I'm giving you a summary of what I've done at nursing home and please tell me what i'm lacking
I wheelchair transport residents to activities. The purpose of talking to patients is to provide companionship. A few patients spent a whole month in their rooms so I took them outside for a walk. Sometimes I assist the therapeutic recreation staff during activity time, like setting up materials and equipments and take part in activities...
Well, I guess I haven't involved in real 'patient care'. You know, I've been seeking desperately to get involved clinically in one way or another, but hospital and nursing home here give volunteers very limited jobs. They already have nurses and technicians do the things you listed ("helping with dietary choices, changing diapers, flushing the catheter, putting in eye drops, bathing and dressing, talking to them for mental stimulation or to help determine mental status").
I've been looking for a patient-care tech job but haven't been able to find one (perhaps because I'm not certified?).
PS: some people with great stats (> 3.8 GPA) got in with no clinical experience & minimal volunteering, didn't they?