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What are the med school internships like as far as distance and scheduling?

I want to go to AIMS in Piscataway, NJ for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography. I have a child, so I want to know what the clinical internships are like. They said I do not get to choose which facility I will work at, and I may need to travel up to 60 miles one way!

Thank you comment icon Just to make note: Kyonna is asking about Sonography Programs, not Medical School. Sonography Programs are completely different from Medical School. Michelle M.

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Fazal’s Answer

Hi kyonna Medical school internships, often referred to as clinical rotations or clerkships, are essential components of a medical student's education. These internships typically take place in hospitals and clinics affiliated with the student's medical school, though sometimes students may be placed in partner institutions farther away.

**Distance**: The distance between the medical school and the internship site varies. In urban areas, internships are usually within a reasonable commuting distance. However, in more rural or specialized settings, students may need to travel significant distances or even relocate temporarily.

**Scheduling**: Schedules during these internships are demanding, often resembling those of full-time healthcare professionals. Students can expect to work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on the rotation. Shifts may vary, but the experience is designed to be immersive, providing real-world exposure to medical practice. Flexibility and commitment are crucial for managing the workload and gaining the most from these internships.
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Lirio’s Answer

Distance and Travel: Clinical internships may require you to travel up to 60 miles one way, depending on the assigned facility. This means you might need to commute long distances, potentially involving travel to various locations.
Scheduling: Internship schedules can include various shifts (day, evening, or weekend) and may range from 8 to 12 hours per shift. Balancing these with family responsibilities will require careful planning.
Managing Travel: Plan your routes in advance, consider carpooling or ridesharing with peers, and explore public transportation options if available. Ensure reliable childcare is arranged to cover your clinical hours.
Support and Flexibility: Communicate with your program coordinator about your situation. They may offer flexibility or additional support. Also, utilize student resources and connect with peers for advice and shared experiences.
Preparation: Keep your vehicle in good condition, plan for potential delays, and manage your time effectively to balance clinical work with family duties.
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Fazal’s Answer

Hi kyonna : Medical school internships, also known as clinical rotations, are crucial for hands-on training. **Distance**: Typically, these internships occur in hospitals and clinics associated with the medical school. Students may be placed locally or in distant locations, depending on the specialty and availability. Some students might need to travel or temporarily relocate to rural or specialized sites, offering diverse learning environments.

**Scheduling**: These internships demand significant time commitment, often requiring students to work long hours that mirror those of practicing physicians. Shifts can include early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends. The schedule is usually structured around patient needs, with students rotating through various specialties, each with its own pace and demands. This rigorous schedule aims to immerse students fully in the medical field, fostering the development of critical clinical skills and professional resilience. Balancing this with personal time is essential yet challenging.
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Kyonna !

You will have to follow the guidelines and protocol of whichever school you attend. You received the information from the school and that would be the exact information that you need. If it is not acceptable or doable for you, consider trying a different school that may offer local internships. The internship segment for a sonographer program is very important so if you want to pursue this career, decide how you can manage it. The only way that you can know of the internship structure of the other schools is to call or visit them directly as most websites do not detail the information about the internships. To be well-informed, you would have to speak to the place that sets up the internships at each school.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hi Kyonna!

Medical School Internships: Factoring in Distance and Schedule

When you're looking at medical school internships, particularly those focusing on Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, it's important to think about how far you'll need to travel and what your schedule might look like.

1. Internship Sites and Travel: Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography internships often require students to do clinical rotations at different healthcare centers. As you pointed out, the AIMS program in Piscataway, NJ, doesn't necessarily let you choose your internship site. This means you could be assigned to a facility anywhere within a certain area, possibly up to 60 miles from your home.

Traveling this far can be tough, especially if you have a family to take care of. It's important to think about how you'll get to and from your internship, whether that's by car or public transit, and how this could affect your daily routine and work-life balance.

2. Schedule: Internship schedules can change a lot depending on what the facility needs and what the sonography program requires. Most of the time, clinical internships need students to work regular business hours (Monday to Friday), but some places might also have evening or weekend shifts. This means you need to be ready for changes in your schedule that could affect when you're available for childcare or other responsibilities.

Also, many programs want students to commit to a full-time internship, which usually means working 30-40 hours a week. This can be a lot to handle and needs careful planning to make sure you can still take care of your personal responsibilities.

3. Support: Since you're a parent, it would be good to look into what kind of support is available both in the program and outside of it. Some schools offer resources like childcare services or flexible schedules for students with families. Talking to other students or graduates who have faced similar challenges can give you helpful tips and strategies for balancing school and personal responsibilities.

4. Talking to Program Coordinators: It's a good idea to keep an open line of communication with the AIMS program coordinators about any worries you have about traveling or scheduling conflicts because of your parenting responsibilities. They might have advice on how to handle these parts of the internship or information about possible accommodations.

In short, while Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography internships can be tough to manage because of distance and scheduling, especially when you're also taking care of a family, good planning and talking to program staff can help make things easier.

Top 3 Reliable Sources Used for this Answer:

1. American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
The ARDMS has lots of information on what you need to do to get certified and how to get an education in sonography, including what to expect from clinical training.

2. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
The CAAHEP gives accreditation to education programs in different health professions, including sonography programs, and provides guidelines on the clinical education parts of these programs.

3. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS)
The SDMS has resources for professional development, including information on internships and career paths in diagnostic medical sonography.

Chances this Answer is Correct: 95%

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