Now Nova Scotia Health is stepping up efforts to increase its ranks of volunteers. Unfortunately, these figures have plummeted over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health authority just held its inaugural annual provincewide career fair. It brought in more than 5,000 registrants, and thousands of those attendees were clamoring to learn about volunteering. As his testimony points out, the program is operating now at only 58 percent of pre-pandemic levels. This circumstance highlights the persistent problem of recruitment.
The impact of the decline in volunteerism has been felt particularly hard here in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, the hour of volunteering at hospitals plummeted by 47 percent from 2018-2023. This downturn is largely driven by multiple factors, like the after effects of our pandemic reality, increased inflation and continued labor shortages. Lauren Murphy, director of recruitment and volunteer services at Nova Scotia Health, offered some insight about what’s happening there. She acknowledged the slow recovery of the volunteer program is de facto “not super surprising” given the suspension suffered throughout the pandemic.
Longtime Volunteers Reflect on Their Experience
Jane Marshall started volunteering at the Aberdeen Hospital back in 2006. During the pandemic, she doubled down on her work, showing her colleagues the rewarding nature of serving and being connected to one’s own community.
“Anybody that does it would [find] it’s really rewarding,” – Jane Marshall
Marshall’s devotion is a true reflection of the thousands of volunteers who are vital to making our hospitals a more healing place for patients. Murphy acknowledged this sentiment, stating, “You know, if you’ve ever been to a hospital, usually the first smile that you see is a volunteer.” Her opinion piece highlights the important contribution volunteers make, unmatched in their ability to provide a warm welcome for patients and their families.
Nova Scotia Health acknowledges that it’s had challenges in recruiting former volunteers into new paid positions. They say they’re hopeful for continued success in the recruitment pipeline. Proficient potential candidates continue to be reluctant to come back after having been out for decades.
Recruitment Efforts and Future Outlook
The recent career fair was the first big step in Nova Scotia Health’s plan to reinvigorate its volunteer program. With thousands attending and registering for various roles, there is hope for revitalization within the organization.
“Our volunteers are so critical to the health of our organization,” Murphy emphasized, highlighting their importance not just in patient care but in supporting hospital operations. The health department is proactively contacting past volunteers and recruiting new ones to increase their numbers.
As Nova Scotia Health continues to work through these challenges, it wanted to take the opportunity to remind communities about the important services volunteers provide. Ensuring patients receive a warm welcome and support during their hospital visits remains a top priority for the health authority.
