Bring back the candy stripers

Nurses Activism

Published

As I was (trying) writing my platform speech for a state staff nurse candidacy, I was trying to pull all of my thoughts together.

Seems to me that all of our problems with short staffing, retiring workforce, mandatory overtime, and lack of educators to teach the new nurses is all about recruitment. Yes, I know that some other issues play a portion to the causes of the deterioration of nurse shortage.

But the idea was presented to me that why don't we bring back the candy stripers? For the young high school students who are interested in healthcare and for those lonely patients that don't have family to share their life stories. Now I am too young to remember candy stripers. But I was interested in thoughts of others. As my opinion is that everyone says oh my we have a shortage, but besides legislation what really is anyone doing about it locally, state or nationally.

Just my opinion.

0 Votes

I was a candy striper! I was 16, made all the beds on the unit, fed the people who needed it, and watched my share of roller derby (who remembers that?!). It was great for me - I have always wanted to be a nurse, and the job was very responsible for someone at my age. I think it's a great idea, but you need a dedicated volunteer staff for training, etc.

0 Votes
As I was (trying) writing my platform speech for a state staff nurse candidacy, I was trying to pull all of my thoughts together.

Seems to me that all of our problems with short staffing, retiring workforce, mandatory overtime, and lack of educators to teach the new nurses is all about recruitment. Yes, I know that some other issues play a portion to the causes of the deterioration of nurse shortage.

But the idea was presented to me that why don't we bring back the candy stripers? For the young high school students who are interested in healthcare and for those lonely patients that don't have family to share their life stories. Now I am too young to remember candy stripers. But I was interested in thoughts of others. As my opinion is that everyone says oh my we have a shortage, but besides legislation what really is anyone doing about it locally, state or nationally.

Just my opinion.

love it I was a Candy-Striper at RJH in Victoria BC www.viha.ca www.rjhnursingalum.com YouTube Where everybody knows your name- ie Royal Jubilee Hospital and flickr.
0 Votes
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I know this is an old thread, but i think it's a great idea.

0 Votes
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Every summer we have highschoolers volunteer in a program through the local schools. I forget their title, but it's not "candy stripper", but it sounds similar.

0 Votes

I was a Candy Striper, a hundred years ago ... :)

I worked for several years as a hospital surveyor for my state, and I saw teen volunteers in lots of the hospitals I visited (none of them in red and white striped pinafores, thank God!!) It may just depend on the individual hospital, and how much interest there is (among teens) in the area.

0 Votes
Specializes in Too many to list.

Gosh, I forgot all about it, but I was also many, many years ago in

Savannah.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment