[clara76]

After 25 years as an LPN I returned to school to earn my RN. One of the motivation factors was a sincere desire to be a part of short term medical missions. I am particularly interested in underserved populations and cultures with unique medical problems and needs.
Is anyone aware of any ligitimate opportunities to serve as a volunteer nurse at a Native American Clinic or medical facility? I would be available for 2 weeks any time after Mid June? I know that Rosebud Reservation has or had a medical facility, but can't seem to get anywhere with inquiries.
Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks, clara76

[millkay]

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but the clinic at Rosebud is likely IHS or tribally operated, and is more looking for permanent hire nurses. The paperwork and background check is a long process, just like every other aspect of the government. Just a suggestion, but I know that many other health care areas value volunteers, and there are many of such organizations associated with tribes. Check out the following website.

http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/Volunteer_...nteer_Opps.asp

These people are actively looking for volunteers. Just a suggestion.

[clara76]

I will certainly try that website. I have spent a lot of time the last month or so especially, but over the last year searching for volunteer opportunities that are in the U.S. or NOrth/South/Central America that I could work into my schedule and have not been very successful. I will keep trying. Thanks for the heads up!

[Lynn1956]

I work at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Hospital in Anchorage, Ak., a Magnet hospital-not sure about volunteer opps for only a couple of weeks, but there are many different clinics in villages around the state that may want/need help-I can't say for sure because I have not explored that possibility.
I love working with the Alaska Native population-there is a fluidity that I cannot describe well, but I can feel at work. Villages are small up here and people are related, families come in and support their members in times of trouble. There are many sad cases: alcoholism, domestic violence, poverty outside of village life, but the reward has been meeting the people. The hospital is very unique-only Native populations may be treated there, and there are services set up for that purpose, even the hospital design meets that need.
Keep trying-there should be something somewhere.

[-Midget-]

Lynn, what has your experience been like working with Alaskan Natives?

[Lynn1956]

I love it, and especially enjoy it when I am working with the Elders. There are some difficult issues in Bush Alaska-alcohol abuse, suicides, and domestic violence are a few of the more pressing ones, but I have enjoyed it overall.

[-Midget-]

Is there some cultural reason why suicide, domestic violence, and alcohol abuse are such big issues?

[Lynn1956]

I am not an anthropologist, but I do not believe that the suicide rates, domestic violence and suicide issues are a result of culture. The unfortunate introduction of demon alcohol can be blamed for much of it. Alcohol plus physiology = nothing good. The 1918 flu epidemic took many families, missionaries were threatened and condemning of culture, and children were packed off to boarding schools at young ages, leaving their families. This in family-oriented cultures...Can you imagine if this had happened to you or was in your family history? There are not tons of job oportunities in the villages for the young people, so where do they go to earn a decent living in a society with prejudice against any person with other than white skin? These are things I see and read about-I am no expert, but I believe these are some of the issues that have contributed to higher suicide rates, alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Try and imagine yourself there.