Have you decided on a career in healthcare? If so, we applaud you–these “everyday heroes” contribute so much to the dignity and comfort of our hospice patients. If you’re in medical or nursing school you may wonder “Is hospice volunteering clinical experience?” After all, you know you need to complete a certain number of hours to fulfill your requirements. Would hospice care be a good fit? 

At 3HC, typical volunteering doesn’t meet the clinical experience requirements for most programs. That’s because the educational needs exceed the scope of the volunteer. We do have student interns, but they are not considered volunteers. 

In short, there are two roles at 3HC—that of volunteers and that of internship/preceptorship opportunities. We’ll separate these two and give you information to clarify is hospice volunteering clinical?

Volunteers are a vital part of our 3HC family. Together, they work with other members of our hospice care team to provide comfort and dignity to those on the final stages of life’s journey.  

For decades, we have treated hospice patients like family, providing services in the environment they call home. 3HC is much more than a mission statement or a list of core values. We’re about a deep sense of commitment that extends not only to our patients, but to their families as well. Want to know more? Just check out the many ways you can volunteer. We also have a summer volunteer program.

Does Hospice Volunteering Count as Clinical Experience?

As we mentioned earlier, it typically does not because our volunteers are not involved in the clinical/medical care of our hospice patients. These non-clinical volunteers help with companionship, running errands, grocery shopping, and assisting with personal grooming. No medical education is required to be a volunteer. 

Why Is It Important to Experience Hospice Volunteering?

There’s nothing like holding the hand and alleviating the pain of someone who is facing a life-limiting illness. There is a reward in understanding how you can help our patients secure comfort so they can make happy memories with their remaining time. It’s gratifying to know you’re making a difference every single day in the lives of those who need you the most. 

Internship/ Preceptorship Opportunities Are Available at 3HC

3HC provides opportunities for those affiliated with educational institutes to gain valuable clinical experience, but this role does not fall under the volunteer category. Our interns and those participating in preceptorships fall under a different facet of 3HC.

Where Can I Learn More About Clinical Experience Opportunities With 3HC?

At 3HC, we’re proud to partner with educational organizations for students. Through these experiences, students can complete clinical rotations or even preceptorships. To learn more about these partnerships, please contact:

Stephanie Harris, RN, BAHCM

Senior Director of Quality, Regulation, and Compliance/Privacy Officer

(919) 735-1387, ext. 1005

sharris@3HC.org

Could You Qualify for Our Transition to Practice (TIP) Program? 

Do you have an upcoming graduation and you’re concerned about the job market for new RNs? With our Transition to Practice Program, you have an opportunity to join our 3HC family.  This program allows us to hire recent graduates after our comprehensive 9-month orientation program. 

Interested? To learn more, contact:

Lisa Holland, BSN, RN, RACR

3HC’s Manager of Talent Acquisition & Engagement

(919) 735-1387, ext. 1023 or (919) 610-7762

lholland@3HC.org

Ready for Clinical Experience That Provides Much More Than Mere Education? Take a Closer Look at 3HC Hospice

While volunteering with 3HC does not count as clinical experience, there are internships and other opportunities for health care students involved with educational institutions. These do count as clinical experience. They are two distinct and different elements of 3HC.

Did you know we offer a Health Care Scholarship program? That’s how important our clinical employees are to us; we want to provide every opportunity to develop the careers of RNs and CNAs. (You can read more about the program here.

If you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of everyone you touch, provide comfort care when needed, and reap the intangible rewards of assisting those in their final journey, contact us for information on clinical rotations and preceptorships today.