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I don't know if this is the place to post this or not but here goes :

I will be 16 soon and was wondering if there is any chance that a hospital would hire a good organized sixteen yr. old for a job that would eventually prepare me for nursing or at least look good on a resume. Of course, I'm not looking for any high-paying job ~ just something to get me used to the hospital environment. Does anybody have any ideas ?? And please don't say janitor !! :) :)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Colleges look very favorably at volunteer service on your school resume. You would be surprised i think to find how many admissions are eventually based on volunteering and community involvement when it comes down to accepting one student over another.

:rolleyes: Hey Wannabebabynurse

Cheer Up! I'm sure something will come up. Have you tried any other hospitals? You may also want to talk to a counselor at school and see if they can help you in any way. Tell the counselor what you are interested in doing.

Anyways, what ever you do don't give up your dream of becoming a nurse if it is really what you want to do. I may take a little while to get there, but you will get there eventually. Good Luck!

I Know God Will Not Give Me More Than I Can Handle. I Just Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much. _ Mother Theresa

Thanx once again for your replies !! I'm a little less bummed today. I love all the advice on volunteering because it sounds like great fun and great experience but only one problem. My father is on disability and can't work and my mother can only work part time and loses her share of the disability payments when I turn 16. So I really am going to need a job that pays, not much but anything will help. Also, when I turn 16 there will be extra costs such as a huge increase in car insurance payments, etc. And I feel like starting out working somewhere totally unrelated to the medical field wouldn't be working toward my main goal of nursing. I don't know what I will do yet !! Maybe while I am still 15 I can volunteer. Do you know if you can do as just a one time thing or do you have to do it many times like over the course of a whole summer ??

Specializes in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele.

Volunteering can be anything you want it to be. Make an appointment with the volunteer coordinator at the hospital where you want to work. Go in prepared. By this I mean, make yourself up a little resume. I know you don't have work experience to put on there, but put in writing some of your strengths and goals. You are highly motivated, sound very mature for your age, know what you'd like to do "when you grow up" - which is more than most people at 21. Offer suggestions as to how many hours you'd like to work per week or per month, offer to do one-time projects as well as long-term projects. Let them know you're willing to do anything from licking envelopes to directing visitors to filling ice / water pitchers. I know it's tough at 16 but be a little bit assertive. Let them know you mean business and this isn't just a lark or a whim.

I say this because I've done it. I started out as a candystriper at age 11 (weren't supposed to be allowed til age 12), delivering mail, newspapers, & flowers. Progressed to taking the coffee cart around & filling pitchers. Eventually I got to deliver meals in the Meals On Wheels van, make microfiche (omg I'm dating myself here, lol) copies of medical records (yes, really, me! at 14 years old, being responsible for confidentiality and medical records!), working in the print shop and central supply. I absolutely tore UP that hospital (I mean that nicely and professionally of course, not that I damaged anything), I was ravenous for any opportunity I could get. I behaved responsibly and maturely and was rewarded for it. Best opportunity I've ever had, and I made good use of it.

Now don't get stupid and knocked up at 16 like I did :D and you'll be well on your way! LOL Best of luck to you, PM me if you want.

I know you keep talking about volunteering in the hospital, but have you thought about volunteering in a nursing home or personal care home. This will give you a taste of nursing and give you a chance to be around acutal residents or patients. You would be able to read to them, help them write letters, just talk to them or help them with a craft. This would help you and them. Just a thought.

Specializes in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele.

Oooh, Disablednurse, good idea! Also consider hospice, they always need volunteers to come in and do that sort of thing, just spending time with lonely people, helping them out in a non-RN manner is a wonderful blessing. And as a volunteer you don't need to be there when death is imminent.

You know, the nursing home may be willing to hire 16 year olds. They have such a difficult time getting and keeping staff. It's worth a try. I loved working in the nursing home during my teen years. (Of course that was 20 years ago! :eek: )

Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

I like the nursing home idea, too. Can a 16-year-old work as an aide? I would also speak with my school coumselor and let them know what you are interested in with your future. They could probably back you up if you are really serious and committed to wanting to be a nurse. Thay may be able to help promote your sincerity. Good luck and keep us posted!

By the way, I started out in the Newborn Nursery as a volunteer. But then, I was 18.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I, too, think the nursing home or similiar long-term care facility idea sounds like a good idea. It's certainly worth a few phone calls to check it out!

llg

Thanx for the great ideas but once again a problem that I need to overcome. I have this weird fear of old people or is it called geriatrics ?? Anyway, I just feel kinda uncomfortable around them. I highly respect them and I know this is a terrible fear. I really need to work on this !!! I really liked the idea of volunteering on a one time basis or just once or twice a month in a hospital. Hopefully soon I can talk the volunteer coordinators around here. Thanx again for your support and replies and keep it up !! :)

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