Would volunteering be beneficial?

[NewKillerStar]

Hello again! So I am a 1st year student on the nursing track and was looking into volunteering at the hospital I would love to work at in the future. My question is, do you think volunteering once or twice a week would be beneficial for getting accepted into nursing/help me get a job, or would bog me down? I would absolutely love to volunteer no matter what, but I have a full time job and have school full time, and am married with two young kids. Basically I am concerned about overloading myself. I can't imagine it being particularly stressful as a volunteer, and I think it would be very rewarding and help me to envision my future as a nurse, but I would like to know some of your opinions from people who have had experience either way. Thanks in advance!! :)

[RunBabyRN]

It can help with some nursing school apps, and it could look good on a resume (certainly won't look BAD). You can use this to build relationships that can come in handy when it comes time to look for RN work. Get to know nurse managers if you're in a medical facility. Make sure they know you! You generally don't get any hands-on patient care, but different facilities offer different positions. See what's out there. Being in a similar situation (working mom/student), I haven't had the time to volunteer, aside from at my son's school.

[dorkypanda]

Volunteering is a great idea and you should totally do it.if you could do it once or twice a week really depends on the volunteering manager/ head on that matter. you should ask that question though.

[glencoco]

It really depends on your schools you are applying to. If your schools take volunteer experience and you get more points on your application, then I think it would benefit you. Otherwise, if not, I still think there is still some sort of benefit out of volunteering. I just started nursing school but I have been volunteering for at least 3 years at a couple hospitals. I think if you can find a position where you are as hands on as possible or have some sort of patient interaction, then it is worthwhile. If you are stuck volunteering as a greeter or restocking or information desk, I would say no. In some cases though, if you are on a floor and restocking, it might be a good opportunity to observe nurses and ask them questions about how they like the floor/hospital/advice in general. Since I have volunteered, I find that talking to patients is easier for me. However, I would not say it is definitely something you should do before nursing school, unless it gives you extra points on your application (and you need the points and you have the free time to volunteer).