Someone please give me tips on how to apply to volunteer positions

kanzz · Apr 24, 2012

It's just so hard to get a RN positions nowdays with nothing that stands out on your resume with so many new grads applying, and I have a lot of free time that I'm willing to fill in volunteering in any health care setting.
Anyone have any experience with that? Who do I talk to? How do I convience them to hire me as a volunteer if they don't have a volunteer intership?
Thanks in advanced.

You might try a Hospice. They are always looking for volunteers to work with patients on various levels. Talk to the Volunteer Coordinator.

You'll have to keep in mind that it's a thin line you'll be walking, and you will have to leave your RN cap at home. Any organization you approach migh be a bit leery of you as an RN because they can't be sure that you won't cross the line. Put yourself in their shoes, and I'm sure you can understand. I'm sure you have thoroughly weighed all the factors, right?

oncnurse1997 · Apr 24, 2012

When I was in school we were able to volunteer at the hospital in our town by contacting the volunteer coordinator...I enjoyed the ER and after school took a position in that ER and later decided to move to oncology and fell in love. It does look good on your resume because it shows that you are motivated and by being there it does give you leads on jobs before they are posted. We had nursing externs that worked as techs but we brought them in for all kinds of procedures and if they had reviewed it at school then we would have them watch one, do one and teach one...seemed to help the concept stick. But as far as our volunteers they were able to take patients water, snacks, transport them back and forth between radiology and the floor and watch procedures that the patient said was okay like IV's (which every nurse does different and you can never learn enough on them). Also the teaching hospitals have a LOT of volunteers here in Nashville even in some of the outpatient clinics.

LovedRN, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2012

Google "free clinic" in your area and call or e-mail them, tell them you want to volunteer. If you volunteer at the hospital you can't do anything except being a massager or answering the phone. (I think) it's borning to volunteer at the hospital. I used to volunteer before going into nursing school. I didn't see RN volunteers at my hospital. I don't know if RN can volunteer in the hospital. But I saw nursing interns(?). They get paid but if you got RN license then you can't do that.

I e-mailed several free clinics. Some don't want RN, saying that they already have enough or there are no opening for RN volunteer positions. One of them e-mailed me for an interview. They didn't ask you much (in my case). They asked to see ID and license. Then they basically told you what to do. This free clinic is run by volunteers so they always need people. I didn't have to convience them to accept me.

If you need to convience them, how about talking to your instructors? I want to be in OR. But that is HARD to get in. I am taking OR class right now so I don't want to volunteer in OR (if there is any) but to shadow an OR nurse. I contact my instructors and they are happy to help me. They often know where you can/can't go.

Hope this is help.

helster83 · Apr 24, 2012

I've done something that I call "cold calling" ...basically depending on where you live, type 'hospital' into google maps, see what pops up, and start making phone calls. Speak to the operator, have them forward you to their volunteer department if they have one, then speak with or leave a message with a volunteer coordinator. From there they should send you an application or arrange a meeting with you. Explain to them that you are a RN looking into working at this particular hospital, but before you commit yourself you would like to volunteer first. I would say it's a pretty respectable proposition. They get to know a job candidate and you can potentially square yourself a job. If you don't get a position, it'll look real good on your resume to other hospitals. I say it's a win-win in this scenario.

stephanie2012 · Apr 24, 2012

How to convince ?

ok, you may show them your passion and sincerity,mercy, honesty........, and tell them you just wanna help without any payment , let them know what is your strength, and effects you can creat.

babieruth54 · Apr 24, 2012

The best job I ever had came from volunteering. I went to see the Chief Nurse on the Military Base near where I lived. I also wanted a Civil Service Job because of the benefits. After verifying I.D. and Nursing Lic. I was well on my way. He sent me to see the Red Cross Coordinator in the Hospital. Wherever a Nurse was needed she sent me. It was only a few weeks into volunteer that the Chief Nurse started hearing about how good I was. He said you do the paperwork at Civilian Personel, I've got a job for you. Please be warned...the paperwork is extensive, takes some time. But I kept volunteering and what I didn't know was that he was keeping up with my hours and gave me comp time for them the day I went on the payroll.

One1, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2012

Like helster83, I just called the hospital hotline, asked for the volunteer coordinator, and set up a meeting. I then met for a "formal interview" and then started as soon as my background check came back.