Volunteering at a Children's Hospital

Specialties Pediatric

Published

Tomorrow, I'm going to get some information on volunteering at Children's Hospital in Birmingham and I was just wondering if any of you worked there and could fill me in on how things are. I've volunteered at a few hospitals in the past, but my experiences were more along the lines of shadowing than volunteering.

I'm interested in neonatal nursing, but lately, I've become pretty interested in L&D and peds as well... Anyone with experience in a children's hospital can post their experience here, too! I don't want to just limit this post to the B'Ham hospital lol Thanks a lot for yall's input! :D

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Are you a nursing student? if you are, you might as well work as a nursing assistant/patient care tech at the hospital. you get paid, you get to do much more work with the patients, and its AWESOME experience. find out with the hospitals nurse recruiter if they have positions open. most major hospitals provide paid training if you havent started clinicals yet. good luck!

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I should add, I too worked as a volunteer on a pediatric floor. I actually thought it was very boring. Most of my duties were to collect food trays, stock linen, disinfect toys, etc. You don't really get too much patient contact as a volunteer, at least in my experience.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Most of the volunteers at the children's hospital I work at get plenty of one-on-one time with patients. Volunteers are my best friend on a busy day. Esp. when children are alone in the room because parents have to work/or have other little ones at home to care for. They are a godsend when I have 2 out of 5 patients that are infants and need to be fed ever 2-3 hours or just entertained.

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pedirn1--I would have loved to have volunteered at your children's hospital! they allow volunteers to do so much more... I guess thats the disadvantage of a smaller hospital in a no name town.

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Child Life is a dept in many hospitals that provides emotional support and recreational/educational activites for kids. I volunteered with them for 18 months and loved it. I played video games with bored teens, fed and rocked babies to sleep, played with the cancer kids who are in isolation, escorted Santa Claus around the inpatient units, helped with homework. A wide variety as you can see!

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I am a nursing student and have been trying to get on as a PCA at a Children's hospital for months. I found out that atleast around where I live in Ohio, you have to have med-surg clinical before they will hire you (or be a STNA/CNA)

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Hey!

I will be volunteering at New Orleans Childrens Hospital soon! I am so excited to start. I will start fall 2009 at my local college and take the 3 Biology classes I need in order to apply for Nursing School (I have a business degree). My dream is to one day work at Childrens Hospital.

Here at NOLA Childrens Hospital, you get to play with the children......keep them company and/or make them feel less scared about being at the hospital. They give you the opportunity to interact with them. I can't wait to start. I love that Hospital! Last year my 5 week old daughter was admitted for 4 days and they took such good care of her. They inspired me to make the decision to become a nurse. Also, I will be volunteering at the postpartum recovery department and another hospital in the city. Can't wait!

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