Natalie Reardon

My name is Natalie Reardon. I recently graduated from Calvert High school where I participated in the Community Mentorship Program. On Wednesday, May 23, 2018 I had the opportunity to job shadow at Anne Arundel Medical Center in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Because of this unique opportunity, I was able to have first-hand experience in the field that I wish to pursue in the future. I will be attending the University of Maryland in the fall to complete my pre-med studies, with hopes of becoming a pediatric hospitalist or neonatologist.

At Anne Arundel Medical Center, I was able to watch nurses, techs, nurse practitioners, and doctors complete their daily tasks. I learned that working in the Emergency room is extremely unpredictable; one minute there was one patient, and the next all of the beds were filled. When working in the Emergency Department, you have to be prepared for critical patients to walk through the door at any time. During my four hour stay at AAMC I saw a severe laceration, anaphylaxis, severe and minor bone injuries, and many other cases of viral illness. Not only did this job-shadowing opportunity provide me with first-hand experience, it also gave me the opportunity to talk to people who work in the medical field, who provided me with critical advice for my future. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have this experience and I highly recommend and encourage all students to participate in the Community Mentorship Program.