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*Closed* - Work Experience and Voluntary Work [Part 1 of 2]
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1) Unless you want to hear a lot of boring s**t about pensions, I really wouldn't bother. Doctors aren't the only people affected by these changes anyway, you could ask any clinical NHS employee. If you get time over lunch, maybe bring it up briefly, but it's not a fun topic. I have tried.
2 + 3) Good ideas
2 + 3) Good ideas
Thanks 
!
!
I'd avoid the talks on the BMA's industrial action too. The other two questions are great. Other ideas include frustrations with the job/biggest challenges faced (either as a dr in general or specifically in neuro). How he sees the profession changing over the next decade or so and how he sees neurologist's capabilities changing in the next few years. What would he do differently (very broad an open question though..)?
Hi, I have a few things I want to ask.
First of all is: What is the best way to "ask" for work experience. I have reservations about asking face to face in case they just say "No". Regardless, is this the best way to go about it?
If so, do I bring anything with me such as my CV?
Secondly. In some work experience environments such as Care facillities you must be CRB checked. You cannot apply for these yourself, only the organisation I apply to volunteer for can do it, as far as I know. This means that I would have to wait 8 weeks after asking for some Work experience (In a hospital / care home) minimum before I can work. Is there anything else meaningful that I can do in the meantime? All i can think of is a GP's but these are also quite difficult places to get work exp. so I don't want it to be my only option.
Thirdly. I already have 3 months working at DIAL (Disablement Information and Advice Line) under my belt, so to speak, and I have shadowed a dentist for a month, which is not strictly Medical, however It taught me a lot, as I witnessed many procedures and the great relationship that the dentist had with his patients and how difficult it can often be, especially when dealing with infants. It also helped me decide that Dentistry isn't for me! Is this a good foundation, or have I just wasted my time? Will it help me at all in my application?
Fourthly: The worst case and very unlikely scenario is that I get no more work experience at all. Would this spell disaster for me?
THANKS for taking the time to read this and I'd really appreciate whatever you have to say
First of all is: What is the best way to "ask" for work experience. I have reservations about asking face to face in case they just say "No". Regardless, is this the best way to go about it?
If so, do I bring anything with me such as my CV?
Secondly. In some work experience environments such as Care facillities you must be CRB checked. You cannot apply for these yourself, only the organisation I apply to volunteer for can do it, as far as I know. This means that I would have to wait 8 weeks after asking for some Work experience (In a hospital / care home) minimum before I can work. Is there anything else meaningful that I can do in the meantime? All i can think of is a GP's but these are also quite difficult places to get work exp. so I don't want it to be my only option.
Thirdly. I already have 3 months working at DIAL (Disablement Information and Advice Line) under my belt, so to speak, and I have shadowed a dentist for a month, which is not strictly Medical, however It taught me a lot, as I witnessed many procedures and the great relationship that the dentist had with his patients and how difficult it can often be, especially when dealing with infants. It also helped me decide that Dentistry isn't for me! Is this a good foundation, or have I just wasted my time? Will it help me at all in my application?
Fourthly: The worst case and very unlikely scenario is that I get no more work experience at all. Would this spell disaster for me?
THANKS for taking the time to read this and I'd really appreciate whatever you have to say
Original post by ERdoctor
Hi, I have a few things I want to ask...
...THANKS for taking the time to read this and I'd really appreciate whatever you have to say
...THANKS for taking the time to read this and I'd really appreciate whatever you have to say
Hi, when I organised my work experience I e-mailed the places asking if it was possible to do work experience and how the application process works and asking face to face only really works if you're talking to the person that organises all the work experience at that place. Furthermore quite a lot of hospitals have information on their websites on how to apply for work experience..
As for CRB checks, you'll just have to wait patiently. You could, if you felt you didn't have enough, start planing future voluntary placements/work experience placements.
The 3 months at DIAL is very good voluntary work. I shadowed a consultant orthodontist at hospital but I decided not mention that in my personal statement and ,unless you run out of stuff to write, I'd suggest you don't mention it either mainly because I think it's a bit risky mentioning dentistry in a medicine application.
For medicine it's essential to have at least a weeks worth of hospital work experience (e.g. shadowing a hospital ward for a week). When are you planning on applying?
Hello there, I have a week booked shadowing a doctor and I'm also booked in for a week at a care home but I doubt two weeks is enough, so I'm thinking of applying to help in my local NHS trust, the description is basically keeping the elderly patients busy, talking to them, playing cards etc. I am just wondering if anyone has any experience doing anything like this, how they found it, was it useful, maybe if I get lucky an undergrad or first/second year could comment on work experience of this sort and its value? I'm also 17 so I'm not sure of the opportunities it would bring. Thanks.
