Shadowing or Internships in California?

RunBabyRN · Aug 30, 2014

You might try contacting the hospitals in the area, and asking about volunteer opportunities. Then you can get in there and make connections and ask about job shadowing as you get to know people. What kind of internships do you mean? I haven't heard of them in hospitals, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I would get in touch with the hospitals, though, as they may be your best resources.

megan98 · Aug 30, 2014

I am actually volunteering in a hospital now and they do not offer job shadowing. I will try a few others though! For internships, It would be best to have one that somehow relates to my desire to work in the medical field, but at this point I would consider any internships because they are so hard to come by! Do you know of any, or of any websites that are useful for finding internships in my area? Thank you so much for your time and help!

RunBabyRN · Aug 30, 2014

I don't know of anything like this, TBH, and I've been in healthcare for a long time. What do you want to do in healthcare? If you're thinking of becoming a nurse, have you considered becoming a unit clerk or a CNA? I think you need to be 18 to work as either one, but they'd both be PAYING jobs where you'd have actual patient contact and be working directly with the nurses while you go to school. A lot of people do this before getting into nursing school, and if you're smart about it, you can make good connections that can help with your job search later.

megan98 · Aug 31, 2014

I want to go into nursing! I actually thought about becoming a CNA and I can get my license (Once I turn 16 in a few months) but I don't know if I could actually work at that young of an age. Also, I couldn't find any programs to become certified in the Bay Area, near San Jose. I checked a few local community colleges but you have to have a high school diploma in order to be in the program. I think its a great idea to work as a CNA before nursing school/college and would love to if I could find a program!

RunBabyRN · Aug 31, 2014

Look into the Red Cross. I know many of my classmates got their certs through them. Not sure about the diploma thing with them.

space monster · Sep 2, 2014

I got CNA training through Careway Health Institute in San Mateo over the summer, and there was a 16-year-old in my class. He had to call around a lot to find one that would take a younger student. I know that is probably pretty far for you, and clinicals were in Pacifica (although sometimes they do them in Atherton, apparently). It's also an intensive month-long program that probably wouldn't work during the school year. If you can't find anything closer, it might be something to consider for the summer.

megan98 · Sep 6, 2014

That is a really good idea. I hadn't thought of checking the red cross. Thanks!

megan98 · Sep 6, 2014

That is a little far but I will still check it out. Thank you for the help and the info!