Clinical Experience?

[Laur]

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Hi, I was wondering if med schools really prefer for you to have in depth experience in the clinical setting? I attend UCI, and I have tried to find some sort of internship, but I get nothing but dead ends. Can anyone suggest some source that I could use to find a good volunteering program? Thanks alot!

 

[Mumpu]

Most hospitals have volunteer programs where you do scutwork in ER or more meaningful things like spending time with patients. There is usually a volunteer office somewhere in the hospital -- ask at the front desk. Volunteer fire departments are fantastic if you are willing to put in the effort and if you can deal with the rough-ish crowd. 😛

 

[Ross434]

Most hospitals have volunteer programs where you do scutwork in ER or more meaningful things like spending time with patients. There is usually a volunteer office somewhere in the hospital -- ask at the front desk. Volunteer fire departments are fantastic if you are willing to put in the effort and if you can deal with the rough-ish crowd. 😛

Cause we all know fire departments fit under the label "clinical" 😀

 

[DrMom]

Cause we all know fire departments fit under the label "clinical" 😀

Many fire departments include the paramedics. I imagine this is what was meant.

 

[Ross434]

Many fire departments include the paramedics. I imagine this is what was meant.

Ah, thanks.

 

[45408]

Cause we all know fire departments fit under the label "clinical" 😀

Call 911 and tell them you're a 58-year old obese male with crushing chest pain radiating to your arm and jaw. Tell me who shows up. 😉 If it's like many major cities, it's the big red truck with hoses (followed by others).

 

[bewitched1081]

shadowing is a good option and more interesting than just plain volunteering. try emailing some dr's at the uci medical center or at a hospital close-by. also click on the thread for "southern california (la and ventura county) pre-med students." cope is not just in l.a.

 

[tank you]

the best clinical experience is shadowing a doctor i think.

 

[Agent Splat]

Volunteer fire departments are fantastic if you are willing to put in the effort and if you can deal with the rough-ish crowd. 😛

That roughish crowd is one of the things I like best!! 😀

Nothing beats making farting noises over the ambulance PA when only your coworkers are around. Well, okay, a lot of things could beat that, but it sure was fun. Especially when you're partnered with a guy whose last name is, and I'm serious, "Hell."

 

[Siggy]

Hi, I was wondering if med schools really prefer for you to have in depth experience in the clinical setting? I attend UCI, and I have tried to find some sort of internship, but I get nothing but dead ends. Can anyone suggest some source that I could use to find a good volunteering program? Thanks alot!

I highly recommend the CCE (clinical care extender) program at Hoag Hospital (Newport Beach). We are accepting applicants for our next training cycle. You can get more info at http://www.copepartners.org/hoaghome.html. Also look for our yellow flyers around HSLH and PSLH or people making announcements during your Bio/Chem class.

Quick note that applies to almost all volunteer positions (especially true for CCE): Your expierence is what you make of it. Yes, dealing with code browns suck. Yes, watching the doctors in the ECU (Emergency Care Unit) electro-cardiovert a patient with SVT and having the RN explain what SVT is is fun. Make opportunities for yourself in what ever program you are in. Find the expierence because the expierence won't find you.

 

[sacrament]

the best clinical experience is shadowing a doctor i think.

This is literally the only clinical experience that I had, and I got a lot of acceptances. You don't need to have been a paramedic for 12 years, you don't need to have volunteered in the burn ward for 60 hours a week during the summer (I mean, you can do that stuff if you want to, but don't do it because you think you have to to get into med school). They just want to make sure you have some sort of realistic notion as to what you're getting yourself into.