Volunteering

[RLK]

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I've read that volunteer service is one thing that some pharmacy schools look at in an applicant. What type of places have you volunteered at? I'm trying to think of somewhere that I can volunteer now.

 

[utpharmdude]

A hospital pharmacy is a good place to start to get some experience 👍

 

[38ctk]

I volunteered at a pharmacy. My tasks were to shelve medication in the appropriate areas, label the medication, put away patient files, update the Drug Fact Notebook with new monthly inserts.

I also volunteered at a Children's Hospital. I highly recommend this in addition to the pharmacy experience because unlike a pharmacy, you are not really allowed to interact with patients as a volunteer. At the children's hospital, I had the opportunity to play and help children cope with the realities of hospitalization. It was a great, eye-opening experience.

For example. There was a Peter Pan play for the chidren. "Peter" said, "to be able to fly like me, you have to think about your happiest moment." One of the children replied, "seeing the sun." I was taken by it, since I would think children would say "eating pizza" or "playing my play station."

You realize how much you have and take for granted in life. If you really like working with patients, work at a children's hospital. Plus, they're really cute 🙂

 

[RLK]

38ctk, you're really cute 🙂

 

[pharmerted]

I volunteered at a pharmacy. My tasks were to shelve medication in the appropriate areas, label the medication, put away patient files, update the Drug Fact Notebook with new monthly inserts.

I also volunteered at a Children's Hospital. I highly recommend this in addition to the pharmacy experience because unlike a pharmacy, you are not really allowed to interact with patients as a volunteer. At the children's hospital, I had the opportunity to play and help children cope with the realities of hospitalization. It was a great, eye-opening experience.

For example. There was a Peter Pan play for the chidren. "Peter" said, "to be able to fly like me, you have to think about your happiest moment." One of the children replied, "seeing the sun." I was taken by it, since I would think children would say "eating pizza" or "playing my play station."

You realize how much you have and take for granted in life. If you really like working with patients, work at a children's hospital. Plus, they're really cute 🙂

How did you get this volunteer gig? Did you just walk up to the hospital and say i want to volunteer? Is there an application process? How long did it take before you could start? Thanks!

 

[nikkai]

To RLK: 😵

To pharmerted: Just contact the volunteer services of the hospital you are interested in volunteering at. Most hospitals have orientations set on specific days of the year. Faster you get a hold of them and sign up, faster you can start getting some experience.

You'll just be required to get a TB shot. Hope you're not afraid of needles.

 

[RLK]

nikkai: I see that you're from Las Vegas and I was wondering if you've heard anything good or bad about the pharmacy school at University of Southern Nevada? They don't require the pcat or any letters of recomendation. I was wondering if it's easier to get into than some of the other schools.

Thanks and thanks for the info about volunteering at hospitals.

 

[nikkai]

It's definately not "easy" to get into USN. Their entire screen process is quite the enigma, as I've seen people with 3.8+ get rejected and some with 3.5 get in. And 3.8's end up going to UT Austin or UCSF.

So far though, it's all about GPA there from what my friends tell me, who go there. There are a lot of people on this board that go there, they would be a better source of info than me. I'm quite biased. Henderson blows. =

 

[38ctk]

How did you get this volunteer gig? Did you just walk up to the hospital and say i want to volunteer? Is there an application process? How long did it take before you could start? Thanks!

PHARMERTED: I got this volunteer position through my university. I think most universities have a volunteer service where you can sign-up for orientation and land a volunteer position anywhere you are interested in. You will need to get a 2 step TB shot, and MMR (at least I did). If you are out of school now, YES, I would suggest calling your local hospital and telling them you are interested in working in pediatrics.


RLK: Thanks 👍

 

[38ctk]

How did you get this volunteer gig? Did you just walk up to the hospital and say i want to volunteer? Is there an application process? How long did it take before you could start? Thanks!

After I got my shots, I started immediately. You can try getting your shots for free at the hospital itself. I managed to get it done through the clinic at my school

 

[RLK]

shots don't bother me so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. The most painful shot I ever had was in the bottom of my foot. That was terrible. It felt like someone was pounding a nail in my foot. Stay away from shots in the bottom of your foot if you can 🙂