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Hi folks, I just have a question regarding obtaining a letter of rec from a physician. I'm sure there are others in the same boat or who have had experiences and can share their wisdom.
I'm part of a volunteer program at my local hospital, where I volunteer in different departments every three months. So far I've volunteered in the cardiac care unit (a nursing floor), right now I'm in the ER and starting in August I'll be in the ICU.
My premed advisor says I should try building a relationship with one of the doctors and try to get a letter of rec. But personally, I just feel extremely intimidated by these people in their white coats. To be honest, I spend my Friday nights in the ER cleaning beds, getting stuff for patients, helping out wherever I can. But I feel like a ghost walking through the hallways of the ER. Sometimes I wish someone would say, "Wow, this kid is spending his Friday nights working here while everyone else is out having a good time. Props to him!" Haven't these guys been in the same situation?
I understand that doctors are extremely busy, and I understand that they aren't trying to ignore me, its just they are preoccupied with more important things. I probably shouldn't expect so much sympathy, but its just hard to think about how all of my friends are out having a great time on the weekends, and I am spending my time in a hospital trying to help out wherever I can and going unnoticed in the process. That being said, I still wouldn't change how I spend my weekends, because I've gotten so much gratification and seen some really cool stuff. Anyways, I understand that physicians need to focus on providing the best care for their patients above giving some kid a pat on the back for helping out.
Given these circumstances, I feel like its very difficult to actually build a relationship with a doctor. I think it would be very difficult for a doctor to actually get to know me given how busy he is, and quite frankly, I don't see why any doctor would have the interest or incentive to help someone like me out.
Perhaps I'm being overly pessimistic, as I know people who have gotten letters of recommendation from doctors in local hospitals. It just seems like breaking the ice is really hard. And the only thing a doctor has ever said to me is, "Wow, it smells real nice in here. Good job" when I was cleaning a room and he came in because he forgot his clipboard. I guess I feel really small around these guys. I know we all start somewhere, and for most people like myself, that's at the bottom.
I really want a letter of recommendation from a doctor. But even if I had the balls to go straight up and ask a doctor for a letter of rec, I would want a good letter of recommendation from a doctor who actually knows me and can vouch for my dedication, hard work, integrity, and my potential to be a good physician someday. How would you guys recommend building that kind of relationship with a doctor?
Secondly, I want to build a relationship with a doctor for the sake of building a relationship and getting a taste of what its like, not just for a letter of rec. (I'd be lying if I said I was doing it all for the "getting to know" aspect of the individual, as oppose to the letter of rec. But I do, without a doubt want to get a feel for what these doctors go through on a daily basis).
I'm part of a volunteer program at my local hospital, where I volunteer in different departments every three months. So far I've volunteered in the cardiac care unit (a nursing floor), right now I'm in the ER and starting in August I'll be in the ICU.
My premed advisor says I should try building a relationship with one of the doctors and try to get a letter of rec. But personally, I just feel extremely intimidated by these people in their white coats. To be honest, I spend my Friday nights in the ER cleaning beds, getting stuff for patients, helping out wherever I can. But I feel like a ghost walking through the hallways of the ER. Sometimes I wish someone would say, "Wow, this kid is spending his Friday nights working here while everyone else is out having a good time. Props to him!" Haven't these guys been in the same situation?
I understand that doctors are extremely busy, and I understand that they aren't trying to ignore me, its just they are preoccupied with more important things. I probably shouldn't expect so much sympathy, but its just hard to think about how all of my friends are out having a great time on the weekends, and I am spending my time in a hospital trying to help out wherever I can and going unnoticed in the process. That being said, I still wouldn't change how I spend my weekends, because I've gotten so much gratification and seen some really cool stuff. Anyways, I understand that physicians need to focus on providing the best care for their patients above giving some kid a pat on the back for helping out.
Given these circumstances, I feel like its very difficult to actually build a relationship with a doctor. I think it would be very difficult for a doctor to actually get to know me given how busy he is, and quite frankly, I don't see why any doctor would have the interest or incentive to help someone like me out.
Perhaps I'm being overly pessimistic, as I know people who have gotten letters of recommendation from doctors in local hospitals. It just seems like breaking the ice is really hard. And the only thing a doctor has ever said to me is, "Wow, it smells real nice in here. Good job" when I was cleaning a room and he came in because he forgot his clipboard. I guess I feel really small around these guys. I know we all start somewhere, and for most people like myself, that's at the bottom.
I really want a letter of recommendation from a doctor. But even if I had the balls to go straight up and ask a doctor for a letter of rec, I would want a good letter of recommendation from a doctor who actually knows me and can vouch for my dedication, hard work, integrity, and my potential to be a good physician someday. How would you guys recommend building that kind of relationship with a doctor?
Secondly, I want to build a relationship with a doctor for the sake of building a relationship and getting a taste of what its like, not just for a letter of rec. (I'd be lying if I said I was doing it all for the "getting to know" aspect of the individual, as oppose to the letter of rec. But I do, without a doubt want to get a feel for what these doctors go through on a daily basis).
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