CNA volunteer in Orlando?

[JDouble]

I'm hoping to make a career change eventually from a non-health care field into health care. Between my current full-time job and classes, I don't have a lot of available free time, but I would still like to gain some hands-patient care experience. I was thinking of doing one of the fast-track CNA programs in the area and utilizing the cert by volunteering at a local nursing home or somewhere. I would only be able to do this maybe one evening a week or one day on the weekend because I already have so much on my plate!

Does anyone have any insight on where I should start looking, or know anyone who has done this? There seem to be a million nursing homes in the Orlando area, so it seems a bit overwhelming! Do you think I would seem more of a nuissance than a help since I have such a limited availability?

I'm new to all this so I would really appreciate any insight! Thanks!

[Codeda]

I think most places would appreciate the free help even if its only a day a week or whatever. I would just give some places a call and let them know your plans and if they are taking volunteers. I know Florida hospital usually takes cna volunteers also if you want to go the hospital route.

[JDouble]

Thank you for the response codeda! I have an email in to the coordinator at Orlando Health (where I have been volunteering for a few months) to see if they would have any use for me as a CNA, and I'm still waiting on her response. I was thinking that hospitals would be less likely to allow CNA volunteers than nursing homes but your response is reassuring! If Orlando Health comes back negative, I'll have to try FL Hosp also. Thanks again!

[Codeda]

You're welcome. I know hospice takes volunteers but I don't know if they will take someone without CNA experience. Also there are some big nursing homes and assisted living places downtown that may take volunteers. I'm thinking about westminster towers and Lutheran towers and maybe some others. Anyway good luck again and I'm sure you'll find something

[yousoldtheworld]

Here, you can't really volunteer as a CNA.

You might consider looking for a PRN position. I work with a few people who work one day a week, sometimes even less.

[JDouble]

Here, you can't really volunteer as a CNA.

You might consider looking for a PRN position. I work with a few people who work one day a week, sometimes even less.

PRN is a new term to me, I had to google it to see what it meant. How do you find a PRN CNA position? Are job posts listed as such? Since I do not have any previous experience, would I even be a candidate for this type of postion? With my schedule the way it is now, I would only be available to work either Saturday or Sunday (which is why I was thinking volunteer). Would this be typical a typical availability of someone looking to do "filler" work?

Sorry for all the questions! I'm still just trying to determine if it would be worth it for me to even get the CNA cert, at this time. If I can't use it, then there is no point paying the money for the class/exam. Thanks again for the advice!

[Codeda]

Yeah PRN positions will be listed as such if the facility has jobs listed online. If not you can call around and tell them that you are looking for a PRN position and see if they have any available. I was offered one such position but turned it down because I need full time ( and I have no experience ). Your schedule may or may not be a problem depending on what the facility is looking for but in my mind I would think weekends availability would be good. I have a friend ( an RN ) who works at the hospital and works at a LTC facility PRN on the side 3 or 4 days a month. So if that's what you end up looking for maybe just let them know your schedule before hand to see if that's something they are in need of.

[yousoldtheworld]

Sorry, I thought about that right afterwards and was going to post an explanation of what PRN was, but I got distracted and forgot!

But yes, as I'm sure you read, PRN means "as needed". At the places I've worked, they LOVE having people who are willing to work PRN, because those people can fill in those tricky schedule holes without trying to fit a whole new full time person into a regular schedule.

And, I will also say that many places LOVE if you're willing to work weekends only! The facility I work at pays more per hour to those who are on a weekends schedule. I've considered it myself.

I'd call all of the nursing homes and hospitals around you, and tell them that you are going to take a CNA course, and upon completion, you'd like to work weekends. I'm willing to bet that places will jump to offer you a position. Some places even consider you part time instead of PRN if you work Saturdays and Sundays.

You might be able to find a place that lets CNAs volunteer, but I'd try to find a paying weekends only job first if I were you...because everyone can use some extra money, I think, and it is hard work.

Good luck!

[JDouble]

Money is certainly great! And yes, a paying job would be much better than volunteering! :) Thanks so much for all your input! I'll start looking into my options.