Is hospice volunteering considered clinical?

[Vince411]

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as a non-trad, I'm having difficulties finding "clinical" volunteering oppoprtunities. A local hospital has volunteer positions for doing things like greeting people or delivering mail, but I'm sure these don't count as "clinical" experiences. I was thinking about volunteering at a local hospice---there they have you do bedside vistis with patients and spend time with patients so they're not alone. Does anyone know if this would count as "clinical" experience?

 

[Aelius]

Yes, it does.

 

[Goro]

YES!!!!

I have a high regard for people who do hospice work. Takes a special person.

as a non-trad, I'm having difficulties finding "clinical" volunteering oppoprtunities. A local hospital has volunteer positions for doing things like greeting people or delivering mail, but I'm sure these don't count as "clinical" experiences. I was thinking about volunteering at a local hospice---there they have you do bedside vistis with patients and spend time with patients so they're not alone. Does anyone know if this would count as "clinical" experience?

 

[QofQuimica]

YES!!!!

I have a high regard for people who do hospice work. Takes a special person.

Agree on both counts.

 

[2Pints]

@Goro that makes me 🙂 working in the ICU gave me a heart for hospice. Volunteering for hospice has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

@Vince411 one great thing about volunteering with hospice (at least the organization I volunteer for) is being assigned to a patient. The schedule is extremely flexbile since the family and I coordinate our calendars. I have a few different "hats" as a volunteer. Respite, spiritual and vigil. I interact with patients and their caregivers a lot as a bedside nurse but hospice volunteering gave me an opportunity to see a different side of healthcare and develop deeper interactions than I've ever had with a patient/family during a 12-hour shift (probably doesn't help most of my patients are intubated). The caregivers and patients are also genuinely grateful for your service.

 

[Bearded_Monkey]

@Vince411
I volunteered for a hospice service for a about a year and a half before going to grad school. I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. As a nontrad it really solidified to my decision to change careers. Hell, I tell all of my friends who aren't even interested in medicine to do it. It completely changed my outlook on life in a way that has made me less-scared to start medical school this year at 31.

I was the only male volunteer at my service, so was constantly assigned to WWII vets. Lots of these guys loved to share stories. Sometimes I was put in very uncomfortable situations, I laughed, I cried, but was fortunate enough to get a glimpse into the lives of some very great men.