Original post by zhang599
Hi, when I organised my work experience I e-mailed the places asking if it was possible to do work experience and how the application process works and asking face to face only really works if you're talking to the person that organises all the work experience at that place. Furthermore quite a lot of hospitals have information on their websites on how to apply for work experience..
As for CRB checks, you'll just have to wait patiently. You could, if you felt you didn't have enough, start planing future voluntary placements/work experience placements.
The 3 months at DIAL is very good voluntary work. I shadowed a consultant orthodontist at hospital but I decided not mention that in my personal statement and ,unless you run out of stuff to write, I'd suggest you don't mention it either mainly because I think it's a bit risky mentioning dentistry in a medicine application.
For medicine it's essential to have at least a weeks worth of hospital work experience (e.g. shadowing a hospital ward for a week). When are you planning on applying?
As for CRB checks, you'll just have to wait patiently. You could, if you felt you didn't have enough, start planing future voluntary placements/work experience placements.
The 3 months at DIAL is very good voluntary work. I shadowed a consultant orthodontist at hospital but I decided not mention that in my personal statement and ,unless you run out of stuff to write, I'd suggest you don't mention it either mainly because I think it's a bit risky mentioning dentistry in a medicine application.
For medicine it's essential to have at least a weeks worth of hospital work experience (e.g. shadowing a hospital ward for a week). When are you planning on applying?
So you think emails are the way to go? I always get the feeling that its much easier to be ignored though. I have emailed a hospital asking about volunteering opportunities, hopefully I will get a reply! I think the best way to do it is via telephone though, because like you say by doing it face to face you probably won't be talking to the right person, but by emailing they can just toss you aside. If you ring, they should put you in contact with the right person. I think.
Thats whats worrying me, I am applying after the summer holidays this year. I spent so much time worrying about exams, I always said to myself "I will do some over the holidays". Now when it comes to actually finding some I am struggling. I hope to get at least a few weeks at a care home and to get some work experience schedualed at a hospital. :[
Original post by Meltingice
-
Maybe avoid asking the first one like mentioned above, but the other 2 are fine.
For my first shadowing experience I wrote down a bunch of questions I wanted to ask, and found that when I was there, a lot of my questions were answered just from observing.
Make sure to take a notepad or something and write down things that may be significant, for example, how he approaches/talks to patients, etc.
Original post by ERdoctor
So you think emails are the way to go? I always get the feeling that its much easier to be ignored though. I have emailed a hospital asking about volunteering opportunities, hopefully I will get a reply! I think the best way to do it is via telephone though, because like you say by doing it face to face you probably won't be talking to the right person, but by emailing they can just toss you aside. If you ring, they should put you in contact with the right person. I think.
Thats whats worrying me, I am applying after the summer holidays this year. I spent so much time worrying about exams, I always said to myself "I will do some over the holidays". Now when it comes to actually finding some I am struggling. I hope to get at least a few weeks at a care home and to get some work experience schedualed at a hospital. :[
Thats whats worrying me, I am applying after the summer holidays this year. I spent so much time worrying about exams, I always said to myself "I will do some over the holidays". Now when it comes to actually finding some I am struggling. I hope to get at least a few weeks at a care home and to get some work experience schedualed at a hospital. :[
I've used online profiles such as do-it.org and the other volunteer sites, and they're incredibly inefficient and inept. In my very, very short experience with these things it's best to find out where openings are and phone the wards directly. Don't be shy just ask them plainly, they can only answer you. If you aren't aware of the openings NHS trusts often have a position called volunteer coordinator or something, you may phone the switchboard and ask them to point you in the right direction, they're most very nice.
All this information can be found on the nhs trust's website. Hope that helps.
Original post by ERdoctor
So you think emails are the way to go? I always get the feeling that its much easier to be ignored though. I have emailed a hospital asking about volunteering opportunities, hopefully I will get a reply! I think the best way to do it is via telephone though, because like you say by doing it face to face you probably won't be talking to the right person, but by emailing they can just toss you aside. If you ring, they should put you in contact with the right person. I think.
