So i'm a new grad and I've been trying to find ways to find a job in this tough market. I've been very interested in this particular hospital for a long time so I thought why not volunteer there. I've been trying to "get my foot in the door" somehow by volunteering and possibly try to network from there, and eventually see if this organization is for me. do you agree with me?
So today I did my tour around the hospital. I ended at chatting with charge nurses, CNAs, asking them how they like it here. Letting them know I might volunteer on their unit, and if they normally see new grads around here being hired. So I got a lot of good info on which unit was hiring and which isn't, how the employees are being treated, getting a general feel on the unit. I thought it was important to find out and work on a unit that does hire- before I commit myself to hundred+ hours of service.
I was excited to find out that one of the unit is a potential new grad friendly unit and it was the field I was aiming for, so I told the volunteer coordinator I wanted that specific unit. she was so curious as to why I wanted that particular floor. I already let her know that I was there because I'm interested in knowing more about the organization and see if its a great fit for a future career. She asked if I am a licensed and I told her yes. She blew up at me instantly and told me I shouldn't be there to solicit jobs?...?! She said I made her feel super uncomfortable i'm being so aggressive and i'm not being there to volunteer, rather than to find a job. arg!
if any of you new grads out there know how hard it is to find a job, and getting a connection within the hospital or "foot in the door" is probably the best way to go. I've had so many people telling me that the way they got the job is being aggressive and just showing up on the unit with a resume. That would be soliciting, but i'm probably not going to do that. I"m not quite sure if I agreed to her but I ended up "apologizing", and she even said " i would kick you out if I know you're here to look for a job". (my god) and that i'm "crossing the line, because i'm chatting with then nurses already". ***
Shouldn't the volunteer lady be even more willing to find you a placement that is fitting and understand that people come here to also volunteer to see if its a fitting organization for future job potential? I guess she was ****** off that I wasn't doing this for the greatness of my heart and to give back to the community. If i'm here because i'm interested in a possibly career with that organization... Isn't that legit enough?!
I'm trying my best to survive as a new grad (as if thats not hard enough), people like her really discourage me in taking the initiative to network.
Oh My GAWD!!! You people think that you are all so special. That her asking about the place while starting to volunteer is a problem with the hopes of bettering herself. GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!! Who cares that she went in under the guise that she wanted to volunteer. Yes a hospital is hard to run without them, but half the time they are sitting at the front desk asking where are you going. What is the problem with someone trying to better their job and income. So here is an idea, get your heads out of the clouds and let your ivory towers fall and stop acting so godly and knower of all!
Personally, I think it was clever of the OP to do anything she needed to do to find a job..it's tough out there. I'm not going to pass judgement on her, because I have a job. I'm not in her shoes. I too think the volunteer lady needs to get over herself already. Who the heck is she to question anyone's motives for volunteering? Really, everyone that volunteers has an agenda if you think about it..some do it for classes, because it looks good on a college application, some do it because they just want to get out of the house and figure they'll help people at the same time.
Op, you sound like you're a real go getter. Hope you find a job soon.
Good luck, OP! I don't think you need to apologize for your post. Supposedly, this site is here to ask questions and receive CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Sadly, that doesn't always happen. Stay strong. Keep looking. Good things come to those who wait. I would like to say more on the lashing you received, but some people just want to pick a fight. Plenty of us support you, feel free to message me anytime. I was hired as a new grad 7 years ago, but it was hard! Keep your chin up!
I volunteered nearly 1000 hrs. in high school and it helped me get into nursing school later since my math and science grades weren't great.
Fast forward to 20 years later, had moved to a new state. Volunteered at a free clinic. 18 months later, when they had a paid opening, I didn't even get an interview.(despite being awarded a certificate ). After a confrontation with the "person in charge" I stopped volunteering and never looked back.
I would still advise volunteering, though. Doesn't look bad on a resume/job application.
However, after wading through this thread, I'm not sure WHAT to think!!??
what the hell else did they think you were volunteering for? everyone has ulterior motives.
(okay, not EVERYONE-there are certainly some that do it simply out of the goodness of their hearts... but really, now.) everyone who I KNOW of does it to fulfill a requirement, get a letter of recommendation, get some experience of some kind. in this case, maybe get a job. i don't see why it's the volunteer coordinator's business why you were volunteering, because the point is you WERE volunteering and she should be thankful for your presence. i think she completely overreacted. i volunteer at a hospital (one of the top in the country) and i cannot imagine anyone in the volunteer services area EVER speaking to someone that way. they are much more appreciative of your help here. my advice is to simply try at another hospital and i hope they didn't waste too much of your time with orientations/interviews.
oh and also, next time, mention that you are a new grad up front (not sure if you did that this time or not) and let them know you want experience being in a hopsotal before getting to work. maybe that's a better way of stating your motives.
I think its really hard to understand what the new grads in this economy is going through. You really have to be in our shoes to understand what its like to have no job prospects, no income-- and every day you are unemployed you are being less and less desirable as a RN. And everyday without a job means you are this much closer to moving out of state for a job. I have gotten ACLS, joined professional organizations, gotten additional licenses, currently helping out with a nursing research and currently mentoring undergrad nursing students + this whole ordeal with the volunteering at two different campuses. I am trying my best. i am only human.
