Volunteers in the ER

[ChristineG]

Hi all,

As I'm awaiting my acceptance letter from the nursing program I applied for, and in the meantime I am going to volunteer at a larger hospital. They have decided to put me in the ER, as the hospital feels I can get the greatest exposure to what nursing is all about (if I get accepted to nursing school it will be a HUGE career change for me). I'm going to be going for training next week. Question: Do you have volunteers in your ERs? If so, what do they do? I DEFINITELY don't want to be in the way...any advice?

Thanks!

Christine

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Hi, there! Volunteered in a local hospital ED last year before starting nursing school. Really liked it. Good experience. You'll see and overhear lots (codes, medical discussions, interactions between staff, etc.), and get feedback on how you are with people. From all this, you should get a general feel for whether nursing is for you. (See below though.)

You'll oriented on what they want you to help out with.

Some possibilities:

Run specimens to the lab, dress litters, bring chairs to family members, transport patients to service centers (X-ray, Cats, dialysis, radiology, etc.), bring water / ice chips, etc. to patients (when authorized), place faxed test results in patients' files, pick-up supplies from central dispatch, obtain drugs from the pharmacy (some hospitals no longer allow volunteers to do this though), etc. A mixed bag.

But do keep in mind, that even if the ED doesn't turn out to be your cup of tea, there are many other opportunities in this field. You can even request that the hospital rotate you around different departments. (I was trained for, and worked at, two different positions.)

Good luck!

[Uptoherern, RN]

dress litters? I had an image of little puppies with clothes on.......... :chuckle

We love our volunteers. They are usually pre-med students, so they like to watch and learn. They also "dress litters" (make up beds), get specimens to lab, etc. We like them also, because they have the time to talk to the pts. when we don't. The patients also like them. they are great. :balloons:

[ChristineG]

Ok, good this makes me feel better! I wasn't sure if the ER nurses and docs looked at volunteers as if they were just in the way. If I do get into nursing school, I doubt I would want to be in the ER....but I think this will be a great experience for me to see a variety of illnesses! Thanks for the replies!!

[sun_chica]

I've worked in an ED as a unit clerk for over a yr as I finish up my senior year this may. I've seen & learned so much. Gain all the experience you can...the docs & nurses are great about teaching you tidbits. I've learned a lil about reading XR's & EKG's. Even holding patient for procedures like spinal taps or catherizations (infants), or blood draws(infants). You'll do lots of transporting of patients to other depts - that is GREATLY APPRECIATED. Have fun & hope you enjoy it!!