Research Experience? Gap year?

[pearyphery]

I constantly hear about extracurricular activities/work that are looked upon fondly for grad schools and medical schools, but I'm wondering what some of the equivalents would be, in general, for nursing school.

I've been volunteering at a local hospital, and hope to do something that involves working with women or children later too. It's likely that I'll pursue a specialty involving these populations. However, I also have some research experience under my belt, because I am majoring in Biology and simply enjoy it. Will having these things on my resume put me at a disadvantage because it seems like something a pre-med or pre-bio grad student typically would do?

I think I've definitely gained a lot in my various research experiences to be able to apply some of these things to my career as a nurse, but I'm a little lost as how to "market myself" (with lack of a better word) to nursing schools. I don't know if this helps, but once I've been in the nursing field for a while, I might be interested also in entering academia as a professor or otherwise.

Also,I'm thinking of taking a gap year or two after college. Are there any programs or activities that you might suggest I look into?

I would appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks for your help!

-pearyphery