Some silly rant

[paul2752]

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Have you ever felt any one of the frustration I have had?

When you contact volunteer organizations and they never call you back so that you have to call them, and they tell you to wait more only for you to call them again?

When almost all clinics you called don't need volunteer?

When those same clinics you called don't want you for doctor shadowing because of "HIPAA this and that"?

When the hospitals you know only accept 6 month~1 year volunteers?

Basically, you want to help some people but get nowhere so you get tired in the end?

That's what I have been feeling this summer.

 

[Turkishking]

Took me a couple of months to get a position at the hospital as a volunteer. Be patient

 

[Meeehai]

Have you ever felt any one of the frustration I have had?

When you contact volunteer organizations and they never call you back so that you have to call them, and they tell you to wait more only for you to call them again?

When almost all clinics you called don't need volunteer?

When those same clinics you called don't want you for doctor shadowing because of "HIPAA this and that"?

When the hospitals you know only accept 6 month~1 year volunteers?

Basically, you want to help some people but get nowhere so you get tired in the end?

That's what I have been feeling this summer.

No, but yesterday I was getting lunch with a friend and my food came with a side of fries. I'm not a big ketchup guy but I was kinda feeling it that day so I reached over for the ketchup and of course, nothing comes out. I shake the bottle a little to try and get that ketchup out but nothing - so I start shaking it harder - still nothing! I'm thinking, this is ridiculous, you know what I'm just gonna eat my fries without ketchup. But before I was about to put the bottle back, I figured I would give it one last shake. The ketchup explodes all over my fries, drowning all of my food in it. So you know I'm sitting there like man... Then I look down at my pants and I notice that a little bit of ketchup got on my brand new expensive jeans and I'm just like, cmon cuz...

 

[desiredmembername123]

No, but yesterday I was getting lunch with a friend and my food came with a side of fries. I'm not a big ketchup guy but I was kinda feeling it that day so I reached over for the ketchup and of course, nothing comes out. I shake the bottle a little to try and get that ketchup out but nothing - so I start shaking it harder - still nothing! I'm thinking, this is ridiculous, you know what I'm just gonna eat my fries without ketchup. But before I was about to put the bottle back, I figured I would give it one last shake. The ketchup explodes all over my fries, drowning all of my food in it. So you know I'm sitting there like man... Then I look down at my pants and I notice that a little bit of ketchup got on my brand new expensive jeans and I'm just like, cmon cuz...

The struggle is real.

 

[DokterMom]

Have you ever felt any one of the frustration I have had?

When you contact volunteer organizations and they never call you back so that you have to call them, and they tell you to wait more only for you to call them again?

When almost all clinics you called don't need volunteer?

When those same clinics you called don't want you for doctor shadowing because of "HIPAA this and that"?

When the hospitals you know only accept 6 month~1 year volunteers?

Basically, you want to help some people but get nowhere so you get tired in the end?

That's what I have been feeling this summer.

Sounds like you're trying to volunteer at places that don't really need you -- Try some place less comfortable, less convenient -- someplace people don't want to be.

 

[Gurby]

When you contact volunteer organizations and they never call you back so that you have to call them, and they tell you to wait more only for you to call them again?

When almost all clinics you called don't need volunteer?

When those same clinics you called don't want you for doctor shadowing because of "HIPAA this and that"?

Basically, you want to check off boxes for med school applications but get nowhere so you get tired in the end?

Fixed that for you.

 

[Sardinia]

Sounds like you're trying to volunteer at places that don't really need you -- Try some place less comfortable, less convenient -- someplace people don't want to be.

The soup kitchens here are always looking for people to serve food because everyone wants to be there.

 

[LizzyM]

Nursing homes often need help wheeling folks from one place to another and being assisted at meal time.

 

[paul2752]

Sounds like you're trying to volunteer at places that don't really need you -- Try some place less comfortable, less convenient -- someplace people don't want to be.

