Mount Auburn Hospital

Patient Care Attendant

July 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I really like the hands-on experience with patient care. PCAs are taught upper level skills as well, like phlebotomy and EKGs. This job experience helped solidify my commitment to nursing and has made me a better nursing student.

What I wish was different

Advice

I think it's incredibly valuable experience for nursing students to work as PCAs during their time in school. It helps hone your patient care skills, and appreciate the work done by nuses aides. I've also found that it helped me get comfortable in the hospital setting and even with just speaking to patients.

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Certified Nursing Assistant

June 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I currently still work here and I love the experience I am gaining. I learn something new there everyday. Not only am I learning medical terminology and practice, I am gaining cultural awareness from my patients and co-workers. On top of that, some of my wiser patients teach me life lessons. I'm also learning a lot about myself, my patience, and my passions. I love my job.

What I wish was different

Hospital food is less than enjoyable so I need to remember to always pack a lunch from home! I'd also like to add that sometimes there are staffing issues. It is very difficult when we are under-staffed.

Advice

Patience is a virtue. This job is not easy by any means. I see a lot of very ill people and a lot of terminally ill people as well. This job is hard mentally and physically (i.e lifting patients, walking patients, being on your feet for 12 hour days). With that being said, this is the most rewarding experience and I consider myself very lucky to be working in this field as a student.

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Genetic Counselor Intern

May - July 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I liked that every day was a different experience. Every patient came to the clinic with different reasons. We gave them all similar information, but each patient had different questions they wanted answers to.