How to feel useful as a volunteer

[NKChemEng]

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I've been volunteering at two hospitals this summer, and I mostly enjoy it, but I feel kind of useless at these jobs. I understand that "it's what you make of it," but I truly have been putting the effort into doing the most that I can. I ask the nurses/administrators if they need help with anything whenever I have a free moment, and I generally try to be as busy as I can. But I just don't understand who it's really helping ... I don't do very interesting tasks, and it seems as if I'm just an extra person to them.

Any suggestions on how to enjoy my work more? I like being around the hospital and getting used to the atmosphere, but I don't feel like I'm actually doing anything useful.

 

[Iso4ane]

Well the work got to be done by someone, right? And being at the bottom of the ladder should give you perspective so that when you near the top you are not such a big a-hole. Plus, if they are asking you too do something they need your help, and if it's the same thing over and over, and they are still asking you then you really are not pulling your then,are you. Just saying...

EDIT: Well I guess it depends on exactly, what you are doing but my volunteering experience was meaningful although dull at times, but it work, and if you really do not like try to find a volunteering experience we you are doing something a little closer to what yup expect.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I felt the exact same way when I volunteered in a hospital. A few years back, the volunteer program had let me do hearing screening tests on the newborn infants, and I loved doing that. But then when I went back to volunteer a couple of years later, they'd outsourced that to a private company and I was stuck at the front desk, buzzing people in and out of the unit. I knew that what I was doing helped the nurses, because they were so busy that it was hard for them to get to the door, but after I did it for a year they added another volunteer to the front desk. Then it was just ridiculous because there was barely enough work for one person.

I think many hospital volunteer programs add volunteer spots just because they know people want to fill them. Hospitals are very popular places to volunteer. Eventually, I got tired of feeling useless so I started volunteering at a homeless shelter making dinner for the residents. Not only do I feel useful doing it, but I really enjoy it. 🙂 If you feel like you aren't contributing anything in your hospital volunteering, I'd just suggest finding a new way to volunteer. Lots of times free clinics or drug/alcohol detox centers need volunteers, and you'll make more of an impact than at a hospital. Or, if you don't need clinical experience, find an interesting non-medical place to volunteer, like I did.

 

[NKChemEng]

I felt the exact same way when I volunteered in a hospital. A few years back, the volunteer program had let me do hearing screening tests on the newborn infants, and I loved doing that. But then when I went back to volunteer a couple of years later, they'd outsourced that to a private company and I was stuck at the front desk, buzzing people in and out of the unit. I knew that what I was doing helped the nurses, because they were so busy that it was hard for them to get to the door, but after I did it for a year they added another volunteer to the front desk. Then it was just ridiculous because there was barely enough work for one person.

I think many hospital volunteer programs add volunteer spots just because they know people want to fill them. Hospitals are very popular places to volunteer. Eventually, I got tired of feeling useless so I started volunteering at a homeless shelter making dinner for the residents. Not only do I feel useful doing it, but I really enjoy it. 🙂 If you feel like you aren't contributing anything in your hospital volunteering, I'd just suggest finding a new way to volunteer. Lots of times free clinics or drug/alcohol detox centers need volunteers, and you'll make more of an impact than at a hospital. Or, if you don't need clinical experience, find an interesting non-medical place to volunteer, like I did.

Could you tell me more about those free clinics and detox centers? I still feel like I need to get clinical experience.

I guess my question to people is, how do you get valuable and interesting clinical experience while actually being useful?

 

[Iso4ane]

Could you tell me more about those free clinics and detox centers? I still feel like I need to get clinical experience.

I guess my question to people is, how do you get valuable and interesting clinical experience while actually being useful?

Well just because you do not feel useful does not mean you are actually not useful to the nurse, as for the clinical experience ask one of the nurse after you are doing your shiz if you follow them around and watch them, cause as a volunteer that about as close as patient contact you can get.

 

[AsianPersuasion]

Could you tell me more about those free clinics and detox centers? I still feel like I need to get clinical experience.

I guess my question to people is, how do you get valuable and interesting clinical experience while actually being useful?

Do you have any type of certifications?? Because where I volunteer both hospital and Detox. If you have some certification they'll usually let you do it. either through supervision or be a part of the process.

The detox center I volunteer at has inpatient unit also. SO I go around and do BP, temp and res.

 

[Geekchick921]

Just a thought... when I worked on a patient floor, we got a lot of old, confused or full-on demented patients. If there are patients like this on the floors where you're volunteering, maybe ask the nurses if it would help if you sat with them to keep them calm. It might not seem like a big deal but you are getting patient interaction and TRUST me, if you are the reason that person isn't going, "Nurse!" "Nurse!" "Nurse!" "Help me, nurse!" EVERY freakin' time someone walks past their door, the staff appreciates the hell out of it.

 

[music2doc]

I've been volunteering at two hospitals this summer, and I mostly enjoy it, but I feel kind of useless at these jobs. I understand that "it's what you make of it," but I truly have been putting the effort into doing the most that I can. I ask the nurses/administrators if they need help with anything whenever I have a free moment, and I generally try to be as busy as I can. But I just don't understand who it's really helping ... I don't do very interesting tasks, and it seems as if I'm just an extra person to them.

Any suggestions on how to enjoy my work more? I like being around the hospital and getting used to the atmosphere, but I don't feel like I'm actually doing anything useful.

To feel useful, be useful.

If they're asking for help, do it. If not, stay out of the way and look for ways you can help without being annoying. (If you feel like you're being annoying, then stop! We've definitely had volunteers who were a bit too overzealous, although fly on the wall is a more common complaint.)

As for being "just an extra person" to them, that's because you are "just an extra person" in the hospital! Volunteers are useful for the scutwork -- the stuff that doesn't require [much] training and for which minor mistakes generally cannot (or at least shouldn't) bring about lawsuits. You're not an employee, so we can't ask you to do most things. As much as I might want to at times, I cannot ask a volunteer to go take vitals on my patients for me or to go in some IVs or Foleys. About the most I can have a volunteer do is grab a wheelchair, grab a warm blanket, grab a patient some water, help me with stocking, etc. Now at the free clinic where I volunteer, I often have students help with vitals/initial assessment and then I take care of the medical/surgical assisting and transcribing while the doc is in the rm.

 

[CoolWhipp]

Volunteering at a hospital was the lamest thing I ever did.

 

[StudyShy]

Come volunteer with me. I'll turn you into my personal "floor huar."

We use and abuse our volunteers. They pass out Medicare letters, make beds, stock linens, and sometimes I bore them for fun by talking endlessly to them.

 

[SteveJMarist]

I had a little trouble at first, but after some time I started to think of new ways to help out and expedite things (I volunteer at a level 1 trauma center in the ER). If I see someone limping coming in, I rush out with a wheel chair. If someone is alone in a wheel chair, I take them to each individual station that they need to go to while getting checked in. Open doors for people, direct people to the triage nurse, just random stuff. Taking initiative is the best way to get people to see you as useful. Thus, "it is what you make of it".

 

[JonnyL]

When I volunteered at the hospital, there would occasionally be days where I'm was constantly moving and doing things but often times I'm just sat there reading because it was just a slow day. Can't do anything about that.

 

[SissyAlice]

Maybe try a new place to volunteer? Or ask your volunteer coordinator if you can try a new position.

I volunteer at a regular hospital and it's pretty 'eh.'

But I also volunteer at the VA, and I have so much responsibility and people would definitely notice if I wasn't there(2 days wk/5 hrs a day). It's kind of hard to get in(at least in my area), but once you do I'm sure you can find something rewarding. Just know that you'll be working with a lot of senior veterans.

 

[SarahBellum1]

I just started at a volunteering position in the ER this summer, as well. Like most hospital volunteer jobs, the work is very mindless--stocking carts and rooms with supplies/linens/cleaning rooms/getting whatever the nurses need, etc. I try to get all the work I can think of done pretty fast and then go around asking all the nurses if there's anything I can do (usually they can't think of anything else...) but once I'm done with everything, I ask them to follow them around and observe various procedures they do and they often ask me to assist when something "cool" comes up. (Techs are generally more willing to have you as a sidekick). If it's slow, they've pulled up CT and MRI scans and showed me what was wrong, taught me how to read them, etc. Also, strike up conversations with the nurses and act interested in what they do, that way they'll be more willing to let you observe interesting cases. I also think talking with patients is rewarding--especially elderly patients. I used to feel the way you do--where you think that what you're doing is pointless and doesn't feel like you are helping at all-- but you need to realize that the "behind the scenes" stuff is really what keeps the hospital running smoothly and makes the nurses/techs lives a lot easier since they don't have to take time away from patients to go back and forth from the stock rooms or whatever. I've also learned that a simple smile goes a long way with both patients and hospital employees--makes you seem friendly and approachable.

 

[kcin]

Go to medical school, complete a residency, and then volunteer. You're welcome.

 

[EgotiStick]

Most volunteering is like this. Rarely (uniquely) a doc will take you under his wing in most of these situations.

You're not necessarily learning anything tangible from volunteering. You're really learning how to play the game correctly without being annoying or a douche. Nobody is expecting you to jump into an emergency tracheotomy and hand the doc the tools, they're just expecting you to make their lives easier without being a pest. If you do the former, you'll eventually make friends with ppl in the unit you volunteer, and then you've done something that will benefit you later on.

 

[StephenMaturin]

I've been volunteering at two hospitals this summer, and I mostly enjoy it, but I feel kind of useless at these jobs. I understand that "it's what you make of it," but I truly have been putting the effort into doing the most that I can. I ask the nurses/administrators if they need help with anything whenever I have a free moment, and I generally try to be as busy as I can. But I just don't understand who it's really helping ... I don't do very interesting tasks, and it seems as if I'm just an extra person to them.

Any suggestions on how to enjoy my work more? I like being around the hospital and getting used to the atmosphere, but I don't feel like I'm actually doing anything useful.

The main point of volunteering is to get you in to medical school. The point of volunteering is not to be useful. While you're at the hospital or wherever, you might as well help out where you can, but you know nothing so you can't really be too much help. You're stressing about nothing.

 

[NKChemEng]

The main point of volunteering is to get you in to medical school. The point of volunteering is not to be useful. While you're at the hospital or wherever, you might as well help out where you can, but you know nothing so you can't really be too much help. You're stressing about nothing.

This is the idea that I'm getting from this, sadly. I hate, though, how even though volunteering in a hospital seems to be just a thing that you have to do to be considered seriously in admission, SDNers and adcoms will try again and again to convince you otherwise.

I'm still going to try though. In the ER all the nurses rotate, so there are no people that really know me well, but maybe someday I'll get to do cool things 😳

 

[kcin]

this is the idea that i'm getting from this, sadly. I hate, though, how even though volunteering in a hospital seems to be just a thing that you have to do to be considered seriously in admission, sdners and adcoms will try again and again to convince you otherwise.

I'm still going to try though. In the er all the nurses rotate, so there are no people that really know me well, but maybe someday i'll get to do cool things 😳

welcome to teh game, playah

 

[NKChemEng]

 

[bfarn30]

Nurses and techs are your best friends. At first, they will probably think you are annoying and that's okay. But once they see that you are genuine, which you probably are since you are concerned and started the tread in the first place, they will use you.

A lot of times, the nurses and techs get busy and forget about the little pending projects around the unit. So, try to jog their memory. Ask if they need anything re-stocked. Offer to organize cabinets and stock rooms. You'd be surprised about how much can ALWAYS be done, despite a seemingly boring unit.

 

[NKChemEng]

Nurses and techs are your best friends. At first, they will probably think you are annoying and that's okay. But once they see that you are genuine, which you probably are since you are concerned and started the tread in the first place, they will use you.

A lot of times, the nurses and techs get busy and forget about the little pending projects around the unit. So, try to jog their memory. Ask if they need anything re-stocked. Offer to organize cabinets and stock rooms. You'd be surprised about how much can ALWAYS be done, despite a seemingly boring unit.

