Volunteering to get into a nursing school?

[roseUP19]

Hello, I'm currently a first year pre-nursing student at a community college in Northern California. I'm taking courses to fulfill my general ed and pre requisites, and I plan to only be at this community college for two years, and transfer to a nursing school as a junior (I'll also be leaving with a degree in natural sciences and math). So, I start applying for nursing schools this coming September, and the application period closes in February '17.

Anyway, I'm thinking of attending nursing school in either California or Oregon. I have already met with admissions counselors at two schools in Oregon, and of course they mentioned that volunteer work will make me more competitive. However, they are looking for volunteer/work experience (around 400 hours!) in which I get patient contact and a good sense of what nursing is all about. I've spoken to volunteer coordinators at Kaiser, and I've learned that you don't really get a whole lot of patient contact there -- just pushing wheel chairs and information desk stuff. So, I'm at a loss about what my options are as far volunteering goes.

Does anyone have any advice as to where I could get sufficient volunteer experience? Thank you so much!

[Brink48]

What do they consider patient contact? Unless you are employed in the field I don't see how you will be able to make "contact".

[gere7404, BSN, RN]

Where are you at in Northern California? Is there a VA medical center near you?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

PPs are correct. In the US, 'patient contact' is limited by regulatory & legal requirements. Volunteers are utilized in support roles such as gift shop, information desk, etc. where they won't have any access to patient information.

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

You could get your STNA and work as a tech at a hospital. It will be more useful to you than volunteering anyways!