NR725A_MaglaCh_Wk3_MeetingWithVolunteerServicesManager

24th January 2014 - 08.30-10.00 ORMC Volunteer Services - 1.5 hrs

I find it today`s day as quite important and exciting as I will be meeting the Volunteer Services Asst Manager regarding my desire to volunteer. This is not my first time of meeting her - I already met her last week for an hour, but in ways I find it very exciting as we will be finalizing my agreement and contract between myself and the agency (Orlando Regional Medical Center) to start with my volunteer hours.

I arrived 30 minutes early of our appointment time ( I am not sure if it is due to an excitement or just the thought of being stuck in traffic in I-4!). But in the end, it worked for me as the Asst Manager really saw that I have the interest to volunteer. Being an employee of ORMC, I did not go through with all the background check, references and physical exam that will normally take weeks to accomplish. She just updated me of recent changes of the hospital and gave me a pamphlet to read regarding volunteer services department. The pamphlet talks about HIPPA, infection, my responsibilities as a volunteer and the like. The end of the pamphlet has an exam (which I didnt expect for an orientation) to determine if I understood what I was reading. I am glad I passed - I got 18/20. I think not too bad at all! She reviewed what I missed etc and we spoke about what volunteering is all about and the population I will be serving. We also agreed on which times and dates will I be starting my volunteer hours. I was also given a shirt to be my uniform (red shirt and black or dark blue khaki pants). Also, I was asked to go to security department for my volunteer badge.

After I got my necessary documentation done for my volunteer hours, I went to 5B Multi-system ICU to check my area to be and introduce myself on what I will be doing there in a few weeks. I saw the excitement of the ICU nurses and the lady at the waiting room knowing that they will have extra help during those hours in helping and meeting patients and families needs while they are in the hospital, especially in the ICU.

On my next documentation will hopefully be the start of my hours. I am looking forward to that day.

NR725A_MaglaCh_Wk1_ServiceLearningBlog

Service to others can be taking some time off from your "routine life" and using that time off in helping or volunteering. I did my service learning experience at a thrift shop where parents can shop clothing for their children, furnitures for their house, books for their children etc at a very low affordable price. Actually pretty much inside the store were handed or given for free to the shoppers. Also, they have a food bank for the homeless as well. There I saw how basic necessities such as clothing and food are very important for survival. What I saw opened my heart and mind to give back by donating my unused clothing, donating canned goods every time I go there to do my service learning, and to the point that I just bought a set of dining table and chairs (that I do not really need) so the shop can generate an additional income to help the poor. At the moment, I am even thinking of donating the table and chairs back to shop so it can help generate income again for them. For this course, I have not exactly find a place to do my service learning but I have an idea that I might be doing it at the Hubbard House where our patients family members from out of state can stay in order to be closer with their sick loved ones in the ICU.