Jordan Ellis
Candy stripers, or hospital volunteers, were a popular sight in hospitals in decades past. The term candy striper originated from the red-and-white striped pinafores that female volunteers traditionally wore, reminiscent of candy canes. While the term and its associated uniform are less common today, some hospitals still have candy stripers, such as the MUSC Candy Striper Program in Charleston, South Carolina. These volunteers work in various departments throughout the hospital and are provided with uniforms, hospital badges, meal vouchers, and parking. The candy striper program has evolved over time, with hospitals taking over volunteer operations and offering opportunities for individuals of all genders and ages to contribute to the healthcare system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Hospital volunteers, usually female students, who work without pay under the supervision of nurses |
| Origin | East Orange General Hospital, New Jersey, 1944 |
| Uniform | Red-and-white striped pinafores |
| Other names | Volunteens, Junior Volunteers, College Volunteers, Pink Ladies |
| Current status | Virtually extinct, replaced by gender-neutral volunteer programs |
| Hospitals with volunteer programs | MUSC Health, Charleston, SC; NHRMC; St. Joseph's Hospital; Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City |
| Volunteer tasks | Greeting visitors, delivering mail, transporting items, light cleaning, assisting with activities, sterilizing equipment, comforting patients |
| Benefits | Exposing teenagers to the hospital setting, developing talent for healthcare careers, building human relationships |
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What You'll Learn
- Hospitals with candy stripers include NHRMC, MUSC Health, and St. Francis Hospital
- Volunteers at MUSC Health work half-day or full-day shifts
- Candy stripers' duties include reading to patients, delivering mail, and assisting with activities like art therapy
- Candy stripers were typically female students and wore red-and-white striped pinafores
- Candy stripers are now called volunteers, volunteens, or junior volunteers and wear polo shirts
Hospitals with candy stripers include NHRMC, MUSC Health, and St. Francis Hospital
Candy stripers were a popular sight in hospitals in decades past. The Vernon L. Davey Junior High School in New Jersey started the candy striper program in 1944. Female students wore uniforms they made themselves from red-and-white-striped or candy-striped material. The program was then absorbed by East Orange General Hospital and spread to other hospitals to help alleviate nurses' workloads.
While the uniforms and the term "candy stripers" have been phased out at most hospitals, some hospitals still have similar volunteer programs for young people interested in healthcare. These include:
NHRMC
New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) had volunteers wearing pink and white striped pinafores until about 25 years ago. Today, NHRMC's Junior Volunteers and College Volunteers assist employees, patients, and family members throughout the year. They wear teal polo shirts and khaki pants, and the program is open to ages 14-18.
MUSC Health
The MUSC Health system in South Carolina has a Candy Striper Program for students aged 14-18 who are interested in healthcare or other real-world experience. The program takes place during the summer, and participants work with specific departments throughout the hospital. Volunteers are provided with uniforms, hospital badges, meal vouchers, and parking.
St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois, is home to the St. Francis Candy Stripers, a group of young women who volunteer at the hospital. A photo from 1965 shows a group of Candy Stripers in their red and white striped uniforms.
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Volunteers at MUSC Health work half-day or full-day shifts
Candy Stripers, or hospital volunteers, were a popular sight in hospitals in decades past. The term 'candy striper' comes from the red-and-white striped pinafores that female volunteers traditionally wore, reminiscent of candy canes. While the term and its associated uniform are less common in current clinical settings, some hospitals still have candy stripers today, although they are now usually referred to as volunteers or junior volunteers.
MUSC Health in Charleston, SC, is one such example, where volunteers work with specific departments throughout the hospital. The MUSC Candy Striper Program offers half-day shifts from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or full-day shifts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are provided with uniforms, hospital badges, meal vouchers, and parking. Participating locations include the MUSC Black River Medical Center, MUSC Florence Medical Center, and MUSC Marion Medical Center.
Volunteers at MUSC Health, or candy stripers, perform a variety of tasks to assist employees, patients, and family members. Common duties may include greeting visitors, delivering mail or lab specimens, helping with light cleaning, or providing comfort to patients. Volunteers may also work in specific departments depending on their type of shift, such as the morning or afternoon shift.
The candy striper program has evolved over time, with male and female volunteers of different ages participating. While the traditional uniform has been phased out at most hospitals, including MUSC Health, the spirit of volunteering in healthcare settings remains strong. Today, teen hospital volunteers typically wear polo shirts or jackets in various colours, and volunteers of all genders are welcomed. The demand for volunteer positions has grown, as it can be a valuable experience for those interested in healthcare careers and can enhance college applications.
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Candy stripers' duties include reading to patients, delivering mail, and assisting with activities like art therapy
Candy stripers, also known as hospital volunteers, work without pay in various healthcare settings, usually under the supervision of nurses. The term "candy striper" originates from the red-and-white striped pinafores that female volunteers traditionally wore, reminiscent of candy canes. While the term and its associated uniform are less common today, the role of hospital volunteers remains important in the United States.
