This volunteer opportunity helped me to fine-tune my patient communication skills. My role as a patient ambassador during COVID-19 was to escort patients to and from their doctors appointments. I also escorted visitors to the assigned unit they were looking for as well as bringing deliveries to patients in their rooms. All aspects of this volunteer experience helped me to feel more confident and comfortable in the health care setting.
What I wish was different
Advice
My one piece of advice would be to get out and volunteer in your healthcare community! Volunteers are very much needed and appreciated. Volunteering is also something great to add to your resume that helps you as a candidate to stand out.
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Inpatient nursing attendant
January 2018 - September 2019 • San Antonio, TX
What I liked
Yes.
What I wish was different
None.
Advice
It was a great experience and y’all should go to that hospital if you looking for a hospital! Great customer service and a good communication.
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Nurse Extern
June - August 2019 • Newark, NJ
What I liked
I liked all the opportunities I had to learn about what a nurse's role is in each area of the perioperative services. I learned how to admit patients and what the role of a preoperative nurse is before a patient goes back to the operating room. I got to experience what it was like to be both a circulating and scrub nurse. I liked that I was able to help prepare the sterile field for each case I was in, as well as helping the surgical team get gowned and gloved. I was able to learn how to perform a sterile scrub and how to do closed gowning to become a member of the sterile team. This position gave me the opportunity to also learn what the role of a post operative nurse does when the patient comes out of surgery. I learned about why vital signs and a focus assessment were essential tasks to perform as soon as the patient came out of surgery. This experience also gave me the chance to work with other healthcare professionals and practice my interprofessional communication skills.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more time on my unit instead of being in our weekly class. I also wish we did not have to do a presentation because again I felt like it took time away from us being on our units and learning about what we will actually be doing as nurses in the future.
Advice
Take advantage of every opportunity you are given. If you ever have free time ask a nurse or nurse manager if there is something you can do or see.
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Marketing and Community Out Reach
August - December 2019 • Beachwood, OH
What I liked
- Everyone is helpful and understanding
- I am able to work in many differnt locations and settings. This helped me get a better feel of the different work enviroments.
- Each day brought a new experience and an opprotunity to learn about something I've never done before
What I wish was different
- I wish that I had started my internship earlier.
Advice
- Let people know what you can do up front, then prove it through the work that is presented to you.