True. It does depend on the day, too. I'm just coming back from a particularly boring shift. It'll get better 🙂

 

[Chuck333]

Talking to the patients is a great thing to do when volunteering.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Just a thought... when I worked on a patient floor, we got a lot of old, confused or full-on demented patients. If there are patients like this on the floors where you're volunteering, maybe ask the nurses if it would help if you sat with them to keep them calm. It might not seem like a big deal but you are getting patient interaction and TRUST me, if you are the reason that person isn't going, "Nurse!" "Nurse!" "Nurse!" "Help me, nurse!" EVERY freakin' time someone walks past their door, the staff appreciates the hell out of it.

Amen to this! Regular rounding on patients--especially older ones--really decreases the number of times they'll need to call their nurse. I work on a cardiac floor, and we get a lot of "total care" patients who basically need everything done for them, and often can't get out of bed. If a volunteer offered to help feed one of our total care patients, I'd be stoked! It's one of those things that takes a lot of time to do, so the nurses/techs don't always have time to really give the patient the attention they need. And it's a great way to get patient interaction.

Could you tell me more about those free clinics and detox centers? I still feel like I need to get clinical experience.

I guess my question to people is, how do you get valuable and interesting clinical experience while actually being useful?

It really depends on where you live, but google "free clinic yourcity" and you should come up with several options. Also, a lot of state and county health departments keep lists of free or low-income clinics on their websites. Just do some searching, then find a contact that you can get in touch with about volunteering. The detox facility in my county is run by the local health department, and I found it through their website. I really wanted to be a volunteer here, but then I got a job in a hospital and didn't have the time to do it along with my job and other volunteer gigs. But basically you'd just help staff the detox center overnight, checking on patients and doing vitals. It's also a great way to know for sure that you want to be in medicine. If you can handle CIWA and other withdrawal patients, you can handle pretty much anything.

 

[Web MD]

You won't feel truly useful because volunteering requires the skill set of a 7 yr old without a speech impediment + a driver's license. That set of towels you re-stocked isn't going to save someone from bleeding out, and that fresh ice water you just put in the water cooler isn't going to save someone from dehydration. Your most valuable function, as mentioned previously, is to act as a human "verbal shield" absorbing patients' hatred and relaying their concerns to the staff that get paid to be there. It's a lot like trying to feel useful volunteering to restock shelves at a blockbuster, except sometimes people wear scrubs in a hospital.

 

[phnerd1105]

Free clinics are a great way to get more involved. The one nearby me lets you council patients, perform HIV tests, etc. You generally won't find that ability in a normal hospital volunteering program. Look around you and see what you can find. Also, utilize older students and their experience as well.

 

[NickNaylor]

 

[pkwraith]

I did my 100 hours volunteering at a hospital in high school. I hated it for all the reasons stated. Sometimes hospital volunteering isn't for everyone. It certainly wasn't for me.

In college and professional life, I did volunteering that I actually could use my skills. Where you actually needed qualifications. Most of it wasn't hospital related, but it was certainly more enjoyable, and probably more useful in admission than the generic hospital volunteering.

 

[docbrill]

I just started at a volunteering position in the ER this summer, as well. Like most hospital volunteer jobs, the work is very mindless--stocking carts and rooms with supplies/linens/cleaning rooms/getting whatever the nurses need, etc. I try to get all the work I can think of done pretty fast and then go around asking all the nurses if there's anything I can do (usually they can't think of anything else...) but once I'm done with everything, I ask them to follow them around and observe various procedures they do and they often ask me to assist when something "cool" comes up. (Techs are generally more willing to have you as a sidekick). If it's slow, they've pulled up CT and MRI scans and showed me what was wrong, taught me how to read them, etc. Also, strike up conversations with the nurses and act interested in what they do, that way they'll be more willing to let you observe interesting cases. I also think talking with patients is rewarding--especially elderly patients. I used to feel the way you do--where you think that what you're doing is pointless and doesn't feel like you are helping at all-- but you need to realize that the "behind the scenes" stuff is really what keeps the hospital running smoothly and makes the nurses/techs lives a lot easier since they don't have to take time away from patients to go back and forth from the stock rooms or whatever. I've also learned that a simple smile goes a long way with both patients and hospital employees--makes you seem friendly and approachable.

