I volunteer at a healthcare facility, although not as a nurse (i.e., I don't perform licensed nursing tasks, although I do assist with basic pt care such as repositioning, baths or feeding). The agency keeps track of volunteer hours, therefore we fill in a sheet where we record the time spent with a pt and our observations and describe what we did for the pt and/or family member.
I have been signing my full name without my "RN" title. I have a current RN license, however I am not employed at this time (I hope my volunteer work will lead to paid employment once the hiring freeze ends). I would like to sign my name on the volunteer time sheet with "RN", but don't know if this would be appropriate. (Among other things, it might reassure lay volunteers why I do some things they would not be expected to do. When pts are in the facility for longer periods of time, several volunteers will make entries on the same time sheet; most of them talk or sit with pts and/or families.)
Those of you who volunteer and fill out similar paperwork: Do you sign with your nursing title?
This is what I am worried about as I look into volunteering. I am licensed to practice, and currently unemployed. And thought that volunteering may open opportunities for employment as well.
You should be fine, but always - no matter if you're in paid employment* or volunteer work (or even giving advice to a neighbor) - carry your own professional Liability Insurance. It will cover you for all of these situations. If you're unemployed or working part-time, you can also get reduced rates.
I'm very hopeful that my volunteer work will lead to a job, and have had the opportunity to see that this is really what I want to do (I have found my niche).
Best of luck to you!
DeLana
*Don't ever rely on an employer's insurance; guess whose side they're on when there's a question of who's fault it was - nurse or employer?!
DeLana_RN, BSN, RN
819 Posts
You should be fine, but always - no matter if you're in paid employment* or volunteer work (or even giving advice to a neighbor) - carry your own professional Liability Insurance. It will cover you for all of these situations. If you're unemployed or working part-time, you can also get reduced rates.
I'm very hopeful that my volunteer work will lead to a job, and have had the opportunity to see that this is really what I want to do (I have found my niche).
Best of luck to you!
DeLana
*Don't ever rely on an employer's insurance; guess whose side they're on when there's a question of who's fault it was - nurse or employer?!