Is MICU/CCU a good place to volunteer?

[e_phn]

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I'm not sure if this question came up before, but I couldn't find it, so here goes.

Anyone ever volunteer in MICU/CCU?
I've been volunteer there for months, and I feel like I don't do anything there at all.
all I do is answering the phone & showing directions to patients' family.

I tried to ask for ER once, but it's loaded w/ other volunteers at my local hospatil, so i couldn't go there.

So, my question: is MICU/CCU a good place to volunteer?

Thanks.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I'm not sure if this question came up before, but I couldn't find it, so here goes.

Anyone ever volunteer in MICU/CCU?
I've been volunteer there for months, and I feel like I don't do anything there at all.
all I do is answering the phone & showing directions to patients' family.

So, my question: is MICU/CCU a good place to volunteer?

Thanks.

MICU can get a bit boring since it's recovery area and usually nothing terribly exciting happens. And if someone codes the doctors and nurses are probably going to shove you out of the room. Have you tried asking nurses and doctors to allow you to follow them in to see patients? Alot of the health personnel I've dealt with won't expect much out of you unless you tell them, then they are more willing to help you out. Good Luck

 

[e_phn]

MICU can get a bit boring since it's recovery area and usually nothing terribly exciting happens. And if someone codes the doctors and nurses are probably going to shove you out of the room. Have you tried asking nurses and doctors to allow you to follow them in to see patients? Alot of the health personnel I've dealt with won't expect much out of you unless you tell them, then they are more willing to help you out. Good Luck

Are you talking about the nurses and doctors in MICU?

If you are, then ..the answer is yes..I asked them once, and they even yelled at me for it. The nurses were kind of mean, or they were in a bad mood or something.

The doctors are so busy all the time.

Any suggestion..like a other department to volunteer?
(somewhere that will keep me busy).

Thanks.

 

[KGundy]

I volunteered in the cardio/pulmonary physical therapy area at my hospital. Most of the patients are elderly and come in because they've had some type of heart or lung surgery/disease.
It was a very rewarding job as you get to help these folks regain some of their heart strength and respiratory capacity back. I didn't do a LOT, but I did get to learn how to decide which programs to use for which patient and assist them with the exercises and different cardio and weight machines. I also did some general cleaning and paperwork.
The elderly patients were extremely friendly (for the most part) and told the most hilarious stories. 😳

 

[schatzie81]

I work in CCU/ICU. If you want to get your hands dirty, see if they'll let you be an aide (you might need training). Our aides get to spend a lot of time with patients, they check the code cart, assist with codes (running for supplies, etc, if they know what they're doing), prime IVs and tube feedings, etc, so if they wanted to, they could really learn alot about the medical side.

You're probably not getting much experience doing what you're doing. Maybe if you asked the right nurse, they'd let you chart vital signs and labs (if they're on a paper system). I'm sorry the nurses were mean to you, but in my experience, if a nurse comes off as mean, it's because they have a s**tload of work to do and don't have time for anything that's not direct patient care or documentation.

 

[e_phn]

i normally substitute the secretary in MICU, so I sometimes do paper work, but this is sometimes only.

 

[schatzie81]

ps-MICU=Medical ICU, not recovery room. Often the sickest pts in the hospital.

 

[e_phn]

ps-MICU=Medical ICU, not recovery room. Often the sickest pts in the hospital.

they are the sickest pts in the hospital.
but I feel really bad for some of them.

 

[schatzie81]

secretary is a great experience--you will need to know how orders are written and processed, which labs are which, which medications need special attention, which supplies are needed for what. do you get to process orders?

 

[e_phn]

secretary is a great experience--you will need to know how orders are written and processed, which labs are which, which medications need special attention, which supplies are needed for what. do you get to process orders?

yeah, i sometimes get those jobs.

but most of the time i order foods for patients (well, the nurses tell me to).

 

[e_phn]

I work in CCU/ICU. If you want to get your hands dirty, see if they'll let you be an aide (you might need training). Our aides get to spend a lot of time with patients, they check the code cart, assist with codes (running for supplies, etc, if they know what they're doing), prime IVs and tube feedings, etc, so if they wanted to, they could really learn alot about the medical side.
.

how can i be trained? is there a special program?

 

[DrBowtie]

how can i be trained? is there a special program?

Most likely CNA certification. Check the red cross.

