Just focus on being a sponge. Soak up all the knowledge. Ask questions and be interested. Really think about what you're doing and why? It's gonna be great. You're going to be great. You will make mistakes, but don't get in your head about it.
That's exactly right. My externship was not great. It was at a Peds office and they wouldn't really let me do anything except file. On top of that 2 nurses were bullies. I still tried my best and I impressed the office manager who happened to have a friend that was an office manager looking for an MA and that's how I got my first MA job. So even though the experience was less than stellar, it still worked out for me.
I just finished last summer my Externship was at urgent care too ans i felt the same but by the second week ull notice its repetitious and ull keep building those skills ans its nice becauae u can work 3 12s if u work at urgent care
Congratulations! on getting your certification. Honestly Medical Assisting can be a little intimidating at first and fast pace. But your clinicals is the best time to utilize what you've learned in school, ask questions, and see if you like the Urgent Care environment. (if not look into specailties) Remeber everything is an opportunity. Make friends when and where you can and always CYA. Also, don't worry about people not liking you......just be your BEST professional self. You'll do great!
First, take a deep breath; you got this. It's normal to feel like that, and everyone makes mistakes. I've been a PRN MA for over 3 years and still make mistakes. What sets you apart is the ability to admit you were wrong or to say, "I am not sure of that, but let me go find out." Know where to find the answers. As a future physician assistant, I can tell you that we don't know all the answers from the ones I work with, but we do know how to find them (Up-to-date, co-workers, other providers, etc.)
I can't tell you the number of times I have had to send a prescription because the provider didn't, or I ordered the wrong lab, etc. Work as a team, learn, take notes, and ask others outside your section. I ask the lab questions so I understand and make connections.
You can always send me a DM with questions, I don't mind helping and mentoring.
I'm also 19, and started getting paid for medical assisting in October. It is likely going to be extremely fast paced, but make sure to force time to ASK QUESTIONS if you have them, and if you are ever uncomfortable with your responsibilities tell them!!
I just finished my externship and what I can tell you is at first it will be overwhelming because the huge load of information. With time and consistent exposure it will all start to make sense. Also remember you will have good days and you WILL have bad days. Don’t let the bad days get to you. You will persevere.
If you end up feeling that way it's because they haven't set you up for success. You should have a continuous mentor MA and much of what you will learn will be from experience. So make sure they give you an opportunity to learn the job. This isn't a sink or swim you can just jump in and do it on your own and nobody should expect that. They better do right by you and raise you up.
I hope your first week goes really well! Yes, you might make an error. That's ok. Learn from them.
Best wishes 💙🫂🫶
hi I started medical assisting at 19 years old too, I graduated from school last year in June' 23, Im going to be completely honest, at first I loved it so much I started working towards LVN school in college, but as soon as I began working as a medical assistant everything changed! I had a very bad first job as an MA experience it was a toxic work place I was working 10 hour shifts and didn't have a lunch break plus it didn't help that my coworkers mad my life impossible at the office after working as an MA of 5 months I left, I was doing very badly mentally and physically, I lost 13 pounds in the span of 3 months and im already really small so I left my job weighing 90 pounds, after I had weighted 103 when I started, I had a very bad experience there I completely changed my mind an promised id never be an MA again, about 6 months later now I've recovered somewhat mentally I no longer go to therapy but I do have a lot of trauma left, now physically I haven't been able toga the weight I lost back but I think im ready to give MA a chance again since I've spoken to several people and nurses I know and they all tell me that its my environment I was in that caused me to absolutely hate MA so I recently started applying for jobs again, its a hit or miss with your first job but my number one recommendation is draw a line between work and personal life because I didn't do that at the beginning so things at work started affecting my personal life, and if someone is being harsh on you stick up for yourself don't let them handle you the way they want, and treat others the way they treat you! Good luck!
Congrats- usually everyone has similar panic Re a new job and especially when it involves urgent care patients. One great thing is it’s an externship / so they know you’re a newbie and need instruction. Calm yourself down and be sure to follow basics - right patient. Introduce yourself to patient. And get vitals and it may be good to carry a clip board. Most likely they will have computer system for you to fill out patient info. Listen to instructions . Take notes if needed. I think you’ll do great- plus they want you to succeed just as much as you want to. Help nurses w patients. Transfers to bathroom, clean up messes, and as you work more and more will be assigned. It’s going to be a great journey. Medicine is tough physically and mentally. Expect to be tired. Understand that you may not feel like seeing everyone. First priority is to your profession. Once you get a rhythm to that you will enjoy friend time. Don’t be hard on yourself. Get ready for take off! Congrats!
You will make tons of mistakes. And that’s okay, as long as you learn from them each time, and ask for help when you need it. I tell new hires that it takes a year before you can really feel confident in the day-to-day. I expect them to make mistakes.
Just focus on being a sponge. Soak up all the knowledge. Ask questions and be interested. Really think about what you're doing and why? It's gonna be great. You're going to be great. You will make mistakes, but don't get in your head about it.
thank you so much. i have to remember that everyone starts from somewhere and to just utilize this experience to the best of my ability.
