6 answers
Sophina
Student
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2
Questions
Asked
797 views
What courses should I take in highschool to get a job in the medical field? (nurse, surgeon, doctor, etc.)
I'm a freshman in highschool and I want to make sure I choose the right courses in gr. 11 and 12 so I can possibly get a job in the medical field. #highschool #medical #nurse #surgeon #doctor #courses #surgery #professionals #medecine
Login to comment
6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Sophina below you'll find some tips as a high school student who's interested in a medical career as a nurse, doctor , surgeon, doctor, etc.
• Visit your high school guidance office and ask about resources for learning about medical careers.
• Meet with medical practitioners in your area and through family and friends for informational interviews. Ask them what it takes to be a doctor and inquire about the challenges and satisfactions involved with their work.
• Consider volunteering at a local hospital, nursing home, or other health-care establishment. Medical schools look for proof of your exposure to medical settings and commitment to serving others.
• Find a part-time or summer job at a health-care facility. The more experience you gain, the better equipped you will be for medical school.
• Once you are 16 (age varies by state in the U.S.), you may want to complete training during the summer to be a certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Training takes anywhere from three weeks to three months. Once you have your certificate, you can earn good money and gain valuable experience prior to medical school.
• Another route to consider is completing training as an emergency Medical Technician (EMT) once you are 18. Basic level EMTs can complete training in as little as two to three months, and they play an important role by intervening in emergency medical situations.
Hope this will be helpful Sophina
Develop a strong background in science and prove that you can handle rigorous courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Take AP and advanced courses as often as possible and maintain high grades. Meet with your guidance counselor to plot the appropriate high school courses.
Take on leadership roles at your school and in your community. Prove that you can motivate your peers to action, particularly in ways that benefit your school or community.
Make sure that you conduct your life in accordance with the highest ethical standards. Medical schools and the medical profession demand that candidates conform to very high ethical standards.
Carefully research four-year colleges in collaboration with your high school guidance counselor. Identify highly regarded schools and find out how many of their grads are accepted to medical school.
• Visit your high school guidance office and ask about resources for learning about medical careers.
• Meet with medical practitioners in your area and through family and friends for informational interviews. Ask them what it takes to be a doctor and inquire about the challenges and satisfactions involved with their work.
• Consider volunteering at a local hospital, nursing home, or other health-care establishment. Medical schools look for proof of your exposure to medical settings and commitment to serving others.
• Find a part-time or summer job at a health-care facility. The more experience you gain, the better equipped you will be for medical school.
• Once you are 16 (age varies by state in the U.S.), you may want to complete training during the summer to be a certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Training takes anywhere from three weeks to three months. Once you have your certificate, you can earn good money and gain valuable experience prior to medical school.
• Another route to consider is completing training as an emergency Medical Technician (EMT) once you are 18. Basic level EMTs can complete training in as little as two to three months, and they play an important role by intervening in emergency medical situations.
Hope this will be helpful Sophina
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Olivia Jones
Pharmacy Intern
11
Answers
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Updated
Olivia’s Answer
Hello,
I did not know what I wanted to do career wise when I was in highschool. I knew I was more stronger suited in biology than chemistry so I did advanced classes in ones I was stronger in such as the biology courses. I did not take advanced chemistry classes. I think it's important to challenge yourself while setting realistic goals to maintain a strong GPA. Then when I got into college I was a BioChem major so all my science courses that I took had over prepared me for my college classes. A lot of students at my University graduated with a 4 year BioChem degree and went on to various schooling such a med school or pharmacy school which is what I did.
I hope this helps,
Olivia
I did not know what I wanted to do career wise when I was in highschool. I knew I was more stronger suited in biology than chemistry so I did advanced classes in ones I was stronger in such as the biology courses. I did not take advanced chemistry classes. I think it's important to challenge yourself while setting realistic goals to maintain a strong GPA. Then when I got into college I was a BioChem major so all my science courses that I took had over prepared me for my college classes. A lot of students at my University graduated with a 4 year BioChem degree and went on to various schooling such a med school or pharmacy school which is what I did.
I hope this helps,
Olivia
Ummer Majeed
Paramadical technician
5
Answers
Srinagar
Updated
Ummer’s Answer
Medical with biology is must
Lorri Dillman
Teacher
4
Answers
Sunnyside, Washington
Updated
Lorri’s Answer
Each answer you have received is excellent advice. I remember time and again my friends and peers who were very frustrated in college chemistry classes because they had little to no experience in high school chemistry! I think it is a must to study chem before college.
Sanober Charania
Registered Nurse (RN)
73
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Sanober’s Answer
Hi Sophina!
Since you are just starting out in high school, I would recommend looking at what courses you would like to take in grade 11 or 12 to see if the medical field is something your interested in. Courses like anatomy, sports medicine, and advanced biology can help you get a sense of what studying in college will be like if you decide to go into healthcare. While AP courses are great to get a sense of a college-like course, they are not necessary in order to go into a healthcare major in college. I would use your time in high school to see what you like best and use that to your advantage since you still have years before applying to university :)
Hope this helps, best of luck.
Sanober
.
Since you are just starting out in high school, I would recommend looking at what courses you would like to take in grade 11 or 12 to see if the medical field is something your interested in. Courses like anatomy, sports medicine, and advanced biology can help you get a sense of what studying in college will be like if you decide to go into healthcare. While AP courses are great to get a sense of a college-like course, they are not necessary in order to go into a healthcare major in college. I would use your time in high school to see what you like best and use that to your advantage since you still have years before applying to university :)
Hope this helps, best of luck.
Sanober
.
Kody Jones
Student Pharmacist
11
Answers
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Updated
Kody’s Answer
Hello,
AP courses are always helpful. So AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics. You also could take AP Calculus, AP statistics, or any other advanced placement math course. All of these are courses you'll need in the medical field. And if you do well on the AP exam at the end of the semester, you can get college credit! Even if the credits don't transfer to the college or university, they will count as electives. Over time, this will decrease the amount of time you need to spend in college, and it will reduce the price!
Hope this helps :)
AP courses are always helpful. So AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics. You also could take AP Calculus, AP statistics, or any other advanced placement math course. All of these are courses you'll need in the medical field. And if you do well on the AP exam at the end of the semester, you can get college credit! Even if the credits don't transfer to the college or university, they will count as electives. Over time, this will decrease the amount of time you need to spend in college, and it will reduce the price!
Hope this helps :)