The 10 years I volunteered at a NICU (starting age 16), my connection did not work because I didn't realize they didn't hire new grads there. It was all good for me because it brought me to nursing. But I didn't want to "realize too late" again that they don't even hire on that unit- especially during this crucial 1 year period for new grads. If i'm going to spend the next 3 months being there, I wanna sure that there might potentially be light in this dark tunnel. If that means asking the receptionist on the side if they ever see new grads here? and a simple "yes" answer would help tremendously.
i wrote this post only to express my feelings that I didn't think i deserved to get chewed out/ yelled at/ threatened to get "kick out" for it. and for all the nurses who chewed me out on this post also, i understand. everyone is entitled to their opinion.
For all those nurses who understood where I was coming from, thank you :) you made my day.
Do what you have to do. People volunteer for many reasons. I was a recent new grad myself and I give you the props for taking the initiative in attempting to keep yourself active and marketable.
Try applying for PA schools, they require numerous hours of "volunteer service" as a requirement for applying into a PA program. So how come they are not admonished for doing that? Are they "misrepresenting" themselves? You think their true intentions for volunteering is because of the goodness of their hearts. Please
You should have been asked to leave.You were misrepresenting yourself plain and simple.As a volunteer how long will it be before you get into a situation and do something that "you can handle" that is not legally allowed to be done by volunteers.Well-guess what? Your BON will take your license and you could even be sued by the hospital. The "volunteer lady" was correct in her actions.I also think she should have reported you to whomever does the hiring in that hospital.Your motives were self-serving and that is not the definition of volunteering!
Perhaps you need to step back and take a look at yourself perhaps there is a reason you can't find a job.
I am very sad to say as I read this thread there are people I'm ashamed to be in this profession with. Again, we can all disagree, but I see nothing constructive in some of this replies, just plain meanness, and holier than thou. We're supposed to be mentors and guide people in the right direction if we think they did something wrong, not belittle them and call them names as well as speak to their inner self. I won't post on this thread again because I am beyond disgusted, but OP I hope you see you have support from those who wish you well and would like to see you succeed. If you would like to message me an e-mail, I would love to offer suggestions to you in a place where you will not be belittle, judged, or put down. Peace.
I can see both sides, and so many have commented, anything more would be repetitive.
OP, I do want to add, though, that some hospitals have a NURSE VOLUNTEER program. My hospital has one. The nurse volunteers do pretty much what the other volunteers do, but can do more if they feel comfortable. Many of the nurse volunteers "reinforce" teaching. They do not do the initial teaching...that is for the RN, dietician, diabetic educator, etc. But the nurse volunteers go around and ask patients how they are doing with their insulin injections, dietary instructions, etc, and if they have any questions. If the questions are basic, they answer them. If the questions are more involved, they report back to the the appropriate person, and more education is supplied.
Our nurse volunteers also feed patients who need assistance eating, transport patients, help our docs with our new computer system (thank you!), and in general support the nurses and the unit.
The nurse volunteers are a part of the hospital, and as such are covered by hospital Liability Insurance, although each one has their own malpractice, their choice. They must follow hospital guidelines for HIPAA, etc. They also have a list of things they are not allowed to do: they do not take assigned patients, they do not perform any procedures, they do not administer any medications, and they do not give initial teaching.
We only have a few, and they are all retired nurses who just didn't want to work any longer but didn't want to leave the acute care setting. We love them.
Anyhow, this might be a better type of volunteer program for you, utilizing some of your nursing skills, getting a chance to learn about the organization, and possibly getting a job subsequently. Good luck.
I too am completely disgusted by some of the very cruel reactions to this post. I am a new grad myself, I KNOW YOUR PAIN. When I try and speak with other nurses about this, I get mixed reactions. It saddens me to hear what people are saying to you when they should be nothing but supportive, at least that is what I thought this site was about?? But you know what they say..........Nurses really do EAT THEIR YOUNG!
And by the way, YOU ARE NOT A FRAUD, YOU ARE NOT A CRIMINAL, YOU ARE NOT MISREPRESENTING YOURSELF! You are doing what you feel you need to do to finally begin what you spent so much time and hard work for. Good Luck, and please don't appologize to anyone for "offending them", in my opinion, they don't deserve it! :spbox:
OH for heaven's sake, please save the "eat their young" BS. Only in nursing do you ever hear that line, and it is so over- and mis-used. Any other line of work, you can tell someone when they've done wrong, but heaven forbid you do it in nursing.
and that i'm "crossing the line, because i'm chatting with then nurses already". ***
I'm not going to pass judgement on her, because I have a job. I'm not in her shoes. I too think the volunteer lady needs to get over herself already. Who the heck is she to question anyone's motives for volunteering? Really, everyone that volunteers has an agenda if you think about it..some do it for classes, because it looks good on a college application, some do it because they just want to get out of the house and figure they'll help people at the same time.
TampaTech
102 Posts
Oh My GAWD!!! You people think that you are all so special. That her asking about the place while starting to volunteer is a problem with the hopes of bettering herself. GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!! Who cares that she went in under the guise that she wanted to volunteer. Yes a hospital is hard to run without them, but half the time they are sitting at the front desk asking where are you going. What is the problem with someone trying to better their job and income. So here is an idea, get your heads out of the clouds and let your ivory towers fall and stop acting so godly and knower of all!