Really depressed about potentially losing volunteer position

[myronnie]

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So I landed this awesome volunteer position at a huge hospital and attended at the clinic a couple times before falling sick. I emailed the coordinator telling her that I would like to only attend Mondays because I am not feeling well. She emailed back telling me that's alright and how the clinic manager really appreciated my help. I emailed her a couple days later telling her that I don't think I will be able to volunteer at all right now until I recooperate.
HOWEVER. I used the wrong email... .com vs. .org and didn't realize it until now. I've been trying to call their office and didn't get an answer until today at 4:30. I explained to her how I would like to volunteer again but it didn't come across as smoothly as I wanted (I was very very tired and couldn't really find the words). She asked me if I had told her that I wasn't going to be able to volunteer. I said I emailed her and I asked if I could attend the orientation for this awesome elderly care program they are starting up. She told me to forward her the emails and promptly hung up without saying her goodbye.
I went to my outbox and forwarded her the email but upon looking at it I see that it's .com and not .org. I'm really depressed now because I was making a great impression and I'm stressed because I've been so darn sick and dealing with school and research. It really hurt my feelings how she hung up on me and it was like she was assuming I was lying and that I was a bad person.. I'm literally still crying.

What are you guy's thoughts on this..what should I do..I'm just..urg. 🙁
By the way I jumped through so many hoops to get this position..which is why I'm utterly devastated.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Forward the emails, explain the situation. Being overly emotional can get you into a really bad situation... It's great to be compassionate and empathetic as a physician, but it's not good to take things too personally. Sometimes you've got to grow a thick skin. You'll be fine.

 

[cheechootrain]

So I landed this awesome volunteer position at a huge hospital and attended at the clinic a couple times before falling sick. I emailed the coordinator telling her that I would like to only attend Mondays because I am not feeling well. She emailed back telling me that's alright and how the clinic manager really appreciated my help. I emailed her a couple days later telling her that I don't think I will be able to volunteer at all right now until I recooperate.
HOWEVER. I used the wrong email... .com vs. .org and didn't realize it until now. I've been trying to call their office and didn't get an answer until today at 4:30. I explained to her how I would like to volunteer again but it didn't come across as smoothly as I wanted (I was very very tired and couldn't really find the words). She asked me if I had told her that I wasn't going to be able to volunteer. I said I emailed her and I asked if I could attend the orientation for this awesome elderly care program they are starting up. She told me to forward her the emails and promptly hung up without saying her goodbye.
I went to my outbox and forwarded her the email but upon looking at it I see that it's .com and not .org. I'm really depressed now because I was making a great impression and I'm stressed because I've been so darn sick and dealing with school and research. It really hurt my feelings how she hung up on me and it was like she was assuming I was lying and that I was a bad person.. I'm literally still crying.

What are you guy's thoughts on this..what should I do..I'm just..urg. 🙁
By the way I jumped through so many hoops to get this position..which is why I'm utterly devastated.

Well, first get the email right. Maybe adding it as a contact so you won't make that mistake again. Second, chill out, there are many other volunteer opportunities out there. There is always another train leaving the station at a later time if this doesn't work out. Be calm and explain it thoroughly to the coordinator. You can even practice it if you're worried.

 

[myronnie]

Forward the emails, explain the situation. Being overly emotional can get you into a really bad situation... It's great to be compassionate and empathetic as a physician, but it's not good to take things too personally. Sometimes you've got to grow a thick skin. You'll be fine.

I know..this is why I'm trying to stop myself from feeling despondent. It's all part of the game really but it's hard you know? Do you think that she will terminate me just for this? I know she won't be happy with me anymore..they are the kind of people that smile in your face and trash you behind your back I think.
Thanks for your response premed..

The worst part is that it's Friday and now I'll have to wait until Monday to hear the verdict. sigh. I just don't want her to think that I lied to her so I'm going to wait until she responds to explain the whole mishap. I even offered to give her a doctor's note!

Yes there are others..this is true. This one is the most hands-on volunteer experience in the city..

I'm definitely done here. It seems that I not only typed the address wrong but typed it with a comma i.e. ,com . Why didn't my gmail pick up the darn postmaster send-back and put it in the inbox??!!!! Live and learn I suppose.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

In the end, if it doesn't work out, there's thousands of other opportunities. You really shouldn't stress out about this. If they make a big deal out of it you don't want to be there anyways.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Is this some kind of chronic illness? Why would you tell them you'd only be able to volunteer Mondays instead of just taking a week or two off with a doctor's note?

