Healthcare Exposure
One of the first and most important decisions a pre-health student makes is what profession to pursue. For those interested in healthcare professions this can be a complicated and overwhelming decision given there are so many. With this single decision one decides not only what their life work will be, how they will interact with others, and make an impact but it also reflects values, skills, knowledge, uncertainty and the ultimate impact on personal and family life.
When applying to professional health schools, it’s often required that you have significant observation experiences. Shadowing a professional in your area of interest is a great way to become more familiar with the challenges and expectations of the profession, the environment, the people you would work with and issues that impact carrying out your chosen profession.
Job shadowing can help you learn these things about the profession:
- Day to day tasks and schedules
- What happens when there is a schedule disrupted by a greater patient need or emergency
- What is it like to live with the uncertainty of disease and illness for both the professional and the patient
- How does the professional balance personal and professional life responsibilities and expectations
- What issues (Whether personal, professional or systemic) impact the ability to perform
- The patient’s illness and its impact on the patient, family and perhaps community
- What are some psycho-social, cultural and spiritual influences impacting the patient’s well-being and recovery?
- What is the professional-patient interaction like?
- What are the important factors in listening and communication?
- What is the thought process or reasons the decisions that are made?
- What other issues impact patient’s care?
- How did you react or respond to what you observed?
How to obtain Job Shadowing
Finding professionals to shadow is a task that you are ultimately responsible for. Start by asking your own doctor, family friends, or ask for recommendations from other pre-health students. Shadowing experiences can last anywhere from a day to a semester or more. Typically once you find a professional to shadow, this person is then able to recommend others in the field. If your search has led nowhere, you can consult with the Pre-Health Advising office for recommendations.
While searching for a possible shadowing location, some practitioners will require an affiliation agreement or contract with NMSU before you can step foot in their facility for shadowing. This request is based on their desire for NMSU to cover the student with liability in case of any accidents or wrongdoing. Unfortunately, NMSU Pre-Health Advising is unable to engage in such a contract, as it is NMSU’s policy to only cover students outside the University walls, when they are engaging in official, for academic credit and degree requirement internships. You if you are unable to find a shadowing location, you may use the database below to find potential shadowing locations.
Keep a Journal
Whenever you shadow a professional it is important to keep track of your experiences. Be sure to record the name of the professional you are shadowing, their preferred contact information, the date you started and completed the experience, how many hours you shadowed. Also write down what you observed, what you learned about the profession, patients and yourself.
| Business Name | Name of Practitioner | Location Contact | Phone | Physical Address | Professions | Emphasis | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Medical Group | Robert Pena | 575-532-8900 |
4371 E Lohman Ave Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Imaging | ||
| Rio Grande Medical Group | Robert Pena | 575-532-8900 |
4371 E Lohman Ave Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Nurse Practitioner | ||
| Rio Grande Medical Group | Robert Pena | 575-532-8900 |
4371 E Lohman Ave Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Pediatric Medicine | ||
| Rio Grande Medical Group | Robert Pena | 575-532-8900 |
4371 E Lohman Ave Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Physician Assistant | Physican Assistant | ||
| Rio Grande Medical Group | Irene | 575-644-0523 |
4351 E Lohman Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Family Medicine | 1 month basis, 2 students per month Can shadow, but need to sign confidentiality contract and watch OSHA and HIPAA video on location | |
| Dr. Ann Mercer MD | 575-522-6900 |
2801 E. Missouri Ave Ste 12 Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Internal Medicine | |||
| Gentle Care Dentistry | Dr. Anton Milavec DDS | 575-524-3722 |
2980 N. Main St. as Cruces, NM 88001 |
Dental | General Dentistry | ||
| Gentle Care Dentistry | Dr. Christopher Thomas DDS | 575-524-3722 |
2980 N. Main St. Las Cruces, NM 88001 |
Dental | General Dentistry | ||
| David D Warren DDS, PA | Mary Roberts | 575-524-5812 |
4141 Camino Coyote, Suite A Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Dental | General Dentistry | ||
| Michael D Law, DDS | Mary Roberts | 575-524-5812 | 4141 Camino Coyote, Suite A Las Cruces, NM 88011 | Dental | General Dentistry | ||
| Dr. Guillermo Hernandez | 575-522-8193 |
1250 Hillrise Circle Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Family Medicine | |||
| Dr. William Baker | 575-522-7313 |
2020 S Solano Las Cruces, NM 88001 |
Allopathic | Family Medicine | |||
| Dr. Sergio Huerta | 575-521-9485 |
2801 E Missouri Ste 37 Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Family Medicine | |||
| Arthritis Treatment Specialist, LLC | Dr. Adrian A. Michael, MD | Lisa Serna | 575-526-9189 |
1770 Tierra de Mesilla Mesilla, NM 88046 |
Allopathic | Rhuematology | |
| Mesilla Valley Center for Dental Medicine | Marianne R Day DDS | 575-523-5589 |
608 S. Alameda Las Cruces, NM 88005 |
Dental | Sedation Dentistry | HIPAA Training, Proof of Immunizations, Interview, Provide Resume | |
| Full Bloom Pediatrics | Dr. Cynthia R Settles | Gloria | 575-532-6006 |
4181 Camino Coyote Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Pediatric Medicine | November through February is less ideal for shadowing at this location; check with the primary contact |
| Full Bloom Pediatrics | Dr. Jana G Williams | Gloria | 575-532-6006 | 4181 Camino CoyoteLas Cruces, NM 88011 | Allopathic | Pediatric Medicine | |
| Full Bloom Pediatrics | Dr. Danielle L Nixon | Gloria | 575-532-6006 |
4181 Camino Coyote Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Pediatric Medicine | |
| Southwestern Eye Center | Dr. Brian Petracca, OD | Laura Baca | 575-521-1158 |
2030 S Solano Dr Las Cruces, NM 88001 |
Optometry | Opthalmology | |
| Painted Skies Dental Center | Dr. Natalie Ortiz | 575-521-8720 | 2141 Hammerand CT STE B Las Cruces, NM 88011 | Dental | General Dentistry | Proof of immunizations, Interview, Provide Resume | |
| Gentle Care Pediatrics | Dr. Marina Armendariz, MD | 575-532-5377 |
755 S. Telshor STE 201T Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
Allopathic | Pediatric Medicine | ||
| La Clinica De Familia | Maria Fernandez | 575-532-1933 |
385 Calle de Alegra, Bldg C Las Cruces, NM 88005 |
Dental | General Dentistry | Send email to Maria stating interest in shadowing and where they would like to shadow | |
| Mesilla Valley Healthcare | Angie Carver, CNP | Eduardo Garcia | 575-523-4880 |
2020 S Solano Las Cruces, NM 88001 |
Allopathic | Nurse Practitioner |
