Experience: Volunteering vs. CNA

Published

In my opinion, volunteering has a different meaning than being paid.

Would volunteering at a hospital and nursing facility be a disadvantage than working as a CNA? Volunteering at the hospital (e.g. escorting patients once they've been discharged) and at the nursing facility (e.g. in-room visits) provide the patient interactions and exposure to a medical setting. However, working as a CNA is something that almost everyone recommends whenever I ask about "experience". I know that you gain more exposure when you work as a CNA, but I would rather volunteer than get paid (CNA). If I were to work as a CNA, I would have to volunteer less at the nursing facility.

Given the competitive nature of nursing school (am applying to accelerated nursing programs), I feel that I might be at a disadvantage if I don't have the CNA experience. I was even thinking of getting the CNA license, but just not using it (on some applications, they ask if you have it--so that's why it seems really important to have it too).

I guess it's hard to explain, but volunteering just has a different meaning to me. I'm wondering if the admissions committee would see it like how I see it though.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.

I'm not sure how admissions are done at your school but in the points based system at my school, paid work experience in the health care field is valued higher than volunteer experience. Personally speaking, volunteer experience is great and I actually was part of a hands on internship that allowed me to do many CNA type tasks and rotate through various departments. It helped me determine whether I belonged in the field or not. Despite the hands on nature of my program, I have learned much more from my job as an ER Tech. I have more responsibilities, my scope of practice is higher, and I spend more time on the job than I ever could as a volunteer. I would definitely get the CNA license and try to find paid work experience and you could still find volunteer opportunities that are applicable to health care. For example, I have gone on two international medical trips to Honduras and Panama. I didn't go on these trips to put on my resume because I already worked in health care and had been on a wait list for nursing school; I went to help others. I think that is what you mean when you say volunteer so you can still do that. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

^Bobmo88, thanks for your reply!! How long did it take for you to complete your ER tech license, and where did you complete it? I didn't find a program at any of the nearby community colleges.

I don't think any of the Accelerated-BSN programs that I'm interested in give you points for healthcare experience. They simply just take it into consideration. I should ask the admissions about this though. The majority of them just have a section where you can list any healthcare experience, and then you just check off if it was paid or if it was a volunteer position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.

I actually was only required to have my phlebotomy certification and that took me about 6 months. I took the course at a local vocational school and did my externship in an out patient lab at a pretty big medical center. After your classes and externship you need to take a certification exam and send all your information to the state to get your certification. I'm here in CA so your state requirements may be different. It said CNA or EMT preferred but when I was going through my background check, they didn't even bother to wait for my EMT to verify since my phlebotomy was verified first. The requirements vary from hospital to hospital so I would look into local hospitals to see what they require. I think paid experience would be better but if you had hands on volunteer experience, I would try to be as detailed in listing your duties as possible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you have the option of doing a CNA course, I would. They dont offer any within an hour of where I'm located so I really have no choice but to volunteer. Not that I mind, but like everyone's said, it looks better when you have a paid job on the application for the program. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would do the CNA course because it's hands-on patient care. I think it can also give you an advantage when you start to apply to jobs. For the nursing program I went to, we were required to be CNA certified before. Most of the people in our program weren't CNAs already, so the school signed us all up for a CNA course before the start. However, if you want to volunteer, then go ahead and volunteer. Volunteering can be a great experience. I had volunteer experience, but no CNA experience when I applied to the accelerated program, and I got accepted. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I looked at finding a CNA program that would work with my summer schedule. I couldn't find anything so I ended up taking a pre-req for a BSN program. I start my ADN in August. I also just got my volunteer assignment at a local hospital in the ER. Has anyone volunteered and eventually got a job in that same hospital? I am hoping that because I volunteered there in HS 18 years ago, and now, and that my mom has been there since 93 and my aunt since 2002, I might have a way in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the replies everyone! :)

Has anyone volunteered and eventually got a job in that same hospital?

All of the hospitals that I've looked into state that volunteering there will not guarantee you a job. You may want to ask the volunteer coordinator or human resources about this, but in my opinion, I highly doubt it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

I highly suggest getting your cna if at all possible. If you want to eventually work in the hospital, it is a good pathway in. It is soooo hard for new grads to find jobs now, so every little bit helps. Even working as a cna, you can still volunteer on the side. It is all about time management. Back when I was getting my cna, classes were Monday-Friday, I worked my retail job Friday-Saturday, and volunteer in the ER on Sundays. In terms of landing a job from volunteering, it can be possible. Some hospitals are hurting for workers, so you can get hired on the spot after getting your cna. I remember back when our resource pool staff had to have at least 2 yrs of hospital experience before even being considered. Now, they are hiring cnas fresh out of school lol. Plus, working as a cna, you will already be exposed to soo much, you will be familiar with things before starting nursing school. If you want to the ability to work on different floors, units, etc, getting a job in the resource/float pool will allow you to see more of the hospital. If you have an idea of what area of nursing you would like to go into, apply for that positions. You can still have an option to float depending on your floors/units census. In my hospital, job listings in any of our icus fill up FAST, so keep an eye out if you want an icu position. I have worked every floor and unit (except peds and er), but now I have a permanent position in the icu. My tip if you are wanting an icu position, find a unit that has their own monitors. They will train you on how to read ekgs. It will be a bonus in school when you are able to recognize different blocks, premature contractions, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Because of legal restrictions, volunteers will never be able to gain as much experience as a paid employee who is held to various standards by the respective healthcare institution.

My vote is for the paid nurses aide position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.
. Has anyone volunteered and eventually got a job in that same hospital? I am hoping that because I volunteered there in HS 18 years ago, and now, and that my mom has been there since 93 and my aunt since 2002, I might have a way in.

I got my job and was a volunteer before but I think it was a combination of luck and the networking I had done. I gave a Nurse Practitioner that I had gotten to know very well my resume and she put in a good word for me. When I interviewed it seemed like she already had her mind made up and she gave me the job on the spot. It is possible but I definitely wouldn't count on it due to how competitive jobs are getting in the health care field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion