I personally really like being able to do some things that are considered medical
What I wish was different
I wish they payed the students a little more
Advice
Just work hard and do your best because you’re working with forensic pathologists that are taking their job very seriously.
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Inventory Management
October 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I liked being able to make friends and learn a new skill of identifying medical instrumentation. I liked being able to work a full 40 hours if my schedule allowed.
What I wish was different
I liked all aspects about this position.
Advice
Be diligent. Slacking off and not giving your all will reflect poorly on you, the department, and the entire hospital.
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Emergency department volunteer
August 2019 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I am able to help people and doctors that need it. You are able to do so much for the community. You help stock the department, run labs, get prescriptions, and even get to watch trauma cases. You learn so much and everyone is friendly. The hospital also works with your schedule and you can make up shifts if you have to miss one. Since they know you are a college student they also follow the university’s reveal schedule.
What I wish was different
I wish you were able to switch your volunteer time during the semester.
Advice
If you do this department be prepared to see some traumatic things because you are dealing with emergencies. There are a lot of friendly people there, but sometimes it can get hectic.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May - August 2019 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I love working at the hospital. At any hospital, patients come first so there was always a sense of urgency to fix problems. Workers never wanted to exact a price on people who made mistakes and were always very helpful whenever problems arose. I liked working with the patients especially in the research role we had. Research study participants are excited to help when looking for treatments and cures for their disease.
What I wish was different
As a research assistant a majority of my job was on paper and the computer. I was in charge of prep material for research visits and the data entry after the visits. I wish I had helped with more hands on help during the visits. If I asked I was able to shadow the Principle investigator during certain visits which was always very informative.
Advice
Learn as much as you can. Don't just ask what you can do to help the study, ask why the study is being performed and how it works. You will meet all sorts of coworkers in the hospital who will be able to put in a good word for you in a number of places. Get to know your patients.
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Nursing Assistant
October 2017 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I love working at UIHC as a nursing assistant. It allows me to build confidence in my ability to communicate with patients as well as gain experience with direct patient cares (bathing, vitals, activity, etc). I work in the ICU and was able to see some really unique patients, and the nurses are wonderful if you are wiling to learn. I also float to other units often so it gives me a variety of patients to work with.
What I wish was different
The only thing I wish was different would be that I have more responsibility in the ICU. The nurses pretty much do everything for the patients because they are so sick, so you have to build relationships with the nurses to learn more about patient care.
Advice
Go in with an open mind and do not be afraid to ask questions. Build relationships with the nurses and you will learn so much.
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EKG Technician
September 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
It's an amazing opportunity to be exposed to diverse patient experiences. You get to see everything as an EKG Tech.
What I wish was different
I wish that I didn't have to work as many weekends and that we got paid more for working holidays.
Advice
If you are planning on going to medical or PA school, this is great patient care experience that will prepare you for your future career.
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Food Worker
May 2019 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I loved getting to know my way around the hospital, as well as see the behind the scenes work of the food service department. I also liked being able to learn which foods go with certain diets (i.e., clear liquid diet, low sodium, no red foods, etc.) and how they play a role in a patient's recovery.
What I wish was different
Advice
It is important to have good interpersonal and customer service skills. Some patients may need extra help setting up their food tray, while others just want someone to listen to them for a little bit. Be empathetic and a good listener.
In the kitchen, it can be a very fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment, but it always feels very accomplishing getting all the food trays assembled and delivered!
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BLS CPR Instructor
January 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I love meeting new people, getting public speaking experience, & working in the hospital.
What I wish was different
I should've worked more hours! (I worked 35, but 40 hours are available during the summer)
Advice
Practice makes perfect. It's nerve-wracking at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's much more enjoyable.
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Valet
April 2019 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
Flexible hours, positive work environment, not a boring, stand around kind of job.
What I wish was different
More extensive training.
Advice
Always ask questions and make good friends with your supervisors. This job isn’t hard but there is a trick to being good at it. Always be friendly and kind to patients.
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Rehab Aide
May 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
The staff in Pulmonary Rehab are not only committed to providing the best patient care experience, but to help you learn and grow as an future health care professional. I have learned so many clinical skills that I will be able to carry with my to any other careers. Great overall environment to work in. I leave each shift feeling like I helped a lot of people and learned a lot!
What I wish was different
Advice
You get what you put into it! Getting to know the patient and other staff will make this a great experience.
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Student research assistant
December 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions during the interview. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your lab so make sure it’s something you’re going to enjoy by asking lots of questions and really understanding the day to day aspects of your job. Plus it shows you care about finding a good fit for both yourself and the lab.
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Nursing Assistant Intern
May - August 2019 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I loved that this experience gave me the opportunity to work hands on with patients. I was much more comfortable talking with patients during clinicals because of this experience. I also liked that the program was so short. It was only 10 weeks long so I still had 4 weeks of summer to relax. I was also given the option to continue working on the floor as a nursing assistant after the internship ended. I took the offer and am now really enjoying working in this position through the school year.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have had opportunities to practice nursing skills. While I did have a lot of time to talk to nurses and ask them questions, I wasn’t allowed to perform any nursing skills even though I had learned them in school. I was expecting to get to do some blood draws and maybe pass some medications with the nurses but I was basically a nursing assistant.
Advice
Keep a journal of all your shifts! This job was full of “first times” for me in my nursing career and I’m glad I have some journal entries to look back on them.
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Student Clerk
May 2017 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I work in the OR Supply Chain and I liked how helpful everyone was when I was being trained. They helped answer question that were sometimes repetitive.
What I wish was different
I had be given a job that was normally for people with more experience . I was kind of thrown into the job and had to learn fast. I wish that I had eased into it a little better.
Advice
It is a fast paced environment and there is a lot of information to take in but don't give up. It'll get easier and fun when you know what you're doing!
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Occupational Therapy Intern
May - August 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I experienced lots of hands-on endeavours, as well as lots of knowledge from the doctors I worked with, which was super beneficial for me in order to narrow my field of study.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
January 2017 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
I loved the variety of projects I work on. The people are extremely intelligent, yet very helpful and kind. I've had a lot of room to grow as a researcher and student here. I also like being on stipend.
What I wish was different
Getting paid monthly can sometimes be frustrating, but that's just how the hospital works for researchers.
Advice
Give it your all on the job. The more work you put into projects, the more you get out of it. I have been published multiple times due to my hard work.
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BLS CPR Instructor
April 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
Flexibility in hours, comfortable and caring work environment, great experience!
What I wish was different
More available hours over break
Advice
Take notes, use lesson plans to assist with structure
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Summer 10 Intership
May - August 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
The unit I applied to was very friendly and taught me so much over the course of ten weeks. The nurses were so helpful will all of my questions. As I was hired on after the internship, I continue to grow and develop skills in nursing. I am so thankful for this amazing opportunity and cannot thank the staff enough!
What I wish was different
The only thing that I wish was different was being switched from hourly to salary in order to receive the benefits from the hospital.
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
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Summer 10 Internship
May - August 2018 • Iowa City, IA
What I liked
Learning more about my patient population's specific needs
What I wish was different
We needed more NAs on that floor. We were over worked and underpaid.
