Volunteer while in school?

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I'm about to start taking my prereqs toward the Ocean County College nursing program. Do you think volunteering at a hospital a few hours a month is a good idea while I am attending school? I want to do that not only to see what the hospital setting is like, but also so I can have hospital volunteer work on my resume--would that help me get a job once I become a RN in a few years????

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It will help you network, which may help you in finding a job.

I volunteer at a hospital. I enjoy it. I get to rotate through different departments so by the time I get out of school, I'll at least have an idea of what areas I like.

I don't expect a job from my volunteering, but I am networking.

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Nice! I would like to try it. I requested some info on my local hospital's website regarding volunteering, and I guess they will send me some info in the mail. I'm not exactly sure how the whole process of becoming a volunteer works.

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As an unemployed new grad, my advice is that you get into that hospital now and volunteer your butt off. A lot of hospitals will employ you as a CNA while you are in nursing school - I recommend taking advantage of this. I didn't work while in nursing school, because I didn't think I could manage that plus kids plus maintaining a high GPA. As it turns out, my GPA is worthless. Having an in at a hospital would be priceless!

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I think it is a good idea. I start school in the fall, but have been volunteering at a local hospital and intend on staying there. I am in the ER and I really appreciate all of the hands on experience I have already gained. Also I hope the networking will help me in the future if needed.

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Specializes in CNA (Stroke, Neuro, LTC), Volunteer.

I volunteer every week in the ER and on the oncology floor. And I love every second of it. It'll look good on your resume and when applying to nursing school for clinicals if they have a spot for it, it will look good on there too. I don't know if it will really make much of a difference when trying to get a job but it wouldn't hurt. (And as a bonus if some of the nurses know you're a student and going into nursing they let you watch procedures, that's one of my favorite parts).

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oh wow, thanks so much guys for responding!!!! i will try to fit in some volunteer time. i think the hospital i was looking at (ocean meridian center in brick, nj) said you need to volunteer minimum 12 hours/month. i am determined to squeeze those hours in, i am super curious to see what hospital work is all about as i have no experience whatsoever (currently employed full time in business field)---just realized business isn't for me, and i want to help people and like to be busy :yeah: instead of sitting on my butt all day starting at a computer screen :yawn: thanks for responding, getting supportive feedback feels great :D

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I have never worked in the healthcare field and I started volunteering this summer and I love it. I do not begin my nursing program until March of 2011 so I am not sure how it will fit in with my schedule but it is only 4 hours a week. I am grateful that I decided to volunteer because I feel I will be better prepared as far as being comfortable in a hospital atmosphere when it is time for clinicals. Also, I really thought I was only interested in pursuing a career in L&D but I volunteer in the OR and find it very intriguing.

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Zhockey mom, were you able to choose which unit you want to volunteer at or were you just placed somewhere?

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I was able to choose where I wanted to be placed from positions that were open. Originally I started out in the ER but my school schedule interfered and I had to transfer. Also, one other thing - I was completely surprised as to the hiring process for a volunteer. It is as if you are being hired for a paying job. The application was 6 pages, criminal background check (which is a good thing), either a one on one or group interview, 2 long orientations and of course training. All in all, the process took well over a month.

I do want to fill you in on my experience though - volunteer work is not hands on like clinicals are and skills are not involved. However, the benefit that I have received and I feel is priceless, is the interaction with patients and also with the nursing/medical staff. Had I not been volunteering this year and I started clinicals with no experience at all, I think that I would have been overly stressed. I have learned that there is a certain unspoken protocol that must be followed and being that my duties are not overwhelming, I have been able to observe and gain a respect for what the nurses go through on a daily basis. Right now, I am on the outside looking in with no pressure - in a few months, my vision will become clouded with expectations and I don't think I would be as unbiased.

If a person is not involved in the healthcare field, I would highly recommend volunteering. Not only have I been rewarded with the points that I mentioned above, I have truly met people that have touched my heart. I cannot wait to become a nurse so I can make a difference in this world and in people's lives! :yeah:

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I had no idea the process to get in was so lengthy, so thank you for the info. I will need to apply to multiple places as it looks like even becoming a volunteer is super competitive, especially nowadays :) Thanks much and good luck to you!

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My volunteer process was not that extensive and I'm at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

I had to have 3 letters of recommendation sent to the volunteer office after I filled out the application. Once they received the info back, after a few weeks, I was interviewed by the volunteer manager. I picked my shifts right then and there. They did a criminal background check, I just had to sign off that I was okay with it. Then I attended orientation, which was only like 1 1/2 hours. Then I shadowed for a few hours, and that was it.

I applied to 2 other hospitals before I got into mine. There were no open spots at Childrens. But I'm glad I didn't get in to the other places. I love where I'm at.

Honestly, if you get the interview, you really are in. They really don't turn down people unless you have a criminal record or something.

You do get to pick where you want to be, however, it's also subject to the availability of open slots. The ED seems to be the most popular.

I volunteer in the ED and on the Oncology floor.

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