, you could join one of these organisations full time and study a physiology degree of something similar.

What you really want to be able to answer in your head is why you want to do medicine over a similar health care position, such as a nurse or a physicians assistant. What do you think the differences are and why do you think one would be more suited to you over another.

Dr. Indy has already mentioned the work hours, but be prepared to accept that you would NEVER be off duty. I'm asked medical advice, at home, in the pub, at boards beers I've even been asked serious medical questions over MSN and PM here. The feeling of importance that this may generate can be novel at first but sometimes its a very frustrating thing.

Most of the cliched answers to why people want to do medicine can direct towards other professions, so you really need to come up with a good solid confident answer in your own head. The only interview you really have to pass is in your own head. Ask yourself "Why do I want to become a doctor?" and then answer it honestly, bearing in mind that there are plenty of other professions that will fulfill some of these requirements. When you can do that, honestly, then I'd say apply. I'd also say apply to the UK aswell, if you are really dedicated, then you'll do whatever it takes.

Finally, for secondary school students, nearly all the hospitals have education offices. These were set up, mainly for legal reasons (too many people bringing their nieces and nephews in to shadow) to offer LC-ers the chance to have a look around. It may be worth contacting them, they're not great, but the people there will, theoretically have experience with people in your situation.

Good luck in your career path, I'd honestly suggest you ask yourself the hard questions.

Vorsprung

wheresthebeef wrote:

Hey DaveG,
<snip>
David

To do Nurse on Call you have to have experience (unless you're already a nursing/med student), I think it's around the 3 months mark. Good experience for nursing but I don't think it would be too comparable to medicine. Not sure if there's a similar thing for the other agencies.

psi wrote:

What you really want to be able to answer in your head is why you want to do medicine over a similar health care position, such as a nurse or a physicians assistant. What do you think the differences are and why do you think one would be more suited to you over another.

Best advice in the thread IMHO.

There's plenty of students of most disciplines knocking around here so you could ask us! There's an old thread about it too, worth a look, these might answer some of the unanswered questions on your mind.

A guy in my class god a job as a ward clerk in the Mater A&E, its as close to the action you'll get without having a medical/nursing qualification.

psi wrote:

Finally, for secondary school students, nearly all the hospitals have education offices. These were set up, mainly for legal reasons (too many people bringing their nieces and nephews in to shadow) to offer LC-ers the chance to have a look around. It may be worth contacting them, they're not great, but the people there will, theoretically have experience with people in your situation.

The Mater in Dublin have one of these, I did it in Transition Year, great experience. Learnt a lot, sealed the deal for me. Not sure what, if any, other hospitals offer a similar programme.

Good luck with your decision

snorlax

DrIndy wrote:

If you are capable of working 80 hours a week, 36 hours in a row and remain functional and continue to keep in touch with friends and family and get a real buzz out of making people better, then its the career for you.

But be realistic or you get dissapointed. Its hard, hard work and I normally just fall into bed when I get home.

and then it's making some time for the things that are important to you that will keep you sane during this time, be it croquet or poker:). it's the little pleasures that make life worth living

Tree

MSc in maths?! i want to be you!

sadly i couldnt hack maths and now am in second year med lab science. medically with impact on ppl's lives but less interaction with the peoples and a hell of a lot of background science, i love it.

spent some time shadowing people in teh labs in the CUH, well worth havin a look at i think