Originally posted by DoctorWannaBe
I just started being a volunteer in the ER of a hospital. The first time I showed up, the nurse just made me sit there. Finally I asked if I would ever be able to watch procedures, and she introduced me to a doctor who hesitantly showed me around to a few cases. However, most of the time I sat around. Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get a good clinical experience (i.e. which department, at a teaching hospital vs. community hospital, etc.). Also, is there any way to get an entry-level patient care job without any educational training?
I had the same experience in the beginning and I was flat out disappointed and very unhappy. Technically, most volunteers arent allowed to do direct patient care, but if you hook up with the right person, they will show you stuff behind the curtains.
I have learned that in order to see anything, you have to be very aggressive. Nowadays, I hang out with the patient care techs and I am learning to do EKG's and hook up fetal monitors.
My volunteer experience has changed due to something that happened the Thursday after Christmas. The ER was understaffed, so they really needed help. I attached myself to this PC tech and helped her do EKG's as well as transport. At one point, she needed to wrap the body of a man who had expired and she was looking for someone to help her. I quickly volunteered. She looked at me skeptically and asked if I was allowed to do that. "Who cares?" I said and I shrugged. So she took me behind the curtain and I helped her wrap the body and transport him to the morgue. The whole staff knew what I was doing and they appreciated the help.
The next week, everyone was more receptive to me because they knew that I was not a premed who just wanted to hang around and watch, but I was really interested in helping out.
One day, I asked a PC tech if she needed help and she asked me for gauze. I went into the trauma room to get the gauze and I stumbled upon a doctor who was stitching the nose of an accident victim. I mean, the nose was totally destroyed. So I just stood around and watched for awhile with no objection from the doctor, then got my gauze and left.
I can honestly say my volunteere experience is good now. I have even asked a doctor if he minds my following him around every now and then and he told me I was welcome to do so.
So hang in there. Be aggressive and you'll see and learn a lot.
Onyx