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



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Jan 17, 2009 08:02 PM

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


Ok here is my case...

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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16 Comments
No. 1
from trying_to_do_right
Old Jan 17, 2009, 08:18 PM
Updated Jan 17, 2009 at 08:21 PM by trying_to_do_right

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
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!
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No. 2
from rockytopRN2b
Old Jan 17, 2009, 08:42 PM

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
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.
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No. 3
from Whispera
Old Jan 17, 2009, 10:03 PM

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
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.
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No. 4
from katr1313pay
Old Jan 17, 2009, 10:34 PM

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
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!
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No. 5
from lpn2icu
Old Jan 18, 2009, 01:26 AM

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
Originally Posted by katr1313pay View Post
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!
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No. 6
from achot chavi
Old Jan 18, 2009, 05:11 AM
Updated Jan 18, 2009 at 05:29 AM by achot chavi

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
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!!!
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No. 7
from cookiss777
Old Jan 18, 2009, 07:17 AM

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
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.
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No. 8
from cjcsoon2brn
Old Jan 18, 2009, 09:14 AM

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
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
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No. 9
from rph3664
Old Jan 18, 2009, 09:16 AM

Default Re: Can I do volunteer work as a nurse?????
Originally Posted by katr1313pay View Post
Ok here is my case...

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.
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