Anyone volunteering at a hospital?

[mangopeach]

Hi, is anyone volunteering? What do they have you do?

I applied at 2 hospitals and have interviews coming up soon. I know every facility is different, just curious about some of the duties that volunteers do.

TIA

[raverm]

Yup! I have!

It's hard to say because it really depends on which department you will be volunteering in.

If you volunteer in the local ER, you will more than likely be just cleaning rooms, transporting patients, and restocking. But if you could clarify what department you are trying to volunteer in, it would be easier to say.

Also, each hospital is different as well, so there is no definite answer!

Hope this helps!

[purvislets]

I'm actually looking into this now. A few of the local hospitals only take volunteers to work at the information desk and the gift shop, but I've found one that I know for sure allows you to volunteer shadowing a nurse or helping restock rooms.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

The key to a good volunteering experience as a precursor to nursing is to secure a position with a service that gives you as much direct patient contact as possible. In my hospital, one of these services is messenger, where you are responsible for transporting discharged patients out of the hospital by wheelchair. Volunteering in a gift shop or an information desk is a waste of time (if you're looking to be a nurse) and does not give you the exposure you're looking for. At your interview, make sure you express an interest in as much patient contact as allowed for a volunteer. They will know what areas would be best for you.

[Justanotherday]

I just interviewed to volunteer at our local hospital a few days ago and will go to orientation next week. The most direct patient contact they offer is for volunteers who work in the Emergency Room, so I am going to do that once a week. I can see myself as an ER nurse someday, so I hope it will be a good fit.

[Gator Girl 2000]

I started volunteering almost nine months ago in a hospital gift shop, only. I spent about 4 hours there each week and loved it....(still love it). The gift shop has a lot of repeat customers (various nurses, PCTs, doctors, NPs, techs, housekeeping staff, what have you) and I've been able to establish a good rapport w/ several of them....and as this is a hospital that I may work in after graduating from school, I've used this opportunity to enhance my customer service skills , ask questions of the staff (when appropriate) and to monitor the attitudes/personalities of the differing RNs from various floors.

After a few months, I was offered a volunteer position on a floor (I still volunteer in the gift shop, though...my choice :)). While on the floor, I'm pretty independent. I receive a dietary list at the beginning of my shift (some patients are NPO, some can only receive clear liquids, some are diabetic, etc.) and for the next several hours, I visit each room (unless it's a "contact precautions" room) and I chat w/ each patient and his/her visitors. At times, I'm a sounding board for patient concerns/family drama/etc., while at other times, I spend the majority of my shift passing out ice, juice, soda, jello, crackers, blankets, pillows, socks, etc. I assist where I can with basic patient care and I also answer call lights (often, getting the nurse or PCT when I cannot personally provide direct assistance). Often, patients will express frustration to me about the care or lack of care they're receiving and I try to pass those concerns on to the nurse it relates to.

All in all, it has been a wonderful experience. :)

[mangopeach]

Thanks a bunch for all the replies!

One of the hospitals had a check off list of preferences on their application,so I think I would have patient contact there. The other one did not so I'll just have to wait and see.

[bowlofsurreal]

I currently volunteer once a week in an out patient surgery wing of a hospital. Prior to volunteering, I had no hospital experience at all. Nursing will be my second career after working in the music industry for 8 years. When I met with the the head of the auxiliary for the hospital I explained that my plan was to go to nursing school within the next year and I wanted to work with patients. Based on that information he placed me in the PACU. My duties vary on the day and the needs of the nurses but I do all I can to assist them from stocking, bed changes, emptying laundry/trash, wheeling patients out, giving patients post anesthesia snacks, basic bandage changes, helping patients to the restroom, fetching (whether it be supplies, snacks, family, warm blankets), and anything else the nurses ask of me. I will say the nurses I work with have been great to me and actually take time out each week to answer any questions I have, to show me equipment, to explain their organization/process, or to share their nursing experiences/offer advice. It has been a wonderful experience to just be in the environment. I learn something new each week and it has been great to witness the kindness and professionalism of the nurses. They've been great models for me and I will miss them once my year is up.

Good luck to you! I think volunteering is an awesome experience.

[AccelCNL, MSN, RN]

I just got a position to volunteer in the the ER at a hospital near my home. When a postion opens up then I will got to the Peds hospital next door.