Volunteering

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I'm a new student. I have no medical background. I was wondering if anyone thinks volunteering at a hospital will help my chances when it comes time to get a job. Has it helped any of you that weren't CNA's or techs ahead of time?

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Yes yes yes!

Volunteering will def. help. Especially if you find out what part you want to specialize in or maybe even switch majors?

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It could only help you! Just make sure that you are super professional when you are there and have the best attitude. I used to volunteer every summer at a hospital. I started when I was 15 and stopped when I was 17. I will tell you, everyone loved me and requested me when I was 15 and 16. Then, I became rebellious between 16-17, wrong crowd, etc. Looking back as an adult, everyone definitely treated me differently my last summer. I wouldn't be surprised if they asked me to not come back if I tried to again. (Then, not now lol)

You may also look into volunteering with Red Cross. You may or may not get more nurse-type experience that way. If you can't find a job, volunteer! It looks amazing on a resume. :) I plan to start volunteering my first semester of school, just a few hours, one day a week. Hopefully that will help me get a PCT job when I am able to! Good luck to you!!

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I looked online and one hospital requires you sign a one year contract and work one day a week for a four hour shift. I could do that I think. Depends what my school schedule ends up being. I start in the fall. I'm just in pharmacology now. We have to pass that to get fully into the program.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

you would learn the rhythm of the hospital and some of the people and the pecking order, but you would probably not do any direct patient interaction because of the risks involved. You can also consider taking a unlicensed staff member job and learn more.

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My GPA wasn't fantastic (3.6). I think my 2 years of volunteer work definitely helped with my acceptance to nursing school for the fall. So YES! And even if it doesn't help at all, at least it wasn't a waste! You're really doing a great thing!

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Volunteering is what got me into nursing school! You will learn so much volunteering and find out what floors you like and what you don't like. Also meeting nurses will help you make great connections and you will learn to love the staff (at least I did) I did volunteering for a year once a week with 4 hour shifts. I did that while taking my nursing pre-reqs and working two jobs so I had a full load but it was totally worth it! I always ended the shift leaving the hospital happy and greatful :)

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