Is volunteering at the hospital the best way to get me a job upon graduation?

anon695 · Mar 21, 2011

Most likely not. Volunteers are allowed to do very little, and you're not considered an employee. The three ways to increase your chances of landing a job after graduation are:

Be an employee of the hospital in some other capacity, because then you're applying internally

Network so that your resume can be put in by someone else as an employee referral

Be lucky enough to land a summer externship, not only does that give you a foot in the door with a hospital but it also gives you way more nursing experience than all the other new grads you'll be competing with

However, if none of the above three are an option, volunteering may be better than nothing. You've got nothing to lose but study time...

Skylarslaughter · Mar 21, 2011

Most likely not. Volunteers are allowed to do very little, and you're not considered an employee. The three ways to increase your chances of landing a job after graduation are:
Be an employee of the hospital in some other capacity, because then you're applying internally
Network so that your resume can be put in by someone else as an employee referral
Be lucky enough to land a summer externship, not only does that give you a foot in the door with a hospital but it also gives you way more nursing experience than all the other new grads you'll be competing with
However, if none of the above three are an option, volunteering may be better than nothing. You've got nothing to lose but study time...

But by volunteering wouldn't I be 'networking'? You know, getting to know the hospital staff and such? In my area there's neve er opening for externs...it's a medium size town and all the job openings I see are for experienced RNs. There's not even any job listings for CNAs or LPNs in my area. What do I do? Sign up with Human Resources or something?

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 21, 2011

But by volunteering wouldn't I be 'networking'? You know, getting to know the hospital staff and such? In my area there's neve er opening for externs...it's a medium size town and all the job openings I see are for experienced RNs. There's not even any job listings for CNAs or LPNs in my area. What do I do? Sign up with Human Resources or something?

What you are experiencing - nursing jobs restricted to experience RNs - is unfortunately more common than not these days, not only for hospitals but also for LTCs. You are correct that volunteering will help in networking and that it may also help you find an opening. My own view is that volunteering is somewhat like using O2 on emergency patients: It probably can't hurt and it might help.

Rather than simply volunteering at your local hospital (which as someone has already pointed out, will not really expose you to much in the way of patient care) you may want to consider getting your EMT-B and joining your local volunteer fire department or ambulance corps. As an EMT, you will get hands-on experience and will also get to know a lot of hospital personnel - though admittedly, they will mostly be ED folks. Just keep the O2 analogy in mind in terms of helpful any of this will be.

And keep looking for CNA or patient care tech jobs as well. You are absolutely correct that working at a hospital will give you the inside track on nursing jobs. While most of my May '10 nursing class (something like 70-80%) are still looking for jobs, nearly all those who have been able to find positions worked as CNAs/PCTs at the hospitals that hired them as RNs. And although I'm part of the aforementioned 70-80%, I recently got an interview for RN position at a local hospital - by applying for a PCT job.

acolo002 · Mar 21, 2011

I am currently volunteering at my local hospital. I am also applying to nursing schools to start in Fall of 2011. As a voltunteer you don't get to participate in any patient care but you definitely get to see the behind the scenes of a hospital from the kitchen to the recovery room. I work the giftshop, delivering food trays to patients, discharging paients, and working the front desk in the main lobby and surgical floor. It is certainly a rewarding experience in the sense that you get to be a big help and some hospitals give their volunteers some cool benefits.

I love volunteering....I recommend it to anyone who'd like to give back to the community or just familiarize themselves with the hospital atmosphere. Plus, you get to a chance to meet a lot of nurses and doctors.

So go volunteer!!!!

I wish you the best of luck!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2011

I have a friend who was just recently hired at her dream job because she volunteered! And she is an ADN nurse! :) She moved to a different state after graduation. After passing NCLEX she applied to the position she really wanted, got an interview and thought it went well but didn't get hired. She called the NM and was told that they really liked her but gave the job to the person who did their externship there. So she decided to volunteer on that unit. For six months she volunteered her time there all the while unemployed. They got to know her, were very impressed and the next time a job position opened up she got hired! Now she is really good friends with the gal they hired first instead of her.

I thought volunteering would make only a small difference or none at all but look at this example. Hospitals here have new grad programs; some positions are internal so employees get the first crack. I would suggest to start out volunteering, then try to get some kind of paid position. You would be networking the entire time. Nursing is a small world. Also, the volunteer department usually gives out scholarships if you put in enough hours. :) And volunteers are students so they bring their textbooks to study during downtime.

I think it's a great idea! Go for it! :yeah:

happy2learn · Mar 21, 2011

My volunteering is the reason I got a job (not as an RN though, I'm still in school.) It was my way into HR, and it really pushed me through the process. I absolutely do not think I would've gotten a job at this place had I not volunteered there. Of course I was qualified for the position, but there were so many applicants that my volunteering is what set me apart.