I agree with SarahBellum1 100%. The best way to feel useful is to let the people around you (nurses, EMTs, even doctors) know that you are interested in observing what they do. You will be surprised how often nurses will call you when something "cool" is going on. And if it doesn't happen right away, be persistent. Of course, don't forget to be tactful too- nobody likes to be bothered all the time. Also, you could talk to patients when there is nothing else to do. Discussing their health history/issues can be quite interesting. Just stop thinking about how useless you are and start making the most out of your experience.

 

[pfaction]

Volunteering at a hospital was the lamest thing I ever did.

+ 1,000,000.

I have a pharmacy intern license. Wouldn't let me do anything but what high schoolers did. Hooray!

 

[Stewabeet]

I'd like to 👍 what some other people have been saying: you don't HAVE to volunteer in a hospital. Volunteer at a place you would be more useful

I volunteer at a hospice residence, which is basically a big house with a nurse 24/7 where people come to die peacefully if they can't stay at home and don't want to be in a hospital. I agree with other people that people in duress often like to be sat with. One lady at the home (who's actually been there a while) just doesn't like to be alone. She loves for me to come sit with her, even as she falls asleep. I feel useful because I'm helping someone die they way they want, I'm helping bring them comfort/peace, I'm there to talk about whatever they like and won't judge, etc. I feel like I'm actually HELPING people - even if it's just a little bit, when you're dying/very ill, every little bit counts, in my opinion. Today was a quiet day when no one really needed me at all, so I baked a chocolate cake and frosted it. I know the residents will get to eat it, as will the staff, other volunteers, and visitors. Yayyy bringing smiles to people!

If you reeeaaaallly have no other options...I emphasize that there is a floor on every hospital with people who are under great duress and could use company - the ones who keep asking for nurses, the ones who have no idea what is going on, the ones who just want to be heard (but I don't expect nurses to hear them all day long). Your presence would be useful to these people, and it could be a nice exercise in stretching your empathy reserves and not becoming frustrated.

Nursing homes are also places that will have patients/residents who could just use some basic help (like with eating) and company. Eh, I suppose I don't remember seeing volunteers at my grandparents' nursing home, but I'd hope that would be because it's a seriously unpopular place to volunteer and they live in an area with low population density rather than because of liability fears.

But what I most want to say is: If you don't feel useful, find somewhere you do! Volunteering can be such a joy.

 

[Ansar]

NKChemEng, I must be lacking in common sense, but what does the NK stand for? I can only think of North Korea, which gives me a really weird image (especially with your avatar).

 

[TheMightySmiter]

NKChemEng, I must be lacking in common sense, but what does the NK stand for? I can only think of North Korea, which gives me a really weird image (especially with your avatar).

Nebraska-Kearney? Northern Kentucky?

 

[SarahBellum1]

I volunteered with a hospice as well, though I only met with one patient in particular (but only for a short period of time, unfortunately) where I would just sit in his room and talk to him about his "ramblin' days", or pet his cat, or just watch TV with him. I think he really enjoyed it. The nurses there told me that he would pretty much never eat with the other residents in the cafeteria until I began seeing him, which made me feel like I was doing a good thing. (He told me he liked going out to eat when I was there because he wanted to show off his "new pretty girlfriend" hahaa). I agree with you that this is a great volunteer activity and that it makes you feel like you are doing some good for someone. So if anyone doesn't like volunteering in the hospital, definitely try hospice.

I'd like to 👍 what some other people have been saying: you don't HAVE to volunteer in a hospital. Volunteer at a place you would be more useful

I volunteer at a hospice residence, which is basically a big house with a nurse 24/7 where people come to die peacefully if they can't stay at home and don't want to be in a hospital. I agree with other people that people in duress often like to be sat with. One lady at the home (who's actually been there a while) just doesn't like to be alone. She loves for me to come sit with her, even as she falls asleep. I feel useful because I'm helping someone die they way they want, I'm helping bring them comfort/peace, I'm there to talk about whatever they like and won't judge, etc. I feel like I'm actually HELPING people - even if it's just a little bit, when you're dying/very ill, every little bit counts, in my opinion. Today was a quiet day when no one really needed me at all, so I baked a chocolate cake and frosted it. I know the residents will get to eat it, as will the staff, other volunteers, and visitors. Yayyy bringing smiles to people!