Which we don't have in my hometown...or maybe the reason is that this town is the richest place in entire state

 

[DokterMom]

Which we don't have in my hometown...or maybe the reason is that this town is the richest place in entire state

Sound like you'll have to dig a little deeper then --- But even rich communities have old people, demented people, mentally ill people, disabled people, dying people in hospice care. Or venture outside your town. Where do the rich folks' gardeners and housekeepers live?

 

[desiredmembername123]

Sound like you'll have to dig a little deeper then --- But even rich communities have old people, demented people, mentally ill people, disabled people, dying people in hospice care. Or venture outside your town. Where do the rich folks' gardeners and housekeepers live?

I think OP was looking for validation and not advice.

 

[DokterMom]

Tough love 😎

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Which we don't have in my hometown...or maybe the reason is that this town is the richest place in entire state

Hm. Let's see. You live in a wealthy town and, shockingly, there aren't very many volunteer opportunities... How about if you leave the richest place in your entire state and go volunteer somewhere where volunteers are actually needed because there are people who are actually IN NEED?

 

[Sardinia]

@paul2752 Do you actually ever bother to physically visit the places you're interested in and letting them know that you dropped a call?

Or do you assume that the volunteers in volunteer orgs have the time to check their voice messaging system?

One thing that's ironic about a lot of young people who force themselves into volunteering for their resume is that they're useless when it comes to actual volunteering. They're looking at their phone or going to the bathroom for 15 minutes qh thinking that nobody notices or that any minimal effort they put in is contributing because they are giving free service.

The people whose heart aren't in the mission of the organization are dead weight and are depressing to be around. In fact, I know that for our organization the head coordinator goes out of his way to accept people like pre-meds and file their hours and other special needs because he genuinely wants to help students get ahead in their studies and with their life.

The fact that you keep pegging the phone when you don't realize that some people aren't "phone people" shows that you lack a combination of the drive and the empathy to really make a volunteer experience worth your time. I personally think that you don't really care about making an impact and are just crossing your fingers hoping that you can spend your spare time studying or catching up on sleep because this issue commonly happens to people who want to pad their ECs when they don't have the time or resources.

We operate in four hours blocks at the place I work at and I will tell you that there is not enough time to run operations. The fact that no one runs an eight hour shift means that you absolutely need to give it everything you have with the few hours you actually are there. This is possibly why you keep calling and no one responds to your messages, because we're busy.

 

[Goro]

Not all volunteering needs to be in a hospital. Think hospice, Planned Parenthood, nursing homes, rehab facilities, crisis hotlines, camps for sick children, or clinics.

Some types of volunteer activities are more appealing than others. Volunteering in a nice suburban hospital is all very well and good and all, but doesn't show that you're willing to dig in and get your hands dirty in the same way that working with the developmentally disabled (or homeless, the dying, or Alzheimers or mentally ill or elderly or ESL or domestic, rural impoverished) does. The uncomfortable situations are the ones that really demonstrate your altruism and get you 'brownie points'. Plus, they frankly teach you more -- they develop your compassion and humanity in ways comfortable situations can't.


Service need not be "unique". If you can alleviate suffering in your community through service to the poor, homeless, illiterate, fatherless, etc, you are meeting an otherwise unmet need and learning more about the lives of the people (or types of people) who will someday be your patients. Check out your local houses of worship for volunteer opportunities. The key thing is service to others less fortunate than you.

Have you ever felt any one of the frustration I have had?

When you contact volunteer organizations and they never call you back so that you have to call them, and they tell you to wait more only for you to call them again?

When almost all clinics you called don't need volunteer?

When those same clinics you called don't want you for doctor shadowing because of "HIPAA this and that"?

When the hospitals you know only accept 6 month~1 year volunteers?

Basically, you want to help some people but get nowhere so you get tired in the end?

That's what I have been feeling this summer.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

This is kinda just the general premed struggle.

My take on it is that most volunteer places need money, supplies, and semi-skilled professionals (like nurses, phebotomists, etc) not helpless pre-meds. It's an annoying part of being so early in the process - you're generally too young/unskilled/an liability nightmare to be of any use.

