Hello everyone! I'm very excited that I found this site! (I'm already addicted, weird huh??)....
Anyway.... I'm starting school this fall.... I have 4 pre-reqs to take before I can apply for the RN program. So to help me out I have been volunteering for our local community hospital. I started in April and have worked about 12 hours so far. My question to those of you who are already working.... How do you feel towards volunteers? Are they helpful? A nusiance? Do they seem to be in your way? Do people look down on them? What about CNA's?? Everyone who I've met so far has said "how wonderful the volunteers are..." but the feeling I've gotten from the people around me is that we are more annoying than anything....
I really am doing it more for the experience more than anything.... but it does feel good to be doing something with my free time (I'm a SAHM).... I just feel like when I approach someone at the nurses station... they have better things to do than to ask what I'm there for....:chair:
I've only been in training so far, and once I get on the floor I'll be mostly on my own... so maybe that will make a difference.
I guess I'm just wondering if this is worth my time? TIA!
My boyfriend said the same thing when he volunteered in the SICU. Very boring and not much to do. He is premed so would apply to volunteer @ University Hospitals every quarter and would be placed somewhere different. Anyways, the first night in the SICU he had to deal with a pretty hillbillyish HORRIBLE family. I think one guy tried to fight him because he wouldn't let the whole entourage in to see the patient.
Specializes in ED tech on a resp. therapist adventure.
I have been volunteering in the ED for a year now. Just recvd my NAI certification and am applying for a job in...you guessed it, the ED. When I walk in I get a "There comes our angel" reaction and then they ask how long I am staying and if I will be back the next day!!! I have had a few days when I walk out thinking that I never want to go back but for the most part I love volunteering. Keep it up as you never know what you will learn nor who you will meet that may help you in your life/career. Take Care..
I think voulnteers is a good thing to have because sometimes you dont have time to have lenghtly converstions wiht pacients. I think becomeing a Voulnteer is a great thing because it is a great thing to put on your resume. alos i think it is good to be a voulnterr because when your done wiht nurseing school and they are looking for peopple to hire you might be one of the frist peopple to be considered because you will know how the hosptial works and what the different floors are where if they had to find a persion through news pappers and help wanted ad's the hosptial would have to train that persion where if your a voulnteer you already know some things that others wouldn't know.
That's a great point. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to work at the hospital I'm volunteering at! I've had all 3 of my kids there and I'd love to take care of new moms the way they took care of me. I just don't want to burn any bridges by not doing a good job (so I'm trying my best to do what I am suppose to and stay out of their way), I just don't want to annoy anyone either (I'm afraid they'd remember that come time for me to apply) LOL
I believe volunteers keep our hospital functioning. We are a non profit children's hospital in Tampa Bay area and do not get much financial assistance from the government state and county level so to have a volunteer who can man the front desk and help our frantic parents find their babies is wonderful. Keep it up, enjoy it and just know no matter what you're making a difference.
Just a thought, what other, non hospital, money making employers have non paid positions and get their labor done for nothing? And don't get in trouble with the labor laws?
I love our volunteers... I work in a pediatric hospital.. so it comes in handy when we have babies with no moms and kids that want to play games and we have no time ot sit there and rock the baby to sleep or play a game of trouble with the 3 year old that is bored and crying for their mom lol
Most of our volunteers are elderly men and women, and a few teenagers here and there. on my floor, the volunteers deliver the flowers and cards sent to the hospital.
I started my career in health care as a 15 yo Red Cross volunteer and haven't looked back.
Facilities who use volunteers owe it to them to provide clear boundaries and good training. What are volunteers allowed to do? How should they respond if someone asks them to do something outside that scope? How should confidentiality issues be handled? What kinds of "unsettling" situations might they encounter on a particular unit (disturbing sights and smells, sad circumstances, patients who offer to tip them, etc.) and how should they handle them? What do regular staff members find most/least helpful? How should they handle conflicts/misundertandings/problems with staff or patients?
The person/s in charge of volunteers--ought to check in with them on a regular basis to make sure they are not running into problems. This is especially true with young volunteers who may feel too intimidated to approach anyone with their concerns. Volunteer coordinators may also need to deal with people of any age who feel the rules don't apply to them.
With good guidelines and moral support, volunteers can be extremely useful contributors to almost any facility. And a percentage may decide to pursue a paying career in health care because of their exposure.
Volunteers owe their facility the same respect and level of committment they would give a paying job. That means letting someone know (in advance) when they can't show up for an agreed upon shift; calling in only when there is a serious conflict (not an unexpected trip to the beach or a little too much fun the night before); sticking to the limitations the facility has set for volunteers; scrupulously honoring patient confidentiality; recognizing (and asking for help) when they are struggling with becoming grossed out, emotionally attached, or otherwise overwhelmed by the position; giving notice when ending their volunteer stint; and treating everyone from other volunteers to staff to patients with respect.
Volunteering is a great way for anyone who thinks they might want to pursue a health care career to get a look behind the scenes. It's also a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of both patients and staff. You can learn about medical matters and even more about human nature. And you can learn a lot about yourself.
One final note: if you find yourself in a volunteer situation that isn't working out, ask around. As one poster mentioned, you might need to find a different unit. You may need to seek out another facility altogether. Don't let one bad experience chase you away. There will always be someone out there who needs what you have to offer.
Thank you to everyone who volunteers in any capacity. Your gifts mean so much.
I'm glad to know everyone appreciates volunteers.... I just feel like I'm in the way sometimes....
The hospital I'm at takes it's volunteers very seriously. We had a formal interview, background check, mantoux test, immunization records check, full day of orientation and I have had 2 training days on the transport pool and I have more training to do once I get on the floor...... whew!!!!
I guess it's probably more of a personal issue for me.... I don't want to sound like a snob, but I just feel like a shmuck because I WANT TO BE THE RN.... NOT THE VOLUNTEER. I want to be the one helping the patients and starting the IVs... When I see the new mom struggling to put her newborn in her corificeat for the first time... I want to help her and show her how to do it the correct and safe way.... And I can't. I can't say anything. And I just feel sort of useless.
Oh well.... At least I know I'm appreciated, even if I can't do much but stock shelves and discharge a patient.
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sassy7cassy
167 Posts
My boyfriend said the same thing when he volunteered in the SICU. Very boring and not much to do. He is premed so would apply to volunteer @ University Hospitals every quarter and would be placed somewhere different. Anyways, the first night in the SICU he had to deal with a pretty hillbillyish HORRIBLE family. I think one guy tried to fight him because he wouldn't let the whole entourage in to see the patient.