Volunteering

Specialties Public/Community

Published

Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

Hi all,

I am currently working on a neuro/orthopedic unit. This is my first job out of school and have been on my own for 9 months with 3 weeks of orientation. I am finding that I am really not liking working in a hospital with the miilion and one things that need to be done all at the same time. It is a shame too because I really like the hands on care of my patients and enjoy my patients 99 percent of the time.

When I started out in nursing school I really wanted to work with low income or homeless people and have a very soft spot for the elderly. I grew up in the projects and I remember as a kid going to these free clinics. I think this is where my true love lies. I am going to call my local community health center tomorrow to see if they need any nurse volunteers to do immunizations or blood pressures or whatever I am qualified to do with my 9 months of med-surge under my belt.

I would like to work as a community health nurse and am hoping that volunteering will lead to a permanent position. I was wondering how all of you landed your positions and if volunteering could lead to employment. I have an ADN and a BS in Finance. Should I look towards getting more education and if so what degree would most be beneficial to working as a community health nurse. I would probably stay at the hospital per diem if I were to get a full time position as a CH nurse.

Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

First off, community health is a wonder field...good luck.

Secondly, education is always worthwhile.

Thirdly, there will be a pay discrepancy (most likely) between acute care in the hospital setting and community health nursing, so plan your personal budget accordingly.

If you are in an area which provides medical care to migrant agricultural workers they will likely have immunization and well child clinics in the summer months which might enjoy your skills.

good luck.

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Specializes in Harm Reduction/Public Health.

I don't know if you are into this at all, but i currently volunteer at a local Needle Exchange Program/Harm-Reduction Clinic out here in Seattle and there might be an opportunity such as that for you. It's a great public health venue for people on the street or otherwise. We have phlebotemists and nurses that help out with vein and wound care and assist those that are still currently using with ideas on how to better protect themselves. The work is very rewarding for me.

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Actually, Public Health is the route I am going as well. I definitely feel the same way you do ~ no more med surg or LTC's for me.

There are some great places you can check out to volunteer and/or obtain internships. I will list them at the bottom. Also what I did was find emails for all my local health department/goverment agencies and send out your resume. This is how I got my first volunteering gig with "First 5"-an agency helping 0-5 year olds, and I love it! And they tell me, they are looking for a position for me!

Americorps http://www.americorps.gov/ Search for internships as VISTA volunteer and other types. They pay monthly stipend and provide health coverage, child care + mroe.

Internships https://career.berkeley.edu/MedHealth/Listings.stm and/or

http://www.healthcareers.org/main/

http://www.who.int/employment/vacancies/en/

http://www.cfhc.org/TitleX/Interns/Default.htm

http://www.csuchico.edu/rcnp/

http://www.nhsc.hrsa.gov/search/california.pdf

good luck to ya.

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