Volunteering Dilemma

[OpticDean]

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I've got a question, maybe someone can give me advice.

I've been volunteering at a hospital pharmacy now for one whole year. I plan to apply next fall to pharmacy school. My question is, should I continue volunteering until I get close to starting pharm school, or is it safe for me to drop it now and just come back to get the letter of recommendation? I don't think they would have a problem with me coming back to get the letter, after I explain to them that I want to try volunteering my time at other places while I still have time before pharm school.

What would you guys do? Is it necessary for me to stick around over a year?

Thanks.

 

[laura_mideon]

I would, but that's just me. It depends on how sure you are about the l.o.r., if there is any doubt, then I would stay just to make sure. Plus I think it's valuable experience, but what do I know....I'm not in the program yet. But, on the other hand, if there are other things out there you want to experience, or do first, one year is probably MORE than enough experience in a pharmacy.
Cheers! 😀

 

[npp71681]

Hi!
OpticDean,

All the hospitals have certain amount of hours that you must have to complete when you get hired by Volunteer Department. The hours are usually 50-100 that you have to complete before you quit volunteering and hours are depends on where you work. And I am sure that you have lot more hours than they require, since you've been volunteering for a year. So, you're free to go after you've done your required hours.
I am sure that they'll give you good recommondation.

Get a record of your volunteered hours, coz you've to put the number of hours volunteer in your PharmCas application.

I hope this helps!

 

[jellopie]

I would continue to volunteer if I was you. I heard from counselors that it looks more convincing if you continue to do your volunteering up till the point that you apply to pharm school. I'd probably volunteer a lot less though, perhaps maybe once every two weeks, which is what i am currently doing at my hospital since i'm way over the required # of hours. But if you have other opportunities, such as retail pharmacy, then do that instead so you can get more experiences.

hope this helps 😛