volunteering opportunities

smile123 · Jun 17, 2006

Hello everyone,
I am deciding whether or not the nursing field is for me. I would like to volunteer at a local hospital and wanted to find out what are some of the positions that I should volunteer for. I've noticed that they run the full spectrum from greeter and waiting room attendant to cheer cart pusher. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

Good for you to investigate your options. I would say any volunteer position where you have patient contact is best. I used to work in the ED (Emergency Dept) as a patient rep liaison, which was great. I got a chance to work patients, their families and the health care team (mostly nurses). At some hospitals there are waiting lists to get into these types of positions. If that's the case, just get into a hospital now in whatever capacity you can, and then after 6 months, switch over to another service. It will look good on your resume/application and you'll get a better sense whether nursing is something you want to do. Good luck!

P.S. You can also work at more than one place or more than one position at a hospital or clinic if you have the time.

lisabeth · Jun 17, 2006

I am considering doing the same thing. Not this semester though. Next semester wont be so hard, so I might try to get my foot in the door then. I also would like to give every part of the hospital a try to see what I like best.

I know I dont want to clean poop :lol2: Do ya think they would accept that as an excuse. I just want to see the good side of things right now. :idea:

smile123 · Jun 17, 2006

I am considering doing the same thing. Not this semester though. Next semester wont be so hard, so I might try to get my foot in the door then. I also would like to give every part of the hospital a try to see what I like best.
I know I dont want to clean poop Do ya think they would accept that as an excuse. I just want to see the good side of things right now.

In general, you would never clean poop or handle any bodily fluids as a volunteer. (That would involve additional training about infectious diseases.) The nurse or the CNA/tech does that. You might be asked to run a blood sample to the lab (already wrapped up in a plastic bag with a vial inside of it), but that's it. In the ED, we just gave out warm blankets, water/juice (if the RN said it was OK), folded linen, made beds, restocked some supplies, talked to paients and did a lot of listening to the patients' stories. Sometimes, they just wanted someone to listen to them. Try it.

justavolunteer · Jun 18, 2006

I'm not a nurse, I'm 'justavolunteer'. I volunteer on a pt unit. I fill water pitchers for pts who can have it. I also restock glove dispensers, haul off laundry bags, transport pts to x-ray, CT scan, etc. (or out the door if they're discharged). I have been around long enough to be able to read a diet list & tell who's NPO & who isn't. I run various errands for nurses & generally try to help where needed.

Many hospitals will take a volunteer for about 4 hours per week. You can ask to be put on a pt unit.

You likely won't have to worry about handling bodily fluids. The infection control policies generally prevent volunteers from getting involved with them.

lisabeth · Jun 18, 2006

In general, you would never clean poop or handle any bodily fluids as a volunteer. (That would involve additional training about infectious diseases.) The nurse or the CNA/tech does that. You might be asked to run a blood sample to the lab (already wrapped up in a plastic bag with a vial inside of it), but that's it. In the ED, we just gave out warm blankets, water/juice (if the RN said it was OK), folded linen, made beds, restocked some supplies, talked to paients and did a lot of listening to the patients' stories. Sometimes, they just wanted someone to listen to them. Try it.

I might just do that. I wouldnt mind at all doing any of the things that were mentioned that needed to be done by volunteers. I will try that for a while, and after that, I will take the CNA class if I dont get in. Then I guess I will have to clean poop, etc.:barf01: I guess I will have to do that at some point.

ONMELD · Jun 18, 2006

Thank you for all the responses. I am going to meet with the people at my local hospital next week.

smile123 · Jun 18, 2006

Thank you for all the responses. I am going to meet with the people at my local hospital next week.

Very good! Let us know where you end up for your volunteeering opportunity. I know it was a very fulfilling position for me. It helped me determine that I wanted to switch careers and go into health care. Good luck!