career change; volunteer opps.

[SeekingChange]

Hi everyone,

I am new here, this is my first post.

I am very interested in your opinions. I've been thinking of a career change lately. I have a legal assistant education and experience as that for more than a decade. Lately I've been thinking of nursing as a new career, for a combination of reasons: 1) to help people, 2) to get away from a desk job, 3) I've been exposed to medical terminology in medical reports as part of being a legal assistant (although admittedly my knowledge of medical terms is very limited), 4) for a more rewarding career (ties in with reason #1).

My main question right now is what you think of volunteer opportunities with hospitals as a way of finding out of nursing is a good path for me/someone interested in nursing, and are there a lot of volunteer opps. at hospitals? I'm in california if that helps.

(Also if you'd like to share, what do you dislike the most about nursing, if anything? [i had read about what nurses do like about their jobs.] and do you think it's hard for a person who may be about 40 by the time she finishes nursing school to start a nursing career (i.e. is it hard to get a nursing job at 40?))

Thank you so much for any input!! :)

[justavolunteer]

I volunteer on the pt floors at a hospital in my area (not becoming a nurse, I just volunteer). Most hospitals welcome volunteers & would like more. Many hospitals have a volunteer office listed in the phone book or on their website. I enjoy it immensely & the nurses certainly appreciate the help. The usual shift is 4 hours; a hospital would likely be willing to fit it in with your schedule. Good luck, future RN.