Volunteer nursing jobs in the bay area

[alotssakitkat]

are there any hospitals that accept volunteers for nursing jobs preferably in the acute care setting? i am currently reviewing for my nclex-rn exam, and i am wondering if there are any hospitals here in the bay area that accepts volunteer nurses. i volunteered at a local hospital, but the problem is, it is very much clerical and it isn't connected to patient care, like lobby desk, etc. i didn't have any interim permit since i already took the nclex before and failed. i feel that i am very much "dry" with my content since it's been almost 2 years since i had nursing practice. thanks

[NurseLeila]

Thank you for the information mmm333.

[mmm333, LVN]

If you do volunteer, get in there and keep on asking "can I do anything for you?" and work yourself into the units culture. If you aren't volunteering on a regular basis nobody will remember who the heck you are. If you cram it in all at once such as during a summer, it's better because you will start getting "used". I volunteered hundreds of hours at VA and eventually a couple of the nurses started using me as their backup CNA or "another layer of attention". I ran bloodwork down to the lab, transported pts down to MRI/xray/nucmed/buses/discharge to family car, dialysis, etc. Learned alot from those nurses who like to think out loud and explain things to others to check themselves, and gained a few impressive "personal references" for my job applications (A unit manager, a hospice nurse, an ER doctor, and a tele nurse). It was a valuable thing because I was diligent in obtaining the things I wanted out of my time there. Some people go in and answer phone calls and read their textbooks at the phone- nobody will ever notice them or remember them. You've got to pimp yourself out to everyone on the floor. Once the CNAs realize that you can do a bunch of silly stuff for them like pass water, they'll love you. Then start working on the nurses. And oh yeah, always bring a tray of muffins or some decent coffee and treat the folks in the break room during breaks and lunch. The fastest way to people's heart is via the esophagus, contrary to popular belief.

[RN_in_2010]

An RN friend recently told me about SF Clinic by the Bay - which started in Nov. 2010. They staff and run their clinic with licensed volunteers. I don't know the extent to which you can practice, I'm tentatively signed up to attend the next orientation, but I'm assuming it's ALOT more hands on than what you can find in a hospital setting, there are all sorts of liability issues there...

http://www.clinicbythebay.org/volunteers.php

GOOD LUCK to everyone. it's tough out there for us new grads.

[mmm333, LVN]

Oh and also- you know that you're an awesome volunteer when the staff is asking "are you going to be here tomorrow?" whenever you finish your day. Your job is to make life easier for the staff who will return your favors by writing you a letter of rec (or signing one that you wrote usually) or answering a call from a few places to serve as a reference. That's the goal. Just make sure they remember who you are when that call comes in, give them a refresher call before you send out any resumes with their number. Nothing sounds worse to HR than calling a reference who can't confirm your claims.