Volunteer

[vuphan86]

hello guys, I am new in here, and this is a first time i ask the question and hope you would help me out. I am in Nursing program and wonder where i can volunteer to learn experiences from what i learned in school, such as injection, vital signs, wound care, and other stuffs that i learned. I am living in South California. Thanks in advance.

[RN403, BSN, RN]

I am not sure that a volunteer would be able to do such tasks. Usually, volunteers do not provide or perform tasks that involve such "invasive" patient care. Usually, these tasks are reserved for techs (foley insertion, IV starts, EKGs). You might look into working as a tech if you have the time as it would allow you to perform a lot of tasks that would allow you to work on some basic skills and would look nice on a resume.

Volunteering & Vital Signs...have you checked with local clinics? The American Red Cross? Usually they utilize volunteers for blood pressure screenings and what not.

Best wishes.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

doubt you will find a place to volunteer for reasons stated above, HIPAA violation risks, infection control risks and others. I suggest you consider working part time as a nurse aid.

[vuphan86]

I got CNA certification already, but i did not have time to practice those skills for RN. However, thank you for all of you.

[glencoco]

There is a program called Clinical Care Extenders Externship (CCE). There are a few volunteer locations at different hospitals in Southern California. I did the one in Newport Beach, but I know there is one in Riverside and elsewhere. I highly recommend that because that is the most hands on you will get to patient care. There is an interview process and a training and you have to take a test/get your CPR/first aid in order to volunteer. But that program is great because you rotate through different departments every 3 months as a volunteer. It gave me lots of valuable exposure to what patient care is like and what each department is like. However, I want to mention that if you do volunteer there at the hospital, your role is still as a volunteer. You will not be able to give injections or help with wound care or any of that stuff you learned in school. Your role will be to act a volunteer and help the staff within your role, including preparing meals, helping with changing sheets, helping to give bed baths with a CNA, feeding, restocking, talking to patients, etc. I found that my experience was quite valuable and I got to experience a ton and observe a lot that I can draw on for experience and knowledge now that I am in nursing school.

[vuphan86]

Thank you so much Glencoco . I am actually a CNA right now, i learn a lot of things while i take care of my pt.

[Charmiecharmo]

There was a volunteer opportunity for nursing students to administer the flu shot during my program and it was for patients at a certain hospital. Maybe call around the different hospitals around your area and ask about any flu shot clinic volunteer opportunities.