My name is Shelly.
I am currently a nursing student and I have found volunteering to have a meaningful, positive impact on my community. It has also helped me gain knowledge clinically which will further enhance my nursing career. I have volunteered at Parkland Hospital in Dallas since October 2009. I have been able to see first hand what nurses in critical situations do. It has helped me make many great contacts and also will enhance my resume when I graduate school and become an RN. I feel that anyone who wants to help their community and expand their knowledge in their chosen field will benefit from volunteering. Please see below the information about Parkland Hospital and how you can get involved and volunteer.
Shelly
| Parkland nurses among the 'Great 100' |
| DALLAS-Two distinguished Parkland Health & Hospital System nurses are among this year's "Great 100 Nurses." Selected from a field of 500 nominees, Carol Pearson and Nanci Nagel bring a wealth of experience to nursing through their work in Parkland's Oncology Clinic and Burn Intensive Care Unit, respectively. Awarded by Dallas-Fort Worth Nurse Executives and the Texas Nurses Association, the honor is based on the nominees' scientific knowledge and clinical commitment to the profession. "We know the courage and compassion of Parkland's nurses makes a difference in the community, but its wonderful when others recognize their expertise as well," said Miriam Sibley, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Parkland. "I'm proud that out of so many nurses in the metroplex, ours continue to be among the Great 100." Pearson has been a nurse for 36 years and calls it the best decision she ever made. As unit manager of the Oncology Clinic, she is responsible for the planning and coordination of patient services to ensure high quality patient care. As a nurse in the burn unit, Nagel cares for critically injured burn patients. She is also a member of a medical flight team for initial resuscitation and management during traumas in North Texas. Nagel serves as Planning and Operations Officer in the 214th Medical Response Unit/Texas State Guard for which she maintains a training program for health care in disaster settings. She recently returned from Haiti where she provided medical help after the devastating earthquake. Both nurses will be recognized along with the other recipients at an awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 14 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas. All proceeds from the event will provide funds for scholarships given to area nursing students. |
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| For Further Information Contact: Charise Thomason 214.590.8054 charise.thomason@parknet.pmh.org  |
Parkland is the place where you can make a difference!
Volunteer & Guest Services Department Overview
The Volunteer & Guest Services Department provides volunteers throughout various areas of Parkland Hospital and Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) clinics. Also, great numbers of community volunteers, both locally and internationally, donate food, clothing and thousands of greatly needed handmade items to Parkland’s needy patients.
The Volunteer & Guest Services Department provides volunteers throughout various areas of Parkland Hospital and Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) clinics. Also, great numbers of community volunteers, both locally and internationally, donate food, clothing and thousands of greatly needed handmade items to Parkland’s needy patients.
How do I become a volunteer?
Prospective volunteers attend a monthly group orientation where they receive training and complete an application. At that time, the names
and fax numbers of a medical and business-type reference will be requested. Later, a personal interview will be scheduled; a criminal background check will be processed; and the prospective volunteer will make an appointment with Occupational Health Services to have all
immunizations checked. All volunteers will receive department-specific training in the area in which they choose to volunteer. Some areas also
require CPR certification. Upon completion of these requisite items, you will be ready to take your place on the hospital volunteer team.
Prospective volunteers attend a monthly group orientation where they receive training and complete an application. At that time, the names
and fax numbers of a medical and business-type reference will be requested. Later, a personal interview will be scheduled; a criminal background check will be processed; and the prospective volunteer will make an appointment with Occupational Health Services to have all
immunizations checked. All volunteers will receive department-specific training in the area in which they choose to volunteer. Some areas also
require CPR certification. Upon completion of these requisite items, you will be ready to take your place on the hospital volunteer team.
For more information, call 214.590.8827.
Where can I volunteer?
Pastoral Care (Chaplains)
Community Clinics (COPC)
Reach Out & Read Program
Emergency Services
Gift Shop
Intensive Care Units
Newborn Nursery
Neonatal ICU Nursery
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Pharmacy
Day Surgery
Regional Burn Unit
Geriatrics
Victim Intervention Program (VIP)
Outpatient Medicine Specialty Clinics
Women & Infant Services (WISH)
Labor & Delivery
In-Patient Units
Summer Program
Summer Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Students high school age and younger may volunteer weekdays, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. only. College-age and older may volunteer 24 hours a day seven days a week, depending on their placement. To participate in the summer program, call 214.590.8827. You may only sign up on April 1.
Summer Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Students high school age and younger may volunteer weekdays, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. only. College-age and older may volunteer 24 hours a day seven days a week, depending on their placement. To participate in the summer program, call 214.590.8827. You may only sign up on April 1.
Junior League of Dallas
Parkland and the Junior League of Dallas have partnered for over 65 years to provide excellent volunteer service to Parkland's patients and the Dallas community. Junior League Volunteers are the backbone of Parkland's volunteer force, especially in the areas of Emergency Services and Nurseries.
Parkland and the Junior League of Dallas have partnered for over 65 years to provide excellent volunteer service to Parkland's patients and the Dallas community. Junior League Volunteers are the backbone of Parkland's volunteer force, especially in the areas of Emergency Services and Nurseries.
Handwork
Many volunteers assist the patients by volunteering outside the hospital setting. These volunteers donate their time by making greatly needed handmade items for the patients. Handmade knitted slippers, pressure pillows, quilts, lap robes, infant layette items, stuffed animals, activity or coloring books, dolls, etc. are always needed.
Many volunteers assist the patients by volunteering outside the hospital setting. These volunteers donate their time by making greatly needed handmade items for the patients. Handmade knitted slippers, pressure pillows, quilts, lap robes, infant layette items, stuffed animals, activity or coloring books, dolls, etc. are always needed.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Meet Ace, Parkland's newest animal therapy dog. The three-year-old Teacup Poodle weighs just 3 pounds. But he has a much bigger impact on Parkland patients than his tiny size would indicate.
Ace began "treating" patients last year. He brings some much needed cheer to patients who are ill, also helping to distract from pain, stress and fear. In addition, petting and brushing helps as a form of physical therapy for some patients as well.
Ace had excellent teachers. He came with his "mom" Susie Moore and Zip, Parkland's beloved and long-time animal therapy dog who sadly passed away earlier this year. Susie Moore first came to Parkland in March 2000, as part of the Parkland/SPCA of Texas Animal Assisted Therapy Program.
Meet Ace, Parkland's newest animal therapy dog. The three-year-old Teacup Poodle weighs just 3 pounds. But he has a much bigger impact on Parkland patients than his tiny size would indicate.
Ace began "treating" patients last year. He brings some much needed cheer to patients who are ill, also helping to distract from pain, stress and fear. In addition, petting and brushing helps as a form of physical therapy for some patients as well.
Ace had excellent teachers. He came with his "mom" Susie Moore and Zip, Parkland's beloved and long-time animal therapy dog who sadly passed away earlier this year. Susie Moore first came to Parkland in March 2000, as part of the Parkland/SPCA of Texas Animal Assisted Therapy Program.
For more information on how you can volunteer go to: http://www.parklandhospital.com/patients_visitors/volunteer.html
Thanks so much for sharing your story Shelly.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find yourself at Parkland after you are finished with school. I think you will fit in great at Parkland Hospital and caring nurse staff.
Great story Shelly. I hope you end up at Parkland Hospital. I know that is where you want to be a nurse. The ER will love having you!
ReplyDeleteShelly...I'm so proud to call you my friend. You have accomplished so much in the short time I have known you. This is just another example of how wonderful and a giving person you arel
ReplyDeleteGreat story, way to inspire people.
ReplyDelete