Volunteering......Good or Bad??

[nursingstudent221]

I was thinking about volunteering at a hospital to see how the hospital is and learn thing in the medical area. I just wanted to know do you think this is a good idea, will it help me get into the nursing program and then get a job . I am going to do it no matter what I was just wondering.

Thanks!

[guiltysins]

Well I don't think there are any bad consequences of volunteering. As far as helping you with your program. It depends on two things. One it depends on if your program takes into consideration medical experience (mine didn't) and two what kind of volunteering you do. Unless it's direct patient care, much of anything else won't matter at all.

I did it purely because I wanted something to put on my resume down the line and I wanted the experience of being in a hospital setting, maybe even learning a few codes and whatnot while I was there. It's also good for networking, but like I said, it won't matter much unless it's direct patient care.

[nursingstudent221]

I wanted the experience of being in a hospital setting, maybe even learning a few codes and whatnot while I was there. It's also good for networking

That's one of the reason why i wanted to do it.

Thanks!!

[ruaalien2]

I'm doing it now and I love it. I volunteer 8 hours a week on a med/surg oncology floor. Not what I see myself doing in the long run (I want to work with kids/adolescents) but the experience has been great, from some of the stuff I'm picking up to the networking to just being able to talk and question the nurses (most of them are super friendly and willing to share whatever they can).

[frnzy]

I also cannot think of anything bad about volunteering. I say go for it and be eager to learn!

[jennylouwho]

I volunteer now. It won't help me get into school, but hopefully it'll help me with connections for when I graduate. :)

[ruaalien2]

I volunteer now. It won't help me get into school, but hopefully it'll help me with connections for when I graduate. :)

If any of the places your applying want recommendation letters it could :)

[jennylouwho]

Exactly. :)

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

I volunteered before I thought about the nursing program. I worked on the OB/Peds unit, one evening a week. Basic stuff, answering the phone, call lights, they didn't have an evening US. I put together paperwork, stocked supplies, pushed babies back and forth to the nursery. At one time I also worked as a messenger and ran labs, delivered mail, took new admits to their rooms and got them settled in. It was all good experience.

BTW, I also got a couple of small scholarships from the volunteers when I was in the nursing program.

Go for it!

[ruaalien2]

I volunteered before I thought about the nursing program. I worked on the OB/Peds unit, one evening a week. Basic stuff, answering the phone, call lights, they didn't have an evening US. I put together paperwork, stocked supplies, pushed babies back and forth to the nursery. At one time I also worked as a messenger and ran labs, delivered mail, took new admits to their rooms and got them settled in. It was all good experience.

BTW, I also got a couple of small scholarships from the volunteers when I was in the nursing program.

Go for it!

I wish the hospital I'm volunteering at would put me on OB/Peds. The director feels that I'll be better off with adults getting experience with them on a med/surg floor. I love the staff I work with (usually the same both nights I'm there) and some of the patients that we have that are long term (most of ours are in for 3 days to a week-week and a half at most) already ask for me by name when they call if I don't pick up if it's something they know I can do so not to bother a nurse, but seeing as how I want to work peds I rather be around the lil ones. I guess in the long run I'm getting so much out of it I don't mind.

I am really hoping now they can put me back on the same unit when I go back (I had ankle surgery in December so I'm still out for probably another month).

[Davo]

I was thinking about volunteering at a hospital to see how the hospital is and learn thing in the medical area. I just wanted to know do you think this is a good idea, will it help me get into the nursing program and then get a job . I am going to do it no matter what I was just wondering.

Thanks!

yes please do. I have found waht i wanted to be after volunteering. As many question and Americans like to explain on skills.

[rayhay]

agreed that there are no bad sides to volunteering....that is unless it is taking away from your school work/time to study and you are doing more poorly because of it.

the best thing is you can just start the volunteering position and if its not for you there are no harsh feelings. you just explain it and your out! give it a try if you have the chance.