If You can't find a job/volunteer at a Hospital!!!!!!!

Nurses New Nurse

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i think volunteering is a great idea because it lets you network i know i would never have got a job if i didn't volunteer. honestly i had several job offers and it helps that once you volunteer it shows that you are serious because i was out of school for a long time i applied for like 100 jobs and i had only one phone interview and she asked me what have you done since you graduated? and for me it was nothing. so i decided to volunteer and after 1 month of volunteering i found a job because they put a face to the name and i have to say i wish i volunteered even sooner. so for you all of you new graduate nurses that can't find a job be proactive and do something about it. if been a nurse is your dream give volunteering at a hospital a chance and i really think you would find a job. good luck to all of you guys i am not saying this is the right way but it worked for me.

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Thank you for that encouragement! I am trying to get in at my hospital's Emergency Room as a volunteer (they are working on someone who can train me in the evenings). I am hoping it will open doors for me when nursing school is over. They will be dividing their ER into adults/peds soon and I would love, love, love to work in the peds section.

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I am trying to do this, but hospitals near me have waiting lists for volunteers. =( I still have a few more months to wait. However, it is very encouraging to hear how the experience has helped you!

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Hi!

Just want to clarify this.When we ask for a volunteer job,do we need to tell that we want to have an experience in nursing? or we just leave them assign us anywhere?

Thanks.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Volunteering is a great idea--I volunteered at a city clinic until I landed a job, and the experience I got was priceless.

However, please remember that when you offer to volunteer, you are there primarily to help, not to schoomze and network a job. So be willing to be assigned anywhere and do anything they ask, even if it's not nursing duties per se (which to be honest, it probably won't be due to liability issues).

Also, a positive attitude and willingness to help out with any task will take you a lot further than you think, because they'll see you as a team player and regard you a lot more positively...instead of you being known as the one who spends all of her time trying to talk to nurse managers about job openings and doing minimal work. And which person do you think they'll want to hire--the team player or the one out for only her own interests?

Good luck and enjoy volunteering!

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Volunteering is a great idea--I volunteered at a city clinic until I landed a job, and the experience I got was priceless.

However, please remember that when you offer to volunteer, you are there primarily to help, not to schoomze and network a job. So be willing to be assigned anywhere and do anything they ask, even if it's not nursing duties per se (which to be honest, it probably won't be due to liability issues).

Also, a positive attitude and willingness to help out with any task will take you a lot further than you think, because they'll see you as a team player and regard you a lot more positively...instead of you being known as the one who spends all of her time trying to talk to nurse managers about job openings and doing minimal work. And which person do you think they'll want to hire--the team player or the one out for only her own interests?

Good luck and enjoy volunteering!

You make a good point but I never told the unit that I was a nurse or anything I went there and did what they asked of me.

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Specializes in NICU.
I am trying to do this, but hospitals near me have waiting lists for volunteers. =( I still have a few more months to wait. However, it is very encouraging to hear how the experience has helped you!

Same here. I was told to call back at the end of August if I am still interested, they won't even take names for a waiting list right now. Can't get a job, can't volunteer. They REALLY don't want me!:p

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After nursing school was over, I took time off to study for boards, I didnt work anywhere so i decided to volunteer at the city hospital. I volunteer in the ICU department. Its been great, instead of sitting around like some volunteers do, I made everyone know that I would help out in all that I could. I stay busy and they love when I'm there because they say that I am so helpful. They know I have graduated waiting to take my boards.

The pluses of being a volunteer is when you see a job listing you can go directly go to that floor and talk to the unit director in person for the job. chances of getting hired are much higher than just applying on line...

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Does volunteeeing really help get your foot in door? I am a cna seeking to work in hospitals

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

[QU OTE=mee9mee9;7919779]Does volunteeeing really help get your foot in door? I am a cna seeking to work in hospitals

This thread is 4 years old. It may or may not. You wouldn't likely be able to walk up to any floor manager to seek employment. Most new volunteers are placed in the gift shop or information desk not patient care areas.

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This might be a good idea in some places but around here volunteers shred paper and stock supplies. It's not a chance to network or learn much. They aren't even allowed patient interaction.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
This might be a good idea in some places but around here volunteers shred paper and stock supplies. It's not a chance to network or learn much. They aren't even allowed patient interaction.

I know in my area this is the same. Especially new volunteers. A few older established volunteers who passed medical & background checks were permitted to work as baby holders in the nursery but that was it.

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