I recently started volunteering at a hospice. I'm new to volunteering and thought it would be a great way to make new friends and be of some use. Well, they work me like a dog. I don't even have time for lunch. I recently found out that most of the volunteers are on court appointed community service. My husband said that's why I'm not being treated that well. Not that I expect to,be treated like a queen , but I would expect to have more fun then if it were a real,job. I don't want to quit but I don't want to be unhappy either. What's your experience volunteering?.
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02.01.13, 03:49 AM
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It isn't fun to minister to the needs of the dying. It can be fulfilling and rewarding. You are a volunteer and can determine your involvement. If you don't like the program you are signed up for - perhaps you should look at other hospice programs - there are several - or perhaps you should set boundries and stick to them so you enjoy your work and don't burn out. My fil was in hospice and our volunteer was a wonderful person - we were truly grateful for her help and companionship on the long journey of goodbye. good luck to you - I hope you find a way to make it work for you.
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02.01.13, 03:50 AM
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A hospice just doesn't seem like the most welcoming environment to have "more fun". Maybe try a soup kitchen or Red Cross. I know soup kitchens usually attract some very nice, energetic volunteers and the overall atmosphere just seems more pleasant imo.
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02.01.13, 03:56 AM
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This doesn't sound right! I have been a hospice volunteer for 18 years and have never experienced anything like this. There should not be court-ordered community service in a hospice environment, because the training required for care for the dying is so involved. The hospice sounds very strange. What do they have these people (and you) doing?
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02.01.13, 04:16 AM
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The work is not in the patients home. It's office work at headquarters
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02.01.13, 04:30 AM
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Is it a not-for-profit or a business?
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02.01.13, 04:46 AM
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Non profit
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02.01.13, 05:26 AM
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Oh my! I wrote more (below), but I am surprised they're having community service people in the office, with access to patient records. Usually non-profit health care organizations are more careful than that. They could easily be violating HIPAA, depending on what they're having the volunteers do. Anything that has to do with patient records should be handled by employees or one or two very carefully trained and supervised volunteers. I am sorry about this experience, and I hope that you find a better fit.
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02.01.13, 05:33 AM
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Without knowing much about the situation, I think it sounds as if they might be trying to avoid hiring/paying office staff by having volunteers do the work. There has been an explosion of for-profit (business model) hospices in the last several years and not all of them are as reputable as they might be. At the same time, some of the not-for-profits are really suffering, with patients who can't pay and budget cuts. So it's difficult to know what exactly is happening, but it's obvious that this is not the work you want to be doing. Personally, I have found volunteering with dying people to be exceptionally rewarding, and if you feel that it might be for you, I hope you will stick with it. However, it's not really a good way to meet other volunteers or have a lot of fun, because of the nature of the work. If you like health care volunteer work, I'd suggest looking into patient-support opportunities at a local hospital, where the schedule and work might be more to your liking. Good luck, and don't let this experience burn you out.
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02.01.13, 05:07 AM
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Are you doing this for them or you?
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02.01.13, 04:28 AM
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Well I want to be useful. So for myself and to be helpful to them. So both
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02.01.13, 04:34 AM
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I don't think you're going to find community and feel fulfilled when you're not being valued and most of your fellow volunteers are not there by choice. Keep looking. I've had extremely positive volunteering experiences (counseling runaway teens, tutoring english language learners, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House...)
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02.01.13, 04:57 AM
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