Position Overview
There isn’t much difference between the duties of a regular nurse and a volunteer nurse.
A volunteer nurse provides direct patient care just as any regular nurse would.
The only difference is that volunteer nurses are not on the payroll of the facility but mostly work for the wellbeing of patients.
Volunteer nurses are hired by hospitals, hospices, care centers, and rehabilitation facilities where they are either asked to create individual care plans or are provided with them.
Once a care plan is in order, it is the job of a volunteer nurse to follow it for the sake of patients’ health and wellbeing.
If you want to be a volunteer nurse, you will have to obtain training and in some cases a certification too.
You will be working your own designated hours, but you need to perform the duties assigned to you by the nurse manager.
You may be part of a general nursing team or need to perform specialized tasks such as handling children and seniors or emergencies.
Volunteering your services as a nurse will bring you more than just experience; it is an emotionally fulfilling job and can be a significant cause of pride.
Related: Volunteer Nurse Resume
Some of the duties that you will be performing as a volunteer nurse are listed below:
Volunteer Nurse Job Duties and Responsibilities
• Provide direct care by assisting patients with hygiene and general cleanliness.
• Assist patients in partaking of food and ensure that their food is prepared according to the doctor’s instructions.
• Ensure that all oral medications are administered on time and that any IVs or injections are handled properly.
• Check and record patients’ vitals such as pulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
• Take patients’ histories and ensure that they are recorded accurately in the facility database.
• Assist front desk staff in hospital admissions, discharges, and transfers.
• Prepare patients for physical examinations and provide them with information on what to expect during procedures.
• Take blood, urine, and stool samples for testing purposes.
• Ensure that test results are expedited and update consulting doctors with the outcome.
• Monitor and observe patients and determine changes in their conditions.
• Report any significant changes to the RN or nurse manager.
• Assist victims of accidents or medical emergencies.
• Provide emotional support to patients and families.
• Physically transfer patients to examination or surgical rooms.
• Ensure that all patient documentation is in order and medical records are updated.