I believe it can help you get a job. Of course, it is NO guarantee. But it is not going to hurt you!

Of course it is not nursing experience, but every connection you make counts.

Skylarslaughter · Mar 21, 2011

What you are experiencing - nursing jobs restricted to experience RNs - is unfortunately more common than not these days, not only for hospitals but also for LTCs. You are correct that volunteering will help in networking and that it may also help you find an opening. My own view is that volunteering is somewhat like using O2 on emergency patients: It probably can't hurt and it might help.
Rather than simply volunteering at your local hospital (which as someone has already pointed out, will not really expose you to much in the way of patient care) you may want to consider getting your EMT-B and joining your local volunteer fire department or ambulance corps. As an EMT, you will get hands-on experience and will also get to know a lot of hospital personnel - though admittedly, they will mostly be ED folks. Just keep the O2 analogy in mind in terms of helpful any of this will be.
And keep looking for CNA or patient care tech jobs as well. You are absolutely correct that working at a hospital will give you the inside track on nursing jobs. While most of my May '10 nursing class (something like 70-80%) are still looking for jobs, nearly all those who have been able to find positions worked as CNAs/PCTs at the hospitals that hired them as RNs. And although I'm part of the aforementioned 70-80%, I recently got an interview for RN position at a local hospital - by applying for a PCT job.

I am going to try everything I can, originally I told myself that I am not going to work as a CNA while pursing my bachelors in nursing because it might affect my full paid tuition pell grant that I am eligible for. But now that all this talk of new grad nurses unable to find jobs is getting to me....I am definatly planning on getting that CNA certification as soon as I am 18...which will be hard to fit in since I will be going to school fulltime nonstop for the next 4 years starting this summer...but if it doesn't work out I'll volunteer. Afterall, this is a recession and the world is hard so I have to do all I can to network and get experience I suupose. That's why I have been starting billions of new threads on this website...I am trying to get as much information and research done as possible while I still can!

NPinWCH · Mar 21, 2011

I think volunteering is helpful, but I agree with the other posters that being employed at the hospital in ANY capacity would be more helpful. So, if you can get I job at the hospital I would go that route first. If not, then I would consider volunteering.

Good luck !

Skylarslaughter · Mar 21, 2011

I have a friend who was just recently hired at her dream job because she volunteered! And she is an ADN nurse! :) She moved to a different state after graduation. After passing NCLEX she applied to the position she really wanted, got an interview and thought it went well but didn't get hired. She called the NM and was told that they really liked her but gave the job to the person who did their externship there. So she decided to volunteer on that unit. For six months she volunteered her time there all the while unemployed. They got to know her, were very impressed and the next time a job position opened up she got hired! Now she is really good friends with the gal they hired first instead of her.
I thought volunteering would make only a small difference or none at all but look at this example. Hospitals here have new grad programs; some positions are internal so employees get the first crack. I would suggest to start out volunteering, then try to get some kind of paid position. You would be networking the entire time. Nursing is a small world. Also, the volunteer department usually gives out scholarships if you put in enough hours. :) And volunteers are students so they bring their textbooks to study during downtime.
I think it's a great idea! Go for it!

I think that I am totally going to volunteer at one of my local hospitals. I already filled out one volunteer form I found online! Plus it will give me experience and might even get me a CNA position once I am 18. And it will deff ease up my paranoia over finding a job after graduation. (:

OldNurseEducator · Mar 21, 2011

I think that I am totally going to volunteer at one of my local hospitals. I already filled out one volunteer form I found online! Plus it will give me experience and might even get me a CNA position once I am 18. And it will deff ease up my paranoia over finding a job after graduation. (:

When you volunteer, you have no "real" responsibility. That's why employers will not count that as "experience". It sounds to me that you are a high schooler and are afraid to find employment after graduation in 4 years. Four years is a long time. All could change in 4 years. I wouldn't fret about it yet. I agree that working as a CNA would be more more appropriate. Then you will actually have some rsponsibility.

Good luck in nursing school:)! Just my :twocents: ...

Skylarslaughter · Mar 21, 2011

When you volunteer, you have no "real" responsibility. That's why employers will not count that as "experience". It sounds to me that you are a high schooler and are afraid to find employment after graduation in 4 years. Four years is a long time. All could change in 4 years. I wouldn't fret about it yet. I agree that working as a CNA would be more more appropriate. Then you will actually have some rsponsibility.
Good luck in nursing school:)! Just my ...

But wouldn't you agree that volunteering would give me a better chance at getting a CNA or other low ranking hospital job than applicants who aren't volunteers?