Nurse wants to work for free, looking for volunteer work

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 17, 2012

Wow - you are in a pickle.

Most hospitals have a well-developed volunteer service, but there are strict legal limitations as to what volunteers can do. Volunteers cannot engage in any type of patient care or service that would require a license.

The process for entering nursing is not a gradual one (starting out part time or PRN) because no one will hire a new grad at less than a full-time position. Becoming competent requires experience - the fewer hours worked, the longer it takes and employers are certainly not going to create a situation that could essentially end up as a multi-year orientation. Launching into nursing requires a full-time commitment, which sounds like it is not possible in the OP's case. IMHO, all of this should have been pointed out somewhere along the line by the nursing school.

fafine · Feb 19, 2012

yea i agree with HouTx, if you want to work in the hospital setting specifically in the ER as new grad you will have to commit 100% of yourself, and i dont think any hospital would hire you to work PRN without prior experience, you might be able to work for agency as PRN in a hospital but i would not recommend it do to the risk involved for you and patient safety issues, i think though you can do home health/private duty nursing, im not sure which area you live in but you should look into it, and also how much time are you willing to commit to obtaining experience as a nurse?

maybe you could do home health nursing for two days per week? im currently working in home health and i like it, i work one to one with a pediatric client and the pay is okay, i prefer to work in the hospital setting med/surg but its darn tough to find those opportunities in where i live, im considering relocating to any where that i can find work in a hospital setting as recent grad rn, anyways good luck with your search and hope you find what you're seeking.

donires · Feb 20, 2012

Thanks for your reply. I guess at this point I'm content to wait it out to begin collecting my retirement, then enter nursing part time. I did home care in my community clinic and enjoyed it. I live in the Detroit area and was able to work with a nurse right here in my area. Maybe I'll look into that. Still there is the problem with the orientation but one problem at a time. What do you think about the EMT idea. It seems to me that might be good experience while I'm not practicing as a nurse. Alot of EMT end up becoming nurses and have a good "skill set" to enter ED.

tashacorinne · Feb 21, 2012

You should see if there are any free clinics in your area. Those places would probably love a volunteer and with volunteering you can basically make your own schedule. You commit how much you want to commit. This is what I have been doing to keep up my nursing skills while I've been job hunting.

heartNICU · Feb 22, 2012

Have you considered volunteering with the American Red Cross? They desperately need nurse volunteers in some areas and are very flexible as well.

donires · Feb 23, 2012

Still working on the free clinic idea, trying to find something christian based here in my area. Red cross i thought was mare disaster oriented. I'll look into it. Thanks for the ideas.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2012

The issue.

As nursing does not have an established "residency" unlike many healthcare professions, the first job, generally fulltime done shortly after licensure, suffice.

Thus, if you go several years without that job IN NURSING, many employers will write you off as an applicant. You see, your practice of skills in school is limited compared to what is needed on the floor, and to go so long, without substantial practice of those is a very serious negative. And to truly get use

those skills, most employers want you fulltime for a substantial period.

As far as I know, practice as an EMT is not the same as nurse, requires it's own certification process and it's own education. And practicing as an EMT is not

considered "nursing practice"... Facilities for the most part will not consider it as "nursing experience". Many will disregard occasional volunteer experience, also.

Thus, in 5 years, without that Orientation, or substantial Nursing experience, you may be considered

at a lower position than a new grad. Because they have the new knowledge fresh in their heads and you are going to have 5 yr old education that has not been firmed up by a good orientation, nor really

used as a nurse.

As far as volunteer positions, some have liability issues, and will be reluctant (with good reason) to take someone without experience. If it is not safe in the hospital, it is even less safe in less supervised environment to practice without experience.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2012

I can understand wanting to work to qualify for a pension, but you're talking a five year commitment in a non-nursing job! If you are not yet vested, I can't imagine that the pension amount per month would be much. I worked five years after vesting (10 years total), and I will receive a grand total of $300 at retirement from my pension. You're probably union so it might be different. Do you know how much you would get at retirement if you quit Chrysler one day after vesting?

Before you put starting your nursing career on hold, find out how much the five years will get you. It may not be worth sacrificing your nursing education because getting a first job five years after initial licensure will probably be very, very difficult.