Volunteerism Incorporated Into Nursing Curriculum (Guest Column) (Column‪)‬

Volunteerism appeals to the basic belief of nurses, in their desire to make a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole. Due to economic changes in health care delivery, volunteerism and community involvement have become a natural extension of health and wellness services. Therefore, incorporation of community health services as volunteer work can be a win-win for both student nurse and community. As society ages, the demand for quality nurses continues to grow. The number of students accepted into a nursing program is often dictated by the availability of clinical experiences and viable clinical sites. Access to objective specific clinical sites in rural areas can be difficult to secure. The utilization of nursing students in community health can help to fill the workforce void in the community while providing nursing schools with valuable clinical sites and exceptional learning opportunities.