Volunteering.

aleong29 · May 27, 2013

I volunteer in the emergency department at my local hospital. I originally started volunteering to make up for the fact that I can't donate blood (don't meet requirements). While I was starting my nursing applications, I noticed that there was an area where I can list health related activities and that's where my volunteering came in handy. Only one of the schools I applied to made it mandatory that we have volunteer experience.

I thought volunteering was a great experience for me overall, and especially because I don't have a job in the health care field. You do seem like you have a pretty busy schedule, but I'm sure you can fit volunteering in there somehow. My hospital let's us volunteer for as little as two hours per shift if we're really busy. Good luck with everything!

RHill9919 · May 27, 2013

just curious, do nursing schools typically ask you if you donate blood?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 27, 2013

just curious, do nursing schools typically ask you if you donate blood?

No, why would they?

bravera · May 28, 2013

I used to work full-time while attending university full-time, so I only volunteered three hours a week at my local hospital in the ER, pharmacy, materials management, med-surg floor, and PACU. I absolutely loved it! To be honest, most nursing schools that I applied to didn't care much for my volunteer experience, though I had volunteered for years and logged hundreds of hours with auxiliary services. The school I was accepted to did not ask about my volunteer experience, but I did write about it in my essay to contribute to my argument as to why I wanted to be a nurse. I think you could probably handle a couple hours a week, volunteer schedules are typically very flexible since they aren't an actual job and you aren't always liable to show up. The tasks you're usually given are mundane and not too labor intensive, either. I did things from just bagging syringes to stocking patient rooms or cuddling with crying children.

RHill9919 · May 28, 2013

it's a way of "giving back" so I wasn't sure if that was something they looked at

aleong29 · May 28, 2013

it's a way of "giving back" so I wasn't sure if that was something they looked at

I think it might be something you can say in your personal statement if you can tie it in very well with what you're writing. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't care for it since there are many people who can't give blood due to many various reasons. It would put all these people, including myself, at an unfair disadvantage. I can not give blood because I do not meet the weight requirement to do so.

Boxer Mama · May 28, 2013

I have started volunteering at a local hospital with one of my dogs doing animal-assisted therapy. I just started because it took a long time to get everything in order, but this is something that I have wanted to do for many years. I just had my first visit a couple of weeks ago with my own dog, and it was a very powerful experience. It really brought joy and comfort to the patients and their families, and this is something I will make time for during nursing school and after I graduate because I believe so much in all the positives that animals can bring to the hospital.

KDSkyy44 · May 28, 2013

I am a pre-ABSN student. I volunteer on with a local EMS as an EMT. I do it because I love it, bottom line (12 hours a week). It has also helped me land a job as an ED tech (I have my CNA PCT and ECT Certs as well). I'm sure it will contribute nicely not only to my applications but also to my résumé and in job placement as a new grad. Volunteering is too rewarding to live a life without it. (I also did pet therapy for awhile but ran of time lately to continue going to the hospital with my pooch)

For pre-med it is required, for PA school its strongly encouraged but more weight is on paid HCEs, and for nursing there's no requirement though I'm sure when it comes down to you and other identical applicant those little things play a role as to who selected.

Fireman767 · May 28, 2013

Ive been a volunteer EMT with my towns EMS service for years. I did up to 20 hours a week and the nursing schools really were interested in that. Some schools have started to give students with volunteer hours additional admissions points for it. But it helped lay the framework for nursing school at least.

JMart83 · May 28, 2013

Even if volunteer work is not an entrance requirement at your school do it anyway. I am a firm believer that my volunteer experience helped me get my job as an RN once I was finished with school in the department I wanted. The experience, while unpaid, really sets you apart from other applicants.

hiddenjoules · May 28, 2013

I volunteer as an EMT for a local EMS service and as a Paramedic Assistant with a hospital-based paramedic service. I absolutely love it and have found it to be very fulfilling and rewarding to give back to the community.

Good luck!