Volunteering

Excellent question. I'm not yet in nursing school, however I just started hospice volunteering. 4 hours a week doesn't seem like much, but that 4 hours may seem like the world if you have a billion things happening. Right now,even though I'm in school fulltime, I still have the time available (just barely!).

I'll keep an eye on this thread. Thank you for asking this :)

Volunteering is the mose amazing thing that you can do to prepare. I volunteered in several different nursing units for two years prior to school and I still volunteer in my second quarter. I have seen more nursing things during my volunteer work than my peers have seen in clinicals. I have also been offered jobs, including my current nurse tech job, from my volunteer work. A few hours a week will seem like a lot when in school but when you realize the benefits, it will be easier to make the commitment. Good luck!

Thanks for your replies! I just got accepted into nursing school and will be starting at the end of August. I don't currently volunteer, but I have definitely thought about it. With my school and work schedule now, it was near impossible to imagine having any extra time to volunteer. I also think it will be difficult in the nursing program, but I figured there must be SOME benefits to it! I know a few ladies at my current job who volunteer in the same hospital a couple hours a week - so I figured they could help me get into it! :)

First off my school requires we do at least 100 hours of community service to graduate, so we have to find a way to work it in.

Second in this tight job market some volunteering can be very important. Most places now are looking for some experience in the medical field. If you can volunteer at the facility you want to work at as a nurse the connections are invaluable.

On top of all that volunteering can be fantastic! I am involved in Disaster Response with the Red Cross and also volunteer with the local free clinic that I had my community health rotation at. I have found the experience rewarding and confidence building.

It has helped my job search in a number of ways. The Dept Head I interviewed with happens to be on the board of directors of the free clinic. The experiences I had there gave me great material for my interview. Another place I am applying to the head of the ED is involved in Disaster Response. Did I mention it was rewarding too?

Hi ImMrBill3,

Thanks so much for the info.. I am sure volunteering is not only valuable for nursing, but also rewarding in general! I have noticed that more and more jobs now are requiring some experience to get into, and since I don't think I'll be working during nursing school, I wanted to know if volunteering would give you any real experience... I guess that would just depend on where you volunteer?