A group of hospital volunteers recently celebrated their second year of
service to Atlantic General. These men and women did not begin working
in healthcare just two years ago, however. They’ve been doing it
their entire careers. Each one is a retired nurse.
Jackie Todd, the director of nursing, was instrumental in reaching out
to retired nurses in the area to assist in volunteer roles that require
knowledge of medicine. Originally, the members were to help with the paperwork
involved in the patient admission process, a task that a lay volunteer
would not be able to do.
Now twelve members strong, the retired nurses at Atlantic General assist
eight departments throughout the facility, including case management,
pastoral care, the Diabetes Outpatient Education program and the Wound
Care Center.
“We want to help out in any way we can,” said Joyce Brittan,
the coordinator of the retired nurse program. “We cannot do anything
invasive, but our members can take blood pressures, help out with paperwork
or even just talk to patients to make sure they are comfortable and have
everything they need.”
“The varied talents and professional experience the retired nurses
bring to the hospital are invaluable,” said Jackie Todd, director
of nursing. “Interaction between this group and the younger nurses
fosters a wonderful learning environment and further improves the patient
experience.”