Impossible to get any clinical experience?

[Genefreak]

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So this is my situation.

I got to school in what has to be the most rural part of America in the middle of nowhere. There is one hospital in town. I contacted the hospital about volunteering there and they told me this is against their policy. I have contacted all the nursing homes/elderly housing around and they all told me that do not allow that kind of patient contact.

I don't know if any one had been in this situation before. So my question is how do I get over this. I planned on applying this next cycle.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[IlDestriero]

So this is my situation.

I got to school in what has to be the most rural part of America in the middle of nowhere. There is one hospital in town. I contacted the hospital about volunteering there and they told me this is against their policy. I have contacted all the nursing homes/elderly housing around and they all told me that do not allow that kind of patient contact.

I don't know if any one had been in this situation before. So my question is how do I get over this. I planned on applying this next cycle.

Thanks for any advice.

Call private physician's offices. A surgeon may be able to get you into an ASC. They usually have few rules and less oversight. A private office can essentially do whatever they want.
Also, consider places a couple hours drive away. You don't need to log hundreds of hours. 8 hours 2 or 3 times with a few different physicians in a couple nearby towns/cities is all you need.

 

[docelh]

Finish school. Do well. Move to better location after school. Gain some experience.

 

[aw42]

agree with IlDestriero,

spending time to travel just to shawdow shows your dedication- which will serve as a good example to talk about in the future

 

[gettheleadout]

agree with IlDestriero,

spending time to travel just to shawdow shows your dedication- which will serve as a good example to talk about in the future

Shadowing is not considered clinical experience as it is a passive observership. OP is talking about hands on clinical experience where you have some responsibility.

 

[familyaerospace]

Just keep expanding your circle of where to try to volunteer. I am in the middle of nowhere and volunteer about 1.5 to 2 hours away. I shadow about 2 hours away. It ends up that my travel time is often longer than my time spent at the office/hospital/etc.

 

[apumic]

Create your own experience. There's got to be EMS in the county. If nothing else, get your First Responder or EMT-B and join the local EMS team or start one at your school (although you'd need someone who has some experience to work with you on that as there is A LOT to learn on the field). Also, expand your circle (drive to the nearest metro area for volunteer experience once/wk) or get the majority of your experience while back home on breaks. You said there are some nursing homes and such nearby. Get your CNA and apply at one.

 

[Catalystik]

Create your own experience.

Exactly. Aren't there any students at your school who could use some volunteer assistance with caring for their special needs? Check out Occupational and Physical Therapy offices locally (there might even be some affiliated with the local schools), they might accept a volunteer who could assist with therapy. A local home health care facility might provide opportunites to help with hospice care or home-bound elders.