Do I need to volunteer in a health care setting to make sure i get in?

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Just wondering if I need to have an extra UMPH in my application for nursing school by doing volunteer work in a healthcare setting. If I did, what would I even do? It's not like I can follow around a nurse... The program I'm applying for is very competitive (Accelerated BSN). I plan on keeping my 4.0 GPA, but besides that, is there something else I'm suppose to do? I'm a mother and I also work, so I'm wondering how I would schedule the time if I need to do so. I would find a way if I needed to.

Just wanted to tell everyone thank you so much for replying to my post- You gave me lots of good advice and info! :loveya:

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I am assuming you are from Jacksonville. If that is the case, Mayo is not the only good hospital. While they do take care of their nurses. Baptist South, Wolfson's, and Shands take really good care of their nurses. As for the others, it depends on the unit you work on, but every hospital has its good and bad aspects. I did clinicals at most of the hospitals in Jacksonville or participated in something in connection to them and I enjoyed every experience.

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I am assuming you are from Jacksonville. If that is the case, Mayo is not the only good hospital. While they do take care of their nurses. Baptist South, Wolfson's, and Shands take really good care of their nurses. As for the others, it depends on the unit you work on, but every hospital has its good and bad aspects. I did clinicals at most of the hospitals in Jacksonville or participated in something in connection to them and I enjoyed every experience.

Yep, I am. I am still only doing my pre-reqs (applying for 2011 Accelerated BSN) and I am already starting to get bummed out by that other thread I was reading- if it really is the case that OPMC is the only place that will hire new grads? That is so dissapointing. :sniff: I was curious about Wolfson- and have several of my husband's family memebers who work at Shands. Anyways, I'm sure I'll learn more about each hospital as I go through clinicals. I am familiar with Baptist downtown due to my mother being in and out as a patient, and also a little familiar with the Birthing Center at St. Lukes, cause I had my baby there last Feb. ;-) (all the nurses there seem really happy!)

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I think it's pretty clear from all the comments, that it IS a good idea to volunteer, both to give your app an edge and to see if nursing is what you think it is.

What I'm seeing some unemployed new grads doing, is to volunteer at the hospital; no patient care, but doing mostly re-stocking, gopher tasks, filing paperwork, answering phones, etc. They have to register with the volunteer office, first. One stuck it out for almost 9 months and when a job opened in the unit, she got it!!

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Yep, I am. I am still only doing my pre-reqs (applying for 2011 accelerated BSN) and I am already starting to get bummed out by that other thread I was reading- if it really is the case that OPMC is the only place that will hire new grads? That is so dissapointing. :sniff: I was curious about Wolfson- and have several of my husband's family memebers who work at Shands. Anyways, I'm sure I'll learn more about each hospital as I go through clinicals. I am familiar with Baptist downtown due to my mother being in and out as a patient, and also a little familiar with the Birthing Center at St. Lukes, cause I had my baby there last Feb. ;-) (all the nurses there seem really happy!)

Good luck to you!! I know it is hard being a mom to be going back to school and to go through nursing school. I think you will really enjoy Wolfson. That was my favorite hospital, with Shands being second. The pink ladies there are all older, but if you can get into their volunteer circle, you will probably stand a good chance of getting a job there. I know a lot of people got jobs as sitters, which I don't think requires any medical background, and that helped them get to know the hospital. Hopefully, by the time you graduate, the economy will be better. It is all about connections. I am going to do home health for a little while in hopes that I can get a job in a hospital eventually. I am sure it will all work out! =)

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Good luck to you!! I know it is hard being a mom to be going back to school and to go through nursing school. I think you will really enjoy Wolfson. That was my favorite hospital, with Shands being second. The pink ladies there are all older, but if you can get into their volunteer circle, you will probably stand a good chance of getting a job there. I know a lot of people got jobs as sitters, which I don't think requires any medical background, and that helped them get to know the hospital. Hopefully, by the time you graduate, the economy will be better. It is all about connections. I am going to do home health for a little while in hopes that I can get a job in a hospital eventually. I am sure it will all work out! =)

Thanks for your insight. :-) I'm sure it will work out, too. There are 9 hospitals in this town not to mention all the other non-hospital positions! There will be something I can do when i graduate I am sure! By then the economy should be picking up more. (I hope?!!) I have sent my app. into Mayo for volunteering, but they haven't called me yet. (that kind of baffles me...if they don't need anyone, why would they send me an application?) I'm willing to volunteer for a year while I am finishing up my pre-reqs, i'm just trying to find a place to do it.

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why dont you volunteer at Nemours?I am volunteering there right now,and I love it.They really love their volunteers.In March,I am planning on going over to Shands to volunteer n their NICU unit since that is the type of nursing i want to be in.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Good for networking, but doesn't guarantee anything.

Do what you think you can do without overwhelming yourself. If you do get in, it isn't necessary true you will keep a 4.0.

You're a mom and you work.--That's a big deal right there. Balance is the key to success.

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If you do get in, it isn't necessary true you will keep a 4.0.

huh? not sure if i'm reading your post right...

I didn't say I would keep it after i get in, i said I was going to keep it UNTIL I get in to school, like for my pre-reqs... (but most likely AFTER, as well, because I am just that competitive). :D

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why dont you volunteer at Nemours?I am volunteering there right now,and I love it.They really love their volunteers.In March,I am planning on going over to Shands to volunteer n their NICU unit since that is the type of nursing i want to be in.

Thank you for recommending that! I was actually thinking about Nemours today. :-) Mayo DID call me today, so i will follow up and see what they have to offer.... But I will keep other places in mind, too. Thanks for the idea:yeah:

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