I'm planning to volunteer in a hospital, anything I should know?

Question

I'm planning to student volunteer in hospitals close to my home, and I'd love for anyone to share experiences or stories they have. Your most touching memory, things I should know, the kind of people you meet, etc. Anything!!!

Also, how old do you have to be to volunteer (respectively) in retired homes and mental wards. I understand the responsibilty and skills required with the second one, so it's probably 18.

Answer 1

Volunteer work in a hospital can be very rewarding.The rewards may not show but they will show in the patients that you come in contact with.The rewards may be a simple smile on someones face or the feeling that you get by a child showing that they really like you.Other rewards can be seen several years down the road when you are trying to apply for a job.Volunteer work always looks good on a resume.There is not alot that I can tell you about volunteer work but I can tell you that you are going to run in to a few people that can be pretty demanding or some that will want something that you have no control over.When you come across these people just keep a smiling face and tell them that you will try to get someone that can help and refer this to the charge nurse then you do not have to worry about them anymore.other than that,just keep a smiling face and always offer to help even if it is something as simple as a glass of water and you know that the patient is capable of getting it themselves.Also remember that no mater who they are and whether or not they are a patient in the hospital or not,that someday this person could be your patient and you only want the patient to think positive about the one who is giving them care.

good luck and best wishes with your volunteer work.

Answer 2

16 can volunteer in hospitals for certain departments. But if your gong to volunteer in a retired home then you might need to be 18. Not sure the law where where you live.
It's very hard work. Nurses should be commended for their services. It's not easy cleaning a person after they've had an accident or cleaning out bed pans. All the lifting required. Talking to these people are really caring. Some people don't get visitors and elderly people just like anyone gets very lonely and depressed. It really takes a special person to do this kind of job. I hope you are one of those special people. Volunteering is the best thing you can do before going in full force. Good Luck, but I know you won't need it.

Answer 3

I was a hospital volunteer, or candystriper, back in high school. At the hospital I worked at, there was limited contact between us and patients. We sorted the mail, brought teddy bears up to pediatrics (occasionally sat with some of the children), brought goodies up to the new mothers in the maternity ward, and lots of shredding in the medical records dept. It was a very rewarding experience. I helped pass out pamphlets on a new car safety program for new mothers and their families. I felt like I was making a real difference.

There were some perks to this volunteer position: I got a voucher for a few dollars to get a bite to eat at the cafeteria (I worked on Saturdays for a few hours).

One moment that was hard for some of the other volunteers when I was aroun't around was when they had to be on an elevator with a dead body going to the morgue. They were pretty shocked by that sight. So be prepared for emotional experiences such as this and also smelly floors - particularly geriatrics and some of the other floors with chronic patients.

I'm not sure how old you have to be working in retirement homes and mental wards, but I would imagine much younger for retirement homes.

Good luck volunteering!

Answer 4

I used to be a volunteer at a local hospital when I was a teen for two years. It was a memory I will never forget and will always cheish being a volunteer. I got a thousand dollar scholarship for college for being a volunteer for 2 years. It was a wonderful experience I learned so much. I probably think for Mental hospitals and retirement homes you have to be 18. But, it depends where you live. Have a great time with your volunteering and I hope you have a great experience. You are really hleping our society by doing this.

Answer 5

I volunteered in a hosptial when I was 16 in a hospital and in a veterans hospital when I was 19...Both experiences prepared me for the field I work in today (which is social work)....I met some nice (and interesting) people. I mainly visited with people, helped them get their lunch, took a walk with them. Be specific with the hospital with what you would like to do...you get to choose b/c you are volunteering...Let them know if you don't want to work in the kitchen or if you are really interested in working with the pediatric unit. Be prepared if you go into a psychiatric ward and remember to be on alert that people could yell at you, hit you, etc. If you would just like to visit with patients, I'd start off in a nursing home and work up to a mental health facility

Answer 6

age requirements will vary based upon each facility.
i had friends that worked at a mental facility, but i'm pretty sure they were over 18 when they worked there. the cool part was that they were employed there, but not as medical personnel. they were more like kid sitters.
so, that's an avenue to think about.

sa for experiences in hospitals.....
expect to see bodily fluids of all kinds and people not looking very well at all. poeple in hospitals are sick, therefore, they usually look pretty sick. so, take lots of positive energy in with you and i'm sure you'll be a great volunteer!

good for you and enjoy your vounteering!

Answer 7

I work for a veterans nursing home the age requirement is 18yrs if you are working with the elderly. If you would like you may contact me at e-mail address is teesaw1@yahoo i would be happy to tell you everything you would like to know. I have worked in the skilled units, Alzheimer's ward etc......

Answer 8

Don't get romantically involved with any patients or staff!

Answer 9

always practice good hygene and carry with you anti-bacterial soap/hand sanitizer.