needing some advice...

L&D should be okay. Just go where ever they place you. I don't see why volunteering in L&D would be stressful unless the staff is mean to you.

I volunteered before I went to nursing school and honestly you don't get to do much with patients. Mostly you help stock, pass trays and run errands. It's a great way to see a little of how hospitals run but you won't get allot of nursing experience out of it.

I think it's a great idea to volunteer. Even though you won't get to see a whole lot, it is at least a little bit of experience and some exposure to nursing. It could help you get a foot in the door for later.

My advise is to do whats asked of you and just hang out asking questions. Nurses love to teach and if you show you want to learn they will probably talk about their job with you.

Good luck =) let us know how it goes.

i think you should do it! I never was an aide or volunteer during school, i was a waitress, but seems that the aides and volunteers have alot to add and alot to help out, and also knew more in 1st quarter nursing school than me.

xo Jen, RN

hi all-

i was just curious to know your opinions about something. i read the boards all the time, but i don't post much, so to recap who i am: 17 y.o., considering L&D nursing as a career.

i've contacted my local hospital to see about volunteering up there sometime soon. they said something about going through a junior training program because i'm a minor, which i have no qualms about. my question is: with me wanting to go into L&D (or, ideally, LDRP-but if that's not possible, i'd like L&D), would it be adviseable for me to volunteer in L&D, or would that cause more stress than necessary for a volunteer who's still in high school? would postpartum be better? any thoughts on the subject would be greatly appreciated. thanks so much :)

be well-

gracie

I think thats a great idea to volunteer....Back in my hi school days I worked (w pay) as sort of an aide...making beds, passing meal trays, restocking linen closets, basically whatever was needed that I could do...I remember being a senior and working a Saturday evening applying cool compresses to a 6 y/o w a high fever, ya know the old days when we didn't have cooling mats etc...

You'll certainly get an idea of what you might experience on down the road...

Good luck!!

Volunteering is a wonderful and non-threatening way to see and hear alot about nursing. Go for it!!-- in as many areas as you can stand.