You just brought up a good point. When I first started working, I went through a temp agency. While I was looking for temp to hire (it just never worked out), I had the knowledge that the assignment would only last X time, that I had an agency looking for the next job for me, and I got a lot of experience to put on my resume.

I've never done volunteer work but from what I've heard from other people, there's less pressure because you are working to fulfill a need and can walk if conditions are unreasonable; you're not working for the paycheck and having to stick it out no matter how bad it is.

I think working is good for us, it puts us on a regular schedule. I just met with my new psych NP and I mentioned that while I was putting off the job hunt until I was stable I fully intended to return to full time work in my field and he was very happy to hear that.