RN Volunteer Opportunities

[ThatCriticalCareNurse, BSN, RN]

Hello all,

I will soon be graduating and I am interested in volunteering once I earn my RN license. I would be willing to volunteer abroad or nationally (US). There is a lot of information online and it can be difficult to sort through the information to find a trusted organization. Any suggestions on volunteer opportunities or organizations?

I currently work on a critical care unit as a student nurse and I am considering a career as a CRNA long-term, so volunteer work of this nature would be the best use of my time. All suggestions/advice welcome!

Sincerely,

New Grad

[verene, MSN]

I would think best use of your time would be finding a full-time job and building skills as a new RN, but if you want to volunteer some on the side look for community health fairs and the like - they usually need RNs and aren't a major time commitment. There are also low-income volunteer run clinics in some communities that utilize all-volunteer staff and that would provider for a more on-going commitment- the one's in my community are associated with homeless shelters / agencies that provide homeless outreach, farm workers /migrant out-reach/ clinics, and a couple affiliated with schools in impoverished districts.

[microkate]

See if you have a local Medical Reserve Corps. Ours is run through the Dept. of Health as part of the Emergency Management section, and provides volunteers for events and emergencies. Tons of variety - blood pressure screenings, vaccine clinics, event first aid, WIC assessments, STD clinics, rabies shot clinics for animals, public health education, and staffing emergency shelters. Many tasks are open to anyone who completes the basic training, but there are also RN specific jobs. Best part is it's flexible - you sign up for one event at a time.

We also have a free clinic that is happy to take volunteer staff. As a student, I helped with the medication assistance program. As an RN, I'd love to volunteer with them as clinical staff, but just don't have time right now.

[cleback]

You could also volunteer at medical camps for kids during the summer. However, I'm not really sure if that will support your interest in critical care.

Sometimes large music concerts/events and athletic events will also take medical volunteers. It's not rn specific but would be more geared toward first aid.

[ThatCriticalCareNurse, BSN, RN]

Verene, I currently work as a student nurse on a CICU in a level one trauma center. I do intend to work full-time as an RN as well as volunteer, once I graduate. I am aware of the potential for volunteer work and the diversity of options, and I have some experience with shelters and community outreach. I am more-so looking for recommendations for specific opportunities/organizations or previous experiences that someone may want to share, but thank you for the input!