Anyone volunteer at a hospital?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I just got back from my urinalysis :D and getting my security pass made. I finish orientation on March 9. From what I can tell, I'll be mainly transporting patients to their vehicles after discharge, but they also said because of my interest in anesthesia that I can be allowed to observe in the OR duing surgery. So has anyone been a volunteer while doing pre-reqs? How was your experience? I'm all disheveled right now wondering what it will be like :heartbeat

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I volunteered doing patient care. I assisted the PCT during her rounds; I helped wash and turn patients; I watched her change dressings and helped her by handing her supplies and stuff. I also hung around the floor to give emotional support to anyone who needed it. Like if a patient was getting agitated and nobody had time to deal with them I'd go over and just listen.

It was a fabulous experience. I got to see patients up close in all types of conditions. Before I started I wasn't sure how I would handle some of the ickier aspects of nursing but now I know I can deal with it. I'm familiar enough with hospital routines and basic patient care that it won't be strange for me when I start nursing school in the summer.

I'm lucky that the hospital I volunteered in let me do a lot. I was actually surprised at how much they let me do with no training whatsoever. (I shouldn't say more or I might get them into trouble!)

I just received my email a few days with the application to volunteer at CHOP. That's where I'm hoping to work after graduation so I figure it's a good start!!!! I have a full load this summer because I need to get all my pre reqs done by the end of the year so I will have to wait until Fall to begin.

Specializes in Infusion.

It's something I have been thinking about.....they require a commitment of 4 hours per week for at least 6 months.....Since I am taking my time with classes...doing it part time.....I am really thinking about it.....I am more concerned for this summer when the kids are home.....

Let me know how it goes!!

Have a great day!

Natascha

Specializes in Oncology.
:sniff: I have applied for a Volunteer position at two local hospitals - neither have positions available. But they said they would keep my application on file for 6 months, so hopefully they will call one day asking me to come in and interview.

I volunteered at the VA hospital..good experience, was put on the Long Term Therapy ward, talked with patients, went on outings, once helped feed a pt, things like that. I have noticed (which makes sense just never thought about it) people in the hospital are bored to tears...so any new conversation other than what they are there for is appreciated

I'm volunteering in the NICU at our local hospital, helping the nurses at the desk, transfering calls, and monitoring visitors. I've been getting all my medical info, vaccines, and my TB tests set up and I officially start next week! Unfortunately the hospital does not allow volunteers to do any patient care, but the coodinators are very supportive of me pursuing nursing and have been really great answering all my questions. Also, I figured any experience in the hospital setting will be beneficial to me. I'm looking forward to getting started!

i'm volunteering in the nicu at our local hospital, helping the nurses at the desk, transfering calls, and monitoring visitors. i've been getting all my medical info, vaccines, and my tb tests set up and i officially start next week! unfortunately the hospital does not allow volunteers to do any patient care, but the coodinators are very supportive of me pursuing nursing and have been really great answering all my questions. also, i figured any experience in the hospital setting will be beneficial to me. i'm looking forward to getting started!

i volunteered in the er at a local hospital that basically wants volunteers to talk to families of patients in the er and get them snacks, etc. this is a nice service i felt the lack of patient care experience defeated the purpose of being there for anyone who is volunteering because they're applying to a school that wants to see patient care. the programs i'll be applying to don't require patient care experience but i decided if i needed it, i'd be better off getting my cna license and then working as a cna for a few months.

I volunteered in the ER at a local hospital that basically wants volunteers to talk to families of patients in the ER and get them snacks, etc. This is a nice service I felt the lack of patient care experience defeated the purpose of being there for anyone who is volunteering because they're applying to a school that wants to see patient care. The programs I'll be applying to don't require patient care experience but I decided if I needed it, I'd be better off getting my cna license and then working as a cna for a few months.

I volunteer at a Children's Hospital and the most patient care I do is play with the kids and basically babysit them when their parents are away. So I decided to get my CNA license. Haven't taken the test yet though, but it will be soon!

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

The CNA course is 8 weeks, full days, and you have to pay for it too.

I'm glad the hospital I volunteered in allowed me to do patient care by assisting a PCT, because I got excellent preparation for nursing school without having to go through an expensive, time-consuming course.

hi everybody!

i wonder if anybody volunteers in surgical floor or if that even possible to volunteer there????

i volunteer in pediatrics right now and most of the time i am helping play therapist (invite children to play room, bring toys and other things to children who can't be in a play room etc.) i have to say it's a great joy to see that i can bring smiles to their little faces and make their stay in a hospital a bit more fun.

also, i always ask if i can help rns or lvns with small things like feeding, changing, brining something that they need.

at the same time i am getting trained to be volunteer in er, where we would be aloud to do only costumer service.

i'm interested becoming a scrub tech or or nursing and just hoping for any advice where i should volunteer that would be more benefit for me later.

I'm currently volunteering at a mid-sized urban hospital, with two weekly shifts, one in emergency (which includes a small urgent care) and one in outpatient surgery. It's FANTASTIC. I've been there about six weeks now, and it's really giving me a close look at what nursing is like. I'm doing everything from running samples to the lab, bringing snacks, changing linens, holding hands while people get stitches out, entertaining small children, translating (I speak Spanish just well enough to be helpful) and in the outpatient surgery, the nurses have me taking vitals and removing IVs.

At first I was wondering if I should have tried to volunteer at the big 'ol Level I trauma hospital in town, which is the most popular and hardest to get a shift in, but now I wonder if I'm not getting to do more stuff here because they're less busy and have more time to instruct me. All of the nurses I've worked with are friendly, helpful, instructive, and very appreciative.

It's been great--I say get in there, show your willingness, and people will welcome your presence and teach you.

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