Have you ever wondered how to spruce up your ABSN application? Do you want to increase your chances of getting into an ABSN program? You’re in the right place.
With an increasing demand for nurses, one will assume it will be easy to get admitted into an accelerated nursing program to meet the needs.
It’s a far cry from easy, as admittance is tricky even after meeting all the requirements.
How Many Volunteer Hours Are Recommended To Apply To ABSN School?
With many qualified applicants rejected and several applications turned down, securing admission into an accelerated nursing program doesn’t seem easy.
Besides meeting the requirements, volunteering helps improve your chance at nursing school. Furthermore, it supports resume building, enabling you to get an entry job if you’re new to the job market.
Want to know how volunteering supports your application? How many volunteer hours are recommended to apply to ABSN? We’ve got you covered!
Stay glued to this space.
How Volunteering Benefits Your Nursing Program Application
While most people volunteer because they want to give back to society, you’ll benefit immensely from this course as a nursing student.
Here’s how volunteering supports an accelerated nursing program.
Networking
Volunteering gives you a chance to meet new people and make new friends.
Collaborating with individuals who are dedicated to improving the lives of others makes you relevant and purposeful and helps you form new connections.
Networking promotes integration and open-mindedness. It also increases job opportunities.
Skill building
Nursing practice keeps improving every day.
Skill-building is necessary to be ahead. Community building enables you to build new skills, increase experience, and boost confidence and knowledge.
Volunteering helps you improve your interpersonal and communication skills. To pursue an ABSN degree, you should consider volunteering as it bolsters your application.
Broader knowledge of healthcare practices
When you volunteer, there’s much to learn from factors influencing quality healthcare and improving clinical practice. Volunteering helps you bridge the knowledge gap and learn about technological advancements and medical alternatives affecting quality care.
Build leadership skills
Besides offering patient care, nurses can work with non-profit boards, communication units, etc. They can use their experience and knowledge to effect change and create public health awareness.
Little wonder nursing schools prioritize applicants with volunteer experience. This fact because volunteering shows your commitment to community service and leadership skills.
Opportunity to serve as ambassadors
Typically, we serve as ambassadors of our respective professions. As a volunteer nurse, you educate and motivate others about nursing.
Considering an increased demand for nurses in healthcare will encourage others to pursue nursing careers.
Where to Look For Volunteering Positions For ABSN Admission
There are several nursing volunteer opportunities that you can maximize. These volunteer platforms will help you and enable you to gain hands-on experience while boosting employability.
Please have a look at our list of volunteer opportunities.
The American Red Cross
Considered one of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States, The American Red Cross offers specialized programs for volunteer nurses.
As a nurse, you’ll develop nursing skills and gain on-the-job experience. Also, you can offer disaster services, facilitate blood drives, teach CPR, perform first aid, and provide medical services.
Nurses can work as disaster action team members or as translators.
Nursing homes and senior care facilities
If you enjoy caring for geriatrics, you should consider volunteering at senior care facilities. You won’t have to offer medical services. All you need to do is help organize events or programs or support residents.
Medical Reserve Corps
This group is an association of healthcare volunteers helping their communities live more robust and healthier daily, especially during disasters.
MRC volunteers create awareness about public health practices, educate the public on health issues, and offer disaster relief to affected persons.
Local Hospital
Volunteering at your local hospital is a great way to expose yourself to the healthcare system. You may not carry out specialized duties like administering medications or checking vitals.
If you’re interested in a nursing specialty, this will be ideal for gaining hands-on experience.
For example, if you’re considering a career in labor and delivery nursing, it would be best to volunteer in the maternity or pediatric section.
Overseas healthcare volunteer organizations
Overseas healthcare organizations strive to provide medical help to people affected by natural disasters.
Typically, trained health experts travel worldwide to offer medical services to people in areas ridden by war or natural disasters. Thus, many hospitals become understaffed, giving room for volunteer nurses.
As a student nurse, you can offer first aid, administer vaccines and educate individuals about healthcare.
Homeless shelters
Homelessness is a societal issue that needs to be addressed.
Homeless shelters are established to reduce the number of homeless people on the streets. By providing a suitable home for needy and homeless people, many shelters open doors for volunteers.
Student nurse volunteers facilitate easy access to healthcare and support health experts in delivering medical services.
Community health events
Volunteering at a community health event will be a good option if you’re occupied with schoolwork.
Typically, community health events are one-time programs where nurses serve at health fairs, provide CPR training, check blood pressure, and conduct health screenings.
Animal shelters or veterinary clinics
Besides humans, animals can also benefit from healthcare services. World Vets and Animal Humane Society are organizations focused on animal health.
Some duties of volunteers at animal shelters include administering medication, socializing animals, and sterilizing medical equipment. Caring for animals helps you refine the nursing skills needed for inpatient care.
How Many Volunteer Hours are Recommended to Apply for ABSN?
While there are no specific hours, volunteer hours may differ from 100 or more, depending on the institution. Find out about the minimum volunteer hours to apply for ABSN.
From the benefits to the volunteer hours and opportunities, here’s all you need to know to support your ABSN application.
