Shadow Me Next! Exploring the Realities of a Career in Medicine

Ever wondered what truly drives healthcare professionals to dedicate their lives to healing others? Join me, Ashley, as I pull back the curtain on the medical field with Shadow Me Next, a podcast crafted for those curious about the heart and soul of healthcare. Through genuine stories and heartfelt conversations, we'll explore the vibrant lives and unique journeys of doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other allied health workers. Whether you're pre-health;  a recent grad; practicing medicine as a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, nurse; or simply passionate about medicine, this episode promises a front-row seat to the real stories and insights that fuel the medical community.

Imagine witnessing the precision of a surgeon's hands in the OR or the compassionate rapport of a primary care physician in their clinic, all without leaving your home. Shadow Me Next aims to bridge the gap between aspiration and reality, offering a virtual shadowing experience that brings the essence of healthcare closer to you. With each conversation, you'll gain not just knowledge but also inspiration and clarity about your own path in medicine. Tune in as we break down barriers and spotlight the personal moments and professional triumphs that make a career in healthcare truly meaningful. Access the stories you need and the insights you crave—you're always invited to shadow me next.

Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. At Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and secure your place in medicine.

Check out our pre-health resources. Great for pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, pre-therapy students or anyone else with an upcoming interview!
Mock Interviews: shadowmenext.com/mock-interviews
Personal Statement Review: shadowmenext.com/personal-statement
Free Downloads: shadowmenext.com/free-downloads

Want to request a guest? Shoot me an email: ashley@shadowmenext.com

Transcript

Ashley: 0:02

Hi, I'm a pre-health student interested in medicine and I was wondering do you have any shadowing opportunities? Every time I hear this question, I'm caught between excitement and frustration. You see, I do take shadows, but my shadowing schedule is full for the next year and the requests continue to come in. Hosting students is my passion. I love answering their questions, sharing my workday, brainstorming next steps for their careers and highlighting the amazing aspects of healthcare. And not being able to meet their needs was disheartening. But here's the good news Sometimes, when we reach an endpoint, a new starting line appears, and this is how Shadow Me Next was born.

Ashley: 0:48

Shadow Me Next is a podcast where I take you behind the scenes of the medical world. I'm Ashley, a physician assistant, medical editor and clinical preceptor, and I created this podcast for anyone who's curious about the healthcare field and eager to get a firsthand look into medicine. Whether you're a pre-health student, a recent graduate or simply someone interested in what drives our healthcare professionals, I'm here to bring you real stories, honest insight and a unique virtual shadowing experience. I'll be sharing my own journey in medicine and also exploring the lives of other healthcare professionals. Each episode, I'll interview doctors, pas, nps and other allied healthcare workers, uncovering their unique stories, the joys and challenges they face and what drives them in their careers.

Ashley: 1:38

A shadowing experience is a unique opportunity to observe a professional at work, to see their daily tasks and to witness the essence of what they do and why they do it. Traditionally, it allows people to gain a deeper, realistic understanding of a career, observing everything from patient care to research and collaboration. However, in today's fast-paced world, access to shadowing opportunities can be hard to come by. Physicians and other medical providers are often stretched thin, and students may find it difficult to find opportunities, whether for time or travel constraints. Shadowing can be the difference between dreaming about a career and truly understanding it. Yet not everyone has the access they need.

Ashley: 2:22

At ShadowMeNext, I bring the experience to you. Together, we're breaking down barriers and making the field of medicine feel closer, more personal and more attainable. Imagine being able to shadow a surgeon in the OR, a primary care physician in clinic or an ER nurse on a night shift, all from the comfort of your own space and the convenience of your own time. Our conversations go beyond the surface, offering insight not only into the job roles, but also into the heart of these individuals, their challenges, their triumphs and the personal moments that make this work meaningful. You'll hear about what it's like to take care of patients, to make critical decisions and to experience the ups and downs of a life dedicated to healthcare.

Ashley: 3:10

Whether you're a pre-health student or simply curious about the healthcare field, I invite you to join me as we take a conversational and personal look into the lives and minds of leaders in medicine. Join me on any major podcast platform Spotify, apple Podcasts, google Podcasts and more to access inspiring and insightful episodes every Monday as medical professionals tackle our most pressing questions, at no cost to you and at your convenience. Listen in as they share real experiences, practical advice and stories that inspire us. Advice and stories that inspire us. My goal is to move beyond simply outlining how to get involved in healthcare and instead help you clarify why you're driven to pursue a career in this field, plan and prepare to broaden your perspective on your career goals and understanding of medicine, with insights you'll only find here. Access you want, stories you need. You're always invited to shadow me next.