Any risks of volunteering?

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

Hi, all,

the economy is dreadful, absolutely dreadful. I guess you all know that. And there is no one hiring in my area, except for some jobs that I just cannot do (e.g., med/surg on the night shift; or day shift, actually). And I can't do this, it's not negotiable.

Anyway, I'm interested in hospice. But they don't have an opening right now. So I was wondering if I should volunteer first, both to get an idea if this is really what I want to do (in this case, inpatient hospice) and - just as important - to get my foot in the door. But I'm wondering if there is any risk to my license? I'm not planning to work (i.e., be employed) in a position below my RN license, and don't expect to be doing any nursing or nursing assistant tasks; it would probably be more like sitter, but I'm really not sure.

Have any of you volunteered in a place you were interested in (while already RNs)? Were there any problems, are you aware of any risks? And did it help you get a job

Thanks for any info,

DeLana

P.S. I'm also wondering if the hospice people might not like having a volunteer who would eventually like a paid job? But maybe I'm getting paranoid... unemployment can do that to you....

[rockabye]

I can't think of any risks to volunteering as long as you are committed to the rules and regulations the volunteering organization sets for you. I also would be careful about giving any nursing advice to the patients. I think it's great to volunteer and get your foot in the door. Get to know the staff and nursing manager there and maybe then you can find a job there. Otherwise, it looks great on a resume.

I volunteered on an oncology floor for a few months after getting my RN license. I already had an RN job in another field at a different hospital, just wanted something to do. Basically I just talked to patients, asked if they wanted anything such as music, magazines, books, etc. and that was about it. If there was a health concern I let the nurses know. Unless the volunteer position is looking exclusively for an RN, most volunteers are non-health care people and don't get involved in any of the medical care.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

With Hospice you're dealing with a patient who's expected to die. Your biggest challenge may be in dealing with the family. I think it's a great plan.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I think it's a great idea!

[ocean waves]

Hello. I agree with the writer who said "be careful about giving any nursing advice to patients". After retiring from nursing, I enjoyed working part-time in a non-nursing job at a shelter for women who had experienced domestic violence. If the residents found out that I was a nurse, sometimes they asked me questions about meds they had been taking before their admission to the shelter---since I was not in a role to do medical assessments (and no tools available to do assessments such as blood pressure, lung sounds, pulse oximetry, blood sugar level, etc.), I kindly suggested that they call their doctors about medical concerns. Best wishes!

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the encouragement, I think that's what I'll do (I can still look for work at the same time). It wouldn't involve any nursing, of course, but give me a good idea of what hospice is about; maybe I'd meet the manager(s), too, which would be great.

I think I'd be good at it, talking to pts and families is one of my strengths (and I assume this is one of the roles of volunteers), and I've always wanted to work in hospice at one time in my career (later, really, but maybe now's the time).

Again, thanks. I'll send off my volunteer application!

DeLana

[roeth]

While I'm not a nurse, I do volunteer with hospice in my area. It's a wonderful idea and great experience! Sometimes I get calls to sit with a dying individual while his or her family takes a break. There are also people who don't have family so I sit with them, talk, or just hold their hand. Volunteers also provide a shoulder to cry on, a hug, or an ear to listen for loved ones. It may sound odd, but I began volunteering with hospice after my stepdad and grandma passed away within months of each other. It helped me heal by being there for others in their last hours as I was not able to be with my grandma when she passed. Good luck!

[BCRNA]

As long as you don't introduce yourself as a registered nurse or try to give advice then there is no potential risk of your volunteering. If you tell them you are a registered nurse then they can hold you to the standards a registered nurse would have. Unless you explain in detail you are a volunteer who just happens to be a nurse on the side, they will assume you are their nurse. Also, be careful not to do anything that only a registered nurse should do. You would be legally able to do it, but doing it will make you legally responsible for bad outcomes, and would imply that you are functioning as a nurse, not a volunteer.

I might have misunderstood your posting, if you are specifically volunteering to function as a RN then nothing I said applies.

[b0rea1is]

You don't have to work in a hospital to work hospice. You can work at a nursing home. Nursing homes are basically long-term hospice. Many nurses might feel that working at a nursing home is below them, but if you don't feel that way, then that is also something to consider.

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

'Volunteer' is just a pay grade ... ( not directly relevant to this discussion, but it's a phrase that is increasinly being used with other organisations i am involved with that has a vast majority volunteer 'workforce)

If your registration is in date and valid your 'employer' needs to be aware of this even if you are not volunteering as an RN , this is because of your professional obligations as an RN .

In the UK the NMC has been extremely explicit on this fact and it is worth checking with the registration authority where you will be 'working' as a volunteer on their position regarding this.

Registered nurses or midwives working as Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) or other non-registered support roles | Nursing and Midwifery Council

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

As long as you don't introduce yourself as a registered nurse or try to give advice then there is no potential risk of your volunteering. If you tell them you are a registered nurse then they can hold you to the standards a registered nurse would have. Unless you explain in detail you are a volunteer who just happens to be a nurse on the side, they will assume you are their nurse. Also, be careful not to do anything that only a registered nurse should do. You would be legally able to do it, but doing it will make you legally responsible for bad outcomes, and would imply that you are functioning as a nurse, not a volunteer.

I might have misunderstood your posting, if you are specifically volunteering to function as a RN then nothing I said applies.

you cannot 'turn off' your registration , see my previous post on the subject. Attempting to 'turn off' your registration leaves you just as open to professional discipline.