Good Volunteering for Pre-Nursing Students?

[Hannahjenkins]

I'm new here on allnurses.com, so I am sorry if topics like this have been addressed. I am currently a second year student, working on getting my AA degree, but I am planning on switching to become PCA certified, then I am going to work on getting my AS degree in Nursing and becoming an RN. I wanted to know, what are some good extra curricular activity's that look goof for nursing programs/ hospital jobs/ etc. Again, I'm an extreme novice in the nursing world, I have just recently decided this is what I want to peruse. I am planning on volunteering at a local hospital, but starting in August I have to retake some classes, because I did not do so well my first year. So I will be only be taking two classes and have some extra time on my hands. I was thinking SGA maybe? Any advice on getting some good experience of clubs to join that will look good on my resume or ways to improve my applications or resumes?

Thank you for taking your time to read my post! Sorry if it's a little disorganized.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Consider volunteering in a healthcare area whether in a hospital (transporter, one-to-one sit in, etc.) or in hospice. I found volunteermatch.org to be a good way to find volunteer opportunities.

[crazydoglady89]

My situation is a bit different than yours (I work more than FT hours already and will not be quitting this job until I go back to school for monetary reasons), but I currently volunteer in hospice every Sunday. I am a welcome desk volunteer at a care center (it's a small 30 bed facility that only accepts hospice patients and their families/friends), which allows me to not only see how the facility operates, but to have direct patient contact. Patient contact took extra training (2 days instead of 4 hours), which is pretty common.

I originally tried to get volunteer hours at a hospital, however most hospitals within a reasonable driving distance of me wouldn't accommodate my schedule or were already FULL with volunteers!

I had never thought of hospice and honestly am SO glad I did. It has really taught me how to deal with some tough moments and tough emotions that can come with the job. I have learned (been refreshed) on HIPAA, become a VERY good listener, relayed concerns/requests to medical staff, taken menu (helped patients choose their meals), hugged grieving family members, become familiar with some medical acronyms, and so much more. A lot can be learned from the dying (personally and professionally), and it is an enormously humbling experience.

The great thing about hospice is that they require volunteers to make the place run. In my experience (this is only with two hospice systems), they are VERY appreciative of you and are flexible with schedules. I was so happy to see they were willing to work with me. I provide my Sunday morning commitment, and if anything changes, I just let my coordinator know. Much like a part time job.

Good luck, and make sure you find something you enjoy. I plan on volunteering with them into nursing school and beyond. It's really changed me for the better, and I believe my skills have allowed me to give back as well. I've already started a project to revamp the training process for incoming volunteers.

[verene, MSN]

I'll chime in as another voice for how amazing hospice is! Hospice facilities and programs are required to have volunteers as part of their accreditation so they usually have a need and a willingness to work with volunteers.

I volunteered with a 15 bed hospice house - 4 hours every other Saturday. It was the experience that pulled me towards nursing as a career.

I think getting some healthcare exposure be it through hospice, volunteering at a hospital, volunteering at a blood bank, or another option would be beneficial. I know a few of my classmates didn't work in traditional hospital settings as volunteers but still had some sort of exposure. One volunteered as a health advocate, another as a doula, another became certified as a medical interpreter. There are a lot of options out there.