Help deciding which hospital to volunteer for.

luviebelle · Mar 13, 2014

HI there! I need some help deciding which hospital to volunteer for. I need to decide by April 1st.

I'm in NYC, and taking prereqs for nursing school. I have about 8 classes left (shudders) until I can apply. I want to enter an accelerated nursing program in Fall 2015. In the meantime, I plan to do lots of volunteering and get my CNA certificate this summer to get my foot in the door at a hospital.

I'm looking at Lenox Hill hospital, I would like to eventually work there as a CNA, and then move up to a nurse. Their volunteer program opens this April. I heard that's a great way to get a job there, through volunteering, as they can see your work ethic and you get to rub some elbows. Thing is, it's mostly paperwork and no direct patient care. But if it gets me a job why not right? (I know not guaranteed but I'm trying to dream here ha).

Second hospital is Methodist in Park Slope. Their volunteer program opens in July I think. They have a lot of hands on patient care - making beds, feeding, transporting. Really great things I'm looking for! But I'm afraid this won't help me get a job at Lenox hill and I'm not looking to work at Methodist. (Anyone here working at Methodist? How is it?)

Both hospitals I already interviewed for and got in, but my school schedule didn't allow time, so they said to try next opening. So I don't think I'll have any problem getting in.

Methodist is great because it's a 20 min bike ride away from my house and I get lots of patient interaction. Maybe I'll like working here, I don't know, I don't know much about the hospital.

Lenox hill is all the way uptown and almost an hour train ride. It will cost about $130 a month in transportation.

I will join a CNA program when this semester ends and look for work hopefully at Lenox. So it would be a smart move to volunteer there right? Or should I just volunteer with Methodist for the patient care experience and use that to get the job?

Sorry for this unnecessary ramble, it's been weighing heavy on me and my time is running out to decide! Thanks in advance, you guys are awesome :)

I'm a 26 F, senior in college, finishing my Art degree while taking prereqs. I have no other hospital experience other than small volunteer gigs. I also volunteer with New York Cares from time to time, mostly in nursing homes.

If anyone knows any other great hospitals I should look into let me know!