4 answers
Taras
Student
Boca Raton
1
Question
Asked
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What volunteering opportunities are there for a 15 year old sophomore in high school, interested in the medical field?
I am a 15 year old sophomore in high school and I’m looking for volunteering opportunities that would strengthen my college application. I plan on applying to nursing school to become a Nurse Practicioner
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4 answers
Prema Sequeira
Engineering Manager
27
Answers
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Prema’s Answer
Hi Taras,
In addition to all the suggestions above, there are lots of opportunities:
Locally - join a red cross or any similar organization. You can volunteer at your local hospital or ask local doctors/clinics if you can work with them. Our hospital had a program for older high school students. You can also volunteer at old age homes or other related places. Some of the kids i know, worked in a physiotherapy office, eye doctor etc. Churches and religious organizations also have programs that are medical based.
Online, there are many volunteer organizations that need help. I have found opportunities that can be done virtually. There are also organizations that have local chapters.
I would recommend getting certifications like lifeguard, CPR.
Hope this helps. Good Luck!
In addition to all the suggestions above, there are lots of opportunities:
Locally - join a red cross or any similar organization. You can volunteer at your local hospital or ask local doctors/clinics if you can work with them. Our hospital had a program for older high school students. You can also volunteer at old age homes or other related places. Some of the kids i know, worked in a physiotherapy office, eye doctor etc. Churches and religious organizations also have programs that are medical based.
Online, there are many volunteer organizations that need help. I have found opportunities that can be done virtually. There are also organizations that have local chapters.
I would recommend getting certifications like lifeguard, CPR.
Hope this helps. Good Luck!
Guillermo Cervantes
Accountant
12
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Guillermo’s Answer
Hello Taras,
Based on your location tag, I am assuming you are in the US.
Most independent school districts have HOSA clubs, that is a good place to start as they will usually have some connections or knowledge of places you can volunteer at.
Beyond that, look into your local medical facility volunteering programs. Most of them allow teenagers to do some form of greeter positions. When you are older/have a better relationship with the facility, they may allow you to do other functions like being a patient/visitor guide.
Hope this helps!
Based on your location tag, I am assuming you are in the US.
Most independent school districts have HOSA clubs, that is a good place to start as they will usually have some connections or knowledge of places you can volunteer at.
Beyond that, look into your local medical facility volunteering programs. Most of them allow teenagers to do some form of greeter positions. When you are older/have a better relationship with the facility, they may allow you to do other functions like being a patient/visitor guide.
Hope this helps!
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Taras !
You have chosen a superb career and it's great that you are interested in Volunteer Work while in High School. As you probably already know, being a Nurse Practitioner is similar to being a medical doctor as you would be examining, diagnosing and prescribing medical exams and medications to patients. Instead of a residency, you will do 500 hours of clinical practice for your state of Florida. You will learn how to be a Nurse during Nursing School and then an NP in your Nurse Practitioner program during your Masters program or Doctorate program.
Volunteer work is a very valuable experience but it's not necessarily a factor in getting accepted to a Nursing Program. You should do volunteer work with the intention of getting experience, social and personal growth and sharpening your interacting and communication skills. Right now in high school you can also take a lot of human sciences like Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy as these are components of a medical career you'll need to know about. I do not recommend volunteering at a hospital just yet, rather seek other venues to break the ice and still learn about medically and health related topics.
I would suggest that you start a volunteer experience at your local Department of Health. They usually have lots of programs and offer events and activities to the community. You could pick up a lot of information about health through volunteering there and it may be more relaxed than volunteering at a hospital. You can also try for volunteer work at a local American Heart Association office. It'll be great to learn about medical issues now, building a strong knowledge base. Also consider volunteering at the Brain Injury Association of Florida and the American Diabetes Association in Boca Raton. Doing volunteer work at these venues will help you learn how to talk about medical subjects and issues.
Colleges like to see that students have done volunteer work, but more importantly, having a high GPA and a high score on the SAT exam is in the forefront. Volunteer work shows that you are ambitious, have initiative and interest, but it doesn't determine whether or not you'd be accepted to a college. They look at the whole picture. Volunteer work is mostly a beneficial personal experience for you and for your community. You can also consider going for CPR and First Aid Certification now as that will be a boost and valuable to know and take to Nursing School.