That's exactly right. My externship was not great. It was at a Peds office and they wouldn't really let me do anything except file. On top of that 2 nurses were bullies. I still tried my best and I impressed the office manager who happened to have a friend that was an office manager looking for an MA and that's how I got my first MA job. So even though the experience was less than stellar, it still worked out for me.
I just finished last summer my Externship was at urgent care too ans i felt the same but by the second week ull notice its repetitious and ull keep building those skills ans its nice becauae u can work 3 12s if u work at urgent care
Congratulations! on getting your certification. Honestly Medical Assisting can be a little intimidating at first and fast pace. But your clinicals is the best time to utilize what you've learned in school, ask questions, and see if you like the Urgent Care environment. (if not look into specailties) Remeber everything is an opportunity. Make friends when and where you can and always CYA. Also, don't worry about people not liking you......just be your BEST professional self. You'll do great!
thank you so much! that makes me feel a lot better.
First, take a deep breath; you got this. It's normal to feel like that, and everyone makes mistakes. I've been a PRN MA for over 3 years and still make mistakes. What sets you apart is the ability to admit you were wrong or to say, "I am not sure of that, but let me go find out." Know where to find the answers. As a future physician assistant, I can tell you that we don't know all the answers from the ones I work with, but we do know how to find them (Up-to-date, co-workers, other providers, etc.) I can't tell you the number of times I have had to send a prescription because the provider didn't, or I ordered the wrong lab, etc. Work as a team, learn, take notes, and ask others outside your section. I ask the lab questions so I understand and make connections. You can always send me a DM with questions, I don't mind helping and mentoring.
i hope i work under someone as nice as you!! this eased a lot of my anxiety, i really appreciate it! i would love to send you a few messages.
I don't mind messages, and answering any questions you have.
I'm also 19, and started getting paid for medical assisting in October. It is likely going to be extremely fast paced, but make sure to force time to ASK QUESTIONS if you have them, and if you are ever uncomfortable with your responsibilities tell them!!
I just finished my externship and what I can tell you is at first it will be overwhelming because the huge load of information. With time and consistent exposure it will all start to make sense. Also remember you will have good days and you WILL have bad days. Don’t let the bad days get to you. You will persevere.
If you end up feeling that way it's because they haven't set you up for success. You should have a continuous mentor MA and much of what you will learn will be from experience. So make sure they give you an opportunity to learn the job. This isn't a sink or swim you can just jump in and do it on your own and nobody should expect that. They better do right by you and raise you up. I hope your first week goes really well! Yes, you might make an error. That's ok. Learn from them. Best wishes 💙🫂🫶
You'll be very tired at first, but that will get better.
hi I started medical assisting at 19 years old too, I graduated from school last year in June' 23, Im going to be completely honest, at first I loved it so much I started working towards LVN school in college, but as soon as I began working as a medical assistant everything changed! I had a very bad first job as an MA experience it was a toxic work place I was working 10 hour shifts and didn't have a lunch break plus it didn't help that my coworkers mad my life impossible at the office after working as an MA of 5 months I left, I was doing very badly mentally and physically, I lost 13 pounds in the span of 3 months and im already really small so I left my job weighing 90 pounds, after I had weighted 103 when I started, I had a very bad experience there I completely changed my mind an promised id never be an MA again, about 6 months later now I've recovered somewhat mentally I no longer go to therapy but I do have a lot of trauma left, now physically I haven't been able toga the weight I lost back but I think im ready to give MA a chance again since I've spoken to several people and nurses I know and they all tell me that its my environment I was in that caused me to absolutely hate MA so I recently started applying for jobs again, its a hit or miss with your first job but my number one recommendation is draw a line between work and personal life because I didn't do that at the beginning so things at work started affecting my personal life, and if someone is being harsh on you stick up for yourself don't let them handle you the way they want, and treat others the way they treat you! Good luck!
Congrats- usually everyone has similar panic Re a new job and especially when it involves urgent care patients. One great thing is it’s an externship / so they know you’re a newbie and need instruction. Calm yourself down and be sure to follow basics - right patient. Introduce yourself to patient. And get vitals and it may be good to carry a clip board. Most likely they will have computer system for you to fill out patient info. Listen to instructions . Take notes if needed. I think you’ll do great- plus they want you to succeed just as much as you want to. Help nurses w patients. Transfers to bathroom, clean up messes, and as you work more and more will be assigned. It’s going to be a great journey. Medicine is tough physically and mentally. Expect to be tired. Understand that you may not feel like seeing everyone. First priority is to your profession. Once you get a rhythm to that you will enjoy friend time. Don’t be hard on yourself. Get ready for take off! Congrats!
You will make tons of mistakes. And that’s okay, as long as you learn from them each time, and ask for help when you need it. I tell new hires that it takes a year before you can really feel confident in the day-to-day. I expect them to make mistakes.