Volunteer experience

[wama]

I am currently preparing to apply to Accelerated BSN and a couple of Graduate-Entry Programs for non-nurses. I have a BFA and an MA in Art History in-progress, and mid-grad school I realized the career wasn't for me. I investigated nursing (especially advanced practice) and believe it would be a great match for my skills and career goals. In order to learn more about the field of nursing (and strengthen my applications for next year) I am about to begin volunteering at a hospital and nursing home. The nursing home sounds like they will actually be able to provide nurse shadowing and resident interaction, but the hospital does not. Hospital volunteers cannot shadow nurses, and really only work at the front desk, assist with discharge (I think wheelchair transport for patients who can't walk) and newspaper and flower delivery. To those of you who volunteered at a hospital before, is this normal? I think it would be helpful for me to have some volunteer experience from a hospital for my resume, but I don't know how useful it will be to me.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

There are very few hospital volunteer programs that will permit you to shadow nursing or work directly with nurses these days. What you described is pretty typical roles for volunteers in a US hospital setting. One option to gain experience is to take a CNA class and start working as a hospital CNA. If you want patient interaction you can look into volunteering with a hospice service You might interact indirectly with nurses as a hospice volunteer. Good luck.

[mplovex]

I first started volunteering at a local community hospital and did more secretarial and stocking tasks in the ER and the ICU. I applied to volunteer at the bigger trauma hospital for our region and was accepted into the selective newborn nursery volunteer program. Most volunteer programs in the hospitals don't allow volunteers in the newborn nursery but this particular hospital did. I was able to work one-on-one with the newborns by giving their first baths, taking their footprints, changing their diapers, feeding and burping them, transporting them to their mother's rooms or the nurseries, and giving those babies with jaundice under phototherapy a little extra care. For me, it was important to gain more volunteer experience because I eventually learned a lot about what the nurses do, how discharges are done, and got a lot of patient interaction (with both mom and baby). Look into a lot of the hospitals in your area to gain this type of experience, otherwise, I think you should go with the nursing home volunteer program. I just personally think you would gain a much different perspective of the work of R.N.'s (and the hospital system as well) by volunteering in a hospital, even if it's just secretarial duties.

[scassar]

Hi mplovex

Could you please tell me where that trauma hospital is located? Wish I could find a volunteer program like that in my area (Westchester, NY) as I especially love taking care of babies :)

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

I volunteered in the transportation department moving patients all over the hospital. I see the nurses all the time and even help with minor issues. The best part is that the managers have gotten to know me and I am sure I have an 'in' on their floors. It has been a great experience. Ask if you can do that.

[Nurse2b7337]

That is awesome!! It's very important to be IN!! I volunteer at a hospital in Atlanta and I help assist new moms up to their rms with their babies. I may help out in emergency now that school out. I think any volunteering we do now is going to be as helpful as possible.