volunteering lead to hiring?

[lilSiouXz]

i just wanted to share an experience i had today that i'm hoping will help me secure a position when i finish up my course.

i won't be starting my CNA course until May, but i've been calling nursing homes and assisted living facilities in my area asking if i could volunteer until my class started. i'm lucky that the major 'hospital-chain' in our area (Virginia beach) has several of these facilities throughout the area. they have all responded very positively.

anyway, i went in and spoke to the guy in charge of volunteers at one of the facilities today, and picked out 2 afternoons that i can volunteer. he wrote me up a letter to have a TB test/PPD done at the hospital for free tomorrow, then i can just go in to the facility on Monday to have it read, and then stay to volunteer for the first time. as i was leaving, he mentioned that once i finish my course and get licensed, that it was a good possibility of me being picked up there since i would already have a bit of experience there and have built up some relationships/references. i'm hoping it will work out just as he said.

if nothing else, my course required that i have an up-to-date TB test, so i will have that part of my list checked off. i'll also be looking at one other facility tomorrow.

anyone else have success in this approach?

[travis73]

I hope this works out for you, cuz I'm doing the same thing. Haha!

In my off time, and while the kids are at school, I will be volunteering with area hospitals. They don't require a big committment, so I plan to help out at a few places. Try to increase my options that way. Couldn't hurt.

[CNAMichelle]

sounds like a very good idea,I have heard people say that it helps a lot! goodluck to you!

[onlyfaith]

i started volunteering 2 years ago (before i started nursing school). i just got my cna licsence last week and talked with the unit director about the cna float pool. she said she's going to make some calls for me and if the float pool doesn't have an opening, she'll make one on her floor for me!

definitely a great idea and a good way to network!

[lilSiouXz]

awesome to hear such positive feedback - thanx! i feel good about volunteering and helping out, but just knowing that it may help me out to secure employment is a definite plus!

[mcnasty]

lilsiouxz- hi! i am in VB also and will be starting TCC's CNA program in may. (& we are about the same age) i cannot figure out how to send you a message directly. my user name here is jholston hope to hear from you i'd love to talk to you!