Hospitals across the nation help millions of wounded, impaired and neglected every single day. Myself, as well as many other students, are inspired and want to join the team of healthcare. Hospitals should help the aspiring doctors, nurses and other hospital employees by joining with schools everywhere.
I've always wanted to be a mother, it's my true dream in life. But I know before I can get there I need to be in a stable financial and emotional situation. So as a natural caretaker, I'm interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. More specifically, I want to become a neonatal nurse. Of course, I haven't exactly experienced the life of a nurse or even really explored all the options that are out there for nursing.
To be able to better understand the everyday life of a nurse, I want to 'shadow' one for a day. I'm not certain what the policy of nationwide hospitals are, but I know some high schools and hospitals have programs together in which students can follow around a doctor or other healthcare professional in order to truly learn what life would be like in that career. This is an incredible idea! Without having to take numerous classes, hours in the lab and textbook work, high school students could discover if they were really interested in this type of career.
Has anyone participated in some sort of 'shadowing' program either through a school or not? This could enable thousands to learn not only if they were interested in healthcare, but more specifically what type. This could work for different jobs all over the nation, has anyone heard of any other types of high school/career related programs?
Shadowing is a good idea, but to really get the idea of whether or not the field is for you, I would recommend finding something that lets you get your hands dirty. Especially with something as complex as nursing, just observing will not give you the whole picture. talk to your guidance counselor at the high school; s/he should know best who in your community to contact.
also, talk to someone at a hospital (and your guidance councelor may be able to help here as well) about a summer internship, perhaps. You would get the experience of working in the unit you're interested in, and you may even get some money towards college. It would also be a foot in the door towards getting a job therer in the future.
becoming a CNA or a technician of some kind is another option and I believe you only need certification for those--which is usually about 6 weeks of classes--classes that are often offered on nights and weekends.
and finally...
But I know before I can get there I need to be in a stable financial and emotional situation.
you are my favorite type of parent already. :-)
good luck!
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"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
I'm the shadowing coordinator for our pre-med society. I've done a little shadowing myself, but my schedule doesn't work too well with that of many doctors, and I work in a pediatrician's office, so that certainly helps out some.
If you just want to shadow a physician or a PA, I'd suggest finding a small practice with 1-2 physicians to shadow.
I know one of our local hospitals offers an elective program for high school students that can earn you credit, so it might be worth investigating that (it really sucks, because they won't let undergrads do it, and it sounds like an awesome program).
~C
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