Informal Volunteering

[FrkyBgStok]

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If this has been answered multiple times, my bad. I am a registered CNA, however no currently working as one. Long story short I was offered a "position" assisting a family friend in the morning. The gentleman is older and needs assistance getting dressed, showering, breakfast, basic CNA responsibilities. I was going to offer my time for free to help out and maybe get some volunteer experience. I am a non trad so time is limited. Would this be acceptable for a long term volunteer project as a home health aide or because of the informality would it need to be reputable. I would like to help him either way but I would like to know if I need to find another volunteer gig later on. Thanks guys.

 

[Asianjock903]

Everything volunteer related is great regardless!

That being said....unfortunately people will always be biased towards more tangible volunteer organizations. Whether or not you get paid for it should be a non-issue, its still experience. I don't know your stats or your EC's, but make sure you have a "diverse portfolio" in regards to your volunteer experience.

Be careful of things that can't be verified by a legitimate organization, it's unfortunate but adcoms will almost always view them "lesser" than volunteering for an organization or company. I was a pre-med counselor at my undergrad and spoke to members on the admissions committee.

Long story short, they are human, so assume they are the most skeptical critics when choosing what volunteer experiences to take part in.

 

[eablackwell]

I have been doing the same type of volunteer work with a woman who has CP. I've been helping her out for nearly two years now. I put it on AMCAS and for the contact person I just put the woman I'm working with. It definitely will count for volunteering, but I agree that you should diversify your volunteer work.