 

[e_phn]

I don't get you here, brettbatchelor.

 

[KGundy]

Most likely CNA certification. Check the red cross.

The Red Cross doesn't do CNA certifications. It will be a vocational school or adult education program. Your best bet is actually asking the hospital where to get your CNA.
Just so you know..in most states if you get a job within 6 months of recieving your CNA cert. they are required to pay for the cost of the class/tests. 😉 I know when I got mine, they gave us paperwork the first day of class to give to our future employers.

 

[DrBowtie]

The Red Cross doesn't do CNA certifications. It will be a vocational school or adult education program. Your best bet is actually asking the hospital where to get your CNA.
Just so you know..in most states if you get a job within 6 months of recieving your CNA cert. they are required to pay for the cost of the class/tests. 😉 I know when I got mine, they gave us paperwork the first day of class to give to our future employers.

I know for sure that they do in my city.

 

[KGundy]

I don't get you here, brettbatchelor.

CNA = Certified Nurses' Aid

You will be involved in patient care - bathing, feeding, taking vital signs, assisting with moving patients, some types of in bed exercises, etc.

 

[KGundy]

I know for sure that they do in my city.

Hmm. That's interesting. I was under the impression that Red Cross offered the same classes across the U.S.
Learn something new everyday 🙂 Thanks for clarifying.

 

[schatzie81]

i don't think my hospital requires a class; it's just learned in orientation. in icu, our aides are "advanced pt care assistants" so they can change sterile dressings, trach care, and more advanced things.

 

[e_phn]

I don't really know a lot of things about this stuff.
So this might be a stupid question.

But what the red cross got to do w/ all this stuff?

Thanks.

 

[DrBowtie]

I don't really know a lot of things about this stuff.
So this might be a stupid question.

But what the red cross got to do w/ all this stuff?

Thanks.

The Red Cross isn't just a blood bank. They do public health stuff as well like CPR certification, babysitter training classes, and CNA cert. classes.

 

[KGundy]

I don't really know a lot of things about this stuff.
So this might be a stupid question.

But what the red cross got to do w/ all this stuff?

Thanks.

If you want to be a Nurse's Aid, you will need to take a class and then a state board exam where you'll become certified. The Red Cross (in some places) offers the class and state board exam.

 

[DrBowtie]

i don't think my hospital requires a class; it's just learned in orientation. in icu, our aides are "advanced pt care assistants" so they can change sterile dressings, trach care, and more advanced things.

Some places have in house training. The hospital I volunteer at does in house CPR.

 

[e_phn]

If you want to be a Nurse's Aid, you will need to take a class and then a state board exam where you'll become certified. The Red Cross (in some places) offers the class and state board exam.

is there another position beside nurse's aid?
i don't want to go thru all those training. my schedule is loaded.

 

[DrBowtie]

is there another position beside nurse's aid?
i don't want to go thru all those training. my schedule is loaded.

Without training, you can't expect to do much in health care. Hence why most volunteering is just getting people drinks and blankets and such.

 

[e_phn]

Without training, you can't expect to do much in health care. Hence why most volunteering is just getting people drinks and blankets and such.

🙁
thanks though.

 

[KGundy]

is there another position beside nurse's aid?
i don't want to go thru all those training. my schedule is loaded.

Check at the hospital. I did two summers of volunteering at my hometown hospital when I was in highschool and some of it was pretty hands-on. I did have to complete a 2 day course over blood-borne pathogens, emergency codes, and some other stuff. I also got a sweet internship out of the deal as well with a surgeon that I met while volunteering. 😳

 

[e_phn]

so do you guys know any other department in the hospital that will allow volunteers do a lot of things (no need for training)?

 

[e_phn]

I'm thinking of asking for ER again. Hopefully, they will let me.

So anyone ever volunteer in ER?

What do you do?
I heard from some volunteers that they are very busy.

 

[KGundy]

so do you guys know any other department in the hospital that will allow volunteers do a lot of things (no need for training)?

