Hello, let me start off by saying I'm a freshman pre-med, so please excuse my ignorance. When volunteering for a clinic, free-clinic, or hospital, how does one actually gain clinical experience? It seems that most of the work the admins make you do is sort paper work and such. Do medical schools not care that you're just doing paperwork? What are some other ways to gain clinical experience besides volunteering at a hospital?
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Clinical experience
Started by Plasma1113
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Be proactive. Don't be afraid to ask for a specific experience.
Starting off in a hospital doing paperwork isn't a bad start (especially considering the amount of paperwork most doctors have to do anyway).
With luck (and nagging), some lucky people manage to wedge themselves into getting trained to take vital signs, but I wouldn't count on it. If I were you, I'd see if I could get a CNA certificate and move into the clinical field from there. If you can't, then even wheeling patients from room to room would be good experience (but since every pre-med in your area will be clawing for that job, it's good to already have your foot in the door with the admin work).
Call around, most of the public hospitals are so understaffed and underfunded you could do a fair amount of work. I volunteer in the ER and I get to do all the basic stuff.. Take temp, bp, O2 levels, patient transport and run to and from the lab.
Completely agree! Clinical Experience is any kind of patient interaction, patient contact, and medical experiences.
Definitely check out your county hospital. Mine lets me watch deliveries, surgeries, perform 12 lead ECGs and much more! I have gotten so much patient contact and surgery and medical experience from volunteering!
If you are volunteering at a place that just makes you do boring paper work then shop around. Most volunteers don't do the right amount of research before volunteering!! there are some really good programs out there. For example, this year I am particiapting in a surgery program that allows volunteers to watch any general surgery given on a day. You actually get to go into the OR and stand within 2 feet of the patient and surgeon. Its a great opportunity for you to learn about surgery.
It's not always easy to find the type of clinical experience you're wanting right off the bat. So it's not bad to start off w/ paperwork. Try to volunteer in a specific department at your hospital, if given the chance. I am in the ER, and I love it b/c I can watch almost everything.
I agree, county hospitals must make really good use of their volunteers. Definitely seems like it would be a good experience to try to get into one of those. 👍
I agree, county hospitals must make really good use of their volunteers. Definitely seems like it would be a good experience to try to get into one of those. 👍
If you consider doing homework for an 8 hour shift and occasionally be interrupted to 'save' the obligatory drunk freshman "clinical experience"... go for it.
