Should I get more hospital clinical experience?

[aerd]

I'm a sophomore right now and I have most areas of my application coming together. This semester I volunteered at a rural hospital near my campus for about 50 hours but I absolutely hated it. I never had tasks to do but I wasn't allowed to do homework or study. I talked to patients occasionally but the patients on my wing were elderly and didn't want to talk for too long. Basically, I spent about 45 minutes actively volunteering and then 3 hours and 15 minutes watching tv in the waiting room. It was terrible, and it felt like a huge waste of time.

So my question: Is 50 hours of hospital volunteering too little? I plan on shadowing physicians this summer and working, but if I really need to get more clinical experience, what can I do to bolster this?

Thanks in advance!

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[Kochanie]

You really should do at least 100 hours, even then it's pretty low if it's the only place you volunteer at. If I was you, I'd get to 100 then do something that actually is productive (clinic/retirement home/etc).

 

[itsthat1guy]

Find a new place to volunteer

 

[wegotthis14]

I agree, you need to have at least 100 hours. However, it's important to also find a volunteer opportunity that you find meaningful. Find a better place to volunteer at.

 

[aerd]

Thanks for the comments! I do other non-clinical volunteer work also, so this isn't my only venue of volunteering. But I'll try to look for some other hospitals or clinics to volunteer with this summer.

 

[wegotthis14]

Thanks for the comments! I do other non-clinical volunteer work also, so this isn't my only venue of volunteering. But I'll try to look for some other hospitals or clinics to volunteer with this summer.

Non-clinical volunteering is also good! However, clinical volunteering is essential. Good luck