School ended in August 2022 for me and after my last physics class, I took a long holiday. 8 weeks went by and I re-visited my hobbies including sewing, making herbal salves using traditional indigenous medicine, learning about Southwestern plants, and reading. I read three books in my eight weeks–which to me is a lot. I was proud of myself. Two of the three books were medical related. I read Hot Lights, Cold Steel and Open Heart. One was about an orthopedic surgeon and the other was about a cardiac surgeon. It inspired me to get back into the world and contribute to something, even if that meant scribing. 

I read from many posts on social media, articles from pre-medical websites, and conferences from medical schools that clinical experience is super important. I was a little nervous applying last cycle because I felt that my clinical experience, although indelible, was rather dated. I wanted to get new experiences, so I decided to apply as a scribe. The process was long and different than most jobs. It was humbling because I was used to having a higher paying job that was salaried. This time, I was applying for a minimum wage job on an hourly basis. This was so new to me and it was actually very humbling. I was a little upset at first, but I soon realized it is a great learning opportunity. I cannot put a price on the encounters I have seen and experienced. Therefore, I am quite content with this.

I started on Halloween last year in 2022. I was not sure what to expect. I had reached out to a peer from Instagram about her experiences and I sought advice. She advised me on a few things including not taking things too seriously when it came to criticism and feedback; and to always ask questions whenever possible. I took that advice and entered with caution. 

For the first two weeks, I was shadowing, reading about urology, anatomy and physiology of the urogenital region, and the biochemical reactions that occurred with each medication prescribed. It was very fast paced and I soon learned that this position requires standing for 8 hours a day and hunched over a laptop. The next few weeks, I learned how to write medical notes using the SOAP method. Quickly understanding the acronym SOAP made life a lot easier. The next week, I attempted to write my first of many medical notes. I had the lead scribe go over my note with the physician. It was helpful getting feedback from not only the lead scribe but also the physician. It was a huge learning curve for me because each physician had their own preference in writing notes. Some wanted it as detailed as possible whereas others wanted it straightforward. 

Finally, Thanksgiving had passed and the lead scribe trusted me to let me go solo with one of the physicians. I was mortified. I was the new girl. I was called the new girl. On my first solo run, I was told by the provider that I write like an internist and not a surgeon. I needed to write like a surgeon and cut to the chase. So, I studied their notes and tried again. It was difficult at first, but I continued on and wrote down every critique they had. I addressed them all. 

There were days I felt like quitting and giving up, but I knew that this profession requires me to take things with a grain of salt, not take life too seriously, and find joy in the overall goal which was to help others. These patients came in with issues I never knew could be recurrent and debilitating. Many came in with worries and concerns, many came for annual checkups, and others were family members and friends supporting their loved one. Aside from the negative that I felt nearly every day, I tried to see the positive on this journey. The more practice I had, the more confident I felt in myself. When I was confident, it reflected on my work and my demeanor at work. I felt accomplished when I got positive feedback from the providers. The more I became acquainted with them and showed up consistently, the more I felt comfortable opening up. 

While the beginning of my scribing journey started off rocky, I enjoy scribing for these providers. I have learned to accept criticism because at the end of the day, the providers were not saying it to be mean or intimidating, they were trying to make sure the note was satisfactory for everyone involved including the provider, the patient, the scheduling department, billing department, and the insurance company. My responsibility as a scribe was to make the provider’s life easier. I soon understood how much the patients appreciated that the provider gave 100% of their attention to the patient. It felt nice seeing the physician-patient interaction and also the interaction between the entire staff. Working as a scribe allowed me to appreciate the entire team more because I realized it took a team to make sure each patient visit was the best. 

At the end of the day, I am genuinely appreciative of the opportunity and while I may continue to be the new girl for now, I am happy that each day our relationship is gaining strength. I know there is no malicious intent and I know at the end of the day the providers want the best for their patient, just as much as I do. I have the upmost respect for the entire team from checking patients in, to taking vitals, running tests, gathering and inputting imaging, putting in orders, and scribing. Written documentation is so important for keeping track of the patient’s progress, and I am so honored that I am able to help contribute to that.

Here are a few tips that I would recommend if you decide to start a scribing job:

• Carry a small notebook/flashcards and a pen.
• Prepare patient charts prior to each shift as it will make the shift go by easier and you can ask questions at the time of your shift and establish relationships with providers and staff.
• Take a deep breath and accept any critiques as a moment for opportunity to grow. 
• Take a break when you can. 
• After your shift, find time to do breathwork, stretch, and/or meditate.
• Make a table of each medication you are unaware of and learn about the biochemical process as this will be easier to grasp onto when a physician continuously prescribes it
• Make a list of questions to bring for the doctor and in between patients you can ask them. 
• Talk to other scribes and network with others.
• Ask for help when it arises. Do it in a timely manner. It’s okay to ask for help or tell your lead scribe if you feel overwhelmed. They are there to help you. 
• Learn the writing preferences from each provider if you can. This can help alleviate any stress. 
• Practice writing in shorthand and have a list of medical abbreviations, acronyms, and conditions on hand in case you forget. 
• Browse in the medical record system and get acquainted with the application. This will help you work a lot faster. 
• Practice typing. The more practice, the better. 
• Study medical notes from previous scribes. Ask questions if it happens. 
• If you get a critique and you feel upset about it, acknowledge to yourself that it hurts, but remind yourself to stay grounded in places of hard times, and give gratitude. 
• Stay humble with yourself and how you project that onto others. They will appreciate it. 
• In times of hard moments, remind yourself why you started in the first place and give gratitude for the opportunity. 
• If a provider/staff answers any of your questions, please always say thank you. They’re human too. 

I hope that these tips help you. I want to give you words of encouragement to keep going. Please remember that these individuals are human too. They want the best for you and the patient. I hope you do try to gain clinical experience through being a scribe because it feels like I am shadowing and getting paid to do it. It is very rewarding now. It’s fun. I definitely recommend it. While it has been about 3 months since starting know that each day I am learning more and typing faster. This is all a learning experience and one that I cannot wait to write more about in the future.