Volunteering positions for a stutterer?

[InvalidUsername]

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Having finished the fall semester with a decent GPA, I figure I should get started on extracurriculars. Of the positions the nearest hospital has available, I'm interested in volunteering in the emergency department or being a radiation oncology assistant since they seem the most interesting.

However, I'm a bit hesitant about the EM position since I have a stuttering problem which would limit how well I could accomplish the duties of an EM volunteer. For those that have volunteered in the emergency room before, how much talking with the patient went on?

My stutter isn't so bad that I can't curb it it through significant effort, however in (what I perceive to be) a chaotic environment, I might become more distressed than the patients.

Am I needlessly worrying about this?

 

[Ismet]

The ED isn't as hectic as you see on TV, even in a trauma center in a city.

Every ED will have different duties for their volunteers, but it will most likely involve talking to patients. Where I volunteered, I went around to each patient to talk to them and see if they needed anything. Usually brought them blankets or pillows, or water/food if the nurse/doctor said they were cleared to have it. It involved a lot of back and forth between patients and nurses, sometimes just sitting with a patient and keeping them company for a while, sometimes getting to watch traumas. Maybe ask your volunteer coordinator if you can follow a current volunteer around for a few hours and see how it might work out before you commit?

 

[InvalidUsername]

The ED isn't as hectic as you see on TV, even in a trauma center in a city.

Every ED will have different duties for their volunteers, but it will most likely involve talking to patients. Where I volunteered, I went around to each patient to talk to them and see if they needed anything. Usually brought them blankets or pillows, or water/food if the nurse/doctor said they were cleared to have it. It involved a lot of back and forth between patients and nurses, sometimes just sitting with a patient and keeping them company for a while, sometimes getting to watch traumas. Maybe ask your volunteer coordinator if you can follow a current volunteer around for a few hours and see how it might work out before you commit?

I'll do that. Hopefully I can get some idea of the duties at the volunteer orientation.

 

[neuro nephrons]

avox

 

[La Presse]

Moses had a bit of a stammering problem too, if I recall correctly, yet he was still chosen to speak and lead the people out of Egypt. I am sure this problem will have a minimal impact; just speak slowly and clearly and you can get any position you want. Having said that some of these require an interview, so try and prepare with a friend.

 

[InvalidUsername]

avox

Huh?

Moses had a bit of a stammering problem too, if I recall correctly, yet he was still chosen to speak and lead the people out of Egypt. I am sure this problem will have a minimal impact; just speak slowly and clearly and you can get any position you want. Having said that some of these require an interview, so try and prepare with a friend.

Coincidentally, I'm from Africa.

My stutter is unusual in that I can control it to an extreme degree if I'm
1) really focused
2) behaving condescending
3) comfortable with my interlocutor

Hopefully I'm interviewed by a very cordial person. Thanks for the advice.

 

[stargate16]

I have mild cluttering, a bit different but still can be an issue if I get overly excited. I had no problem volunteering, and if I feel it coming on I just try to pause and slow down my speech.

 

[Geebeejay]

Having finished the fall semester with a decent GPA, I figure I should get started on extracurriculars. Of the positions the nearest hospital has available, I'm interested in volunteering in the emergency department or being a radiation oncology assistant since they seem the most interesting.

However, I'm a bit hesitant about the EM position since I have a stuttering problem which would limit how well I could accomplish the duties of an EM volunteer. For those that have volunteered in the emergency room before, how much talking with the patient went on?

My stutter isn't so bad that I can't curb it it through significant effort, however in (what I perceive to be) a chaotic environment, I might become more distressed than the patients.

Am I needlessly worrying about this?

don't mean to be a debby downer, but if your stutter truly becomes a problem during conversations with patients as a volunteer, isn't it going to be a much more significant problem during your conversations with patients as a doctor?

 

[Yorick]

Moses had a bit of a stammering problem too, if I recall correctly, yet he was still chosen to speak and lead the people out of Egypt. I am sure this problem will have a minimal impact; just speak slowly and clearly and you can get any position you want. Having said that some of these require an interview, so try and prepare with a friend.

Sure, assuming Moses did exist of course and the tales about him are true.

 

[Ruhroh]

Sure, assuming Moses did exist of course and the tales about him are true.

Expect the rejection letter from Mount Sinai within the day

 

[Jas1360]

don't mean to be a debby downer, but if your stutter truly becomes a problem during conversations with patients as a volunteer, isn't it going to be a much more significant problem during your conversations with patients as a doctor?

I think that is exactly why he should volunteer in the ED. It will give him a chance to overcome the stuttering. Considering he already has it under good control he just needs it to be under control even in uncomfortable situations such as interviews.

I say go for it. I know plenty of people who successfully overcame their stuttering and at least one who's full time job involves talking in front of large groups of people.

 

[InvalidUsername]

I think that is exactly why he should volunteer in the ED. It will give him a chance to overcome the stuttering. Considering he already has it under good control he just needs it to be under control even in uncomfortable situations such as interviews.

I say go for it. I know plenty of people who successfully overcame their stuttering and at least one who's full time job involves talking in front of large groups of people.

My original post seems rather pointless now that I think about how beneficial being in such a setting could be for me. This semester I'm going to delve into relatively social ECs and not worry about stuttering.

 

[Geebeejay]

My original post seems rather pointless now that I think about how beneficial being in such a setting could be for me. This semester I'm going to delve into relatively social ECs and not worry about stuttering.

strong work...get outside that comfort zone🙂. You'll do fine.

 

[Jas1360]

My original post seems rather pointless now that I think about how beneficial being in such a setting could be for me. This semester I'm going to delve into relatively social ECs and not worry about stuttering.

👍

 

[buttahz]

My original post seems rather pointless now that I think about how beneficial being in such a setting could be for me. This semester I'm going to delve into relatively social ECs and not worry about stuttering.

🙂

Just wanted to jump in... I have mild social anxiety, and similarly to another poster, mild cluttering in my speech when I get nervous or excited. Volunteering in the patient care environments of the adult and peds ED made me nervous at first, but it's been unbelievably helpful in helping me become more comfortable with speaking to people. My bedside manner is so much better than it was two years ago. You'll see that the majority of patients will actually be happy and grateful to see a volunteer, so it's nothing to be intimidated or distressed by. You'll start by asking everyone the same basic food/water/blanket questions, and you don't *have* to keep a great conversation with every single patient.