How to get volunteer experience?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I have just about finished all my pre-reqs except for Micro, and I'm ready to apply for nursing school. The only thing I'm missing is medical/volunteer experience. The problem is that I'm so busy I can't fit it in! I have school work, a job and 6 kids. When I start nursing school I will cut back on some things but I can't cut back now in anticipation of nursing school.

I went to one local hospital, filled out a volunteer application and on the cover it said not to apply if you can't commit to 100 hours over the next three months. I think that's quite a heavy commitment to ask of a volunteer. My SIL used to visit patients at a nearby hospital/nursing home and she said not to bother volunteering; she said she would just show up, walk through the floors and do whatever needed to be done. Security in this hospital must be pretty lax if she was allowed to just wander through at will, but I really wouldnt' be comfortable going in unofficially and anyway it wouldn't help me much in terms of getting a recommendation for nursing school, if my volunteer work wasn't coordinated with the hospital.

Does anyone have any ideas? I need some volunteer experience that involves patient care but is flexible in terms of the hours and days.

[NurseBettyICU, ADN, BSN]

100 hours in 2 month?!?! WOW! Are there other hospitals close by that need volunteers.

A while back I desided to volunteer at a local hospital, I guess they dont get many volunteers. The lady was very understanding that I work FT and have small children and really just needed to volunteer to look good on my application for NS. So after work 2 days a week I volunteered for 2 hours. So a total of 4 hours a week. It said on the paperwork I filled out that they liked for their volunteers to give at least 8 hours a week - but they certainly didnt stick with that policy when I signed up.

Now that I think about it - 8 hrs a week x 4 weeks a month x 3 months = that comes out to about the 100 hours/3 months your hospital was wanting. Maybe try talking to someone there and see if they can bend those rules. GL!

[NurseBettyICU, ADN, BSN]

100 hours in 2 month?!?! wow! are there other hospitals close by that need volunteers.

a while back i desided to volunteer at a local hospital, i guess they dont get many volunteers. the lady was very understanding that i work ft and have small children and really just needed to volunteer to look good on my application for ns. so after work 2 days a week i volunteered for 2 hours. so a total of 4 hours a week. it said on the paperwork i filled out that they liked for their volunteers to give at least 8 hours a week - but they certainly didnt stick with that policy when i signed up.

now that i think about it - 8 hrs a week x 4 weeks a month x 3 months = that comes out to about the 100 hours/3 months your hospital was wanting. maybe try talking to someone there and see if they can bend those rules. gl!

that line should have been 3 month - typo.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Two hours at a time twice a week would work for me too. I just saw the 100-hour requirement on the application and didn't bother following up with the rest, not to mention that I had to get two letters of recommendation and fill out a health form to be accepted as a volunteer. They made it too cumbersome for me. There is another hospital that's actually closer to home that I will try. Maybe they'll be more flexible.

[worf]

I have a friend that volunteered with the American Cancer Society. She took breast cancer paperwork and put it together in packets (she did this at home). She also put together some breast cancer awareness keychains. There are more options that just volunteering in a hospital.

Also, you could check the American Red Cross, they are always looking for volunteers!:nuke:

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I have a friend that volunteered with the American Cancer Society. She took breast cancer paperwork and put it together in packets (she did this at home). She also put together some breast cancer awareness keychains. There are more options that just volunteering in a hospital.

Also, you could check the American Red Cross, they are always looking for volunteers!:nuke:

Yes, thank you for the suggestion, but the nursing program stipulated health care/patient care experience. I don't think stuffing envelopes qualifies for this, alas!

I did call an organization that offers relief/assistance to parents with sick or disabled children. I can train to serve as a babysitter or give the parents a break once in a while. Problem is that they want someone with considerable flexibility to get around town to different neighborhoods, and since I don't have a car it wouldn't be very feasible for me.

[AtomicWoman]

Have you checked with local nursing homes? Perhaps they have volunteer positions for people who are willing to come in and visit with the residents?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Have you checked with local nursing homes? Perhaps they have volunteer positions for people who are willing to come in and visit with the residents?

I'm more than willing to try that!

I just want to be able to do it on my time and on my own schedule... Like if I want to come in three mornings one week and none the next, I can do that without having to make a commitment set in stone.

[Do Or Do Not]

every hospital and clinic is different with regard to volunteers. I volunteer 4 hours a week over at UC Davis Medical Center and they have no problem with it so long as I commit 4 months to a particular department (in my case, Trauma Nursing). I'd look around and see what the other places would have to offer. Expecting you to work 100 hours in 3 months while you're not getting paid for it seems a bit stiff IMO. We're doing this because we want to, not because we have to, and your hospital's taken that for granted.