Thats whats worrying me, I am applying after the summer holidays this year. I spent so much time worrying about exams, I always said to myself "I will do some over the holidays". Now when it comes to actually finding some I am struggling. I hope to get at least a few weeks at a care home and to get some work experience schedualed at a hospital. :[
Thats whats worrying me, I am applying after the summer holidays this year. I spent so much time worrying about exams, I always said to myself "I will do some over the holidays". Now when it comes to actually finding some I am struggling. I hope to get at least a few weeks at a care home and to get some work experience schedualed at a hospital. :[
haha yeah I meant e-mailing the person in charge of the application :P But yeah phoning is a good way of finding out who to contact
I personally think phoning/e-mailing is the way to go although seeing as you need to organise it ASAP then phoning is probably a better option. Also seeing as you need to it ASAP, try e-mailing consultants about shadowing them as if they agree then generally it speeds up the process of getting work experience. Also see if any family or friends now any doctors/nurses that you help you organise some work experience.
For some extra voluntary places you could always see if your local charities need any help.
I guess I just want to say that stuff that particular doctor likes/dislikes about his or her job doesn't really reflect on what YOU might like or dislike. And it will vary between specialities, and hospitals and all sorts of things. So just something to bear in mind when you are asking these questions - I don't want youto be put off massively by something one doctor says, only to find that its something that only happens in that hospital or something.
I'd avoid questions about the NHS or the training (unless its a 'what did you like' sort of question) because its stuff you can research yourself. I'd also avoid asking too many technical questions - its good to take an interest, and ask a few questions, but don't expect the doctor to take the time to explain some complicated disease in simple terms for you.
This is really true - and remember that the significant things aren't the drugs used to treat problem X and the names of different surgeries performed on patient A. That stuff is irrelevant and you are absolutely fine to forget those. What is important is you see how the doctor explains to patient A about their surgeries, and how he or she listens to them explain the side effects they might be getting from certain drugs or how the nurses input about the patient's general wellbeing.
I'd avoid questions about the NHS or the training (unless its a 'what did you like' sort of question) because its stuff you can research yourself. I'd also avoid asking too many technical questions - its good to take an interest, and ask a few questions, but don't expect the doctor to take the time to explain some complicated disease in simple terms for you.
Original post by lsaul95
Maybe avoid asking the first one like mentioned above, but the other 2 are fine.
For my first shadowing experience I wrote down a bunch of questions I wanted to ask, and found that when I was there, a lot of my questions were answered just from observing.
Make sure to take a notepad or something and write down things that may be significant, for example, how he approaches/talks to patients, etc.
For my first shadowing experience I wrote down a bunch of questions I wanted to ask, and found that when I was there, a lot of my questions were answered just from observing.
Make sure to take a notepad or something and write down things that may be significant, for example, how he approaches/talks to patients, etc.
This is really true - and remember that the significant things aren't the drugs used to treat problem X and the names of different surgeries performed on patient A. That stuff is irrelevant and you are absolutely fine to forget those. What is important is you see how the doctor explains to patient A about their surgeries, and how he or she listens to them explain the side effects they might be getting from certain drugs or how the nurses input about the patient's general wellbeing.
I am in the lower sixth and will be applying for medicine in october,
Many of the posts I have read have talked about volunteering for 1year or 9 months etc,
At the start of this year I had glandular fever so started working on my work ex fairly late on, I have a week in both a hospital and GP, 2 months at a hospice (weekly) and I'm starting at a nursing home this week.
Should I be worried about needing a lot more work experience for my application?
Thanks.
Many of the posts I have read have talked about volunteering for 1year or 9 months etc,
At the start of this year I had glandular fever so started working on my work ex fairly late on, I have a week in both a hospital and GP, 2 months at a hospice (weekly) and I'm starting at a nursing home this week.
Should I be worried about needing a lot more work experience for my application?
Thanks.
From my personal experience (I'm at the same stage as you), you actually have quite a lot. The more the merrier though, I have 2 weeks work ex but I'm applying for a long term place now, which I should be able to keep for 3/4 months until UCAS deadlines. You definitely don't have anything to worry about but you should keep trying for more .
.
Original post by Alex.Bl
I am in the lower sixth and will be applying for medicine in october,
Many of the posts I have read have talked about volunteering for 1year or 9 months etc,
At the start of this year I had glandular fever so started working on my work ex fairly late on, I have a week in both a hospital and GP, 2 months at a hospice (weekly) and I'm starting at a nursing home this week.
Should I be worried about needing a lot more work experience for my application?
Thanks.
Many of the posts I have read have talked about volunteering for 1year or 9 months etc,
At the start of this year I had glandular fever so started working on my work ex fairly late on, I have a week in both a hospital and GP, 2 months at a hospice (weekly) and I'm starting at a nursing home this week.
Should I be worried about needing a lot more work experience for my application?
