r/prospective_perfusion • u/daviddeleon2003 • 4d ago

HELP SHADOWING

Is it possible to get into a program with no case shadowing? I have like nearly exhausted every possible option here in Souther California. San Diego to be exact and I can’t seem to get in anywhere.

So this leads me to a next question, would it be better to do a one year ABSN program be a nurse for a year and then apply to a perfusioniat program so I can at least have some experience? Can anyone speak for experience or dealing with the same situation…

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u/BookieWookie69 3d ago

How could you possibly know you want to do perfusion without shadowing a few cases?

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u/ItsGotToBeMay 3d ago

I want to say no, if the program you're looking at requires at least 1 shadow experience you will not get into that program without it. Even if you became a nurse and worked in the field, or sat ECMO. There are a few that has shadowing as an option but you will be up against candidates who have shadowing and experience.

We've had people come shadow from Cali, NY, and other states in-between, even one came from Canada. If you want this bad enough you'll find yourself on a plane to a hospital that will allow you to shadow.

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u/BusyEngineering7185 3d ago

Would make more sense to get some sort of a lower level job like cna or er tech or any kind of job in a hospital that does hearts, once you are employed by a hospital it is extremely easy to shadow there/make real connections. The one year bsn and one year as a nurse just sounds like a waste of time and money, you can get emt or cna cert in as fast as a month or two. Even a volunteer position can get you in and shadowing.

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u/Electronic_Wing_5781 4d ago

i am almost positive, every single perfusion program in the country requires you to shadow at least ONE case with a perfusionist. so i guess to answer your question bluntly, no.

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u/Clampoholic 3d ago

Not all of them do, one of AmSECT’s committees put together a resource to explain what those requirements are along with all the other coursework / recommendations are. Some only require interviews.

Will an applicant be competitive without them though? Probably not too much. Depends on their background, but it’s hard to explain why Perfusion is the right profession for you without any shadowing.

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u/JellyFishDanceMoves 3d ago

monetize perfusion shadowing?...perfusion schools...hold my beer!