Volunteer in the ED

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 5, 2007

with no more info than this, i dont think there will be much any one can suggest...how did you come to do this? what is your level of expertise? who arranged it for you, and what is their expectation?.....good luck

bill4745, RN · Apr 5, 2007

Don't give medical advice. Don't give food or water to a patient without asking the patient's doctor or nurse. Don't tell anyone how long it will be before they are seen. Never say "Gee, it's quiet in here today" - that is guaranteed to fill the place up immediately (it's what we mean by the "Q word").

Melina · Apr 5, 2007

I volunteer in the ED, and I love it. The nurses really appreciate us, which makes it really great. I have a really specific job function as a patient rep. I serve as liason between patient and family and nursing staff so we don't have family wandering through the nurse's station, and make sure the patients are getting the support they need. I don't want anyone to feel forgotten when a trauma comes in. Bill is right about the PO thing; it's the first thing we were told. Sometimes I entertain the kids, or sit with a frightened patient. If we are really busy I change out the rooms between patients. If we're not busy, I ask the nurse manager how I can be helpful. She always has a suggestion. Have fun!

~Mel'

Larry77, RN · Apr 5, 2007

We LOVE our volunteers thanks for taking time out of your schedule to help out!!!

Hopefully you will be shown the ropes by one of the other volunteers because this role can vary between hospitals. My favorite thing they do however is changing over rooms because we have very few techs to go around and they are too busy doing EKG's etc to clean rooms (we of course clean our own rooms in those times if volunteer is not there or are busy).

Ours are not allowed to do any direct patient care but some do empty urinals and take trays to them, they just can't transport, help lift, or of course take vitals--darn.

Melina · Apr 5, 2007

We aren't allowed to lift or transfer either, and I wish I could help with vitals. I have my CNA, but I'm in school full-time and don't work, so it would keep me in practice.

I am so grateful for the experience. Most of my friends who volunteer in other hospitals aren't allowed anywhere near patients, and have little interaction with staff, either.

~Mel'

Pumpkin1621 · Apr 5, 2007

I volunteered at the ER for a while. I had to go through orientation that showed us what was expected. We mainly cleaned the beds and changed sheets, took out the garbage, cleaned the rooms, transport patients in a wheelchair, clean the waiting area, and we could talk to the patients and bring them food and drink if it was OKed by the dr or nurse. We also brought them blankets. We were also responsible for making sure the paramedics had all the sheets and blankets they needed.

I only had 1 nurse scream at me and it was my first day volunteering. I didn't know the employee entrance so I walked through traige. Yeah... The nurse laid into me. I was so terrified I just ran the other way. I had to ask security how to get in. I rarely had encounters with the physicians.

There was a male nurse that spoke to me, and I told him I was interested in nursing. He told me DONT DO IT. Then he told the other nurses and they would all make comments like, "oh act like you enjoy your job Pumpkin here wants to be a nurse." It was very discouraging so I decided to not volunteer their anymore. It didn't change my mind, but I just didn't want to be around the negativity. I did work as a registrar at another ER and the nurses there were awesome.

I guess it is just the employer/environment/circumstances/employees that make up the working morale. I'm not sure, but there was definately a difference.

Good luck, and enjoy your new experiences.

EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 5, 2007

The volunteers are WONDERFUL staff members in the ER setting!!!

At the entrance to our ER, we have a volunteer who helps direct the patients to registration and triage. On good days, we have someone in the back who can "assist" in transporting a patient to the floor (they help steer the stretcher), supply blankets, bring patients back to their rooms, restock, clean the rooms, and anything else that they can do to help.

Thanks for giving your time to help! I hope you enjoy it!

TazziRN, RN · Apr 6, 2007

I have always loved the volunteers I've met, except for one: do not be pushy. If there is an opportunity to watch a procedure, do not bug the staff with questions while it's happening, wait till later. The one volunteer I ended up talking to her supervisor about literally shoved her way into rooms to watch things and bugged the docs and nurses.

Melina · Apr 6, 2007

The one volunteer I ended up talking to her supervisor about literally shoved her way into rooms to watch things and bugged the docs and nurses.

I think you mentioned her before. I can only imagine what that must have been like! I've stayed for a few procedures, but it was to support a patient. I will have plenty of time for observation in clinical. Volunteering is supposed to be about helping, not ogling!

~Mel'

armyvet · Apr 6, 2007

I change beds and ask the charge nurse if there is anything that she needs help with. The techs have taught me how to do a few things like check oxygen. I also give out blankets and make up beds and get replacement beds. I was just wondering about things that volunteers may do in other hospitals that help the nurses, or things that nurses appreciate volunteers doing that may their days a little easier.

I stay out when procedures are being done, unless I am specifically asked to help.

Testa Rosa, RN · Apr 6, 2007

An important skill I've learned as a volunteer is how to make myself unobtrusive in the tight quarters of the nursing station--how to just stay out of the way doing some small yet useful task, yet just be available for someone to tell me what they need me to do next.

That said, there are days I don't sit down--especially when I work around the Nurses who are familiar with me--I know the supply cabinet like the back of my hand and I can make an ice pack for any body part out of a newborn diaper and I know where to find treats for wandering kids...not to mention I'm pretty good with glove/balloon animals and tounge-depressor puppets.

There are other days where I'm planted at the nursing station just answering phones, stocking supplies or breaking/cleaning charts with a few breaks to do wheelchair transports.

Nurses are an intuitive bunch, they figure out pretty quickly if they have a capable volunteer, and once that's established, they work you well. It may take awhile though, as volunteers can come and go, I've had one nurse tell me they wait awhile before investing much time showing a new volunteers things.

I love volunteering; I feel so much more prepared for nursing school now. I loved my first career in business/marketing. Life has pulled me in a different direction completely (long story), and certain life events changed me too much to ever go back to what I did before. I'm much more certain I've found my new path after volunteering. But, I miss working. I was never meant to be a stay-at-home mom, not healthy for me or the kids, and volunteering gives me a little sense of connection/accomplishment I used to get from my career. I no longer "need" to volunteer as I've been accepted into nursing school but I continue to do it for the above mentioned reasons.