Volunteer work

[TTM01]

Hello,

I am still taking my pre-reqs and hope to apply in Dec. 06 for the Fall 07 program. I was interested in knowing what everyone's take is on volunteer work. I will be volunteering with a company called Odyssey Healthcare. It is a hospice care facililty. I want experience since I don't have any in the health care field. Are any of you or have any of you volunteered your time while waiting for entry to nursing program? What has your experience been like? The company I am going to volunteer for, will train, offer free TB test, requires criminal background check and seems very knowledgeable. Anyway, any post would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tessa~:)

Pre-nursing student@ Riverside Community College in Riverside, CA.

[justavolunteer]

I saw this one while browsing. I have a full-time job in a totally different field than healthcare, but I volunteer weekly at a local hospital. My experience is that the nurses, CNA's etc., are grateful beyond words for my help. I have told relatives who are considering nursing "volunteer, you will get to see what a hospital is like".

It's been immensely rewarding for me.

[katie-did]

WOW Tessa! It sounds like an amazing experience and opportunity that you have found. It sounds like you have a gift and will be able to share your experiences to help comfort these patients, as well as gain knowledge for your future career as a nurse. So much of the time we all take and take and take and never give back. You are doing an amazing thing. Keep up the good work!

I go on Tuesday for my orientation at UCLA Santa Monica. I'll let you know how it goes!

[katie-did]

I saw this one while browsing. I have a full-time job in a totally different field than healthcare, but I volunteer weekly at a local hospital. My experience is that the nurses, CNA's etc., are grateful beyond words for my help. I have told relatives who are considering nursing "volunteer, you will get to see what a hospital is like".

It's been immensely rewarding for me.

I am also in a totally different field, I am a legal secretary. I am going to volunteer to try to help see if nursing is really for me.

However, you have just given me a little bit of new perspective. A little bit of wanting to be a nurse is about the money, but honestly, I just want more satisfaction and rewards out of my career. But maybe I can find my purpose and the satisfaction of helping others outside of my career by keeping my full time job and then offering my time helping others.