How can I stand out w/o burning out?

[esunada]

I'm taking anatomy and microbiology with labs next semester. I work 25 hrs a week as a waitress and I already volunteer 4 hrs a week at a hospital. I wanted to take on this volunteer opportunity where I would be a volunteer advocate for domestic abuse at another hospital. I'd be "on call" 2 shifts per month (10 hrs total). The hospital is however a half hour from my house. It sounds like a really great opportunity.

It seems like everyone volunteers at a hospital, gets As, and has high motivation to be a nurse, so don't I need to stand out in some other way? How?

My boyfriend thinks I'm going to burn out if I do all this next semester. What do you guys think? Should I not do the domestic abuse gig/pospone it?

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

It's tough- I myself have a tendency to want to "take it all on." It sounds like a good opportunity, and it's only 2 shifts per month? On call meaning they maty or may not need you, right? Just remember the best nurses take time out for themselves. It's hard but being in school is the most hellish thing ever, at least once a week you need to recharge your batteries and escape. I would do it though, sounds like an exciting opportunity and I doubt you'd regret it!

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

10 hours a month won't kill you, if you've taken on this much already. The boyfriend may have a valid complaint regarding his feelings of being put on the shelf, heck its your future! Something more to put on that wizbang of a resume.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I am assuming you are looking at getting admitted to nursing school.

Have you contacted admissions departments of the schools you are looking at and asked them about their admissions requirments?

When I did ask, I found out that my working as a CNA made no difference in my chances, volunteering didn't count towards admissions, and my college degree was a dime a dozen. This school was looking at numbers, grades and completed prerequisites.