Volunteering in the E.R.

[roxburin]

Hello,

I have just begun going to school and would like to ask your opinions on volunteering in the ER? The position is 4 hours a week, but I have not yet started volunteering. I have heard that this is a good way to build up your resume. Any truth to that? Also, What can I expect as a volunteer? Duties, experiences, violence .. etc ?

Thank you.

[mcfarland]

I am volunteering in SF General Emergency room right now. It has been an incedible experience-- if you want (at least inthe program) you can "get right up in there" if you want. there has been no lack of GSW's Stabswounds, burns, and of course the drunks and overdoses. Most of all its great be able to help the docs and nurse and also have a chance to interact with patients and their famileis. I highly reccomend it!!

[carrirose]

Do most hospitals offer volunteer opportunities? I've never done this before or know anyone who has. I think that would be something I'd enjoy to know if I's like to work in the department or not.

[mcfarland]

It all depends-- you just need to call the hospital in your area-- Usually there is an actual volunteer dept that can give you more info on volunteer opportunitues. It *seems* like with such a shortage of nurse they could use all the help they can get, at least this is the situation in S.F.

[ERVolunteer]

As you can see from my name, I'm an ER volunteer. I've been there for two years and I LOVE it. What I do is clean rooms,transport patients in wheelchairs (an occasionally on gurneys with a EMT/nurse), take samples to the lab, and sit with patients. Duties will vary from hospital to hospital. One thing about ER though, you have to have a strong stomach, and you have to realize that you're going to see some pretty bad injuries, and maybe even deaths. I've seen maybe two violent patients in the four years I've been at the hospital, and niether of them were in the ER. I've personally never been threated, and I've even sat with some psych patients. So unless your hospital is in an area with a really high crime rate, I wouldn't worry about violence too much. If you ever feel uncomfortable with an assignment, tell the nurse. A least at my hospital, if they ask you to do something you know you can't do, you can refuse.

I really love the ER, and yes, volunteering looks VERY good on resumes and college applications. Anyway, good luck with the ER. I think you'll enjoy it.

[PBJDDJmom]

I volunteered in a Emergency department at my local hospital for quite a long time. It was a pretty hopping place so I stayed pretty busy, I passed ice cups around, got pillows and blankets and made beds..It was really fun though.