Clinical Experience
If you're thinking about medical or other professional school, gaining significant clinical experience will give you confidence as you apply to graduate programs. Grand Rapids stands out among college towns with its numerous opportunities for experience, its impressive Medical Mile, and other healthcare complexes.
Gaining clinical experience will help you determine early on if you are genuinely interested in a medical career. Ask yourself what kind of medical professional you would like to be; what specialty can you see yourself doing? These are just a few ways to find clinical experiences:
Get a job providing service in a medical setting
In the Grand Rapids area, there are several major health systems and specialty hospitals as well as numerous extended care facilities. Students who work as Certified Nursing Assistants gain valuable skills and experience, as well as a paycheck. You can work toward completing your CNA by taking IDIS 108 - Fundamentals of Patient Care.
Shadowing
This involves following a health provider around to see what their job is all about. This is a great first step. You won't have any responsibilities while shadowing, but you can observe and ask questions while you stay out of the way.
Basic science research
This is a step up from shadowing. You can volunteer or secure a position in a hospital clinical department, a pharmaceutical company, or one of Calvin's science departments. These are all excellent options. Gaining experience in research, such as cleaning cages, is helpful because it provides an understanding of research methodology. While you are an undergraduate, take advantage of any opportunity you have to hear medical research presentations. Calvin is a leader in undergraduate research opportunities. To review a list of STEM summer research projects in recent years, visit the university archive list here.
Clinical research
Gaining experience in clinical research would be extremely valuable. This would most likely be in a hospital or clinic associated with a medical school. Your role may be that of a volunteer willing to do whatever is needed. You might be fortunate enough to help enroll subjects in clinical studies. An opportunity like this will provide you with patient contact, and you may ultimately contribute enough to be listed as an associate author on a published paper.
How do you get this experience?
- Take advantage of the Service Learning Center, a robust resource for connecting students to opportunities for learning through experiential experiences.
- Approach the Calvin professors whose research interests you.
- Ask the doctors, dentists, and veterinarians whom you know.
Set up appointments with these people. Treat it like a practice interview. Talk about your interest in a medical career. Ask about the research they have conducted or are currently performing. Explain that you are thinking about going to medical (dental/veterinary) school and that to make up your mind, you would like to see first-hand what taking care of patients is all about. Please note that you are willing to do whatever it takes to gain entry and participate in their clinical research.
Grand Rapids health care providers with potential for volunteer/work opportunities
For more information on obtaining healthcare experience, please visit this link.