Written by Natalia Maya
As pre-health students, we often feel immense pressure to check off boxes from our graduate
school application checklists. The pursuit of research, volunteering, and work experience,
coupled with rigorous prerequisite courses, can indeed feel like navigating an overwhelming
maze. For me, starting my freshman year, I vividly recall sifting through various opportunities
and feeling utterly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of activities I was told I “must” complete to
gain medical school acceptance.
The Pursuit of Clinical Experience
As the summer following my freshman year approached, I decided it was crucial to seek out
meaningful clinical hours and direct patient care experience. Candidly, I applied to at least 30
positions through platforms like LinkedIn and various hiring websites. Despite my persistent
efforts, securing a position proved exceptionally difficult. After nearly a month of applications,
just as I was beginning to lose hope, I received an interview invitation – and ultimately, an offer!
This role was as a Medical Assistant in a dermatology practice. To be honest, before this
experience, my interest in dermatology was minimal, extending only to my basic skincare
routine. Yet, to my pleasant surprise, this opportunity led me to truly fall in love with the field of
dermatology and its many possibilities.
Unanticipated Benefits Beyond the Application Checklist
Gaining Hands-On Clinical Experience
Initially, I anticipated my primary responsibilities would involve simply taking patient histories.
However, I gained so much more, learning numerous clinical skills and practically shadowing
physicians and physician assistants every day. I was taught how to remove sutures and how to
assist with injecting anesthesia for biopsies and surgical procedures. I also discovered that I am
quite squeamish; in fact, I did have to step out of a surgical room once due to the sight of blood.
However, with increased surgical exposure, I gradually learned to manage this feeling. I
observed both the medical and cosmetic aspects of dermatology, which I now find absolutely
fascinating. This initial benefit of clinical experience certainly delivered what one would expect:
hands-on learning and exposure to healthcare providers and patients.
Cultivating a Deeper Connection to Healthcare
What I didn’t foresee was how this experience would ignite a whole new level of interest and
drive to pursue medicine. With each patient, I went beyond routine inquiries, actively seeking to
understand their life stories and interact in a way I hadn’t been able to before. I had many
patients who returned throughout my time at the clinic, allowing me to track their progress,
which helped me realize my strong preference for specialties offering continuity of care. Of the
approximately 50 patients my colleagues and I managed daily, several truly resonated with me,
deepening my appreciation for medicine.
I also developed wonderful connections and friendships with my coworkers, as well as the
physicians and physician assistants I worked alongside. This experience undeniably taught me
the importance of teamwork and time management, given the constant movement and effort to
accommodate every patient and assist the physician. This environment truly fostered a family
dynamic that I will forever cherish. The other MAs made me feel incredibly welcome, sharing
their experiences during breaks. And the physician I primarily worked under treated me with
remarkable kindness and patience, for which I am immensely grateful. The combination of an
excellent team and meaningful patient interactions left me feeling profoundly fulfilled at the end
of each day. Regardless of how tired my feet were from standing, I consistently felt a sense of
happiness after my shifts and never dreaded going to work; in fact, I looked forward to it!
Defining Your Clinical Identity
The most significant lesson I took away from this experience was gaining clarity on the kind of
clinician I aspire to be. Working alongside various physician assistants and physicians, I
observed their differing approaches to patient care. It became evident how demanding their
schedules were, often making it challenging to offer undivided attention to each patient. Yet,
what truly resonated with me was the critical importance of embodying patience, kindness, and
genuine empathy towards every individual. Because, ultimately, this appointment could be one
of the few interactions an elderly patient receives outside their nursing home, or it could be the
crucial reassurance a patient needs regarding a cancer scare. Therefore, despite the inherent
busy workload, I have learned that as a future clinician, I want to prioritize compassion and the
quality of patient interactions to the best of my ability.
Understanding the Value of Experience
In conclusion, I now profoundly understand why graduate schools emphasize gaining this type
of experience: it’s not merely to observe the healthcare environment but to genuinely assess if
one possesses a true passion for the field. This experience has fueled my excitement for the
pre-medical path even further, providing the motivation to overcome the inherent difficulties of
schooling so that I can have truly meaningful patient encounters in the future.
To anyone who may be facing challenges in their studies, job search, or managing a hectic
schedule, please remember to keep sight of the bright light at the end of the tunnel. Should you
have any questions about my experience or how to get involved in pre-health opportunities,
please do not hesitate to reach out.