Volunteers at Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida are a valued part of the care team. The volunteers at Nemours Children’s make a difference by providing special human connection that often eases stress during difficult times. Many of our volunteers work directly with patients and their families. Others choose to work behind the scenes. We encourage individuals who meet the requirements to apply for volunteer positions at our hospital. Volunteers dedicate their time and energy to support our patients and their families and the hospital staff. These moments leave a lasting impression. The impact of your service to our program is much larger than you can imagine.
Before you apply to be part of this vital team, please take a few moments to review the requirements and the process to become a volunteer.
Step 1: Application Process
To proceed to Step 2, application must be submitted along with the required forms.
Step 2: Interview/Information Session
Once your application is submitted and required forms received, you will be invited to attend an Interview/Information session (these sessions are usually virtual).
Step 3: Background Screening, Medical Clearances and Training
If you are selected to move forward in the process additional steps are:
High school students volunteer to gain experience working in a hospital setting. Students do support work that makes a difference in the overall care of patients and their families and do so in a variety of age-appropriate assignments. We offer positions in various departments throughout the hospital. Many placements allow high school students to interact with patients and families at the hospital.
Step 1: Application Process
To proceed to Step 2, application must be submitted along with the required forms.
Once your application is submitted and required forms received, you will be invited to attend an Interview/Information session. (These sessions are usually virtual.)
If you are selected to move forward in the process additional steps are:
How old do I have to be to apply for a volunteer opportunity?
High school students must be at least 16 years of age at time of application.
What days and times can high school students volunteer?
Volunteer assignments are Monday through Friday during regular business hours and evenings until 7:00 pm. (No weekend opportunities.) A student will be given a schedule with the same assignment and time each week.
What opportunities are available for high school students?
Check our Opportunity Directory for a listing of volunteer positions (note the positions available to high school volunteers).
I am 18 years old and dual-enrolled. Should I fill out the high school application or the adult/college application?
Because you are still in high school, you should complete and submit the high school application. You will be eligible to apply for the adult/college program after high school graduation.
I am interested in a career in medicine. Can I come to the hospital to shadow a nurse or doctor?
Job shadowing, internships, externships and observing are academic pursuits, and therefore are not coordinated through the Volunteer Services Department. If you need further information, please call the hospital’s general number, (407) 567-4000 and ask to be connected to your department of interest.
Hospital policy requires that you must be 16 years or older to volunteer at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.
Yes, volunteers wear a uniform shirt or apron.
All volunteers must be able to commit to volunteering for 75 hours over a 6-month span. Typically, a volunteer shift will be 3-4 hours once a week.
Absolutely, there are opportunities to complete more than 75 hours. Please note that 75 hours is the minimum.
Once you have become accustomed to keeping up with one shift there may be an opportunity to add an additional shift. This opportunity is based on the hospital’s needs and how many active volunteers we have at a particular time. To volunteer more than once a week you need to be a volunteer for at least 1 month. Please reach out to the Volunteer Services office if you want to increase the number of shifts you have per week.
Because of the time commitment required, we encourage you to apply for onsite volunteer opportunities once you have a better idea of your work schedule and availability. However, there are other ways to help while you find a permanent schedule.
No, you can’t complete all 75 hours at once. You will start with one 3-4 hour shift per week and may have the opportunity to pick up more shifts in order to complete your minimum 75 hour requirement.
During your application process we ask you to indicate your weekly availability and your top preferences of departments where you would like to volunteer. Your placement will be selected based on this information and the hospital’s needs.
There is a Cuddler program at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. To qualify for this position, you must be a volunteer with us for at least 6 months, meeting the requirement of 75 hours and in good standing.
If you are going to miss your shift, we ask that you contact Volunteer Services regarding your absence. If an extended break in service is needed, a Leave of Absence may be requested.
Shifts are scheduled to accommodate the ongoing needs of Nemours. Please contact the Volunteer Services office to see if your department can consider your request.
Job shadowing, internships, and externships are academic pursuits and therefore are not coordinated through the Volunteer Services department. If your goal is to shadow, please call the hospital’s general number (407) 567-4000 and ask to be connected to your department of interest.
Yes, discover ways to get involved at Nemours through our Child Life Program.
No, although volunteering at a hospital will allow you to gain experience working in a hospital it is not structured to lead to a job.
How soon you start depends on you and how quickly you complete your application and fulfill all the requirements. Please note that it takes an average of 30-45 days to onboard a new volunteer. Your start date could depend on how quickly you move through the process.
Most positions are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limited positions are available in the evenings and on weekends. (High School volunteers do not volunteer on weekends.)
Our volunteer program does not accept applications from individuals who are required by law to complete court appointed community service hours.
Becoming a Nemours volunteer allows you to:
Contact Volunteer Services at volunteerorl@nemours.org.
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