Benefits of Being a Volunteer Nurse

When you volunteer as a nurse, you're providing health care and comfort to people who are in a state of physical weakness. Helping someone feel better is the top benefit of providing your services free of charge. You're also getting extra hands-on training and the ability to network within the medical field. epending on where you volunteer, you may also receive additional perks. !t the Hartford Hospital in "onnecticut, volunteers receive meal passes, access to the employee fitness center, free parking, access to the Hartford Hospital #edical $ciences and %obinson &ibraries, recreational activities through the 'mployees' "ouncil, health screenings and free educational seminars. !t %andolph Hospital in (orth "arolina, volunteers also receive gift shop discounts, free annual vaccinations, tax deductions and discounts at local businesses and attractions. #ost volunteer programs also offer an annual volunteer recognition ban)uet or party, where you can be recogni*ed for all of your hard work. (ow that you know more about being a nursing volunteer, get out there and get involved. You will meet new people, use your hard-earned skills and emotionally and spiritually benefit from your work. #ost importantly, your patients and volunteer managers will be eternally grateful.
Retrieved Sept, 2, 2012 http://money.ho stuff or!s."om/e"onomi"s/volunteer/opportunities/volunteer# nursing$.htm

%dvantages of Being a Volunteer Nurse 1. &ou get the opportunity to gain great insight into the day to day or!ings of the ard hi"h in"ludes o'serving the ard rounds and the pharma"y te"hni"ians ta!e a drug history from the patients.

+. ,et to build important relationships with doctors, nurses and pharmacists within the ward that you are allocated. -hese relationships may prove to be beneficial when applying to either hospital summer placement or pre-registration place within the hospital you are volunteering at. .. You will also get to liaise with different professionals that normally you might not get the chance to communicate with. /. $pending time with the patients on the wards allows you to improve on your bedside manner, communication and listening skills. %etrieved $ept, +, +01+

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Benefits of volunteering #1: Volunteering connects you to others

6ne of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. 7npaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. 8olunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However, volunteering is a two-way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. edicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
Volunteering helps you ma!e ne friends and "onta"ts

6ne of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. 8olunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. 8olunteering also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.
Volunteering in"reases your so"ial and relationship s!ills

While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. 8olunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. 6nce you have momentum, it9s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.

Benefits of volunteering #2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body
8olunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.

Volunteering increases self-confidence. Volunteering "an provide a healthy 'oost to your self#"onfiden"e, self#esteem, and life satisfa"tion. &ou are doing good for others and the "ommunity, hi"h provides a natural sense of a""omplishment. &our role as a volunteer "an also give you a sense of pride and identity. %nd the 'etter you feel a'out yourself, the more li!ely you are to have a positive vie of your life and future goals. Volunteering combats depression. Redu"ing the ris! of depression is another important 'enefit of volunteering. % !ey ris! fa"tor for depression is so"ial isolation. Volunteering !eeps you in regular "onta"t ith others and helps you develop a solid support system, hi"h in turn prote"ts you against stress and depression hen you(re going through "hallenging times.

Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Volunteering is good for your health at any age, 'ut it(s espe"ially 'enefi"ial in older adults. Studies have found that those ho volunteer have a lo er mortality rate than those ho do not, even hen "onsidering fa"tors li!e the health of the parti"ipants. Volunteering has also 'een sho n to lessen symptoms of "hroni" pain or heart disease.

Benefits of volunteering #3: Volunteering can advance your career

:f you9re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest and meet people in the field. 'ven if you9re not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, pro4ect planning, task management, and organi*ation. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you9ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first.
Volunteering "an provide "areer e)perien"e

8olunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment. :t is also a great way to gain experience in a new field. :n some fields, you can volunteer directly at an organi*ation that does the kind of work you9re interested in. ;or example, if you9re interested in nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organi*ations or internships that could be of benefit to your career.
Volunteering "an tea"h you valua'le *o' s!ills

<ust because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. #any volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. ;or example, you could become an experienced crisis counselor while volunteering for a women9s shelter or a knowledgeable art historian while donating your time as a museum docent. 8olunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use them to benefit the greater community. ;or instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you raise awareness for your favorite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further developing and improving your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills.

Benefits of volunteering #4: Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life
8olunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. oing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energi*ing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. 8olunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.

#any people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. ;or instance, if you have a desk 4ob and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to help plant a community garden, lead local hikes, or help at a children9s camp.

Getting the most out of volunteering

You9re donating your valuable time, so it9s important that you en4oy and benefit from your volunteering. :t9s important to make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit and to communicate with the people you9re working with in the volunteer organi*ation.

Ask uestions! You want to make sure that the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you want to spend. :f you have any )uestions, be sure to speak up. $ample )uestions to your volunteer coordinator might address your time commitment, if there9s any training involved, who you will be working with, and what to do if you have )uestions during your experience. "ake sure you kno# #hat$s e%&ected! =efore starting, make sure you are comfortable with the organi*ation, know what is expected, and understand the time commitment. "onsider starting small so that you don9t over commit yourself at first. ,ive yourself some flexibility to change your focus if needed. 'on$t be afraid to make a change! $peak up if your experience isn9t what you expected. on9t force yourself into a bad fit. -alk to the organi*ation about changing your focus or consider looking for another match. (n)oy yourself! #ost importantly, make sure you9re having fun> -he best volunteer experiences benefit both the volunteer and the organi*ation. :f you9re not en4oying yourself, ask yourself why. :s it the tasks you9re performing? -he people you9re working with? 6r are you uncomfortable simply because the situation is new and familiar? @inpointing what9s bothering you can help you decide how to proceed.

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