Did you get a job after volunteering?

[CNA1991, CNA]

I am hoping to get a job at a hospital after volunteering for awhile and I was wondering how many people here have gotten a job after volunteering? I hope to join a NICU cuddler program and then work somewhere in a unit with infants as a CNA afterwards. Also, what is the best way to make contacts? I don't want to bug people, but I do want to eventually talk to a suprivisor about helping me get a position in a unit or someone else on the unit about recommending me.

Thanks

[livelifeloveRN]

I volunteered as a high school and college student at my local hospital then ended up getting hired at a different hospital. Volunteer work ALWAYS looks great on a resume and like you mentioned helps make connections. I have made a lot of great connections and my volunteer supervisor was one of my references. Time is what really makes those connection, because each shift they will see you working hard and you'll build a relationship with them without really forcibly attempting. So, I say go for it!

[somekindofstrange]

I thought Volunteering would land me a PCT/PCA job at a local hospital but my efforts have been futile. Both times I applied for the position and both times I was shoot down. I suspect it has alot to do with my area since the Hospital/ School board are the only industries hiring in my city. I will keep trying and hopefully, and hopefully when I get Nursing Fundamentals under my belt I will get a PCT job. I am volunteering because it adds 5+ to my nursing admissions. I need about 100 hrs for the 5 points.

So far I have about 65 hrs. How many would you recommend I accumulate before I attempt to apply for a job at my present hospital or another hospital? Networking is out of the question since not many of the volunteers have direct link to human relations.

[jjic3982]

Volunteering is very rewarding, and due to the job competition many of us volunteers end up focusing on the "prize." In other words, if you can afford the time volunteering keep on doing it for the sake of helping others. I volunteers 100 hours in a hospital and never landed a job (at this hospital) or had enough exposure to the CNA duties. However I had memories speaking to patients about their lives that I will never forget. Volunteering was motivational for me.

Some volunteers focus on the job prospects and school credit. However many do end up enjoying it just to help others even though they don't get job interviews or positions.

If you have time, yes do volunteer and if you really care for others good things will happen (like a job opportunity perhaps). If you struggle with time management due to having too many responsibilities then you should not volunteer thinking it will increase your chances of getting a job. It will just make your schedule too hard to deal with and can hurt you emotionally (been there).

Hope you are having the same rewarding experience I had as a volunteer!