How To Write A Reflective Account On Volunteering

Volunteering at a local Emergency Department was the first long-term exposure that I had in a clinical setting, prior to that I had only a couple of weeks’ worth of clinical exposure. I wanted to know more about the ways which a hospital worked and to gain a hands-on approach in learning medicine that could not be taught in a book. I worked alongside doctors, nurses, and other volunteers and medical professionals. Proper communication between everyone was very important to ensure that tasks were completed properly and in a timely manner. I received training from a lead volunteer and the volunteer that trained me demonstrated the proper ways to clean rooms and restock patient rooms in the manner which he believed was correct. Unfortunately, some nurses preferred different ways for

I was confused on what to do and asked the volunteer coordinator for guidance and she told me to recycle these supplies since they were disposable and were stocked every morning. I was glad to consult the coordinator, given her position and experience, and I also notified the lead volunteer and nurses regarding the decision made by the coordinator for a consensus. I could have just contacted the volunteer coordinator and not have discussed the decision with other members, but this would have been a poor decision as it would have caused further problems with other volunteers and healthcare professionals in the future. There were instances when I was the only volunteer in the entire ER and no medical technicians were available to help the nurses and doctors, and these were the times that communication was very important because there was simply less people available to get things done. Volunteering at the Emergency Room also allowed me to communicate directly with patients and have meaningful conversations with them which is invaluable in