Volunteering

[serendipitie]

I am working on getting into a nursing program. I was told by the admissions counselor that my application is great, except I don't have any related volunteer or work experience. I have been looking for a volunteer opportunity, but I am having a hard time - all the volunteer programs I have found have a very specific schedule that does not work with my current job. I am looking for a new one, but I can't take too much of a pay cut because I am trying to save and pay off bills before I have to quit altogether to get through school when the time comes. I also noticed that most of the volunteer openings are of a clerical nature - filing mostly. My questions are:

1. Do smaller hospitals and doctor's offices accept volunteers on a part time basis? Or where else could I look to find a volunteer opening? I was looking at some of the larger hospitals in my area.

2. Do you think it matters as far as an application goes as to what kind of work you did as a volunteer? I'm not opposed to doing the clerical or mundane work, but I also want to make sure I get the right kind of experience.

3. Is there anything else that I could do to make myself stand out?

The program I want to be in is a BSN program, and I already have a BS in Bio Sci.

Thanks in advance!

[charlottegirl]

Hello! I am in the same boat as you, wishing to get into a BSN program in North Carolina. I too have a BS in Biology. I called one of the nursing homes nearby and they were THRILLED that I had interest in volunteering there. Not sure if this is the route you want to take, but it is going to work well for me as I too have to work full time and they are grateful for whatever hours I can come and volunteer. I have three little girls that I am going to involve, too. They do not have a Grandparents program, and I think this would be a great way to introduce them, too, to the importance of giving back. :redpinkhe

Carol