This summer, I was trying to decide what I wanted to do for my senior project. I know that I want to work in the healthcare field, so I thought that working in the Petaluma Valley Hospital would be a great place to start. My mom is the nurse educator at our local hospital, so she was able to put me in touch with the volunteer coordinator. After completing my hours, I realized that enjoyed this experience more than I thought I would.

Initially, once I submitted my application, I had to get cleared by their caregiver health department to make sure I had all of my vaccinations and was healthy. I interviewed with the Petaluma Valley Hospital’s Director of Nurses and was offered a volunteer position as an emergency room ambassador.

My role as an emergency room ambassador doesn’t sound fancy, but I was able to be in the emergency room every shift, which gave me an upfront view of the processes of a hospital. In particular, for my senior project, I was responsible for supporting the emergency room staff and the registration staff in whatever tasks they needed during the day. I greeted patients, brought them to their bed, ran lab tests to the laboratory, cleaned rooms, and overall just helped the employees with whatever they needed. While volunteering, I was able to see the doctors stitch people up, save lives, witness mental health crises, and so much more.

Hospitals serve as hot spots for healthcare, offering a range of medical services for patients. Their main role is to prove diagnoses, perform treatments, and care for injuries. Other than health care, hospitals also serve a role in preventive medicine, health education, and research. Petaluma Valley Hospital has 80 beds, an emergency room, an intensive care unit, and a surgery department. Within the hospital are respiratory therapists, nurses, doctors, x-ray techs, physical therapists, and so much more. It is a great place to learn about a variety of jobs available to you within the healthcare field.

Overall, I found my experience so worthwhile. I found out what really happens in an emergency room and am excited to go into the operating room (OR) to further my hospital research. I plan to continue volunteering this summer, and I would recommend this site to anyone looking for a senior project location or experience in healthcare.