Volunteering as a Student Nurse

[wanna_be]

I am four weeks into my first semester of nursing school (traditional BSN program) and am curious about the scope of my ability to volunteer as a student nurse. At my job, I am basically an unlicensed MA (do everything from VS to injection/phlebotomy) and I have a background in case management/social work. Obviously, I know I can't stick anyone with a needle outside of work, but I'm wondering where the line is drawn as far as what I can do as a volunteer. I used to work at a homeless outreach clinic, and I'd love to partner with the nurse at that organization to assist with patient assessments. As a student, can I do BP checks in the community? Basic assessments? Focused assessments? As long as they are supervised by a licensed provider? Or, none of the above? Do I have to wait until second semester when I'm signed off? Is there a website where I can find this information?

Thanks!

[StudentOfHealing]

I highly doubt you can volunteer to assess. Assessment, as you know is the responsibility of the RN. What would be the point of volunteering if the RN has to supervise (which he or she must) your assessments? That is more along the lines of extra work for the nurse - not help.

All you need to do is go the hospital site. Look for a volunteers click here link. If you don't find that call HR. Ask them what volunteering positions they have. I'm positive they'll find something for you. They'll assign you something like showing visitors around or maybe the gift shop. However, this is good! If you get to interact with RNs it can open up doors.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

You're allowed to do injections? I know phlebotomy is not a licensed or certified in my state but injections is usually regulated unless it is related to clinicals in school. I would ask the state board about student nurses giving injections. If it is a physician's office and you're practicing under his license, then that is different.

Vital signs are iffy but possibly doable. Assessments, no. You also won't be allowed to inject people outside of your job unless your school sets up a flu shot clinic.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

In Texas you either have a license or you don't, regardless of where you are in nursing school. As a future professional nurse you need to know what your state allows unlicensed people to do in specific situautions (acute care vs. long term care vs. home health, etc). Don't get in trouble with the BON before you have a chance to get licensed.

[Shayboo]

In our state-SC-I believe once you pass the first semester of nursing school, you can take the certification test to become a CNA or you can find a job as a "nurse tech," which is the same thing and pays the same, they will just title it different for nursing students to get jobs at local hospitals. Usually when you start your clinicals, you can find jobs and (hopefully-fingers crossed), get in good with someone at the hospital that will open doors for you.