Nursing and Volunteer

[Black Jade, BSN, RN]

I wonder how many nurses volunteer, because they enjoy helping people and not because they can't find a job and this is the only way to gain experience?

I have to be honest that when I was in the middle of job hunting, I wanted to work as a volunteer so I wouldn't lose my nursing skills. Plus, I thought it would look good on my resume except I forgot to put my volunteer experience in there. My reasons are different now. I have a job, but I am not able to deal directly with patients and I miss that interaction. I do enjoy helping people and I still put in my volunteer hours in a free clinic or American Red Cross whenever I can.

As a volunteer, I learned to be humble. I had patients come in to the free clinic; they don't know me and start to confide in me their problems. I instantly forget about myself or my having a bad day. Nothing compares to what these people are going through. They lost their jobs, about to lose their homes and they are living day by day. Sometimes I wish I can do more for them than lend my ear.

There was a thread about what if I didn't need the money. Now, I'm not Mother Teresa, but I can see myself giving my money to these people.

[Black Jade, BSN, RN]

Sorry, my paragraphs came out funny.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

When I was in school, I volunteered on the pediatric unit of one of the hospitals here. After school, I worked a lot of hours initially, then took care of a co-workers baby while she worked. No time for volunteering- but I enjoyed the time I spent in pediatrics while in school.

You won't get nursing skills w/volunteering. You'll gain more people skills with various sorts of patients- but it will be things like delivering mail, wheeling patients out when discharged, working in the giftshop, etc... No nursing activities.

Volunteering is a wonderful thing to do :) But if you give money- give it to the organization- not the individual people . Some (not all) have issues that make money a way to continue their bad choices or addictions (not all--but it is an issue). jmho :)

[Nittybelle]

I was told i could't volunteer on any nursing unit once i got my rn. It has to do with liability and conflict of interest. I guess its for our own protection; for instance, assisting a patient to the restroom, they fall... You are a volunteer... Where is the liability protection under your license as a volunteer and not an employee? Bummer, huh...

[skyandsydneysmom]

I am an RN and I volunteer as a Community Representative for the Alzheimer's Association and as a visitation volunteer for a local hospice. I do not work for either company so that is why I am able to volunteer with them. I too find that I do not have much time with my patients and long for more one on one time. My volunteer opportunities give me the patient contact that I went into nursing for. As a volunteer I am not allowed to do any ADL's with the patient...NONE. It is difficult sometimes when I see someone that needs to go to the bathroom, or for a walk and I cannot help them with that..I have to find a staff member to assist them. It is nice though to be able to sit and do nothing but visit and spend time with people...the patients and families really appreciate it and I am able to fill the void of little patient contact :)

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

I was told i could't volunteer on any nursing unit once i got my rn. It has to do with liability and conflict of interest. I guess its for our own protection; for instance, assisting a patient to the restroom, they fall... You are a volunteer... Where is the liability protection under your license as a volunteer and not an employee? Bummer, huh...

That varies hospital. I have had my license for over a year now and I volunteer at a pediatric hospital. I always wanted to volunteer during school but didn't have the time. Now I do! It's a wonderful experience but definetely won't help with keeping your nursing skills up. We aren't allowed to do anything ADL wise. I can't even pick a baby up, a staff member needs to place him/her in my arms.