What does volunteering at a Hospital get you?

buttercupp85 · May 23, 2012

There are two big benefits to volunteering as I see it.

First, it'll help you get into a nursing school program. Some schools give extra points to your application for volunteer experience and if you're writing any type of essay or doing an interview to get in, talking about volunteer or hospital experience is something they look for.

Another is after nursing school when you apply for a job. For example, if you're interested in being a surgical nurse, if you put down on your resume that you volunteered for pre op or post op, that will help your resume.

I'm interested in working in a NICU or a pediatric ICU so I'm planning on volunteering at a children's hospital during my years of nursing school :)

mplovex · May 23, 2012

The hospitals I have volunteered for have clearly stated that they won't guaranteed you will get hired from volunteering. Yes, you are there to volunteer and devote your time but it won't hurt to build connections and relationships with the healthcare workers there. They can eventually write recommendations for you and/or give you a better insight on their experiences working as a nurse, doctor, tech, etc. I volunteered in the ICU, ER, and the newborn nursery. I have learned so much from all of these units and to me, it wasn't just something to put on my resume but I was also able to give my essays for my applications some heavy content involving my experiences.

xInspiredx · May 23, 2012

How many hours per week are they requiring? The hospitals that I have looked into all require anywhere between 2-4 hours per week.

Volunteering just makes your resume look good, basically. It can help you get a job in the sense that it's experience. As someone mentioned already, it also helps you get letters of recommendation. You would also get references.

nursingstudent3109 · May 23, 2012

I am currently volunteering at my local hospital while in school and they only "require" 3 hours per week. I volunteer every Friday afternoon 1-4 PM.

Dezy · May 23, 2012

Thank you for the responses. I have already been accepted into a nursing program, so no problems there. The hours they were asking for is 2 shifts a week, 3 hours each. So of course a total of 6 hours a week... 3 hours or 4 in a day would have been fine but to split up... I still have to work.

I mean, I can make the time to do this... it's just... I have been working for years, no vacation. I wanted to enjoy my summer so right now I am a little torn...