VOLUNTEERS & CUSTOMER CARE the idea and worked with her to create a training program and recruit volunteers. Our volunteers receive a half-day of training with pastoral care staff, palliative care staff and nurse managers, plus ongoing training and support from our chaplains.” Beans and the chaplain agree which unique qualities these volunteers need. “They’re very loving people, passionate about this work, and down to earth,” Redl says. “Some have health care backgrounds, and others have experience caring for friends or family members at the end of life.” “Our volunteers are kind and compassionate,” Beans adds, “as well as nonjudgmental and comfortable talking — or just listening — to patients about anything they want to discuss.” Volunteer Mary Wit shares her experience of supporting patients near the end of life. “There is a peace that can exist during the dying process, and this is something we volunteers can help provide patients
Intensive care nurse manager Mona Reynolds (left) discusses the End of Life Companion Program with Bryan Chaplain Nina Redl. Nurses alert the chaplains when they have patients who may benefit from this new program. who don’t have someone with them,” she says. “I also feel a great sense of peace, myself, when I sit with a patient. “Clinical care is provided by the nurses; the volunteer’s role is simply to listen and spend time with patients and offer comfort by doing things like playing music, holding their hands, and talking if they’d like to. Some patients want to talk about spirituality, but not all are religious; some are comforted just knowing that we’ll stay with them through this difficult time.” Plans for expanding the End of Life Companion Program are in the works. “As more people learn about what we do, the need continues to increase, so we’re looking for
“Our volunteers spend time with patients who otherwise would have no one with them at the end of life, as well as those whose loved ones need a short respite from the bedside to care for family or personal needs.”
– Nina Redl, Chaplain
more volunteers,” says Redl. “Our goal is to have 25 volunteers working with us through this program, but because we train in small groups, we’ll have to build to that point over time.” She concludes by noting, “The end of life is often a sacred time, and it’s a privilege to provide this very necessary service for our patients.” For more information about the End of Life Companion Program, including obtaining services, contact Chaplain Nina Redl in Pastoral Care Services by calling 402-481-8064. To find out about these and other volunteer opportunities at Bryan Medical Center, call 402-481-3032, or visit bryanhealth.org/volunteer.
Bryan Journeys 13