Volunteer interview

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Hey everyone!

I'm new here, been lurking for a while though. I have an interview this Thursday at a big major hospital for a volunteer position in Dallas/Fort Worth. I'm new to the medical world, but am starting my prerequisites in the spring to try and get into a nursing program. I'm very excited in this new stage of my life (have a prior bachelors degree, but unrelated to nursing).

Since I have no prior hospital experience, what are some questions I can expect? They told me I didn't need a resume, but that's all I know so far. I plan on dressing business casual.. what do you guys think?

Also, this is a list of things that a volunteer can do.. which one would allow me to be out in the open with patients, and not just sitting behind a desk..

Here's the list

  • Greeting and Wayfinding
  • Patient Activity Cart
  • Emergency department
  • Patient Floor
  • Gift shop
  • Information Desk/Patient Mail & Flower Delivery
  • Popcorn Machine
  • Surgery Recovery
  • Surgery Waiting Room

I don't mind doing things such as changing bed sheets, or doing other miscellaneous tasks that nurses or techs need to me to do.. just want to make sure I gain the best skills possible that will have me feeling more prepared later on in the nursing world. I'm really not sure I want to start out in emergency.. although if I'm able to interact more with patients there and nurses, I'd probably consider.

Well, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.. =)

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From what I read, it does not sound like volunteering will give you what you are looking for. I have worked in my hospital for almost 20 years, and have never seen a volunteer; they are that invisible.

Most places will not let volunteers do patient care or really interact with patients. I volunteered once and the closest I got to patient care was going room to room and asking the patient if they wanted a newspaper.

If you get a CNA certification and get a CNA job then you really get a chance to see the real healthcare at work. If you become a float pool CNA in a large teaching hospital you get to work in almost every department, meet a lot of interesting people and get paid more than the volunteer.

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They need you more that you need them. Don't worry about the interview. As long as you can walk and talk , they should jump at the chance.

You will not be changing sheets, that involves patient interaction. Your volunteer experience will not add anything to your resume. You have to work for $$$.

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Geez looks pretty bleak from the comments of the last comment. I realize I won't have patient contact the way a paid employee does. I just want to get more comfortable in a hospital setting, as I have no medical experience.

I'd love to get my CNA certification, but the school that's offering that course near me is waiting for a new instructor. So figured this was better than doing nothing. I'm thinking volunteering normally looks good in any capacity.

If you or someone you know has volunteered in a area that helped you feel more prepared in your nursing career, please let me know. My interview is tomorrow. My first choice is peds, or NICU, but I'm open to any others as well.

Thank you!

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I volunteer for the hospital I hope to work for when I graduate. I've done several different things in a volunteer capacity. I've worked in the NICU, cuddling babies - they let me help a lot with changing diapers, taking temps, giving baths, etc. I also volunteered in the ER, where I dealt with patients in the waiting area getting registered (this sucked). I've also done the stuff to help employees, like luncheons, award ceremonies, etc.

My interview was really easy. She just asked me why I wanted to volunteer, what my future plans were and what sort of stuff I was interested in.

If the hospital you're volunteering for is anything like mine, there will be so many good opportunities for you. I also got all my vaccinations for nursing school for free :)

Good luck!

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And volunteering looks great on scholarship applications!

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You're amazing. :)

Did you have to have a certain number of prerequisite hrs/or need to be in a nursing program to be able to work with in NICU cuddling/changing diapers? That would be amazing to get that experience.

I'm just starting my prerequisites in the spring. I do have bachelors degree but not related to nursing. It's in the rehabilitative field.

Unfortunately without a masters I'm limited in what I can do. Kinda beat myself up over not just going for my nursing in the first place. Lol

I did fill out the volunteer form for adult student, so hope that helps a bit. I know I can't be too choosy, but it helps knowing what others have enjoyed.

Oh and I'm not quite sure I'd be able to handle ER. Lol I've thought about it, but don't want to be scared away before I start. Haha I'm sure it was interesting with all the things you see though?

Thank again for your time in writing back, and all your help! :)

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You're amazing. :)

Did you have to have a certain number of prerequisite hrs/or need to be in a nursing program to be able to work with in NICU cuddling/changing diapers? That would be amazing to get that experience.

I'm just starting my prerequisites in the spring. I do have bachelors degree but not related to nursing. It's in the rehabilitative field.

Unfortunately without a masters I'm limited in what I can do. Kinda beat myself up over not just going for my nursing in the first place. Lol

I did fill out the volunteer form for adult student, so hope that helps a bit. I know I can't be too choosy, but it helps knowing what others have enjoyed.

Oh and I'm not quite sure I'd be able to handle ER. Lol I've thought about it, but don't want to be scared away before I start. Haha I'm sure it was interesting with all the things you see though?

Thank again for your time in writing back, and all your help! :)

No problem :)

No experience needed for the NICU - it's really about the relationship you build with the nurses and how much help you are, in my experience. I'm older/have kids of my own, so I may have gotten to do things not all new volunteers get to do. Babies aren't my thing, so I don't go there often.

Working in the ER, you don't see much - because you're not there to "see" much. You're there to help and it would be inappropriate really. Mostly I dealt with people that weren't emergent and had been waiting for a very long time. It was hard work emotionally.

All hospitals are different though, so keep that in mind!

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Thanks! I'm older as well, it probably wasn't very apparent by my grammatical errors above. lol

I don't have any kids of my own, so it would definitely be a new experience for me. And that makes sense.. and I'm hoping my comment about the ER didn't come as disrespectful. I should have worded it differently. I just had always figured it was an intense environment. I definitely can imagine the ER would be a hard work emotionally.

Now I'm just trying to think of other areas, besides NICU, just in case that isn't available.

Thank you again!

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