Volunteering leading to prospective employment?

[xyra]

Hello everyone. I am somewhat new around here and am very happy I came across this website. I will be starting an RN program in January and am excited about beginning this new journey. I have been researching and learning more and more about the different specialties in the nursing field, and am beginning to feel as though I may want to be a hospice nurse upon graduation. I know that once I begin school and go through my rotations during clinicals that I will be able to get a better idea on what area I would like to pursue, but I am beginning to feel that my personality would positively influence hospice patients more.

I contacted a local hospice facility yesterday and will hopefully participate in their volunteer program within the next couple of months when they have new training sessions. I understand that many facilities prefer to hire RNs who have experience in a hospital setting. Is there anyway possible that a new grad could be hired even though they may have only volunteered with the facility? I have completed research and am very interested in volunteering at this facility, and, if my heart tells me that this is the area I should be in, would like to be a part of their team.

I really feel that volunteering will give me a better perspective on the environment. I am not sure if my school will do clinical rotations in this area. I would really like to get my foot in the door so that the facility can also get a better perspective on who I am in case I become a prospective member of their team. I already feel so passionate about volunteering. Any input or suggestions on what I can do to enter the hospice field would be greatly appreciated. Thank you:)

[~MIA~, ASN, RN]

Volunteering will definitely be a plus to "get your foot in the door" with an agency...you all will become familiar with one another (you and agency). Your role as a volunteer will be different from your role as an RN, obviously. It can't hurt anything! Good Luck :)

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I got a job at a hospice by volunteering there first...it was all part of my evil plot and it worked!

[LMTRN]

Same here, they hired me straight out of school.