Do nurses like volunteers?

kittykai · Aug 2, 2008

We :heartbeat our volunteers. Especially the ones that volunteer at night. I would suggest to introduce yourself to the nurses and ask them if they have any babies for you to feed or just hold. Thank you so much for volunteering. We appreciate you guys. Congratulations and good luck!

ilstu99 · Aug 2, 2008

YAY for volunteers! :anpom: I really enjoy the volunteers who are willing to do anything to help. Yes, everyone wants to hold and rock the babies, and sometimes that's an awesome help. However...sometimes we really NEED other things, and I love it when the volunteers will offer just to lend a hand....wherever.

As for the babies - I really appreciate volunteers for the kids who are closer to day care. :wink2: They really need a lot more interaction than I sometimes have the time for, and it makes me feel icky. It's SO fantastic when someone comes along that has the time I lack....even though it makes me a little jealous!

I did have one volunteer who was crabby that I declined her offer to feed one of my babes. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate the offer, just that it was that baby's first ever try at bottle-feeding, and it's something that I needed to do. :/ I felt bad for saying "no," and tried to explain, but I think she was too put out to hear it and she kind of...stomped off.

But as a general rule, our floor really enjoys every additional pair of hands! Thanks for volunteering! :up:

NICUplease · Aug 2, 2008

Thanks!

I am so excited to start. This is where I definately want to be after NS so I hope this really helps get my foot in the door.

preemieRNkate, RN · Aug 2, 2008

I WISH we had volunteers that were able to be with the babies. Where I work, they do clerical stuff. We used to have a cuddler program, but after a few bad eggs, they put a stop to it. I took care of a baby the last couple of days that was a FT baby, and she is now over 6 weeks old. All she wants to do is sit up on someone's lap and look around. I felt awful that I didn't have the time to do that.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 2, 2008

I have had mixed experiences with volunteers. If you can avoid the "negative behaviors" discussed below and exhibit the positive ones, then you can be a big help and will probably be much appreciated. Maybe others can add to it to help you out.

1. Keep a fairly regular schedule. People who just "pop in" every now and then don't build a rapport with the staff and it's hard for the staff to trust a stranger with any task of importance (such as holding a baby).

2. Understand that some babies are too fragile for you to hold -- and the NICU may not have any babies for you sometimes. (See #3)

3. Be willing and cheerful when asked to do tasks that don't involve the babies directly and are not exciting and glamorous. Those boring tasks (clerical, stocking supplies, cleaning, etc.) need to be done and the staff will really appreciate a volunteer who is willing to do the "not-fun" stuff. Staff generally have little respect or little affection for people who are only willing to do the fun, exciting, glamorous things.

4. "Safety first." Don't do anything you haven't been taught how to do. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't jump in and make assumptions about what to do unless you have been taught to do so. "Safety first."

5. Understand that busy caregivers are not always the most pleasant people to be around. While everyone SHOULD be pleasant and polite to you, don't take it personally or get all upset if you encounter a few people who are tired and stressed and a bit "crunchy," if you know what I mean.

I started my NICU career as a high school volunteer on a pediatric floor. Yes, I was a real "candy striper" -- red and white stripped dress and all. I made beds, stocked linen, and scrubbed metal bedpans and emesis basins that had been soaking in powerful disinfectants. When I came in for my shift, there would be a big pile of things to be scrubbed soaking in the utility room sink for me. I did everything that needed to be done with a smile. Sometimes, I would get to interact with the kids -- but not always. Those nurses were always appreciative of my work and let me interact with the kids when that was possible. The Nurse Manager wrote me a recommendation for college.

Now I have my PhD in nursing and have a leadership position at a children's hospital. I also teach a little at a local university.

Good luck to you.

akanini, MSN, RN · Aug 2, 2008

I just wanted to say thanks for caring. I love seeing volunteers at clinicals. I can't wait to be a Nicu nurse!

