What does a volunteer do on your floor?

[guiltysins]

I'm a nursing student who is planning on volunteering during the summer at a hospital in the maternity department. More likely the mother-baby unit (postpartum) and I was wondering for those who have volunteers on their floors what do they usually do?

[JenniferSews]

I can only answer as a student, but on med surg floors it was chat with lonely pts. Probably not likely on a maternity or mom/baby floor. When I was interested in maternity nursing I inquired about volunteering at the only birth center in my city. They said I'd be able to do back office paperwork and maybe work my way up to receptionist. That was from the midwife who delivered my daughter at my home (planned homebirth) so she knew me very well, but with HIPPA the options were limited for a non employee.

Have you thought about becoming certified as a doula? There were still lots of opportunities for a certified volunteer doula the last time I gave birth (1/08) and that at least put you on the floor in a patient care role.

[ShelbyP]

Stocking.

That's it. No patient contact. Stock supplies (newborn hats, etc.).

Very difficult to get any hands-on experience in a hospital without being an employee, but that was just my experience.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

HIPAA and other risk managment issues are the reason we do not allow volunteers to interact directly with patients. Ours do pass ice sometimes and offer coffee/tea if diet permits. They deliver papers in the morning to some patients. We have some who do pet therapy. Other volunteers are in non-clinical areas helping with copying, directing traffic and the like.

[MedOncIllinoisRN]

I am a volunteer on a post-partum floor at a hospital and I help with new baby/mom hospital discharges. Once the nurse cuts the security bands and the paperwork is signed, I assist the families with making sure the baby is securely in the car seat and escort them down to the departure lobby. Sometimes I help transfer babies from patient rooms to the floor nurseries. Other times I help by bringing supplies to patient rooms (more diapers, pacifiers, ice water, maxi pads/mesh underwear). I also help to setup rooms for new admissions to the post-partum floors.

I think all hospitals are different, though. I don't do any patient care, but I definitely have patient interaction.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Volunteers on our floor do newborn hearing screens and cuddle fussy kiddos in the nursery. I don't know how much other contact they have with patients, though, since I don't see them around much (I work nights).

[yellowbox]

We have 2 volunteers - one is a lady who gives us massages...I love her! The other is a younger lady (about 16 years old) who mainly does filing. Although you post has made me think to ask her if she'd like to do something else as well... Since you're a nursing student I imagine you would get more patient contact.

[nurse/midwifekim]

Changing the water in the vases for patients

paperwork/filing

knitting booties/hats for premature babies

folding bunny rugs