Work experience

[tubby]

My son is showing an interest in medicine, is it wise for him to undertake his work experience in an hospital, some hospitals are not willing to assist, but are suggesting that he should choose non medical work experience in the hospital, such as reception, Admin, nursery, indicating that this would be looked at more favorably.
Thanks

[Minesatea]

I can't comment on what med schools want, but the experience he is able to get in a hospital may depend on his age. Where I work we will not have any work experience students under 16 and I am aware of some areas where it is 18. If he is still young this may be why admin type areas were suggested.

[hermanmunster]

Yes most hospitals won't have them in until they are 18 - concerns re confidentiality and how they will respond to what they see etc. Have had the occasional 16 year old (known to me) sitting in with the odd patient (carefully chosen and consented!!) - otrherwise they can do some admin stuff.

Personally while I aware that med schools want this work / experience I feel that making tea for old ladies has little bearing on becoming a good histopathologist ... or indeed other type of doctor.

[marigold]

My daughter did a week of her year 11 work experience in our local hospital. She has no interest in medicine but had left organising anything else so late that it was the only option left...My husband works there so was able to pull a few strings.
Despite the nepotism, as she was still under 16, she was not allowed to do/see any thing interesting and effectively spent a week eating biscuits in the Nurse's room.
Her second week was spent at a local private medical clinic and was much more successful. They were used to having work experience children and she saw lots of minor ops, spent time with the physio, watched an MRI scan and ate quite a lot of biscuits too.
If you have a local private clinic it may be worth approaching them to see if they will take your son. At least this could lead to couple of lines on a personal statement showing that he didn't faint at the sight of a scalpel.

[KB]

My understanding is that the work experience is supposed to show comitment to the chosen discipline & an understanding of what is involved.
For the older students our local hospital is quite good at arranging useful work experience but most applicants seem to have experience lie st Johns or working in Homes for the Elderly as well. Guess this develops interpersonal skills which would be useful

[hermanmunster]

At least this could lead to couple of lines on a personal statement showing that he didn't faint at the sight of a scalpel.

but it is essential for all (including surgeons) to have fainted at least!

[chicko-mum]

One of our local hospitals ran an NHS taster week for Yr 10/11 students. Although it was an admin based week (due to age) they had talks from specialist nurses/doctors etc and tours of various departments organised throughout the week. I don't know how widely available this is or whether the timing is done to coincide with DC work experience at school.

[pheasantchick]

Why doesn't he join the local St Johns Ambulance, or ask for work experience in a pharmacy?

[tubby]

Thanks for the replies, l will discuss some of the brillant suggestions with my son and husband

[nigs]

What about "care institutions" like Demelza. I know someone in medical school who helped out on Saturdays.