Volunteering = Experience?

[bkgibsonv]

Ok, I know that this topic has been kicked in the ribs over and over but I am one of hundreds if not thousands of new grads (A.A.S) and I can not find a job due to lack of nursing experience. I worked as an EMT for 3 years and have worked for the last five years as a video technician in an operating room. Not even the hospital that I have worked in for the last 5 years will hire me. I'm sure this has been asked before but does volunteering at a hospital count as experience? I don't know what to do anymore, I'm starting to think I went into the wrong field.

[cookie91]

I am going to start an emt course in febuary until may and I was hoping to work as an emt while I attend nursing school. Were you an emt basic ? Can I ask how was your experience and how much you were pard? Neways I am applying to various volunteer programs in hospitals but I am mostly applying Is so it looks strong in my application for nursing school so I can attend the school I want to go. I seriously believe that the nursing school you went matters also your gpa in nursing school and how much you accomplished in nursing school for example any interships. I think your best bet is to go get your bachelors because most good hospitals don't consider someone with an associates when they have a bunch of application from people with bsn.

[Guest27531]

Ok, I know that this topic has been kicked in the ribs over and over but I am one of hundreds if not thousands of new grads (A.A.S) and I can not find a job due to lack of nursing experience. I worked as an EMT for 3 years and have worked for the last five years as a video technician in an operating room. Not even the hospital that I have worked in for the last 5 years will hire me. I'm sure this has been asked before but does volunteering at a hospital count as experience? I don't know what to do anymore, I'm starting to think I went into the wrong field.

I'm so sorry you can't find work. The jobs will start to open up for new grads in the next few years but right now I know it seems impossible. I recommend you keep your current job in the OR and continue school so you will have the BSN. You may actually be better off than some who are graduating now with the BSN. They can't find jobs now and after 6 months they will have an even more difficult time because it will have been "too long" since they were in school. Many hospitals are now screening applicants off the top by eliminating anyone without a BSN.

In the meantime, to answer your question, "NO" volunteering does not count as experience. Even if I were to volunteer in my own hospital (where I still work) I would not be allowed to do some of the most basic nursing tasks as a volunteer. Your experience as an EMT and as a video technician in the OR will count for more than that in terms of your comfort in being in the healthcare environment to a prospective employer. In an interview, however, let that experience speak for itself (don't emphasize it) because you don't want the interviewer to think you consider it "nursing" experience.

When you graduate with a BSN will be just about the time hospitals start re-hiring. Many of us had to work as hard as you are having to work to get to the top of the mountain but you will make it and you will be glad you stayed with it.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Any relevant healthcare experience should be mentioned on a resume, and let the employer decide how much weight to give it. It won't count as "nursing" experience but it's sure better than nothing at all.