In a previous post it was mentioned that checking into the cardio/respiratory rehabilitation department may be a good place for you to check

 

[e_phn]

In a previous post it was mentioned that checking into the cardio/respiratory rehabilitation department may be a good place for you to check

i've never heard of that department in my hospital, but i'll check it out. thanks. 🙂

 

[schatzie81]

rehab and nursing homes are GREAT experiences. maybe not glamorous, but you get a lot of one-on-one time and you can see patients progress. ERs also have lots of variety and experiences; but i've heard positive and negative about the volunteer side. again, techs get to do a lot more.

don't get discouraged about not having enough time. think about the long-term; a few weeks of training in the summer might pay off bigger than whatever you may already have planned. not only do you get paid to hang out at the hospital, but instead of saying to adcoms, "well, um, I got an A in anatomy", you will be able to say, "i've used the defibrillator and interpreted EKGs with doctors" or "i've supported a family when their loved one was dying" or "i've been watching physicians provide excellent care in this regard, and this is what i will incorporate into my future practice." adcoms want to know that you know exactly what you're getting into and that you have a realistic idea of medicine.

don't be discouraged, go for it! it's fun!

 

[e_phn]

rehab and nursing homes are GREAT experiences. maybe not glamorous, but you get a lot of one-on-one time and you can see patients progress. ERs also have lots of variety and experiences; but i've heard positive and negative about the volunteer side. again, techs get to do a lot more.

don't get discouraged about not having enough time. think about the long-term; a few weeks of training in the summer might pay off bigger than whatever you may already have planned. not only do you get paid to hang out at the hospital, but instead of saying to adcoms, "well, um, I got an A in anatomy", you will be able to say, "i've used the defibrillator and interpreted EKGs with doctors" or "i've supported a family when their loved one was dying" or "i've been watching physicians provide excellent care in this regard, and this is what i will incorporate into my future practice." adcoms want to know that you know exactly what you're getting into and that you have a realistic idea of medicine.

don't be discouraged, go for it! it's fun!

you're right!

but how long is the program? hopefully it's not over a year.
thanks.

 

[KGundy]

rehab and nursing homes are GREAT experiences. maybe not glamorous, but you get a lot of one-on-one time and you can see patients progress. ERs also have lots of variety and experiences; but i've heard positive and negative about the volunteer side. again, techs get to do a lot more.

don't get discouraged about not having enough time. think about the long-term; a few weeks of training in the summer might pay off bigger than whatever you may already have planned. not only do you get paid to hang out at the hospital, but instead of saying to adcoms, "well, um, I got an A in anatomy", you will be able to say, "i've used the defibrillator and interpreted EKGs with doctors" or "i've supported a family when their loved one was dying" or "i've been watching physicians provide excellent care in this regard, and this is what i will incorporate into my future practice." adcoms want to know that you know exactly what you're getting into and that you have a realistic idea of medicine.

don't be discouraged, go for it! it's fun!

👍 👍 👍

During the summer is a great time to do some training. I recieved my CNA in a month long course over the summer.

 

[e_phn]

👍 👍 👍

During the summer is a great time to do some training. I recieved my CNA in a month long course over the summer.

i wish i can have a summer off, but i'll be busy w/ summer school. 🙁

 

[excalibur]

e_phn
If you want experience, probably the best way is to shadow a physician in clinic. Whether it be a pediatrician, ob/gyn, or family doc, you'll get to know the physician well, and he/she will probably let you do more stuff. I get the impression that you want to be more involved. Unfortunately, physicians customarily don't let college students do too much. From my experience, the most involvement a college student gets is by shadowing a single physician.

 

[e_phn]

..

 

[e_phn]

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[schatzie81]

best bet is if you have ANY friend who is related to a physician. ask people who their MD is and if they're someone who is pretty friendly. then show up at the office or call and ask.

don't talk yourself out of anything!!! in clinical practice, you have to be very outspoken sometimes if you want something done for your patient; better start practicing now! none of this comes easy to anyone; sometimes you have to be willing to be shut down or be embarrassed or even fail a couple times! be annoying if that's what it takes! they'll be impressed by your persistence and interest.

 

[e_phn]

best bet is if you have ANY friend who is related to a physician. ask people who their MD is and if they're someone who is pretty friendly. then show up at the office or call and ask.

don't talk yourself out of anything!!! in clinical practice, you have to be very outspoken sometimes if you want something done for your patient; better start practicing now! none of this comes easy to anyone; sometimes you have to be willing to be shut down or be embarrassed or even fail a couple times! be annoying if that's what it takes! they'll be impressed by your persistence and interest.

thanks. i'll try. 🙂