Recently, I went along for the first time to do voluntary work at my local hospital. This was an introductory session to tell me what I was going to be doing when I come in in the future. I was shown around the hospital (it's fairly small) and was told I would primarily be helping on the rehabilitation ward, where I will be talking to patients and helping generally on the ward e.g. meals.
During this first visit I spent half an hour talking to a patient on the ward. She had been moved from a large hospital to this smaller one and told me about how she'd found the whole experience. This gave me the valuable experience of seeing how a patient reacts to the care they are being given. Sometimes the patient can still feel lonely and wish for more - this is where volunteers can help. This is something I hope to do a lot more of in the coming months!
The matron also taught me how to take blood pressure, pulse, temperature and measure oxygen levels. Within 2 hours of arriving at the hospital I had taken these readings on a patient and was told that during busy times I may be asked by the nurses to do this. This was a very hands-on experience that I really enjoyed and hopefully will be able to do more of in the future!
I plan to go back to the hospital at least once a week and hope to do more of what I've done already!
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