Volunteering in hospital as courier???

[jy8686]

Hi,

this is my 1st post! :)

How's everyone doing?

I have a question regarding volunteering at local hospital.

I started volunteering as a courier last week at local hospital, and

all I do is delivering charts from place to place (medical records to other office)

and then taking blood samples from lab to offices........ for 4 hours.

I do not get to see any patients, but just keep running back and forth (it's a pretty big hospital).

I do not really get to meet people, because I give charts/samples to admins.

Should I keep volunteering?

They have a lot of people (at least 5~7 senior citizens) in the room with me, waiting for task.

Can you please help me? Any comment will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Saysfaa]

Yes, but I'd try for something else. Sometimes, they want to get to know you a bit before letting you do the more involved things. So, make a point of being prompt and dependable, consistantly behave professionally, etc.

I'm less sure how to go about trying for something else. I discussed my goals and motivations in the initial interview with my volunteer coordinators. At the ltc, that didn't help much because the nursing side of things is so seperate. At the hospital, it meant being placed on a nursing unit.

[jy8686]

Hey Saysfaa! thank you for your reply. i did discuss with volunteer coordinator about what i want to do, but i guess she couldn't let me do other things? i wanted to get more involved with patients and so on, but i didn't get to do any of that, since i am a courier. im just a little disappointed. i would love to get placed on a nursing unit...... hmmmmmm... thanks a lot for ur help! :)

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Is there a possibility of working in the Emergency Dept at your hospital? That would be a great place for you to have patient contact and see a lot of action. Most people that volunteer in ED restock supplies, change bedding between patients, and often do some clerical tasks. Sounds like something right up your alley. You say it's a big hospital, I would be surprised if something like this is not already in place.

If this is not possible yet, stick with your courier volunteer post, and keep your eyes open for other opportunities. Longevity at same hospital looks better than volunteer-hopping at several.

[Justanotherday]

I volunteer at our emergency room and I am enjoying it, and get a little patient contact. Plus I feel like I'm helping the nurses by getting beds and rooms ready.

[cgravier]

I would only volunteer if they paid me.

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

I volunteer in transportation. I help the nurses/aids move the patient from the beds to the gurney or wheelchair and move them about the hospital. I get to see all kinds of patients, floors, departments and nurses. I think it gives me good exposure to what's going on. Maybe you can check this out?