Volunteering at a hospital?

[Thomas_Spence]

Hello again, I wanted to know if I could volunteer at my local hospital, the only reasons I'm not sure is:

1. I'm 15

2. I don't have my Permanent Residency, but my sister was able to volunteer @ the YWCA here in the city and she was only visiting. But this is the main hospital in Southern Alberta, so ya' know. (According to Wikipedia)

Anyway, I couldn't find an e-mail to contact them by, just a phone number, which I'll call soon, but before I get to excited, could I be able to volunteer? I should probably say the hospital name "Chinook Regional Hospital" has anyone got any experience with this place? What is it like being a volunteer, in general that is? What do you do?

Thank you for any help!

[Aerielle]

Hello!

I'm from BC so I'm not too sure about the details of where you want to volunteer...

I know some hospitals do have separate volunteer programs for adults and teens. I did the teen program when I was 15, then switched to the adult program when I turned 18. I would encourage you to get in contact with the place you want to volunteer at and find out their requirements, and how to apply!

I have volunteer experience in long term care and the emergency room. I found my role in long term care was mainly companionship and assisting with meals (only certain hospitals allow you to help with meal time, and you need to go through training which they provide) My role in the emergency was more flexible - some days I would go around chatting to patients who didn't have family by their side, some days I would be in the triage area directing patients where they should go, answer questions they may have about waiting times, and reporting to the triage nurse if a patient is suddenly having chest pains/breathing problems.

I'm going to request to volunteer in intensive care soon, since that's the area of nursing I want to go into! :) Good luck!