Candy stripers' duties often include reading to patients, delivering mail, and assisting with activities like art therapy. They may also help feed patients, bring them comfort, and assist with hospital maintenance. For example, they can escort visitors, deliver messages, and assist with light cleaning. In some hospitals, candy stripers may also help with clerical tasks such as preparing mail, making copies, scanning, and shredding documents. Additionally, they can support patient discharge procedures and transport items like lab specimens, medical records, or drugs between units.
Volunteering as a candy striper can provide valuable experience and skills for those interested in the healthcare field. It allows individuals to gain firsthand exposure to healthcare, develop communication and empathy skills, and enhance their sense of responsibility. Volunteering can also be a way to give back to the community and is often recognised as a valuable addition to college applications.
Today, hospitals like MUSC Health in Charleston, SC, offer candy striper programs with provided uniforms, hospital badges, meal vouchers, and parking. Volunteers work with specific departments and can choose between half-day or full-day shifts. Participating locations include MUSC Lancaster Medical Center and MUSC Chester Medical Center.
While the specific term "candy striper" may be less prevalent, the spirit of volunteerism in hospitals continues, with individuals dedicated to supporting patients, their families, and the healthcare system as a whole.
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Candy stripers were typically female students and wore red-and-white striped pinafores
Candy stripers, or hospital volunteers, were typically female students who wore red-and-white striped pinafores. The term 'candy striper' is derived from the colours of the uniforms traditionally worn by female volunteers, which are reminiscent of candy canes. The uniforms were sewn by the female students themselves from material provided by their teacher. The fabric used was a red-and-white-striped fabric known as "candy stripe".
The candy striper program originated in 1944 as a high school civics class project in East Orange, New Jersey. The Vernon L. Davey Junior High School started the program, and the students chose East Orange General Hospital as the home for their project. The program was then adopted by other hospitals to help nurses with their workload. Candy stripers could be seen performing various tasks, such as greeting visitors, delivering mail, transporting items, and assisting with light cleaning. They also provided comfort to patients and staff, delivering flowers, reading to children, and running errands.
While the traditional candy striper program no longer exists in most modern hospitals, volunteer programs remain an essential part of the healthcare system. These programs have evolved to offer diverse roles and a broader age range of volunteers. For example, the MUSC Health Candy Striper Program in Charleston, South Carolina, provides volunteers with uniforms, hospital badges, meal vouchers, and parking. Volunteers work with specific departments throughout the hospital and can choose from half-day or full-day shifts.
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Candy stripers are now called volunteers, volunteens, or junior volunteers and wear polo shirts
Candy stripers, also known as hospital volunteers, were a popular sight in hospitals in decades past. The term "candy striper" originates from the red-and-white-striped pinafores that female volunteers traditionally wore, reminiscent of candy canes. While the term and its associated uniform are less common today, the concept of hospital volunteers remains important in the healthcare system. These volunteers are now often referred to as just "volunteers", or, in the case of younger volunteers, "volunteens" or "junior volunteers".
At the New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC), the term "candy stripers" has been replaced by "Junior Volunteers" and "College Volunteers". These volunteers assist employees, patients, and family members and wear teal polo shirts and khaki pants instead of the former pink and white striped pinafores. Similarly, Sequoia Hospital's volunteer program transitioned from "candy stripers" to "volunteens" and eventually to just "volunteers".
Other hospitals, such as Southcoast Health, continue to have a strong volunteer presence without using the term "candy stripers". Southcoast Health lists more than 500 volunteers across three hospitals, with volunteers working in various areas, including patient floors, the gift shop, and the front desk. MUSC Health in Charleston, SC, also has a Candy Striper Program that provides uniforms, hospital badges, meal vouchers, and parking for its volunteers. However, there is no specific mention of the uniforms being the traditional candy-striped attire.
While the traditional candy-striper uniform has largely been phased out, the spirit of volunteerism in hospitals remains strong. Volunteers continue to play an important role in supporting patients, their families, and the healthcare staff. The evolution from "candy stripers" to "volunteers", "volunteens", or "junior volunteers" reflects the changing nature of volunteer work in hospitals, which now includes individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.
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Frequently asked questions
Candy stripers are hospital volunteers, typically teenage girls, who work without pay in healthcare settings, usually under the supervision of nurses. The term comes from the red-and-white striped pinafores that female volunteers traditionally wore, resembling candy canes.
While the term "candy stripers" and the associated uniform are less common in hospitals today, the concept of hospital volunteers is still very much alive. Many hospitals have volunteer programs that perform similar duties to the traditional candy stripers.
Candy stripers assist with various tasks depending on the hospital's needs. Common duties include greeting visitors, delivering mail and items, helping with light cleaning, and providing comfort to patients. They do not perform hands-on care but interact with patients and provide companionship.
The decline in the use of the term "candy stripers" is partly due to the increasing diversity of volunteer programs. With more boys and individuals of different ages joining, hospitals have shifted to more gender-neutral terms like "volunteens" or simply "volunteers."
While the traditional candy striper uniform and name are less common, some hospitals with active volunteer programs include:
- New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC)
- Sequoia Hospital
- MUSC Health in Charleston, SC, with participating medical centers: Black River, Florence, Marion, Lancaster, and Chester.