My idea for overcoming this is to pick on relatively narrow area of healthcare and throw all your effort at it. You build up a functional knowledge within that one small area and it makes you at least remotely valuable to volunteer organizations and hospitals.

 

[Gurby]

semi-skilled professionals (like nurses, phebotomists, etc)

 

[LizzyM]

This is kinda just the general premed struggle.

My take on it is that most volunteer places need money, supplies, and semi-skilled professionals (like nurses, phebotomists, etc) not helpless pre-meds. It's an annoying part of being so early in the process - you're generally too young/unskilled/an liability nightmare to be of any use.

My idea for overcoming this is to pick on relatively narrow area of healthcare and throw all your effort at it. You build up a functional knowledge within that one small area and it makes you at least remotely valuable to volunteer organizations and hospitals.

Or volunteer in a situation that requires only a modicum of smarts and a strong back. I've sorted and shelved food donations in a food pantry, made coffee and handed out coffee and rolls, served meals in a soup kitchen, set up cots and slept in church basement with the homeless.

A good friend of mine worked with groups of refugees who wanted to practice/learn English. She had no particular training other than being a native speaker.

I second the suggestion that you go to the areas where the blue collar workers who serve the people in your affluent community live.

 

[DokterMom]

Also look for opportunities at private schools or sports leagues for children with developmental disabilities. Or learn ABA (a therapy/teaching style for children with autism) and spend some time helping an autistic child learn how to navigate the 'typical' world. They would welcome the help and it would enrich your life and develop your humanity is ways you can't even imagine yet. Sure it's uncomfortable. But once you get over that hurdle you'll emerge with a completely different perspective.

 

[DrMikeP]

If any idiot could call and instantly find someone to shadow or a place to volunteer and get an LOR instantly then they wouldn't be that valuable. There are lots of threads on how to get such opportunities. I posted a list of a dozen suggestions many months ago.

It takes time and effort and planning , which if you think is a challenge just wait until you have to deal with 10 different insurance companies when they owe you $300 each for 10 different pts and don't want to pay.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[DrMikeP]

Local universities often have lists of places looking for volunteers and med schools drs to shadow.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[mouster]

You could try joining a website that pairs volunteers with organizations that actually need volunteers. I've done a few one-off volunteer experiences this way (organizing a race during Pride), and it actually landed me my position at an animal shelter. I've used VolunteerMatch and it's pretty great, plus they email you about new opportunities! Also, consider traveling a bit out of your area if there really is a dearth of opportunities in your city.

Also, I know at least in my area, there's a TON of need for respite care for elders and hospice volunteers. I've never been able to make it work with my schedule (I work crazy hours), but I always see at least 5 orgs needing someone.

 

[paul2752]

If any idiot could call and instantly find someone to shadow or a place to volunteer and get an LOR instantly then they wouldn't be that valuable. There are lots of threads on how to get such opportunities. I posted a list of a dozen suggestions many months ago.

It takes time and effort and planning , which if you think is a challenge just wait until you have to deal with 10 different insurance companies when they owe you $300 each for 10 different pts and don't want to pay.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Ok Sorry for eing an idiot

 

[DrMikeP]

Ok Sorry for eing an idiot

Didn't say you were, unless you are and called and got an instant opportunity and LOR without any effort. 🙂

Point being yes it takes a lot of work which is why it is of value and separates you from those too lazy to put in the work.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Crayola227]

scour SDN for tips

I did and eventually made it work and got in

in fact, I posted such tips myself

 

[Toutie]

Probably too late for this summer, but what about volunteering for a week at a Muscular Dystrophy summer camp? Get to work this for next summer.

https://www.mda.org/get-involved/become-a-volunteer

There are tons of volunteer positions out there...you just have to look a bit harder for them than you've been looking.

 

[Astra]

I found my hospice volunteering with no trouble at all. Its a shame that they are constantly needing volunteers and a lot of premeds claim to want to really "help" people.

 

[paul2752]

@paul2752 Do you actually ever bother to physically visit the places you're interested in and letting them know that you dropped a call?

