Should I do clinical volunteering or a job?

[I love dogs27]

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Good afternoon, I have a question on which clinical experience I should focus on.

I am currently doing some clinical volunteering at my local hospital. This volunteering includes interacting with cancer patients and helping patients in our rehab center. I do activities, visit, and do other things to help the nurses and patients.

I will soon have the opportunity to train as a CNA and can hopefully get a job at a local nursing home.

My question is since I’m already headed into my junior year of undergrad; should I stick with the volunteer and bulk up those hours or spend the time to get trained and find a job as a CNA?

 

[Wamuu]

If you can do both, I would just do that. However, in my personal experience, I was able to get just north of 5,000 direct inpatient hours between graduating college and my matriculation in a month. I have had both doctors and interviewers make comments about my work experience regarding their translation into bedside manner, clinical orientation, and being able to stand confident with my decision with going into medicine.

I did have one school, specifically ATSU, mention that my volunteer hours were quite low (~100). That's totally fine by me, to be honest, because I knew they valued volunteerism but decided to toss my hat in the ring anyway.

Edited to add: I think being a CNA is a great idea because it is similar to what I did and it taught me a good deal about what I didn't want to do for the rest of my life AND the value of each role in the system. You get a pretty good vantage point of the healthcare team and where you could see yourself.

 

[notEinstein]

I was able to get just north of 5,000 direct inpatient hours between graduating college and my matriculation in a month.

Wow. Thats almost 3 years of full-time work. Did you take a few gap years?

 

[Wamuu]

Wow. Thats almost 3 years of full-time work. Did you take a few gap years?

Yes I did. I originally anticipated 2 because I modeled my app after my top choice PA program, which counted my work as half-credit despite all others giving my hours full recognition. I decided a year in that I wanted to have a career in medicine, and I took the remaining classes while working. This is what put me on a longer gap period.

The split was 2 years inpatient, 1 year CCRC, 1 year outpatient rehab, and now finishing 1 year inpatient.

 

[Goro]

Good afternoon, I have a question on which clinical experience I should focus on.

I am currently doing some clinical volunteering at my local hospital. This volunteering includes interacting with cancer patients and helping patients in our rehab center. I do activities, visit, and do other things to help the nurses and patients.

I will soon have the opportunity to train as a CNA and can hopefully get a job at a local nursing home.

My question is since I’m already headed into my junior year of undergrad; should I stick with the volunteer and bulk up those hours or spend the time to get trained and find a job as a CNA?

Do what you love and love what you do.

But, employment is always good.