Tips (and thoughts) on getting a volunteer position while in school

ddunnrn · Jul 15, 2011

Unless you are dead set on a hospital spot to volunteer, don't forget other places where the patients will really appreciate you, and you can get a variety of experiences:

Nursing homes

Group Homes for mentally/developmentally disabled

Prisons

Drug and alcohol rehabs

Day care/Senior Care centers

Dave Dunn, RN

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Jul 16, 2011

Op, my thoughts were as yours. I have been volunteering since I began my nursing program. I don't think 'the hospital' has any opinion at all per se regarding your motives. They enjoy any hours volunteers give. I have found that in the course of natural conversation, that all employees (including nurses) are very supportive of my service and initiative. I have gain LOADS of experience in all of the areas you have mentioned. If I gain a "foot in the door" I will look upon that as a bonus. I plan on continuing my volunteer work throughout school. Good luck.

Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

I've put in several hundred hours of volunteer work at the hospital where I currently work. Yes, it is networking and they know that, but as long as you show an initiative to learn and work they will appreciate you regardless.

Though I honestly suggest you don't stop at volunteering during your nursing school for experience. While it does get your foot in the door, it ultimately does not give you the patient care experience you need when applying for a job when you do graduate. Use the volunteer experience as a platform to get you into a position with patient care; ie: CNA, PCT or even Orderly.

Long story short: volunteer to network, get a patient care job, graduate NS, shoe-in for a job.

Ginnym1981 · Jul 16, 2011

Thank you for all the tips and ideas!

I'm hoping to find a day to volunteer starting asap and continuing it throughout the program-probably even after I graduate and I'm looking for a job!

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

Hospice companies are always looking for volunteers, also.

purevintage · Jul 17, 2011

Im in the exact same boat as you...and had my first volunteer shift yesterday. I initially had the same concerns as you too. Just be honest about why you want to be there. They won't turn you away just because you might gain something positive for yourself out of it (networking contacts, references etc...,) share all of your reasons and they will be glad to have you.

Good luck!

LuLutheClown · Jul 17, 2011

The last day of my first semester clinicals, I had the honor to provide post-mortem care to a patient that was on hospice. My mother passed a year and a half ago and also was on hospice at home.

I am really interested in working with hospice once I graduate. I called my local hospice following my first semester and was very open about being a nursing student and asked to volunteer. Although I won't be allowed to perform any nursing services, I will be able to provide the client's company and respice for the care providers. I think that this is a wonderful way to give of myself in a truely meaningful way, while determining if this is an area in which I would like to practice and strengthening my patient/family relationship skills.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2011

Nothing wrong with volunteering to network or get your foot into the door! It's win-win for everyone: they get needed help, you get some experience and a chance to make contacts.

But IMO when you're at the facility to volunteer, you should be there to help in any way they need it even if it's doing grunt work, and not to spend all of your time schmoozing or soliciting job interviews. Trust me, they will see through you pretty fast if all you want to do is the latter.

Good luck and enjoy your experience :)

DarkBluePhoenix · Jul 18, 2011

Very very wise to start getting your foot in the door w/o having to be put in an official schedule