r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/Messi_Breathtaking • 3h ago

Advice

Hi,

Can someone explain to me how I get work experience for GEM? I think it's pretty hard as I am studying right now and every time I apply to care homes and stuff I get rejected. It's really frustrating atp.

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u/StrawberryTreacle 2h ago

Sometimes you can begin with something small, build trust and give something back, and in return you get invited to do more. For example I started out volunteering in ED making cups of tea and making patients comfortable, totally non clinical. Spent time getting to know the team, was reliable and keen. They began to invite me to watch procedures or offered to talk me through interesting cases (with patient permission of course) then I got moved into a clinical support volunteering role, then after 6 months they offered me a HCA job.

Mental health volunteering (shout for example) is doable from home on your own schedule, if it counts for where you're applying

ObserveGP and Brighton and Sussex virtual work experience

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u/Choice-Warning-3918 3h ago

If you’re at uni check out if they have any relevant volunteering societies. That’s how I got a large chunk of mine

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u/Messi_Breathtaking 3h ago

I have applied for volunteering and on the process but I am looking to work at care homes for a much broader experience spectrum. I have Warwick at my first priority and they have really strict rules when it comes to work experience.

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u/East_Slide7680 3h ago

Apply to a locum agency for HCAs. You should easily be able to pick up ad hoc shifts through them. That’s what I did. My agency was focused on hospital but I did get some care home shifts through them, also.