LK2004 Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 I posted a question regarding volunteering before... So, I was trying to get into a hospice or a place with kids, but they all want a commitment of at least 4 hrs a week, and I can't promise that. I'd like to volunteer twice a month, not 4 times a month. Do you think it would be OK to volunteer at a local pet shelter instead (they offer very flexible hours)? Just so there will be some community service on the application :smile: I work in the hospital + I am a home health aid, so I do have HCE... Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icthus13 Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Working at a pet shelter is great, but it will not help you get into PA school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 26, 2010 Moderator Share Posted August 26, 2010 have you tried something like your local(human) homeless shelter or free clinic? as a former adcom member at 2 programs I can't see giving any weight to non-human related volunteering. Imean where do we draw the line? " I spent almost 8 hrs helping to glue flowers on to a float for the rose parade". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHAD Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 have you tried something like your local(human) homeless shelter or free clinic?As a former adcom member at 2 programs i can't see giving any weight to non-human related volunteering. Imean where do we draw the line? " i spent almost 8 hrs helping to glue flowers on to a float for the rose parade". +10 dkp...ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 I volunteered to help a buddy of mine move into his new apartment... Does that count? Seriously, I'm with EMED, where is the line drawn? And, was the OP's question real? I mean, come on.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHAD Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 In the OP's defense he/she may be thinking in terms of community service, like coaching a baseball team, volunteering and such, a way to diversify the application Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 I guess I was just thinking about volunteering with human beings... Coaching a baseball team for an after-school program for kids would mean more, I think, than spending a few hours petting the kitties... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 I posted a question regarding volunteering before... So, I was trying to get into a hospice or a place with kids, but they all want a commitment of at least 4 hrs a week, and I can't promise that. I'd like to volunteer twice a month, not 4 times a month. Do you think it would be OK to volunteer at a local pet shelter instead (they offer very flexible hours)? Just so there will be some community service on the application :smile: I work in the hospital + I am a home health aid, so I do have HCE... Thank you! There are many areas where community service is needed and appreciated. While your work in the shelter would be community service, it wouldn't lend towards your patient care experience. That being said, not everything in life has to be related to health care of humans! But for now, I would go with emed's suggestion of a homeless shelter/soup kitchen, if possible. Or else just find the time ... 4 hours a week really isn't too terrible a commitment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 " I spent almost 8 hrs helping to glue flowers on to a float for the rose parade". Have you ever helped assist neuter or spay? Cleaned cages? Walked? Done adoption introductions? Immunized? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 27, 2010 Moderator Share Posted August 27, 2010 Have you ever helped assist neuter or spay? Cleaned cages? Walked? Done adoption introductions? Immunized? well, this one time , in band camp... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LK2004 Posted August 27, 2010 Author Share Posted August 27, 2010 Hmm.... Human beings? OK, I'll see if I can figure something out. Evan, I am sorry, what does OP stand for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHAD Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 OP= Original Poster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delco714 Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 Hey sometimes hostile and stubborn, careless PTs can act like animals... no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator True Anomaly Posted August 27, 2010 Moderator Share Posted August 27, 2010 Have to echo the above....4 hours a week is too much? 4 times a month is too much? How much do you REALLY want to get into PA school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LK2004 Posted August 27, 2010 Author Share Posted August 27, 2010 I volunteered to help a buddy of mine move into his new apartment... Does that count? Seriously, I'm with EMED, where is the line drawn? And, was the OP's question real? I mean, come on.... Yes, the question was real. I don't see anything wrong with the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primadonna22274 Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 Another adcom member's perspective: it might look nice for altruism, but we might wonder whether you were really sure you wanted to work with people. That said, I love my critters more than I like most people, and I take care of people all the time.... So yes, volunteer at the animal shelter for the feel-good give-back aspect, but understand it will not substitute for any human patient care experience, and if you are deficient on direct (human) patient contact hours (<500 bare minimum! 1000-2000 is much better) we will wonder why you didn't spend your time with people. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahRN2PA Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Some people might think I'm crazy, but I volunteered 50-60 hours doing adoptions for an animal shelter and put it on my application. I had 7,000 patient contact hours, but the shelter was my only volunteer project and it was important to me so I listed it. They ADCOMs will either think I'm well rounded or crazy. I'm willing to take a small risk. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHAD Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Right...but your 7000 hours with humans shows that you are more interested in caring for HUMANS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahRN2PA Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Which is why I felt comfortable putting it under community service. If it was my only experience I wouldn't have listed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Right...but your 7000 hours with humans shows that you are more interested in caring for HUMANS Homo sapiens, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ampac Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 I would suggest having as much human HCE as possible, however, I think it's an excellent way to volunteer your time. I personally worked with an animal rescue group, and even fostered several dogs over the past couple of years. I did not include this in my application, but I did have the opportunity to mention this during my interview, and I believe it was viewed in a positive light (I was accepted and will be starting classes in a few weeks). However, I also had plenty of health care experience as I am a Respiratory Therapist. Either way, I think it's an excellent way to spend your time, but make sure you get in as much human HCE as possible first...Just my 2 cents! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 They ADCOMs will either think I'm well rounded or crazy. I'm willing to take a small risk. :) I don't think its a risk and with your HCE the ADCOM will most likely think of this as a positive. I would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASteadman07 Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 I think it would make your application well rounded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC99 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I think that it will make you look well rounded but you definitely still need HCE. If you have time for both, i would do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToppDog Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I gotta ask too, sinse this topic came up... The school I'm applying to (MEDEX) encourages volunteer work "within your community" & does not seem to specify that it be health related; so, I did my volunteer work at the elementary school down the street because they had an obvious need for assistance in the classroom, & I worked nights & was free to help out during those hours. I agree it's not as glamourous as having volunteered at Harborview, but is this really going to hurt me, even if I have over twenty years of HCE to demonstrate my commitment to healthcare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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