Hospital recommendations for volunteer experience

[Workhardbekind]

Hello!

I've been lurking on these boards for a while, and this online community is so supportive and helpful, so I just had to ask. (I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong place.)

I'm starting my prereqs to apply to nursing school, and I'm getting my CNA certification at the Nursing Assistant Training Institute in Shoreline so that I can get my feet wet. While working as a CNA at an LTC facility, I would also like to volunteer at a hospital. I was just wondering what your recommendations are as to which hospital you gained valuable volunteer experience in.

I'm looking at Swedish Edmonds, Virginia Mason Everett, Evergreen Health, and Providence Everett.

I've been going back and forth between deciding where to commit my time. Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thank you!

[ktj777]

I'm not sure about those hospitals specifically (I'm at ones that are more south), but when you talk to the volunteer coordinator people, make sure to ask about patient care and how much contact you will have with them. I'm basically a HUC at one place but at another, I get to use more of my CNA skills.

[Workhardbekind]

I'm not sure about those hospitals specifically (I'm at ones that are more south), but when you talk to the volunteer coordinator people, make sure to ask about patient care and how much contact you will have with them. I'm basically a HUC at one place but at another, I get to use more of my CNA skills.

Thank you for your response! Which hospitals are you volunteering at? And which hospital has you using more of your CNA skills? If you don't mind me asking. :)

[sweetie_pie]

Hi! I would check MultiCare if any of their hospitals are near you (Good Sam, TG, Auburn, Covington). I volunteered at the ER at Tacoma General for a year, got my CNA, and then got a job there (I am also taking my nursing school prereqs). I think my volunteer experience helped. The volunteer schedule is very flexible, and there are usually a lot of slots available - especially once summer is over because so many people go back to school and only volunteered for summer. Good luck!

[nxchel14]

I did patient care rounding during pre-reqs at Providence and it was a great experience. I also did the majority of my clinicals during nursing school there as well. It's great hospital with amazing staff so it would be a great option for you!

[Workhardbekind]

I called them, and they're sending me a volunteer application at the end of the month. Interesting how other hospitals have applications readily available on their site, but Providence only sends out volunteer applications to their list of people who have inquired about volunteering--and it's only sent out at a certain time. I asked the volunteer coordinator if there was a way I could fill out an application sooner, and she said that it wouldn't be fair to the others, and that's why applications are sent out at the same time. This is different than what I've experienced in the past at other hospitals, but I guess we'll see what happens!

Thank you for your response!