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

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  1. This is a discussion on Can I do volunteer work as a nurse????? in Geriatric Nurses / LTC Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... Ok here is my case...:wink2: I am a BSN grad, educated outside the US (to be more specific, the...

    by Jan 17, '09
    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...

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

    thank you all in advance...
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    by katr1313pay Jan 17, '09 9:02 pm
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  3. 19 Comments so far...

  4. Jan 17, '09 by
    To my knowledge there is no "volunteer nurses" in the U.S. excluding the American Red Cross. To do so go to http://www.redcross.org/services/volunteer/ But remember these types of volunteering is most related to disasters; hurricanes, wild fires, flooding, etc. Not something that you can pick certain days to volunteer, you are at their need for nurses. The only other option I know of is http://www.peacecorps.gov/ , but then these type of websites help the nurse find international needs, even in your home country of the Philippines. You'll have a better chance being able to volunteer (which prevents you from doing anything as a nurse), at a hospital, but even then they may need to validate you have no active local license as a nurse...


    God Bless America! Land of the red tape! :roll
    Last edit by azxyrn on Jan 17, '09 : Reason: forgot a phrase, needed to add, and many misspellings corrected.
    katr1313pay likes this.
  5. Jan 17, '09 by
    The Red Cross does volunteer placement of civilian nurses and doctors at our local Naval hospital. I don't know if they do the same for civilian medical centers, but it might be worth calling to ask.
    katr1313pay likes this.
  6. Jan 17, '09 by
    I volunteered as a nurse at a local hospice. There were 3 other volunteer nurses there, so it's possible to be a volunteer nurse. I'd say to call around and ask local facilities what they do or don't do.
    katr1313pay likes this.
  7. Jan 17, '09 by
    I volunteered as a nurse at a local hospice. There were 3 other volunteer nurses there, so it's possible to be a volunteer nurse. I'd say to call around and ask local facilities what they do or don't do.
    thnks for your reply....

    however, what were your responsibilities as a volunteer NURSE?...
    how many days do you volunteer?
    ....
    ....
    thanks!
  8. Jan 18, '09 by
    Quote from katr1313pay
    thnks for your reply....

    however, what were your responsibilities as a volunteer NURSE?...
    how many days do you volunteer?
    ....
    ....
    thanks!
    How many days are up to you?
    You give them a number, they will arrange it for you!
    :typing
    katr1313pay likes this.
  9. Jan 18, '09 by
    You may volunteer but may not be covered legally for professional nursing responsibilities- you may feed and help as any volunteer but may not distribute meds or do treatments.
    Good for you that you want to give of your free time!!!
    Last edit by achot chavi on Jan 18, '09
    katr1313pay likes this.
  10. Jan 18, '09 by
    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.
    katr1313pay likes this.
  11. Jan 18, '09 by
    I'm not sure about your area but in my area there is a free clinic that is staffed entirely by volunteers including CNAs, nurses and physicians. Many of the volunteers are retired healthcare workers, students and just healthcare workers who want to dive in and really work with the community. It provides an excellent opportunity for healthcare workers who want to give back to the community and be able to do what they do best without having to deal with the constant struggle of insurance companies and HMOs. In the free clinics its all about providing care to those who need it and I believe thats why you see that CNAs, physicians and nurses like to volunteer there. I would look in your area and see if you can find a similar clinic or services.

    !Chris
    katr1313pay likes this.
  12. Jan 18, '09 by
    Quote from katr1313pay
    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...

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

    thank you all in advance...
    Does your city have a volunteer-staffed free clinic? Those places always need nurses, and even if you don't have a nursing license, there are many other duties you could perform.
    katr1313pay likes this.