Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Ok here is my case...:wink2:

I am a BSN grad, educated outside the US (to be more specific, the Philippines), passed my nclex here in the US last year and completed my visascreen also in 2008.

I am currently studying a computer related course in LA, with that I carry a student visa (F1).

That means I am not a US citizen, without an SSN all that stuff...

My question is, Can I volunteer in a skilled nursing facility???...

I have no intention of being employed there...Just want to do something in days I don't have school. It gets sooo boring you know...:banghead:

What are my responsibilities as a volunteer? Is there a such a thing as a NURSE VOLUNTEER?...

thank you all in advance...:D:yeah::saint:

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Also may not be covered insurance.

Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

As a volunteer nurse in a hospice I worked one day a week. That was my choice. I'm sure I could have worked more often if I was willing. I passed meds and did other nursely things. There were really no restrictions. I was never the only nurse there though. There was always an on-staff paid nurse with me (except if she went to lunch, I covered for her, but she was only down the hall, not out of the building). I was told that I was covered by the agency's insurance.

If you know somebody from a hospital facility, perhaps you can work as a shadow nurse, without being paid of course! But I'm not sure if that qualifies & be counted as a hospital experience. That's what my friend is doing right now to while away her time. She's working as a shadow nurse to her elder sister who is a nurse manager in a certain facility in CA.

thanks!!!

But...

no, I don't want that to show as hospital experience. They might think its...work.."Work". I dont want them to think that Im working coz I cant since Im a non-immigrant. WOw that shadow nursing sounds good. Thanks really!:p:hrnsmlys:

You have to e careful as it can still be classed as taking work away from a USC and also can still be classed as work.

Also may not be covered insurance.

Thanks!

However, you mean USC as united states citizen?...I don't want to look like Im employed or something....I can be satisfied by just being there and talk to residents, interact, do activities....etc...but not take away the NURSE's job from them.

thanks!

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks!

However, you mean USC as united states citizen?...I don't want to look like Im employed or something....I can be satisfied by just being there and talk to residents, interact, do activities....etc...but not take away the NURSE's job from them.

thanks!

You have to be careful especially on a student visa, you have to meet requirements, I would probably talk to a student advisor (International) and check on what you can and can't do

Specializes in MS and LTC.

How about be a volunteer in the Philippines.

Specializes in MS and LTC.

How about be a volunteer in the Philippines.

Specializes in Foot care.

I don't really understand why free clinics can accept nurses doing volunteer work as nurses, but other establishments do/cannot not. I'd love an informed (i.e., legal) opinion on this. Anyway, there are tons of ways to fill one's time productively and to great satisfaction or enjoyment.

You can look at NeedyMeds.org for free clinics in your area. CA has many.

For all sorts of volunteer opportunities you can look at VolunteerMatch.org.

If you speak Spanish or Tagalog, there are opportunities that can make use of your bi/tri-lingual skill.

Good luck and have fun.

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