Is there volunteer work for pre-nursing students?

[Capp]

I'm doing nursing prerequisites and haven't applied to nursing school yet. I'm looking for ways to improve my chances of getting in, and a friend of mine suggested I might be able to volunteer at a hospital or something even though I'm not qualified for anything (I'm not a CNA or anything.) Is there something that someone without any kind of certification can do? I can't imagine that they'd let me do anything that would look particularly good on a resume. I mean I wouldn't be allowed to work with patients or anything, and what school would care if they let me mop the floor at some hospital?

[peacelover]

Texas Health Resources has an awesome volunteer program. I work in ED and actually take vitals, walk patients to rooms, clean rooms, send labs, stock things..all kinds of things. Most of my time is spent in triage taking vitals though. I have learned so much! They require 4 hour per week in one shift.

Go to their website and search under volunteer. You will have a blast

[moma8gma1]

I am SO glad you started this thread, asking the question about volunteering. I've been stumped by the same issue -- want to volunteer, but realize I have ZERO certifications, and who cares if I mopped the floor some place?!

Wonderful tips from the posters, too. Thank you, all! :)

[Schweet]

I volunteered at a hospital and it helped me. I also helped out at the pinning ceremony for the LVN/RN's graduating. In order to get a hold of the individuals in charge of the pinning, try contacting the nursing office and leave your name and number with them. Even better, do what I did and get to know some of the people in nursing school. It's great because they will often sell you books for cheap and you can find out from them who to contact about their pinning ceremony.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

It's about getting your foot in the door, and networking ... You'd be surprised at what kind of communication skills you quickly learn when faced with an irate visitor ... Patient care doesn't have to be medical care. I'm taking care of them emotionally. I strongly believe emotional support helps a person heal.

Completely agreed. You'd be surprised how much volunteering will help you in working with patients. You may not feel like you're being much help to them by not performing medical procedures but the time you spend with patients and interacting with them and their families are ancillary skills that will make you a better nurse. By the time you get licensed and work on the floor, you will have the total package.

I think all the one's around me require you to be 21 as well. But, there is also a waiting list to do stuff like this at all of the hospitals by me.

There's a children's hospital near me that has a NICU cuddling program with a long waiting list .. so I know what you mean. This would be the most awesome experience ever, particularly if you wish to do NICU.