How do I get clinical experience?

[NubianPrincess]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I noticed that the volunteer programs at my local hospitals make it a point to say that they are not a source of clinical experience.
How do I get this type of experience on my own without relying on a school counselor or someone else?

 

[Drako]

Personally, I feel that clinical experience is not necessary hand-on experience with patients and their injuries and/or illneses. Volunteering in a hospital will certainly expose you to health care in general. I volunteered in a hospital for almost three years and I was involved in all sort of things, from helping the trauma doctor down to the secretary at the front desk. I was fortunate enough to volunteer in a hospital where hand-on contact with patients were emphasized. If you feel that volunteering at your hospital is not enough for you, then try to find a local community clinic. In my opinion, the local community clinic is the best place to volunteer and gain a perspective on medicine. I did both and love both. Ask around and you will find something.

 

[none]

VA Hospitals! Don't go anywhere else! VA Hospitals are amazing sources of clinical experience, especially if you work in the E.R. These places are almost universally understaffed and have extensive volunteer programs in place. Furthermore, you always know you are helping the most deserving of people.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

I discovered a little secret in my sophomore year about getting clinical experience--clinical research studies!! Most of the clinical positions at hospitals do not pay you, why don't you make good use of your time and isntead find something that gives you clinical skills AND pays you!! 🙂 I had to wait a long 4 months to find a job like that, but I found it and loved it. Not only did I get to have my own patients (without experience, i was trained on the job), help with procedures like paps/physicals, shadow docs etc, but DID I MENTION I GOT PAID FOR IT??? 🙂 🙂

Thought I might let you in on that little secret. 🙂 So look up the medical directory at the univ, and under each dept (ENT etc) look up the specific projects. I bet you that you'll find a few that are willing to take you on! Good luck.
Tweetie

 

[missbonnie]

I really wanted to be a part of the clincal experience and not just observe so I took an EMT course (pretty easy, not too many hrs) and just joined a local volunteer corps. I think alot of other sdn'ers are also emts.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

you know, I did EMT training too, and I havn't yet found a job (been studying for MCATs). I wonder how much just having the certification helps in terms of clincial experience..anybody know? All I did was a few shifts in the ER before I got my cert, and sure I got to do cool stuff, but I didn't even do it for a month!!!

The course however, was awesome. Lots of "patient concact"....on classmates and dummies! 🙄

 

[WHOOP8002]

Taking the EMT class opened the door to so many experiences for me. After completing the basic class, it was decided that the intermediate and paramedic classes would be free of charge to my class if we went straight through! The paramedic class was a lot more time consuming but I managed to take night classes 4 nights a week and do well with a full load of classes. During the paramedic class, I obtained over 300 hours of hands on patient contact in a level 1 trauma center in San Antonio and on the ambulance. I also worked two cardiac arrest patients, several stroke patients, traffic accidents, drug overdoses, etc. I also intubated patients in the operating room and learned how to start IVs, difibrilate, and give cardiac meds. I have been able to volunteer as a medic on campus and I have worked as an EMT for three summers in a row. Sorry, I am rambling on too much. I just wanted to say that if you have the time, taking an EMT course will give you awesome experience!

 

[Happy Penguin]

another good place to get clinical experience is volunteer for medical student run clinics in your area. I was in Boston, so i was involved with Tuft's Sharewood program for a year. I think it's great cuz you can also get to know what med school is like. Most of these clinics are free for the uninsured. so you will also get to deal with social issue related to medicine.

there is a link on the sharewood website for student run clinics in the US. you can try that out.

 

[oldman]

there are many entry level jobs in hospitals. they are willing to hire premeds since we generally are dedicated, smart, and willing to be slaves for the mystical clinical experience.

i have worked as a rehab technician (prereq - High school diploma), a volunteer EMT (1 semester long class), and a phlebotomist (prereq - steady hands, needle experience preferred). just apply for entry level jobs and see where it takes you.