If you reeeaaaallly have no other options...I emphasize that there is a floor on every hospital with people who are under great duress and could use company - the ones who keep asking for nurses, the ones who have no idea what is going on, the ones who just want to be heard (but I don't expect nurses to hear them all day long). Your presence would be useful to these people, and it could be a nice exercise in stretching your empathy reserves and not becoming frustrated.

Nursing homes are also places that will have patients/residents who could just use some basic help (like with eating) and company. Eh, I suppose I don't remember seeing volunteers at my grandparents' nursing home, but I'd hope that would be because it's a seriously unpopular place to volunteer and they live in an area with low population density rather than because of liability fears.

But what I most want to say is: If you don't feel useful, find somewhere you do! Volunteering can be such a joy.

 

[SarahBellum1]

Nebraska-Kearney? Northern Kentucky?

Newman-Keuls post-hoc test? haha

 

[zeppelinpage4]

I just started volunteering in an emergency department and I understand where you're coming from. Many times I feel like I'm just getting in the way and most of the staff look down on the volunteers.

HOWEVER I've also had some rare moments that make it worthwhile. The good thing is that most of the work I've been allowed to do involves bringing patients and their families things like blankets and chairs, or moving a patient from one location to another. It's nothing glorious or that important, but I think little things like this still make a difference. If I see someone who has been waiting for hours (which is pretty common in an ER) and I bring them a chair, they really do appreciate it. Often the nurses and doctors will be too busy to notice these sorts of things and so you can take it upon yourself to do those.

Not to say you won't have boring/unpleasant days, the last day I was there it was slow and the staff were a little rude with me. However I'm getting a feel for what it's like to be at the bottom and hopefully I'm not going to forget that later on.

Edit: Also get to know the staff, if anyone on the staff is friendly enough to have a conversation with, get to know them. Having people to talk to during your downtime will make the time go a bit faster and you might even enjoy being there a little more. Also if you get to know a doctor, they might let you shadow, or call you if an interesting case comes in.

 

[nice2012]

Volunteering at a hospital was the lamest thing I ever did.

that's not good personal experience.

 

[MoiMoi]

Lots of times free clinics or drug/alcohol detox centers need volunteers, and you'll make more of an impact than at a hospital. Or, if you don't need clinical experience, find an interesting non-medical place to volunteer, like I did.

This is a really good point. I volunteered in the ER in a big hospital but there were always 3 or 4 of us bumping into each other. It was always like oh no who's going to restock room 4 first?! Anyway I'm volunteering at a free clinic now helping with patient referrals and I feel like I'm actually doing something worthwhile. Also, speaking Spanish opened doors for me because interpreters are needed in many urban areas for both clinical/nonclinical work if you have that skill/are interested.

 

[Alejandro]

Just talk to patients. I know people don't like it to be that simple, but for me, that's all i did.

volunteered in a level one trauma center, as well as a surgical recovery unit (pacu) for a couple years. talking to patients was an easy way to pass the time.

in case you didn't get it, patients are bored. they're waiting to be seen, or shuttled out of the unit you're in. keep them company, and the nurses and mds will often notice. in return, shadowing, and doing 'stuff' may arise, sometimes transgressing hospital policy.

 

[NKChemEng]

Newman-Keuls post-hoc test? haha

Norilsk ... where Chemical Engineering was born

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMC_Norilsk_Nickel

Just kind of a joke because I happen to be from Russia.

 

[kcin]

Norilsk ... where Chemical Engineering was born

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMC_Norilsk_Nickel

Just kind of a joke because I happen to be from Russia.

My condolences

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Norilsk ... where Chemical Engineering was born

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMC_Norilsk_Nickel

Just kind of a joke because I happen to be from Russia.

In Soviet Russia, chemicals engineer you!