*Closed* - Work Experience and Voluntary Work [Part 1 of 2]

how old do i have to be to volunteer or work in a hospital??

Some like you to be 17, other say 16 is fine from my experience.

oh, is the CRB not transferable? so if i applied to other places i will have to have another check? but that will take so much time....grrr stupid CRB

I don't know about anyone else...but i have the feeling my grades are going to suffer because i've got so much work experience, voluntary work, extracurriculur stuff to get involved in..

I know that those who are determined enough and those who are doctor material will get their As as well as enough stuff to say on their personal statement, but did anyone find it extremely difficult to handle all their commitments?
And, how much time do you recommend spending on all that per week?

Honestly I really wouldn't worry about your GCSE results, as unless you intend on studying at a die-hard GCSE university like Birmingham or Durham, you have the option of studying at many places. What are your anticipated grades Priyanka? If your hoping for 5/6 A's, then you should be fine.

As for the extracurricular stuff, I would really advise you to get a large quantity done during the school holidays as there is no schoolwork to be done, therefore your mind will be more focused towards the work experience part and not about schoolwork.

I would try not to worry about your results though, you seem pretty smart to me!


tom

Awww...your sweet

Well, my predicted grades were 11 As and i did 2 already with A*s in both, but then that was just 2 GCSEs whereas i did about 17 exams this summer..its sounds good so far but its just me and my pessismistic attitude always thinking the worst. Ha. I'm a loser.

Yeah i guess i should get cracking with work experience..ha..i like the word cracking...errr..its about finding some really, ive tried and havent got anywhere yet...but i will try and try again...lol..Yer sooo thanks for the advice Tom...much appreciated

I recommend a few of you check out your local resident nursing homes/day centres because after the day I've had today, it's a totally different experience than just shadowing consultants on wards/clinics.

So far I've had three weeks work experience and a year's voluntary work at Oxfam. I've only just started at the resident day centre this week which I aim to keep up throughout the entire summer holidays and potentially longer, and I've got a placement volunteering on wards starting from August 18th which is what I intend to keep on doing for as long as possible.

If you need work experience, ring up all the hospitals in your local NHS trust and speak to the voluntary services manager. Quite a few will say they're full up with students but you'll be surprised that there'll be the odd one or two who can fit you in. No harm in giving them a call some time in the upcoming week. Do it quickly though.

I am going to be doing work experience in a hospital tomorrow.
Can some one please tell me the sort of things I might do so that I'll be a little bit prepared?? I'm assuming I'm probably going to be on a general ward.

Also I would greatly appreciate any advice on what to wear. I'm thinking smart trousers with a blouse or sweater..

I'm in Y10, starting Y11 this Sept. and will also have to make my A level choices pretty soon (the school wants us to have a good idea of where we want to head by the start of October).

I still am not sure whether to opt down the science --> medicine route and take Chem+Bio for AS. Would it be ok to apply for work experience at a hospital/gp at this age (15) for a very short period of time (under a week) just so I can get a picture of what it might be like? Would hospitals/GPs allow that or would I have to wait until I'm 16?

Also, if I do get given a placement now, will I get rejected in say 2 years time if I apply for experience again on the terms of "you've had your go, other people also need experience too" ?

Ugh.

I've written so, so many letters to a variety of places. Almost a month and I've got no responses - apart from Vitalise (which I'm attending in April). Any advice?

Ugh.

I've written so, so many letters to a variety of places. Almost a month and I've got no responses - apart from Vitalise (which I'm attending in April). Any advice?