RN volunteering, what direction should I think about going?

[bustthewave]

Hey, so first I want to say I'm applying to the nursing program in about a month, and am finally heavily competitive to get in. All my pre-reqs after this semester will be done, so I'm not an active nurse at this time. I also want to say that I am not wanting to do volunteer work solely for the purpose of expanding my resume, or to win awards. When I decided to pursue nursing it was one of the first things I thought about doing even before thinking about what I could get from it.

But now that I'm close to actually getting in, I figure I can gear volunteering towards my end goals (wow... maybe I am a self centered jerk haha). And my end goal is to be a CRNA. When I graduate I want to try and get into a critical care type working environment.

What are some local volunteer options I can look at towards this end? I also really want to do nursing abroad, both volunteering, and long term.

Which... this is the wrong section to post this side question, but it does lead to a question I've had - are there good opportunities for CRNAs to work abroad?

Thanks in advance guys

[rockabye]

Volunteer at a hospital with an ICU you want to work at in the future. Ask the volunteer organization if there is anything you can do for the ICU. Most of the time there really isn't any volunteer work in the ICU because you usually can't talk to the patient. The volunteer work will be equivalent to what a layman can do and will not include any nursing skills. At least it will give you a foot in the door of the hospital and hopefully you can find good contacts/networking to help you get hired in the ICU after nursing graduation.

As for the CRNA abroad thing, I have no idea.

[SitcomNurse, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN]

Volunteer with the local firedepartment. Of course this is something that will take up alot of time, because you have to maintain hours to be able to stay in.

You can be a driver or "hand" where you ride shotgun, take notes etc. you get medical histories from families and all that, and if you are good, they may even send you for EMT training.

other than that, any hospital you can get to volly at is good, any task they want you to do is good, then you maneiver around once you get in.

[bustthewave]

Volunteer at a hospital with an ICU you want to work at in the future. Ask the volunteer organization if there is anything you can do for the ICU. Most of the time there really isn't any volunteer work in the ICU because you usually can't talk to the patient. The volunteer work will be equivalent to what a layman can do and will not include any nursing skills. At least it will give you a foot in the door of the hospital and hopefully you can find good contacts/networking to help you get hired in the ICU after nursing graduation.

As for the CRNA abroad thing, I have no idea.

There has got to be ways for nurses to volunteer as nurses locally. I mean I could be wrong, but I can't imagine there not being good nursing volunteer work in almost every state. But as far as volunteering, it wouldn't necesarily have to be ICU related would it?

[kakamegamama]

ICU volunteering would help you get in the door (perhaps) as future ICU nurse. CRNA programs typically require "x" amount of years of experience in an ICU or other high acuity unit, if I recall correctly.

As to other volunteering--are there any faith based clinics in your area? They often need volunteers of various sorts.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

I would start by volunteering in a hospital you would consider working for then once you have a few semesters under your belt apply to be a CNA/PCT in the ICU. Usually you don't need to get certified if you are in nursing school. It would be a good way to get your foot in the door, especially in the ICU setting.