I'mANurse! · Aug 2, 2008

If it hadn't of been for a volunteer holding one of my crying babies for 3 hours today, I wouldn't have gotten anything done! Love them!!

NICUplease · Aug 3, 2008

I have had mixed experiences with volunteers. If you can avoid the "negative behaviors" discussed below and exhibit the positive ones, then you can be a big help and will probably be much appreciated. Maybe others can add to it to help you out.
1. Keep a fairly regular schedule. People who just "pop in" every now and then don't build a rapport with the staff and it's hard for the staff to trust a stranger with any task of importance (such as holding a baby).
2. Understand that some babies are too fragile for you to hold -- and the NICU may not have any babies for you sometimes. (See #3)
3. Be willing and cheerful when asked to do tasks that don't involve the babies directly and are not exciting and glamorous. Those boring tasks (clerical, stocking supplies, cleaning, etc.) need to be done and the staff will really appreciate a volunteer who is willing to do the "not-fun" stuff. Staff generally have little respect or little affection for people who are only willing to do the fun, exciting, glamorous things.
4. "Safety first." Don't do anything you haven't been taught how to do. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't jump in and make assumptions about what to do unless you have been taught to do so. "Safety first."
5. Understand that busy caregivers are not always the most pleasant people to be around. While everyone SHOULD be pleasant and polite to you, don't take it personally or get all upset if you encounter a few people who are tired and stressed and a bit "crunchy," if you know what I mean.
I started my NICU career as a high school volunteer on a pediatric floor. Yes, I was a real "candy striper" -- red and white stripped dress and all. I made beds, stocked linen, and scrubbed metal bedpans and emesis basins that had been soaking in powerful disinfectants. When I came in for my shift, there would be a big pile of things to be scrubbed soaking in the utility room sink for me. I did everything that needed to be done with a smile. Sometimes, I would get to interact with the kids -- but not always. Those nurses were always appreciative of my work and let me interact with the kids when that was possible. The Nurse Manager wrote me a recommendation for college.
Now I have my PhD in nursing and have a leadership position at a children's hospital. I also teach a little at a local university.
Good luck to you.

Thanks llg,

At the interview I asked if there weren't babies to be held at the time, if I could help nurses restock or clean up... basically assist them with whatever they needed. I was told, I absolutely CAN NOT do any of those things! I am there to cuddle or provide human touch for the babies and nothing else. I'd love to help the nurses because that could definately help me clinically, so I was a little sad to hear I couldn't do simple things like that.

But, I am still STOKED about just being in the NICU. I really couldn't stop smiling and I can sense the nurses kind of looking at me like some young nursing student who couldnt take a dumb smile off her face. I'm sure they were just as excited about the NICU when they started. I dont care... I LOVE IT!!!! :heartbeat:redbeathe:heartbeat:redbeathe

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2008

I had my first nursing experience with an infant today. Poor little guy has spent almost his entire little life in the hospital. I wish that I could have rocked him some more.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 3, 2008

Thanks llg,
At the interview I asked if there weren't babies to be held at the time, if I could help nurses restock or clean up... basically assist them with whatever they needed. I was told, I absolutely CAN NOT do any of those things! I am there to cuddle or provide human touch for the babies and nothing else. I'd love to help the nurses because that could definately help me clinically, so I was a little sad to hear I couldn't do simple things like that.
But, I am still STOKED about just being in the NICU. I really couldn't stop smiling and I can sense the nurses kind of looking at me like some young nursing student who couldnt take a dumb smile off her face. I'm sure they were just as excited about the NICU when they started. I dont care... I LOVE IT!!!! :heartbeat:redbeathe:heartbeat:redbeathe

Good for you! At least they know you are willing to do whatever is needed. I'm sure the interviewer was positively impressed by that. I hope you enjoy your time in the NICU and learn lots.

hikernurse · Aug 11, 2008

Great way to break in to the NICU :).

I love cuddlers; a lot of time nurses don't have time to actually play with the older ones (and some kiddos are there for months) and they really need it.

Good for you--I wish you volunteered where I work :).