multiple volunteer opportunities?

  • Thread starter Thread starter psharma02
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psharma02

So I was given a choice of four different volunteer positions... Which do you think would be more appealing to med schools and which would be a more rewarding position? I'm leaning towards D, any opinions?

A) Messenger Volunteer - Supplement staff by performing a variety of duties throughout the hospital. Assist admitting by escorting patients and family to the appropriate nursing unit. Make deliveries as needed throughout the hospital.

B) Emergency Room Volunteer — Supplement staff by keeping rooms clean, putting away supplies, restocking carts, running errands and visiting with patients and patient families, as needed.

C) Cancer Care Clinic Volunteer — Supplement staff by providing support to staff and comfort measures to patients and their families (coffee, snacks, conversation, etc.). Make deliveries and pickups to laboratory and pharmacy.

D) *Hospice Patient Care — A volunteer may spend one to four hours per week with a patient and family, providing support to all members, companionship to the patient and relief to the caregivers. This support can include holding a hand, listening, reading, helping record life stories and assisting in small tasks that provide comfort to the patient.
 
I participated in both B and D, and personally, D was much much more rewarding.
 
D sounds like an amazing opportunity, but also remember that hospice care can be emotionally draining. These people don't need a pre-med trying to rake in volunteer hours for their med school application. They need someone that understands the dying process and will help them be as comfortable as possible in their last days.
 
B. I volunteered in the ER too, and you get to see a lot. It gave me tons of experiences, best clinical experience I have done so far.
 
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