Volunteer Attire

[caladan]

So my first day of volunteering at the Cardiac Care unit of a local hospital is tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it.

When I was talking to the volunteer coordinator she said that department is very 'particular' and formal. She said there were a lot of VIP patients and described the environment as 'the surgeons are gods and the nurses are doctors'.

Now my question is, what would be proper attire for a volunteer for that environment? I really have no idea what I'll be doing and the only times I've been in the hospital have been as a patient in the ER. I was thinking wool dress pants, dress shirt, tie and nice dress shoes. Would I be overdressed? Should I wear a jacket as well? I don't want to ruin nice clothes if I'll scooping puke and poop all evening.

Any tips? What should I expect my duties to be?

Thanks

Edit: Oh yeah, my volunteer coordinator wasn't very helpful as far as detailing what my responsibilities would be.

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[MassTransport]

No coat, but wear the shirt/tie/slacks/nice shoes on the first day and see what happens. My guess is that'll be appropriate, based on what the coordinator's saying.

 

[Phoenix.]

Well, depending on what time you're supposed to be there, if you can, I would call the volunteer coordinator and point blank ask her what the dress code is. If I wasn't sure and couldn't get a hold of her, I'd probably dress "corporate casual." Nice slacks and a button down shirt if you're a guy. If you're really nervous, bring a tie, or keep one in your car (if you're driving). I wouldn't wear a full suit, but that's your call - you could also have a jacket in your car (although I really don't think that's necessary). And I'd make sure my shoes were comfortable and presentable, but I doubt you have to wear dress shoes.

 

[hp540]

I would most likely be sporting the bling bling.

 

[gsquared]

In all the hospital environments I have volunteered in, I have never found a time when scrubs were out of place.

See if you can get your coordinator to give you a staff locker room code. Scrubs also will cover the possibility of you getting junk all over your nice clothing.

 

[greg1184]

Down here in jackson, the only attire is to wear a "jacket" over whatever clothes you wear. I also wear scrubs in case a resident or med student takes me down to the resusitation or operating room to observe. Anyway scrubs are very comfortable.

 

[gsquared]

scrubs=super comfortable. it feels like you are wearing nothing at all. nothing at all

 

[riceman04]

No coat, but wear the shirt/tie/slacks/nice shoes on the first day and see what happens. My guess is that'll be appropriate, based on what the coordinator's saying.

I partially agree...I think sometimes volunteer coordinators get a little goofy when they talk about various volunteer positions throughout the hospital. I definitely say overdress on the first day. But usually you are cool with khakis (he- double hockey sticks...I don't know how to spell) a polo shirt and close-toed shoes.

And in terms of your responsibilites: If the coordinator does not tell you what to do just take initiative...docs and nurses really like to see an enthusiastic volunteer who is not always sitting around waiting for instructions.

 

[riceman04]

I would most likely be sporting the bling bling.

damn...leave it up to a brotha...to be a splaboo...look at all those negroidian expenditures...damn...😀

 

[dragon529]

I wear scrubs when I volunteer at Endoscopy department 🙂

 

[scattun]

I don't know if it's too late for you are not, but I definitely wouldn't wear scrubs the first day. It might be fine, or it might be perceived as the ignorant premed expecting to do surgery his first hour in a hospital (no offense intended I prefer wearing scrubs too). I wouldn't go with the suit either, though, it makes you look like a tool and it wouldn't be unlikely that it might get some kind of stain on it. I vote middle of the road, khakis and button down/polo shirt (ties just get in the way).

 

[greg1184]

I don't know if it's too late for you are not, but I definitely wouldn't wear scrubs the first day. It might be fine, or it might be perceived as the ignorant premed expecting to do surgery his first hour in a hospital (no offense intended I prefer wearing scrubs too). I wouldn't go with the suit either, though, it makes you look like a tool and it wouldn't be unlikely that it might get some kind of stain on it. I vote middle of the road, khakis and button down/polo shirt (ties just get in the way).

In some places like the Resusitation floor and the OR, if you don't wear scrubs you will get thrown out. Of course in the public hospital I volunteer at, the nurses could care less if you wear scrubs or anything else.

 

[scattun]

In some places like the Resusitation floor and the OR, if you don't wear scrubs you will get thrown out. Of course in the public hospital I volunteer at, the nurses could care less if you wear scrubs or anything else.

I know surgeons aren't the only ones who wear scrubs, it was just an example. Good point about the resusitation floor, though. I assume if the OP were working in such an environment, someone would have notified him/her beforehand to them. And if they didn't and he/she had to wear scrubs, there is no shortage of them in the hospital.

 

[caladan]

Thanks for the replies. Took off the tie once I got there and was dressed just right.

On another note, it was the most boring thing I've ever done. They had nothing for me to do, absolutely nothing. I would walk around the wing asking nurses and other personnel for stuff to do and they couldn't think of anything. There was not a single doc/med student to be found. I'm going to try to change my schedule so I can be there for rounds in the mornings.

 

[drlisa0318]

Thanks for the replies. Took off the tie once I got there and was dressed just right.

On another note, it was the most boring thing I've ever done. They had nothing for me to do, absolutely nothing. I would walk around the wing asking nurses and other personnel for stuff to do and they couldn't think of anything. There was not a single doc/med student to be found. I'm going to try to change my schedule so I can be there for rounds in the mornings.

riceman04 was right.....Take the initiative. Unless you are barred from patient contact, go to each room, introduce yourself to the patient and/or family, and ask if there's anything you can do for them. Pay particular attention to those who are elderly or alone. If you've ever spent time in a hospital room, you know there's nothing on TV (daytime, at least) worth watching, and it can be particularly boring. It can also be rather daunting, scary even. Patients and families will be extremely grateful that someone cared enough to even ask. If they've got questions or concerns, you can ferry the questions to the appropriate doctor or nurse. Sometimes they just want someone to help pass the time. You'd be surprised how wonderful it feels to do even the smallest, seemingly inconsequential thing for someone who can't do for themselves.

 

[kronickm]

When I was talking to the volunteer coordinator she said that department is very 'particular' and formal. She said there were a lot of VIP patients and described the environment as 'the surgeons are gods and the nurses are doctors'.

Add a couple THINKS in there and you have every department in the hospital....