How Do You Feel About Hospital Volunteers?

Nurses General Nursing

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I recently applied to volunteer in the ER at our local hospital. This is where I was told by the coordinator that I would have the most patient contact. I want to become more familiar and comfortable in a hospital environment and hope to learn a lot. I also want to be as helpful as possible, to the staff, patients, and their families. If anyone has any advice on what to do/not do? Examples of volunteers you've witnessed who were especially helpful or not helpful? I am not in a nursing program yet, I am beginning prereqs.

Thank you so much.

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Specializes in ED.

We have volunteers in our ED. Unfortunately, liability issues prevent them from doing many things. They can't even transport a person in a wheelchair or walk them down to x-ray. There are some things that they do which don't seem like it but are very helpful. For example, just getting someone a cup of water if we ask you to greatly helps because it's one less thing that we have to do. Take some time to see how your ED works and look for simple things like this that you can do. It will make the staff appreciate you and it will allow you to see how the ED works.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

dont just stare at your phone the whole time and not ask to help or talk to anyone. we had one guy like this and I was just thinking, "wow, he gets to put this all on his app for med school when really he did nothing." people are more into teaching you and showing you cool stuff when you help them out and show enthusiasm first.

good luck

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks for all the advice. I, too, am starting volunteer work in the ED. I got into the nursing program, but I think it will be a good experience.

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Definitely be nice to everyone (patients and staff) and be eager to learn. But for more self-serving purposes: network, build relationships with the staff so you can expand your connections. Try to get a job as a PCT after a few months. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Definitely be nice to everyone (patients and staff) and be eager to learn. But for more self-serving purposes: network, build relationships with the staff so you can expand your connections. Try to get a job as a PCT after a few months. Good luck!

Thats my plan; I'm going to be super nice (of course!) and I'm very eager to learn, but a main thing I'm hoping to do is sort of "network" so that when CNA/Nurse Tech. position opens up, I may have a shot. If I could get such a position in the actual ED... well lets just say I'd be the happiest person on earth! Great experience, great for a resume, and perfect for this (hopefully) future ED nurse.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

If in charge of obtaining menues and food orders from pt's, please don't ask them what they want to eat while A. Sitting on a commode or B. vomiting.:rolleyes:

We had one volunteer that swore her life would end if she didnt get them in at a certain time. I would find her in bathrooms or interviewing people on bedside commodes. You would think a shut door and curtain would have been a clue!!

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If in charge of obtaining menues and food orders from pt's, please don't ask them what they want to eat while A. Sitting on a commode or B. vomiting.:rolleyes:

We had one volunteer that swore her life would end if she didnt get them in at a certain time. I would find her in bathrooms or interviewing people on bedside commodes. You would think a shut door and curtain would have been a clue!!

I bust out laughing when I read this. I know that becoming a Nurse is very important to me and others and everyone wants to make sure they do everything right which in some cases can lead to extreme behaviors.

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Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

I volunteered at my local hospital in both the ED and Mother/Baby units. Didn't do much in the ED but sure did a lot in post-partum. Make yourself as helpful as possible yet be able to disappear. If you work a consistent shift and the nurses trust you not to go out of scope or talk too much, you really do get to help out a lot. And, the ability to watch nurses at work is such a gift. I would answer phones, copy, break charts, build new-parent info folders, help transport pts and babies, get ice packs and water and various supplies for the new moms, organize food stuff, obtain signatures for birth certificates, etc. I also did an award winning newborn photo--but those are no longer done by the volunteers. I loved volunteering there--with some of the best nurses and teachers I've ever met--and felt party to many happy and bittersweet moments that I will always remember. It was a good start to my RN. Also why I may want to go back to postpartum after I get some med/surg under my belt.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

volunteers save us thousands of hours annually. The best ones learn to look at the big picture and make themselves available. For instance, we had one retired computer engineer who asked if he could help create some software that we use within our organization for budgets and scheduling (not patient care infor of course). Really a big help to us.

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I really appreciate the replies, thank you!

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