Can't Get Hospital Volunteer Opportunies in Raleigh area

U.S.A. North Carolina

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Hi, I'm working on my pre-reqs right now and want to get my feet wet in the hospital environment as well as be able to show my commitment to the career path of nursing by volunteering. I would ideally like to volunteer at REX or Wake hospital(s) but would do Duke if they offered it. Durham is a bit of a drive for me currently... I have filled out REX and Duke hospital volunteer apps online and have not heard back. That was over two months ago and I followed up with REX via email. Still nothing. Anyone know how to land these positions quick? I'm looking to start this summer and do about 8 hours a week. I wonder with the economy they have too many applicants? Anyone have any luck landing volunteer positions at hospitals in my area?

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I turned in a volunteer app at Rex this week and was told they are flooded with volunteer applications. I am guessing it is the economy. Duke does have the Raleigh, maybe that would be closer to you than Durham? Alot of people seem to overlook that hospital. Good luck and keep us posted if anything comes up.

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Specializes in Neurology.

I am volunteering at Wake Med- working in their doula program. UNC has one too. It does require that you take DONA's doula workshop ($300) so maybe that it why I was able to get a volunteer position.

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Thanks for info about doula. That is of interest to me in the future. I just heard from Wake Med yesterday. They said they will contact me in August for their next session of volunteer positions. So it is looking hopeful!

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Specializes in Goal: MSN in Women's Health/Family Pract.
I am volunteering at Wake Med- working in their doula program. UNC has one too. It does require that you take DONA's doula workshop ($300) so maybe that it why I was able to get a volunteer position.

:yeah: Congrats on being in the doula program. Can you tell me a little more about it? Where did you take the workshop? What are the requirements? I'm starting to look at volunteer opportunites for the Fall. I hope to start DTech in Aug 2010 but am done with all my pre-reqs, although I think I need to take Developmental Psych, they changed that from Abnormal Psych. I figured I'm spend the next year volunteering. I hope to get an MSN down the line in either Maternal and Child Health or Family Nurse Practitioner.

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Neurology.

You need to take DONA's doula course (which you need to take a childbirth education class not pregnant before you attend) in order to get into the program at WakeMed or UNC. Check out DONA's website (dona.org)for local classes- I took mine over in Chapel Hill but they are also offered in Raleigh all the time. Keep in mind that you are supposed to stay with the laboring mother until after the birth (pref. an hour or two after) which can take a LONG TIME for a first time mommy. I was at one recently that lasted 18 hours! It is good practice for a nursing shift though.

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Specializes in Mother and Baby.

I am starting at Wake Med soon too.. I am also a student. Maybe we will run into each other!! My advice is to go to orientation as soon as you can. I don't think there is a person limit for those. I took me almost 2 months after that to get the interview (which I just had). I just need to call her back, and I think I am in. It is because of the economy. I was told their applicants tripled! I am thinking about working in their patient relations area. The volunteer manager said that a lot of pre med, and pre nurses work their to get some patient experience.

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Specializes in Goal: MSN in Women's Health/Family Pract.
I am starting at Wake Med soon too.. I am also a student. Maybe we will run into each other!! My advice is to go to orientation as soon as you can. I don't think there is a person limit for those. I took me almost 2 months after that to get the interview (which I just had). I just need to call her back, and I think I am in. It is because of the economy. I was told their applicants tripled! I am thinking about working in their patient relations area. The volunteer manager said that a lot of pre med, and pre nurses work their to get some patient experience.

Hi, I spent the summer tending to sick relatives - it's been the summer of operations - my niece, my daughter, my sister and my nephew. My daughter had a bunionectomy; the surgery went well but the healing has taken much longer. She got a hematoma and the wound got bigger. She just started negative wound pressure therapy. I really hope it works and that she heals. She's only 16 so there was no reason for her not to heal well and quickly. I'm starting to get concerned about this but will give it until the rest of the week. I really don't know where to head next - a plastic surgeon?

Anyway, between surgery recovery, work and having to take Developmental Psych this semester, I haven't looked into the volunteering. Once my daughter is healed, off the crutches and able to walk, I'll look into it. Did you get the information off their website? How long is the process? Where are you placed? How many hours do you need to commit to? Can you choose your area? I'm becoming interested in CRNA and would like to learn more about it.

Where are you getting your RN? Are you also starting in August 2010? OK, I'll stop with the questions, I'm making myself dizzy

Best of luck as you start your volunteering. :yeah:Maybe I'll see you around.

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Specializes in Mother and Baby.

I am actually starting with a CNA at Wake Tech. I hope to go to nursing too, but with young kids at home, I just can't commit the time. I figured this way I could start out with something, and get my feet wet. To your questions....I believe I did get the info off of the website. I think you can download an application to fill out and mail in. Shortly after that, they called me about coming to an evaluation. I did that a few weeks later. Then you have to have an interview to see about placement. That was the part that took awhile. I had my orientation late June I think, and then went for the interview last week. That was because of the recession and all of the interest in volunteering. I am about to call them today to check in and make sure they talked to my references, and they also do 2 TB tests. I can start as soon as I have training (maybe next week, I hope).

Wake Med does want you to commit weekly. So, one day a week for at least 2 hours. You can choose your area. I just told them my interests and she suggested a few departments. If you look on their website, you can see the latest newsletter for volunteers and that lists some of the positions available.

Sorry to hear about your daughter; I hope she will be OK. It sounds like you have your hands full! Let me know if I can answer anymore questions for you and good luck with school and the volunteering!!

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Submitting an application online won't do much other than put an "x" in a proverbial box - you need to call these hospitals back to show them you're serious. Call Duke, call Rex, call whatever facility you're interested in and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator.

Don't wait for things to happen - MAKE them happen.

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Yep, I did "make it happen". I'm doing training on next week at Wake Med then I start the following week on my shift. I'll be in the ER on Fri nights. Wish me luck! I'm so excited! :)

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Specializes in Mother and Baby.

Yea!!! I am starting tomorrow, and so excited too! I will be doing patient relations in Neuro, what are you doing in the ER?

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