Volunteering/Introduction

[BrownBear023]

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Hey everyone. Im just curious where everyone is volunteering at. Unfortunately, I still have 3 more years of undergrad to go, so I wont be applying to Med school until Im about 27 but I figured its never too early to start volunteering.

I volunteer 3 times per week: In the radiology dept on Mondays for 4 hours and in the Pre-Op anesthesia clinic for 4 hours on both Wednesdays and Fridays. I really love Pre-Op, but I really wish I could volunteer in a dept. a little closer to surgery, because thats the path Im planning to persue (Im working as a Surgical Technologist right now).

I figure, 12 hours per week times about 45 weeks per year (leeway for time off and vacations that may arise), Im putting in 540 hours each year and by the time I apply for med school, I will have around 1,600 volunteer hours under my belt, on top of endless hours of OR experience. Ive wanted to be a surgeon for the longest time and I want to make my chances of getting into a decent medical school the best I can possibly make them.

How about the rest of you? Where/how are you getting your volunteer hours in?

 

[ChairmanMao]

Hey everyone. Im just curious where everyone is volunteering at. Unfortunately, I still have 3 more years of undergrad to go, so I wont be applying to Med school until Im about 27 but I figured its never too early to start volunteering.

I volunteer 3 times per week: In the radiology dept on Mondays for 4 hours and in the Pre-Op anesthesia clinic for 4 hours on both Wednesdays and Fridays. I really love Pre-Op, but I really wish I could volunteer in a dept. a little closer to surgery, because thats the path Im planning to persue (Im working as a Surgical Technologist right now).

I figure, 12 hours per week times about 45 weeks per year (leeway for time off and vacations that may arise), Im putting in 540 hours each year and by the time I apply for med school, I will have around 1,600 volunteer hours under my belt, on top of endless hours of OR experience. Ive wanted to be a surgeon for the longest time and I want to make my chances of getting into a decent medical school the best I can possibly make them.

How about the rest of you? Where/how are you getting your volunteer hours in?

Quantity isn't as important as quality. I find that it's much more important to have maybe 2-4 hours/week directly interacting with patients (talking to them bedside, playing games with the children, consoling them) than 20 hrs/week standing in a corner or checking in their coat. If you're not learning anything new or dealing with patients in a meaningful way, I suggest that you talk iwth the volunteering office and see if they have any other available responsibilities that you can take up.

 

[packofneurons]

I currently do 4hrs/week. It's been constant at the PACU. I've developed close relationships with the nurses and even some of the doctors. Even though changing beds is a downside and makes me feel like I'm a housekeeper, I wouldn't trade the experience of talking to patients and doctors for the world.
It's also nice because sometimes when it's slow, they don't mind if I study 🙂

 

[Crelal]

Three hours/week, usually on a Sunday afternoon, when the ER is busiest. Great experience and lots of opportunities to talk to a variety of health care professionals.

 

[DrJosephKim]

Agree about volunteering during busy periods. It can be quite boring if you're simply running errands because there's nothing going around. Ask questions and look for opportunities to observe.

 

[Florida Cracker]

I just got OK'd to start volunteering in the ED at Banner Desert here in Mesa, AZ. It's not a trauma center or anything, but its literally a 2 minute bike ride from my apartment, so I'm really happy about it. I know volunteers don't get to do a lot of the fun stuff, but I'm hoping that since I already have my EMT, I will get the chance to help out.

I might also start volunteering with the police dept., doing CSI type stuff. But I'm waiting for them to finish my background check.