Volunteer Stress and Burnout: Issues for Administrators

The authors provide administrators and volunteer coordinators with suggestions for alleviating volunteer stress and potential burnout by identifying the four major sources of volunteer stress: role ambiguity, status ambiguity, patients and families, and personal circumstances.

Abstract

SUMMARYAlthough research on hospice volunteers is increasing, there is a dearth of literature regarding the stress hospice volunteers face providing direct patient care. Using data collected from in-depth discussions with volunteers in varied settings, this article identifies the four major sources of volunteer stress: role ambiguity, status ambiguity, patients and families, and personal circumstances. The authors provide administrators and volunteer coordinators with suggestions for alleviating volunteer stress and potential burnout.