Or do you assume that the volunteers in volunteer orgs have the time to check their voice messaging system?

One thing that's ironic about a lot of young people who force themselves into volunteering for their resume is that they're useless when it comes to actual volunteering. They're looking at their phone or going to the bathroom for 15 minutes qh thinking that nobody notices or that any minimal effort they put in is contributing because they are giving free service.

The people whose heart aren't in the mission of the organization are dead weight and are depressing to be around. In fact, I know that for our organization the head coordinator goes out of his way to accept people like pre-meds and file their hours and other special needs because he genuinely wants to help students get ahead in their studies and with their life.

The fact that you keep pegging the phone when you don't realize that some people aren't "phone people" shows that you lack a combination of the drive and the empathy to really make a volunteer experience worth your time. I personally think that you don't really care about making an impact and are just crossing your fingers hoping that you can spend your spare time studying or catching up on sleep because this issue commonly happens to people who want to pad their ECs when they don't have the time or resources.

We operate in four hours blocks at the place I work at and I will tell you that there is not enough time to run operations. The fact that no one runs an eight hour shift means that you absolutely need to give it everything you have with the few hours you actually are there. This is possibly why you keep calling and no one responds to your messages, because we're busy.

Excuse me, but I have been trying to volunteer at several places because I WANTED to since high school regardless to my resume. I understand that you see lots of students like that but I can't tell you I m not one of those people. I also understand that I may not have skills enough to do those jobs but I feel somewhat insulted that you think I just do this for ECs.

I don't just call; I send them emails and some voicemails or even visits, and unfortunately(to me) most of them don't need volunteers..at least in my town. I would much love to go to other cities, but I haven't heard of responses from places I contacted.

Oh by the way I just found out I am going to be in my church's music ministry. I have been DYING to get it since 2 years ago but they never told me when I would get it. I guess patience is really a viture in this case except it took way more than I expected.

Also thanks to people who provided me good resources....I am not good at internet research(my sister always cricitizes me for that) and your helps are amazing

 

[aalamruad]

semi-skilled professionals (like nurses, phebotomists, etc)

Lol "phebotomists".. your spelling is semi-skilled

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Eh, plenty of places are actively recruiting volunteers ALL the time. Hospice, nursing homes, non profit clinics. Ive done all of them and they all had me in orientation within a week. Now when I go to a large hospital it will be much less of an issue with HIPAA and previous healthcare experience. Just get your feet wet first.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Its a shame that they are constantly needing volunteers and a lot of premeds claim to want to really "help" people.

Trying to communicate with and comfort patients who don't talk or are just largely non responsive can make people feel awkward if they aren't used to that sort of thing. Sometimes you feel like you're not even helping because you don't know if the pt is even aware of anything going on or can comprehend it. I think thats difficult for a lot of people; especially for those who have not had much prior clinical exposure. It really takes special types of people to volunteer for hospice.

This is kinda just the general premed struggle.

My take on it is that most volunteer places need money, supplies, and semi-skilled professionals (like nurses, phebotomists, etc) not helpless pre-meds.

The clinic I'm at actually logged over 25k hours for volunteers last year. I mean heck, thats the equivalent of 12 full time employees at no cost to them. If nothing else, events, organizing, and fundraising are huge for volunteers, as well as just creating a positive atmosphere for patients to be in which reflects back on the hospital in a lot of other ways. Just my experience. Different settings value and utilize volunteers in very different ways.

 

[DokterMom]

Trying to communicate with and comfort patients who don't talk or are just largely non responsive can make people feel awkward if they aren't used to that sort of thing. Sometimes you feel like you're not even helping because you don't know if the pt is even aware of anything going on or can comprehend it. I think thats difficult for a lot of people; especially for those who have not had much prior clinical exposure. It really takes special types of people to volunteer for hospice.

Very true -- Sometimes also the person you're helping most is the family-member caregiver who needs a few hours off but also needs to know that 'Mom' is being cared for and looked in on. Caregiver fatigue is a huge issue. You can alleviate that --