5 answers
5 answers
Updated
Annette’s Answer
I would suggest working at a home health company as companion or home health aide (they usually provide training) or as a certified nursing assistant (CNA -requires license). Flexible hours and assignments can help you gain the experience both in the home or at a facility as well as knowledge and experience of direct patient interaction. Volunteering at a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility is also a great way to learn about healthcare, nursing, care of others, and interaction of multi disciplinary team members. Example : Nurses when they interact and provide care, Nursing Assistant providing care, Social Workers when they communicate with patients and their families, Activity Coordinators to see their positive impact in one's health, Dietary Staff in how important their role is, and of course, seeing the families that come in to visit their loved ones. These are are valuable opportunities that just observing, can provide an "Ah Ha" moment. This will be great to see on a resume. Also, you could contact local hospital/medical center for volunteer opportunities.
Updated
Corin’s Answer
Hey Kristen! Both of the above suggestions are great but I want to add a little bit to this. A BSN is considered the hardest undergraduate degree to obtain for a reason. You honestly will not have time for much anything else besides studying, class, and clinicals. You can work part time as a home health aid or a nurse's aid at a SNF. These are great opportunities to learn patient care and workflow. However, you will also learn these things in your clinicals, which will be pretty intense. The best thing to add to your resume honestly would be an above average GPA and a few letters of recommendation. I would think twice before volunteering or working if you can help it.
Updated
Erika’s Answer
I would recommend volunteering anywhere you can that is related to nursing or the medical field (It will help you also decide where you might want to work when you graduate). I would also recommend doing a nurse intern program at your local hospital if your hospitals offer them. Where I live they have levels depending on where you are in nursing school.
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Greetings, I know how you feel. I can only tell you what I did. I took up massage therapy and used it as an elective to help
with developing therapeutic touch, as well as, a potential career change if you burn out of nursing. There are a vast amount of choices; but ask yourself what do you have interests in. Take a self inventory of likes dislikes and go from there.
with developing therapeutic touch, as well as, a potential career change if you burn out of nursing. There are a vast amount of choices; but ask yourself what do you have interests in. Take a self inventory of likes dislikes and go from there.