Volunteer Decision

[Apollo1]

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I've been in contact with a hospital coordinator for volunteers, and the only position this person could offer me at the moment is working in the gift shop (i.e. flowers, cards etc.). I know that volunteering is volunteering, but there is no guarantee that a spot with patient contact would open up, and clinical exposure is important. I can't quite decide what to do regarding this, so I figured y'all could perhaps offer some insights/opinions:

Should I volunteer at this hospital in the gift shop, or find another place that would offer clinical exposure?

Once again, thanks to my fellow non-trads.

 

[CW 2010]

Try to find another place (other hospitals, free clinics, etc.) If you can't find anything, go to the gift shop and hope that a more interesting position opens up. Volunteers rotate, too. Older ones become too old and leave; younger ones start school out of the state and leave...

 

[Quik]

I would look into other hospitals, other types of volunteering with people, and seek shadowing experiences for additional clinical exposure. All volunteering is NOT created equal. How intriguing would the discussion of volunteering in a gift shop be on an application; you discuss what you did volunteering, not just that you volunteered... get my point?



Yes, clinical experience is VERY important, but in my opinion, selling flowers and gifts at a hospital gift shop is a waste of your ever valuable time.

 

[Goro]

I suggest it might be worth trying. see if you can then wrangle some shadowing, or move into some other voluneteers aspect at the hospital. Network, so to speak. if not, find another hospital.

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

Service need not be "unique", either. 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.

I've been in contact with a hospital coordinator for volunteers, and the only position this person could offer me at the moment is working in the gift shop (i.e. flowers, cards etc.). I know that volunteering is volunteering, but there is no guarantee that a spot with patient contact would open up, and clinical exposure is important. I can't quite decide what to do regarding this, so I figured y'all could perhaps offer some insights/opinions:

Should I volunteer at this hospital in the gift shop, or find another place that would offer clinical exposure?

Once again, thanks to my fellow non-trads.

 

[jemill]

The hospital I volunteer at periodically has volunteer lunches and dinners which are very good for meeting other volunteers and staff members, which could lead to a shadowing opportunity or better volunteering positions. It can't hurt to see what it's like there! 🙂

 

[Eccesignum]

I second looking into hospice. Around here the local hospice organization accepts non-medical volunteers to spend time keeping patients company in their homes/give their permanent caregivers some breathing time. I know some people are turned off by the idea of being around hospice, but it's an absolutely wonderful experience.