Thanks.
No, you have plenty.
Work experience in vascular surgery tomorrow and wednesday: What should I ask!?
Original post by MattKneale
Work experience in vascular surgery tomorrow and wednesday: What should I ask!?
ooo, that will be interesting!
Everyone has to choose between medicine and surgery, ask why they chose surgery? I suppose that could be answered with 'I always wanted to do surgery' and leave you no-where, but hey, it's still a question to show interest. Ask what they like and dislike about surgery. You can use this experience wisely to get information on the surgery side of medicine. One day you'll have to choose what to specialise in, and more generally, if you'll do medicine or surgery, this is a brilliant opportunity to find out things about surgery! So think of some questions based on that maybe?
Make sure you're noting on some important things, observing how everyone works in a team and communicates, etc.
Good luck with the placement!
I have a week with a consultant psychiatrist next week! I haven't got a clue what to talk about but I think it will be very interesting!
Heyy,
Im in the process of filling out an application form for work experience at a hospital and ive decided that i want to do work experience in either general sugery or general medicine and i need to explain the reason for choosing those departments.
can somebody kindly help me because im kinda stuck on what to write. do you think that this would be okay:
I'd like to be able to go into theatre and witness operations and to see how the doctor manages to gain the trust of patients for them to entrust their lives with the doctors and I want to do work experience in general surgery because I'd like to see how the doctor deals with different ailments
would that be sufficient?
Im in the process of filling out an application form for work experience at a hospital and ive decided that i want to do work experience in either general sugery or general medicine and i need to explain the reason for choosing those departments.
can somebody kindly help me because im kinda stuck on what to write. do you think that this would be okay:
I'd like to be able to go into theatre and witness operations and to see how the doctor manages to gain the trust of patients for them to entrust their lives with the doctors and I want to do work experience in general surgery because I'd like to see how the doctor deals with different ailments
would that be sufficient?
I'm in year 11 and was planning to do work experience in my holidays but i don't know where to go or who will take me in?
What type of work experience should i do if i want to be a dentist?
What type of work experience should i do if i want to be a dentist?
Hey guys,
I'm in lower sixth and only have about 2 weeks in a hospital in ENT. I've got two session with a GP in the actual surgery, not administrative. And I've organized a week in the hospital in the infectious diseases department. I'm hoping to get about 8 weeks done in a care home (going at least twice a week) over the summer holidays. Will this be enough? I'm scared I've left it too late, please help!
EDIT:
Just to add I've done a load of extra curricular, like in high school I taught year 10 students citizenship for a month, like I had to plan the entire lesson (can i add this in my PS?) and I was actively involved in the Global group, raised lots of money for charity, and got to go to hand our work in at 10 Downing street. Also would volunteering in a charity shop be good?
I'm in lower sixth and only have about 2 weeks in a hospital in ENT. I've got two session with a GP in the actual surgery, not administrative. And I've organized a week in the hospital in the infectious diseases department. I'm hoping to get about 8 weeks done in a care home (going at least twice a week) over the summer holidays. Will this be enough? I'm scared I've left it too late, please help!
EDIT:
Just to add I've done a load of extra curricular, like in high school I taught year 10 students citizenship for a month, like I had to plan the entire lesson (can i add this in my PS?) and I was actively involved in the Global group, raised lots of money for charity, and got to go to hand our work in at 10 Downing street. Also would volunteering in a charity shop be good?
(edited 11 years ago)
I have been offered work experience after contacting this placement and they replied saying, we can offer you work experience for the whole of the time I suggested would be best for me (4 whole weeks). Do they expect me to do it for the whole month? surely not!
Im still waiting to hear back from some other places and as I think a variety of placements would be better and I wouldnt want to spend my whole time there. I dont mean to sound ungrateful but I have other stuff to do such as UKCAT etc. Should I just say to them that two weeks will be enough or tell them that I can only do two of the four weeks I suggested, I dont want to sound rude :/ and do you think I should tell them this before I go for a meeting to organise it? (I have to call them about something else anyway so I could just slip it in??) Or at the meeting? Thanks
Im still waiting to hear back from some other places and as I think a variety of placements would be better and I wouldnt want to spend my whole time there. I dont mean to sound ungrateful but I have other stuff to do such as UKCAT etc. Should I just say to them that two weeks will be enough or tell them that I can only do two of the four weeks I suggested, I dont want to sound rude :/ and do you think I should tell them this before I go for a meeting to organise it? (I have to call them about something else anyway so I could just slip it in??) Or at the meeting? Thanks
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