Can anyone suggest an agency to volunteer with prior to nursing school?

I already have lots of experience as a CNA, and have a very high B average, but I want to strengthen my application even more, b/c I know how competitive RN schools are. Can anyone help me with some ideas? I want something that will make me feel like I am making a difference in my community, that relates to health and medicine. I also have a strong interest in domestic violence and substance abuse, b/c I have been personally impacted by it (who hasn't these days!?) Everyone says to volunteer in a hospital, but that seems so darn redundant to me since I already work in a hospital.

Hello,

Well since you don't want to volunteer in a hospital setting, here are just a few ideas from the top of my head that you may want to try:

1. Maybe you could start a website that offers support. This is another way to reach out to people. You could create like a forum or something, or just write helpful articles for people thta have dealt with those types of issues.

2. There are companies that offer phone support. I am not sure where you live or if there are any such companies in your area. But you could volunteer at a place that offers phone support to abuse victims, etc.

3. Many churches do volunteer work or mission trips. There could be opportunities for you there to deal with people who have been abused.

Those are just a few ideas. Also, I am a nursing student getting my BSN & RN. I'll graduate in spring of 2009. I also had a high GPA, and I didn't have any trouble at all getting accepted.

I heard the dreadful stories about how hard it can be to get in. It sounds to me like you should be able to get in to nursing school pretty easily.

Good luck with nursing school & your career =)

It depends on what areas you want to build on your skills. But there are plenty of social service agencies; contact the United Way in your community. Or go to unitedways website. The YMCA is another united way agency. Womens shelters is another United Way direction.
If you are looking for building skills in nursing, volunteering in that area is probably going to be difficult. Even hospitals want licenses to make you responsible for your actions.
I have vocational counseling experience and use to place folks in careers. Nursing was one. I can tell you that a nursing program has all the connections because one of my clients was placed way before she even completed her 2 years with a sign on bonus.

Have you considered working as a volunteer at your local American Red Cross or Salvation Army? I think those two organizations would love to have you volunteer for them. When I was in college, I did my internship at my local Battered Women's Shelter. That was an experience I will never forget and it really opened my eyes on domestic abuse and how it not only affects the woman being abused but the children as well.

Yes go for the mental health section as volunteer and then in training. It is requires a certain frame of mind. Maybe this is exactly what you need to better manage your personal decision making. The happiest people avoid mental illness by a few simple rules. I think. I doesn't hurt to ask for more ideas either way.