 

[Blackhawkdown24]

Ummm wtf? Calm down. No need to cry.

 

[TheShaker]

I know..this is why I'm trying to stop myself from feeling despondent. It's all part of the game really but it's hard you know? Do you think that she will terminate me just for this? I know she won't be happy with me anymore..they are the kind of people that smile in your face and trash you behind your back I think.
Thanks for your response premed..

The worst part is that it's Friday and now I'll have to wait until Monday to hear the verdict. sigh. I just don't want her to think that I lied to her so I'm going to wait until she responds to explain the whole mishap. I even offered to give her a doctor's note!

Yes there are others..this is true. This one is the most hands-on volunteer experience in the city..

I'm definitely done here. It seems that I not only typed the address wrong but typed it with a comma i.e. ,com . Why didn't my gmail pick up the darn postmaster send-back and put it in the inbox??!!!! Live and learn I suppose.

I've never even seen the face of my coordinator at my old hospital. If she's that temperamental and rude then who cares about her opinion of you? You're there for the experience and hours.

Calm down though, this won't ruin your life, even if the situations seems dire in your mind.

 

[kpcrew]

If it makes you feel better, most volunteer positions are a waste of time anyway. Even if you don't get it, chances are there are great things in your community that fit you better. I thought volunteering in a hospital was really boring because my role was miniscule and I was a nobody but I had a great time working at an afterschool program where the kids really appreciated having me there.

 

[yellowperil]

If it makes you feel better, most volunteer positions are a waste of time anyway. Even if you don't get it, chances are there are great things in your community that fit you better. I thought volunteering in a hospital was really boring because my role was miniscule and I was a nobody but I had a great time working at an afterschool program where the kids really appreciated having me there.

I have to agree with this. I hated volunteering at hospital since my role was nothing compare to when I volunteer at an HIV/AIDS clinic. Got to play with the kids, talk to the parents and more involved than I ever was at a hospital.
Man/woman up and stop crying over losing a volunteer position. There are plenty of opportunity out there. .

 

[Sandstorm]

I'm really depressed now because I was making a great impression and I'm stressed because I've been so darn sick and dealing with school and research. It really hurt my feelings how she hung up on me and it was like she was assuming I was lying and that I was a bad person.. I'm literally still crying.

What are you guy's thoughts on this..what should I do..I'm just..urg. 🙁
By the way I jumped through so many hoops to get this position..which is why I'm utterly devastated.

At the risk of sounding insensitive....

Oh well... MAN UP.

You really need to get a thicker skin.

 

[Blackhawkdown24]

At the risk of sounding insensitive....

Oh well... MAN UP.

You really need to get a thicker skin.

Agreed. You're going to go through much tougher things in life..... much much tougher.

 

[La Presse]

Start looking elsewhere stat.

 

[NickNaylor]

If it makes you feel better, most volunteer positions are a waste of time anyway. Even if you don't get it, chances are there are great things in your community that fit you better. I thought volunteering in a hospital was really boring because my role was miniscule and I was a nobody but I had a great time working at an afterschool program where the kids really appreciated having me there.

This plus these positions are a dime a dozen (...unless this is the only hospital in your area).

There are plenty of more effective ways to get clinically related volunteering in. Obviously everyone's experience will vary, but, in general, hospital volunteering tends to not be a good time. The volunteering coordinator for a hospital rarely has the same goals/expectations as an aspiring medical student when it comes to the work involved.

 

[myronnie]

This plus these positions are a dime a dozen (...unless this is the only hospital in your area).

There are plenty of more effective ways to get clinically related volunteering in. Obviously everyone's experience will vary, but, in general, hospital volunteering tends to not be a good time. The volunteering coordinator for a hospital rarely has the same goals/expectations as an aspiring medical student when it comes to the work involved.

I appreciate your response Nick (long time lurker here). There are MANY hospitals in my area with volunteering positions and even one on campus..
The hospital I had the position at was a teaching hospital so the coordinator did have our best interests in mind, but I don't appreciate how I was treated (being hung up on). You live and learn though. 👍

 

[myronnie]

Agreed. You're going to go through much tougher things in life..... much much tougher.

I've gone through much tougher stuff than you can even imagine. 🙄

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

I've gone through much tougher stuff than you can even imagine. 🙄

And you definitely dont seem like the type to over-exaggerate at all.