Volunteer "Navigator"

[sciencebooks]

I had my volunteer interview at a cancer hospital yesterday and the interviewer explained that my job would predominately be working as a "navigator." Basically, it would be focused on outpatient work. Whenever a new patient comes to the hospital, we would give them a binder with terminology, charts, etc. to help ease treatment in any way possible. We would also assist them around the hospital and to other facilities within the --. She said that most patients enjoy talking with the volunteers and that there's a high level of interaction. However, they want a TWO YEAR committment. Does this seem like a good clinical opportunity to hold for that long?

 

[sciencebooks]

I say this at the risk of being mocked, but -- has always been a really big part of my life. I've actually earned a lot of opportunties through it, like training in and visiting --. ANYWAY, I've been putting in a lot of time coordinating a -- program through my church's youth sports program. This is the first season, but there are still 80 girls (3 age divisions) signed up which means finding experience volunteer coaches for everyone, parent spotters, establishing practice and snack schedules, dealing with the parental concerns, coreographing routines and cheers for everyone, coaching a division myself, and so on... I'm passionate about it and thus, the stress is (usually) worth it, but it does take up a lot of my time (especially at the season's beginning) and I'm wondering if this will look good in the long run?

Cool side note: My interviewer at the cancer hospital yesterday introduced me to the woman in charge of the Walk for a Cure when I brought up cheerleading as a hobby. Apparently, they have a group called the "cure leaders" who cheer on the runners/walker, and she was hoping I could help work with that project. It sounds like something that I'd really like! 🙂

 

[Disinence2]

Leadership within your church, and blending an activity like cheerleading into a volunteerism event sounds pretty solid. Definitely can only help your application.

If I were you I would take the job. Sounds like you can work with cancer patients when their diagnosis is still new to them. This could be a paragraph in your personal statement where you talk about how much you liked being able to help them, and all they taught you...compassion...shared decision making..blah blah all that.

In terms of the 2 year commitment...I'd take it for now. Keep it up as long as you can...but realistically what are they gonna do if you quit? Especially if you have a good reason for quitting like "I got into medical school" or "I need to pass my classes"

I say take it and see how it goes.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Leadership within your church, and blending an activity like cheerleading into a volunteerism event sounds pretty solid. Definitely can only help your application.

If I were you I would take the job. Sounds like you can work with cancer patients when their diagnosis is still new to them. This could be a paragraph in your personal statement where you talk about how much you liked being able to help them, and all they taught you...compassion...shared decision making..blah blah all that.

In terms of the 2 year commitment...I'd take it for now. Keep it up as long as you can...but realistically what are they gonna do if you quit? Especially if you have a good reason for quitting like "I got into medical school" or "I need to pass my classes"

I say take it and see how it goes.

I wouldn't take the job thinking about bailing before the 2 years is up though. I know some med schools that will call to verify various CV info., and you don't want someone to speak badly of you. However if you do have a good reason for leaving that you can't foresee, I'm sure things would be fine.

Sounds like a great opportunity if you enjoy it.