- Joined
- Feb 2, 2012
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 16
I've just started volunteering in the ER, and am finding myself underwhelmed. Apart from my first day, it's been slow. I've completed five shifts, and no one seems to know what to do with me. When I ask the nurses and the front desk people, I get a lot of "Well, we haven't had a volunteer in the ER in a LONG time" and "I don't think we've ever had a volunteer here at night," and one memorable "You're a volunteer, so you can do whatever you want!"
When they do ask me to do something, I always follow through, but 99 out of 100 times it's stocking -- stocking to the point that I suspect I'm missing out on potential patient contact. After my first day, the head nurse said to focus more on "customer service," but whenever it's dead and I've given everyone drinks and blankets and I ask to be put to work, it's more stocking...
Is this what I should expect? I don't want to ever refuse work, but should I make sure to be (or at least look) busy with other things until there's no other option? How can I draw out my patient-contact time ("Do you need a drink or a warm blanket?" is an incredibly short interaction)? 😕
Also, is it bad form to talk to the nurses and front desk people instead of doing chores just for the sake of looking busy? Because so far, the ER seems to be social hour with occasional patients. The nurses and ER docs sit around talking about Puerto Vallarta and wedding planning and financial investments and whatever else, or they watch videos and text people. Same with the front desk people and security guards. I was told that it's very important to get to know people and gain their trust, and it's strange to interrupt these convos to ask for work when no one else is working... but I don't want to seem lazy, either. 🙁
I'm just getting frustrated trying to find a balance on my own... thanks, guys.
When they do ask me to do something, I always follow through, but 99 out of 100 times it's stocking -- stocking to the point that I suspect I'm missing out on potential patient contact. After my first day, the head nurse said to focus more on "customer service," but whenever it's dead and I've given everyone drinks and blankets and I ask to be put to work, it's more stocking...
Is this what I should expect? I don't want to ever refuse work, but should I make sure to be (or at least look) busy with other things until there's no other option? How can I draw out my patient-contact time ("Do you need a drink or a warm blanket?" is an incredibly short interaction)? 😕
Also, is it bad form to talk to the nurses and front desk people instead of doing chores just for the sake of looking busy? Because so far, the ER seems to be social hour with occasional patients. The nurses and ER docs sit around talking about Puerto Vallarta and wedding planning and financial investments and whatever else, or they watch videos and text people. Same with the front desk people and security guards. I was told that it's very important to get to know people and gain their trust, and it's strange to interrupt these convos to ask for work when no one else is working... but I don't want to seem lazy, either. 🙁
I'm just getting frustrated trying to find a balance on my own... thanks, guys.