Volunteer in ED or Cancer Hospital

[Mycoalwin]

Hi everyone! I'd like your input on two options I have. The tasks are basically the same, and only the environment is different. I'm having trouble deciding which I should pursue.

I) Volunteer at ED. Tasks would involve transports, assisting nurses/doctors with whatever they need, preparing linens, etc etc.
II) Volunteer at cancer hospital. Same tasks really, with the inclusion of providing other services to the patients.

What I'm really curious about is in which setting I would be getting the most out of. Has anyone volunteering in either setting and gotten a lot out of it?

EDIT: I will also be shadowing in the ED throughout the semester, time to time!

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[AlteredScale]

Hi everyone! I'd like your input on two options I have. The tasks are basically the same, and only the environment is different. I'm having trouble deciding which I should pursue.

I) Volunteer at ED. Tasks would involve transports, assisting nurses/doctors with whatever they need, preparing linens, etc etc.
II) Volunteer at cancer hospital. Same tasks really, with the inclusion of providing other services to the patients.

What I'm really curious about is in which setting I would be getting the most out of. Has anyone volunteering in either setting and gotten a lot out of it?

IMO volunteering at the ED will give you a lot of experience in seeing the health care team as a whole. You will see technicians, nurses, residents, students, fellows. But because of the pace you probably won't be able to "learn" much unless you build relationships with the team. For ex. I tried to to my best to help out an NP in the ED and was able to hear more about the cases and how the docs were approaching each one. You'll probably see abit more "action" as well that may help you figure out if you can deal with some of the not so pretty aspects of medicine.

Because of the "slower" pace of the cancer center, you might be able to get a bit more information from the docs and learn about clinical medicine. For me, it'd be hard to work at CC just because I have such a heart for these patients (aunt died two years ago from breast cancer).

Either way, your first priority in both is to support the staff. You need to understand the importance of your duties and acknowledge that you are in a health care setting, so take pride in what you do and try and impact whatever team you are helping.

Good luck!

 

[Jojokarade]

Do whatever you are the most interested in. However, the ED can be really hectic sometimes and you may pushed to the side whereas you might get more patient time at the cancer hospital. When applying to medical school, more patient time is always better, especially when you can also sit down with the physicians.

 

[claduva94]

I spent a year volunteering in a cancer center and it was really worthwhile. I figured that if I would be able to handle the emotional difficulty associated with working in such a unit then I would be better prepared for emotionally demanding scenarios later on.

Beside that, I think you should do what you think you will like the most that will give you the best experience. You want to be able to talk about it at interviews so you should pick what you can be more passionate about.

 

[prettyNURSEtoMD]

Either will humble you. But ED gives a broader experience.

 

[childish93]

How strong is your nose? I've been a paramedic and worked in the ED quite a bit and those environments will really test you in that regard.

 

[el_duderino]

The ED will be more interesting and varied when it comes to seeing how health care works. It's very clinically dense and high turnover.

The cancer hospital will give you more time and freedom to interact with patients.

For me the ED was more like shadowing than volunteering.

 

[riqwnx]

I volunteered in an ED for 2 summers and I have been working as a patient care assistant for the past year on a oncology/palliative care floor. From my experience I enjoyed the cancer better because of the patient contact and relationships you can develop. But both experiences have been extremely valuable in my growth and comfort level with patient care.

 

[The Chemist]

The ED will be more interesting and varied when it comes to seeing how health care works. It's very clinically dense and high turnover.

The cancer hospital will give you more time and freedom to interact with patients.

For me the ED was more like shadowing than volunteering.

I second this.

(I have volunteered in both settings.)

 

[Planes2Doc]

The answer is simple. Do the one that will fit best in your schedule, and which allows you to have the most study and free time possible. In terms of your application, one isn't going to make a difference over the other (unless you have always wanted to pursue oncology and are planning on using that as the basis of your essay) since these are all commonly-done activities. I've heard of horrible ED gigs, and I've heard of great ED gigs (albeit rare). I'm sure the same goes for the cancer center. I'd just go for the one that is most convenient for you and fits best into your schedule.

 

[clocks123]

If you want to meet patients and form a relationship with them over time, then ED volunteering will not give you that. As said, the ED has a high turnover rate, so you will most likely not meet the same patients week after week. The cancer hospital on the other hand will have patients long term and it will be much easier to form relationships with them.
I have volunteered in the ED and I love that I can meet so many patients as well as see how the ED is run. It all depends on what you like personally.

 

[juliuspepperwood]

Try to do both if you can. I've done both and they are great ways to experience very different types of medicine

 

[Mycoalwin]

Thanks for the thoughts guys! I guess I forgot to mention that I will also be shadowing in the ED since I know one of the docs there... perhaps that may sway the poll one way or the other.

 

[juliuspepperwood]

Thanks for the thoughts guys! I guess I forgot to mention that I will also be shadowing in the ED since I know one of the docs there... perhaps that may sway the poll one way or the other.

Definitely do the cancer center then