If you're eager to start learning things medical, you can take a Medical Terminology class at your High School or online. This, as well as volunteering at various medical related community agencies or services, will teach you more about the things you'll need to know as an NP more than a volunteer position at a hospital or clinic. Also read about the various health subjects. Borrow books from the library about cardiovascular disease, brain injury, metabolic syndrome, etc. This will be helpful knowledge for during your time in Nursing School.
Remember, your volunteer experience is for you, not your prospective college. Although it shows that you have been involved, it doesn't make or break admissions so remember to keep your grades up high and that the score on your SAT exam which you take in your Junior year will be very important for college admissions.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
You have chosen a superb career and it's great that you are interested in Volunteer Work while in High School. As you probably already know, being a Nurse Practitioner is similar to being a medical doctor as you would be examining, diagnosing and prescribing medical exams and medications to patients. Instead of a residency, you will do 500 hours of clinical practice for your state of Florida. You will learn how to be a Nurse during Nursing School and then an NP in your Nurse Practitioner program during your Masters program or Doctorate program.
Volunteer work is a very valuable experience but it's not necessarily a factor in getting accepted to a Nursing Program. You should do volunteer work with the intention of getting experience, social and personal growth and sharpening your interacting and communication skills. Right now in high school you can also take a lot of human sciences like Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy as these are components of a medical career you'll need to know about. I do not recommend volunteering at a hospital just yet, rather seek other venues to break the ice and still learn about medically and health related topics.
I would suggest that you start a volunteer experience at your local Department of Health. They usually have lots of programs and offer events and activities to the community. You could pick up a lot of information about health through volunteering there and it may be more relaxed than volunteering at a hospital. You can also try for volunteer work at a local American Heart Association office. It'll be great to learn about medical issues now, building a strong knowledge base. Also consider volunteering at the Brain Injury Association of Florida and the American Diabetes Association in Boca Raton. Doing volunteer work at these venues will help you learn how to talk about medical subjects and issues.
Colleges like to see that students have done volunteer work, but more importantly, having a high GPA and a high score on the SAT exam is in the forefront. Volunteer work shows that you are ambitious, have initiative and interest, but it doesn't determine whether or not you'd be accepted to a college. They look at the whole picture. Volunteer work is mostly a beneficial personal experience for you and for your community. You can also consider going for CPR and First Aid Certification now as that will be a boost and valuable to know and take to Nursing School.
If you're eager to start learning things medical, you can take a Medical Terminology class at your High School or online. This, as well as volunteering at various medical related community agencies or services, will teach you more about the things you'll need to know as an NP more than a volunteer position at a hospital or clinic. Also read about the various health subjects. Borrow books from the library about cardiovascular disease, brain injury, metabolic syndrome, etc. This will be helpful knowledge for during your time in Nursing School.
Remember, your volunteer experience is for you, not your prospective college. Although it shows that you have been involved, it doesn't make or break admissions so remember to keep your grades up high and that the score on your SAT exam which you take in your Junior year will be very important for college admissions.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Taras,
Try these options:
https://www.teenlife.com/l/volunteer/baptist-health-teen-volunteers-program/https://fhhs.palmbeachschools.org/students-parents/student-community-service-opportunities
https://www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com/about/volunteer-with-us/volunteer-with-us-at-west-boca-medical-center
https://baptisthealth.net/about-baptist-health/become-a-volunteer
https://www.volunteens.com/volunteens-opportunities/
https://myboca.us/600/Volunteer-Opportunities
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Try these options:
https://www.teenlife.com/l/volunteer/baptist-health-teen-volunteers-program/https://fhhs.palmbeachschools.org/students-parents/student-community-service-opportunities
https://www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com/about/volunteer-with-us/volunteer-with-us-at-west-boca-medical-center
https://baptisthealth.net/about-baptist-health/become-a-volunteer
https://www.volunteens.com/volunteens-opportunities/
https://myboca.us/600/Volunteer-Opportunities
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP