Brandon Klotz – IS 200 – Service Learning Journal 2 – March 4, 2019

Part 1: A non-judgmental, objective description of what occurred.

Date: My community service took place on Saturday March 2, 2019.

Time: 9am – 11:30am

Duration: 2½ hours

Location: Emergency Department at The Christ Hospital (C-level)

Service Activities: There are two primary activities I engage in when volunteering in the

emergency department: 1.) assisting the nurses by restocking supplies, and 2.) assisting the

patients. Due to high turnover, nurses need their supplies restocked when caring for their

patients. I assist with restocking: gauze, tissues, towels, blankets, gowns, masks, sheets, pillow

cases, and other such materials. I assist patients by offering food and drink, answering basic

questions, fetching their nurse, and letting them know I am here to help make them comfortable.

People Involved: Around 12 nurses, 1 or 2 doctors, RN lab tech, 1 PCA, and several patients. I

interacted with several nurses, and around 10 patients. I talked with the Lab Tech and asked her

many questions about her job, nursing, floor layout, and various tasks such as prefilling TB test

tubes with saline solution.

Part 2: Typed Notes

This particular service event was one in which I did not feel I was new. I knew where I was

going, recognized quite a few people, knew what I was going to do, and how I was going to

make my restocking rounds more efficient. Rather than complete two rounds, one to restock

surgical gowns and masks and the other to restock, towels, linens, and other such items, I found a

way to combine these two rounds into one using a certain handcart. I spent a few minutes talking

with the RN in the lab (which processes urine and blood samples) about her position, the ER in

general, my future as a nurse and some specifics about refilling TB test tubes. Having worked in

1
Brandon Klotz – IS 200 – Service Learning Journal 2 – March 4, 2019

ICU, Trauma 1 ER departments, Oncology, in several local hospitals, she gave me some good

ideas and some information to help me decide what area of nursing I will pursue. I learned more

about the PCA role and responsibilities from her as well as where certain nursing equipment was

located. While restocking my supplies, I interacted with another nurse who was resupplying the

crash cart, and learned quite a bit about the tests they perform on patients, such as how they are

preserved and what the tests are looking for on a biological level. I interacted with a few patients

which involved introducing myself and asking if they were comfortable and would like

refreshments. Most people decline but seem appreciative that someone cares enough to ask about

their wellbeing. While most people decline, they often seem quite surprised to find someone

asking about making their experience better. They thank me up-and-down but kindly decline to

request beverages or snacks. Others ask for coffee, water, and food. After providing one patient

with coffee, that patient’s nurse stopped me in the hall to thank me for doing that for them. I met

a coworker from central service who was making a crash-cart round and thought I had been fired

which was I was now volunteering. I ended the day by filling TB tests and restocking the ER

supply.

Part 3: Subjective responses to the experience.

B. I learned that there are some staff who seem to be on a power trip and have no desire to talk to

a volunteer, and others who are more than willing to help, answer questions, give advice, and

establish a friendship. I was about to fill up a cup of water and had a female nurse cut in front of

me in the kitchenette. Without saying a word, she filled up her bottle leaving me standing behind

her and left quickly. A simply good morning would have been appropriate, but she seemed to

have other things in mind. There are nurses who are very friendly and helpful and others who

don’t want to look at you. From my experience, this applies to most workplaces. It is a little

2
Brandon Klotz – IS 200 – Service Learning Journal 2 – March 4, 2019

comical to watch that nurse who cut me off go into a patient room and change her voice and

demeanor to excited and friendly, and then shut it off and go back to her normal distant self

when she came out. Her life seems confused. She is not glad to be at work, doesn’t want anyone

getting in her way, and only does what she can to get by. Her ability to help the community is

limited as it appears she is acting and doesn’t genuinely care about them. I plan to be a better,

more consistent, and friendly nurse than this Grinch.

F. After talking with a nurse who has worked in numerous departments at several local hospitals,

I heard some helpful information pointing me towards the ICU. The ER is a department that does

not participate in clinicals, making it very difficult for a new graduate to adjust to working in the

ER. It is probably a better option to pursue an area of nursing that has a transition phase in that

department to become familiar with that area and know what to expect going in.

I. Based on what a nurse and several patients told me, they were grateful that I was helping

whether or not I did anything for them. The Christ Hospital seeks to provide the best experience

to patients which includes human comforts. I directly offered human comforts and indirectly

provided comforts by keeping the nurses’ equipment well stocked to prevent a delay in providing

materials to patients when needed. Contributing the betterment of the patients experience is

something I have enjoyed doing and have already learned from. Unfortunately, since my training

was minimal and provided by a volunteer, I have to spend time asking questions of the ER

personnel which mean they waste time explaining things I should already know, and I waste time

by not doing more helpful things than learning. Although my training and contribution is

minimal, which is the case for most short-term service learning projects, I think that my

contribution is beneficial is making a small difference.