Would you work and volunteer at the same hospital?

[sourapril]

Is it too much? I have always been an active volunteer. After I tried to volunteer at some well known mentoring organization, I just don't feel it's right for me. very disorganized. I love children, which is why I chose those places to volunteer. The hospital I am going to be working at is pretty close and they have volunteering position available right now. I was wondering if I should volunteer there as well....in a different area, of course.

[Ardneth]

You should check with your hospital first. Many hospitals will not allow you to be both a volunteer and an employee. Can create the potential for some pretty nasty legal headaches for HR.

[Orange Tree]

I think I would want a totally different experience, in a different setting, with different people. Otherwise it would just feel like more work....even if I enjoyed it.

[tomc5555]

I would get acclimated to the new job and look at volunteer work later.:)

[RNJill]

Personally, I would not...even if you like the job you'll be spending a lot of time there if you volunteer too!

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

There are too many potential conflicts. What if something happened while you were volunteering? You could potentially lose your job. You also need time away and time off. Good luck.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Never. Broaden your experiences elsewhere. Wearing two hats may create conflicts.

[Saysfaa]

I would like to work part time at the hospital I volunteer at but it would violate labor laws. I got the impression that it was federal law it would violate but it is possible it is state law.

[caliotter3]

Agree with the previous posts. Best to avoid potential problems.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I think it'd be a conflict of interest if you volunteered where you worked. Maybe helping out at the rare special event would be OK, but to avoid any potential problems, I don't think you should be volunteering there on a regular basis.

[Lovelymo79]

This may be different since you're a nurse but I worked and volunteered at the same hospital. I was a CNA on the cardiac floor..attended the diploma school associated with the hospital and got a chance to volunteer in the ER. I was told that since I was a volunteer, I wouldn't be expected to do CNA responsibilities in the ER..actually it was discouraged. And it was easy to point out my shirt and easily say "I'm a volunteer!" when asked to do certain things. However, it all ended up working out because after a few weeks of volunteering, the manager asked me to transfer to the ER and become a tech, which I wanted to do! So, now, I'm no longer volunteering..about to graduate in 6 months, and enjoying my new position as an ER tech! So, in SOME cases..it totally works out.