[armyvet]

I am volunteering in the ED at a busy hospital. Is there anything that I should specifically NOT do. I do not want to **** the Nurses off, but don't want to stand around looking like a moron either. Any advice would be helpful.

[morte]

with no more info than this, i dont think there will be much any one can suggest...how did you come to do this? what is your level of expertise? who arranged it for you, and what is their expectation?.....good luck

[bill4745]

Don't give medical advice. Don't give food or water to a patient without asking the patient's doctor or nurse. Don't tell anyone how long it will be before they are seen. Never say "Gee, it's quiet in here today" - that is guaranteed to fill the place up immediately (it's what we mean by the "Q word").

[Melina]

I volunteer in the ED, and I love it. The nurses really appreciate us, which makes it really great. I have a really specific job function as a patient rep. I serve as liason between patient and family and nursing staff so we don't have family wandering through the nurse's station, and make sure the patients are getting the support they need. I don't want anyone to feel forgotten when a trauma comes in. Bill is right about the PO thing; it's the first thing we were told. Sometimes I entertain the kids, or sit with a frightened patient. If we are really busy I change out the rooms between patients. If we're not busy, I ask the nurse manager how I can be helpful. She always has a suggestion. Have fun!

~Mel'

[Larry77]

We LOVE our volunteers thanks for taking time out of your schedule to help out!!!

Hopefully you will be shown the ropes by one of the other volunteers because this role can vary between hospitals. My favorite thing they do however is changing over rooms because we have very few techs to go around and they are too busy doing EKG's etc to clean rooms (we of course clean our own rooms in those times if volunteer is not there or are busy).

Ours are not allowed to do any direct patient care but some do empty urinals and take trays to them, they just can't transport, help lift, or of course take vitals--darn.

[Melina]

We aren't allowed to lift or transfer either, and I wish I could help with vitals. I have my CNA, but I'm in school full-time and don't work, so it would keep me in practice.
I am so grateful for the experience. Most of my friends who volunteer in other hospitals aren't allowed anywhere near patients, and have little interaction with staff, either.

~Mel'

[Pumpkin1621]

I volunteered at the ER for a while. I had to go through orientation that showed us what was expected. We mainly cleaned the beds and changed sheets, took out the garbage, cleaned the rooms, transport patients in a wheelchair, clean the waiting area, and we could talk to the patients and bring them food and drink if it was OKed by the dr or nurse. We also brought them blankets. We were also responsible for making sure the paramedics had all the sheets and blankets they needed.

I only had 1 nurse scream at me and it was my first day volunteering. I didn't know the employee entrance so I walked through traige. Yeah... The nurse laid into me. I was so terrified I just ran the other way. I had to ask security how to get in. I rarely had encounters with the physicians.

There was a male nurse that spoke to me, and I told him I was interested in nursing. He told me DONT DO IT. Then he told the other nurses and they would all make comments like, "oh act like you enjoy your job Pumpkin here wants to be a nurse." It was very discouraging so I decided to not volunteer their anymore. It didn't change my mind, but I just didn't want to be around the negativity. I did work as a registrar at another ER and the nurses there were awesome.

I guess it is just the employer/environment/circumstances/employees that make up the working morale. I'm not sure, but there was definately a difference.

Good luck, and enjoy your new experiences.

[EMSnut45]

The volunteers are WONDERFUL staff members in the ER setting!!!

At the entrance to our ER, we have a volunteer who helps direct the patients to registration and triage. On good days, we have someone in the back who can "assist" in transporting a patient to the floor (they help steer the stretcher), supply blankets, bring patients back to their rooms, restock, clean the rooms, and anything else that they can do to help.

Thanks for giving your time to help! I hope you enjoy it!

[TazziRN]

I have always loved the volunteers I've met, except for one: do not be pushy. If there is an opportunity to watch a procedure, do not bug the staff with questions while it's happening, wait till later. The one volunteer I ended up talking to her supervisor about literally shoved her way into rooms to watch things and bugged the docs and nurses.

[Melina]

The one volunteer I ended up talking to her supervisor about literally shoved her way into rooms to watch things and bugged the docs and nurses.

I think you mentioned her before. I can only imagine what that must have been like! I've stayed for a few procedures, but it was to support a patient. I will have plenty of time for observation in clinical. Volunteering is supposed to be about helping, not ogling!

~Mel'