About Candy Stripers
Candy stripers were hospital volunteers, usually young women, assigned the task of boosting patient morale in the 1960s through 1980s. They also took over small tasks normally assigned to nurses, such as delivering meals, providing patients with audio visual equipment and handing out packages, flowers and mail.
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History
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The first candy striper program was launched in New Jersey in 1944 at East Orange General Hospital. It was meant to give teen girls, ages 13 to 18, an opportunity to learn and socialize at the same time. The program gained popularity in the '50s and '60s and became a common occupation for young women interested in pursuing careers as nurses. After the 1980s, the striped uniforms disappeared and the moniker candy striper was retired in favor of "hospital volunteer." Modern programs are also open to young men.
The Name
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Candy stripers got the name from the fact that the original volunteers in New Jersey wore red and white striped pinafores over their dresses. The young women sewed these uniforms from material provided to them by a teacher at their school. The color of the pinafores reminded people of the stripes on candy canes. Somehow the name caught on and became common use, although volunteers in other hospitals wore different apparel.
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Considerations
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Nowadays, hospital volunteers are usually not allowed direct access to patients because there are worries about security, confidentiality and other liability issues. Mostly they perform clerical duties, such as filing discharge papers or working in the gift shop. Some may also shadow doctors or nurses who serve as their mentors, while keeping a respectful distance.
Training
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Back in the '40s and '50s, candy stripers had to go through several weeks of training. They also had to get health exams and TB tests to insure their health and their patients' health. Today, most hospital volunteers can be trained in a couple of orientation sessions after successfully completing an interview and providing two or three personal references.
Getting Started
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If you're a teenager who would like to be a hospital volunteer, the first step you should take is to call the human resources line for the institution where you'd like to work. Don't mention the words "candy striper" since they are outdated. Instead, simply ask if a youth volunteer program is offered. You may have to call several hospitals before you get a positive response. Unfortunately these types of programs continue to wane in popularity.
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