[LaNICUnurse]

Hello Everyone,

I know that this has been a thread before, but we haven't had a program for it. I want to get a volunteer program started in our NICU. Any input from NICU's that are already using volunteers would be appreciated.

What criteria do you have to use them? What are they allowed to do? How do you train them? Any problems you have run into?

Please contact me.

[grlgid]

We have volunteer "cuddlers" in our unit. In the summer we have our "junior volunteers" who are at least high school age but our regular cuddlers have to be at least college age. They are a blessing, especially for those babies in withdrawl or those suffering lap colic. We have been so busy lately and acutely understaffed that we have heavy assignments in our stepdown units and would all go crazy without those lovely ladies. And bless her heart we have a wonderful lady who is even willing to cuddle babies in isolation.

They are organized through the hospitals volunteer organization so I don't know all the specifics sorry

[hikernurse]

Any baby that needs to be held and is medically able to qualifies. Basically, it's a nursing judgment.

Some babies are assigned a particular volunteer (usu long-termers with no family nearby) who comes in a couple of times a week. In this case, parents need to sign a permission form. All volunteers are required to sign a form saying they will not release any info they overhear to anybody--even the parents. Some parents/volunteers exchange contact info (both sides have to agree) and this has been a good situation, but not the norm.

I do wish they had cuddlers on-call sometimes. I know--wishing for the moon here . But sometimes, a baby just needs some love and the nurse can't sit and hold the little one with all of the other required tasks.

The volunteers have to pass a background test. Their general training is through the volunteer office, but the nurse trains them specifically on the baby they are holding.

They don't feed them in our unit, but that's because most of our babies aren't real pros at that yet and it's not worth the risk. They hold and play with the babies and they are worth their weight in gold .

One of my friends was a cuddler all the way through nursing school. She said holding the babies decreased her school-related stress tremendously and was so well-thought of that they offered her a job as soon as she graduated.

[live4rachael]

I'm a NICU volunteer, not a nurse (yet). The hospital has an interview process, along with background check and references needed. Some areas of the hospital, you can volunteer starting at age 16 but the NICU had a strict 21+ age requirement. After I was selected, I shadowed one of the current volunteers to get a feel for what was allowed. I had set hours and each week, showed up and asked the nurses what they needed. Usually I held one of the chronic babies. I volunteered weekly over a 9 month period and the first month, I worked with the same baby each week until he went home.
Obviously some kids I couldn't hold and I worked more in the special care nursery than the level III NICU. But I did go to both and just held, sang, read to and played with them.
With some of the full termers, I was able to change their diapers too.
One of my favorite experiences I've had is the volunteer time in the NICU.

[EricEnfermero]

Awesome, live4rachael. We appreciate the work that people like you do.

I really wish that my unit had a better developed volunteer program. We have an occasional volunteer, but nothing very regular - and never anyone on night shift. Some of our chronic kiddos need much more interaction than we're ever able to provide.

[luvmy3kids]

WOW! This surprises me. I just "assumed" that trying to volunteer in the NICU would be next to impossible because of all the interest.

I'm a pre-nursing student and I volunteer on the Birth Unit but my heart is in the NICU. I don't get much (if any) patient contact volunteering where I do. Just the usual, passing water, running errands, cleaning stuff... I want to work with the babies.

I think I am going to look into it and see what my chances are. I just don't know how anyone could want to do anything else.

Thanks again!

Jen

[BreezieRN]

I'm an RN and right now I'm working in an office...and do not see pts. After reading this thread I volunteered at the local hospital to be a "cuddler". I'm so excited!!! I knew I never wanted to "work" with babies, but this seems safe.

[hikernurse]

Originally Posted by luvmy3kids

WOW! This surprises me. I just "assumed" that trying to volunteer in the NICU would be next to impossible because of all the interest.

I'm a pre-nursing student and I volunteer on the Birth Unit but my heart is in the NICU. I don't get much (if any) patient contact volunteering where I do. Just the usual, passing water, running errands, cleaning stuff... I want to work with the babies.

I think I am going to look into it and see what my chances are. I just don't know how anyone could want to do anything else.

Thanks again!

Jen

I think a lot of people feel this way--I would have too. Maybe we should be more pro-active in getting the word out that these volunteers are needed and valued. Good for you for being willing. Thanks .

[dcampbell]

Wow I have never heard of this! I am an ex NICU nurse that is going to be staying home for a few more years. I would love to do this. Does anyone know of hospitals in Virginia that have volunteers in the NICU? Thanks.

[grlgid]

DR,

I would just call up your local hospital/NICU and ask as they would have the best idea and all the specific info, and if they didn't have a NICU in your local hospital I am sure that their peds playroom could use a volunteer.