I can't find a volunteering position anywhere. What can I do?

[Yazo]

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I've been to several clinics and the nearby hospital. The people at the clinic told me they're not accepting anyone, while the receptionists at the hospital said they'd call me back. They never did.

What else can I do? I'm about to start my second semester of freshman year, so I think it's important for me to find something.

 

[Mavs88]

Try again with the hospital and find out if they have a volunteer department, might also go there in person. Also can try nursing homes for clinical volunteering.

 

[Turkishking]

Hospitals generally have volunteer programs. I would go on each of the hospitals websites surrounding your area, and see if they have an application form. I would consistently call them until you can have an interview or get invited for orientation. I was filling out applications my senior year in high school, ended up getting a position in the summer going into my freshman year of college.

 

[Optimist Prime]

I would check your local hospice they normally need a lot of volunteers even if its just playing games with the patients.

 

[futuremdforme]

I would check your local hospice they normally need a lot of volunteers even if its just playing games with the patients.

And "Just" playing games actually means a lot -- you get to know patients, interact with them, etc. More meaningful IMO.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Its possible you may have to commute to find a hospital that has a volunteer program. Do you have a car?

I've been to several clinics and the nearby hospital. The people at the clinic told me they're not accepting anyone, while the receptionists at the hospital said they'd call me back. They never did.

What else can I do? I'm about to start my second semester of freshman year, so I think it's important for me to find something.

I

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

I've been to several clinics and the nearby hospital. The people at the clinic told me they're not accepting anyone, while the receptionists at the hospital said they'd call me back. They never did.

What else can I do? I'm about to start my second semester of freshman year, so I think it's important for me to find something.

You could also ask your school's premed advisor. They may know where other premeds have volunteered.

I agree, though, that you should see if there's a volunteer coordinator at any of the hospitals in your area. Try hospice, too.

If it doesn't work out this semester, relax, you're only a freshman. Non-clinical volunteering is a good thing to have on your application, too. So start thinking about other things you're interested in that you could do (tutoring kids, helping out at a food pantry/soup kitchen, staffing a blood donation day--my local blood center is constantly asking for volunteers).

 

[DokterMom]

You're looking in the same places where everyone else wants to volunteer.

If you want meaningful volunteer work now, look where no one wants to go -- working with the homeless, mentally ill, disabled, poor, immigrant, elderly, memory-impaired. Call your local United Way instead and consider non-medical work. You're trying to demonstrate altruism --

 

[WingedOx]

Yeah, there's more to volunteering than just being a candystriper. Agree with @Doktormom regarding some of the things you can do. that are likely far more "meaningful."

 

[cantankerous]

Your best bet would be hospices and nursing homes. Seriously, they'll take anyone.
Just call them up and set up an appointment.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Volunteer Match has worked well for me.

Nursing homes and hospice are always looking for volunteers. I travel around to different nursing homes visiting patients as one of my activities. I also work at a nursing home and there are volunteers there daily.

It shouldn't be hard to derive genuine meaning and fulfillment from these types of activities.

Nonprofit clinics are also always looking for volunteers. You need to look more closely; there are tons of lesser known clinics in most areas

 

[Goro]

Not all volunteering needs to be in a hospital. Think hospice, Planned Parenthood, nursing homes, rehab facilities, crisis hotlines, camps for sick children, or clinics.

 

[NuclearWhammy]

Check the AAMC List of internships in hospitals and Med. Schools in your state/area.