Volunteer Work

Most hospitals have a website. So I would recommend looking on their website and I have seen several that have a button to push for volunteers. This could possibly give you more information. If that isn't available I would just call and talk to the human resources department.

Volunteering would be a great way to get acquinted with a hospital. Like purple rose mentioned, there should be a mention about volunteering on the hospital's website, or call or visit the HR department.

Also, look into nurse apprenticeships. Hospitals here will hire nursing students, after they have completed their 1st semester as an Apprentice Nurse I, which is the same as a CNA, or after their 2nd semester they may be hired as an ANII, where they're paired up with a nurse to perform (slightly limited) nursing duties. They require as little as 1 shift per week.

I'm not a nurse, I'm 'justavolunteer' (on a pt. unit).

Most hospitals have websites or a phone # listed for their volunteer dept. Sometimes the website has volunteer info under 'careers' or 'services', so you may have to hunt a bit. If you tell the dept. folks that you are considering nursing & want to volunteer on a pt. unit, they can tell you what is available. Some hospitals limit volunteers to the gift shop, front desk, etc. (b-o-o-r-i-n-g!). Other hospitals have them all over the place. You can usually do 3-4 hours per week.

Good luck!