Volunteer Nurses Needed for Hurricane Emergency!

Julie Fureigh · Sep 5, 2005

You're right! I'll be sure to pack extra... if I don't forget that I'm due for mine, too, while I'm there (I know, I know "TMI!") But, yes...good thing to pack! I'm hoping to have room in my luggage after my stuff for "extras" I'm also planning on coming home with next to nothing that I leave with.
FYI- I'm leaving Tues AM for MIssissippi, after calling the # posted one one of these threads. Theyseemed excited to have someone available ASAP. I only hope I can live up to their (and my!) expectations. Wheww!

WHERE ARE YOU GOING IN MISSISSIPPI. I AM ALSO LEAVE TUES AM FROM ARKANSAS. PLEASE SEND ME THE PHONE NUMBER YOU CALLED. GOOD LUCK

firstmickeyRN · Sep 5, 2005

I emailed the Highway Hypodermics contact posted earlier and this was my response if there are any others who would like it. It includes the fax number.

Thank you for responding, The only information I have at this time is that we need nurses for a two week minimum stay, we would fly you in somewhere I am not sure where, they ask that you pack lightly, bringing scrubs and just the bare necessities. If you are interested please fax over to 877-449-9433 your immunizations a skills checklist, resume and credentials. If you don't have a resume you can go to ortravelteam.com and fill out the resume and skills checklist. Please check back with us Tues afternoon for more information. Thank you. Phone # 866-449-9433

Julie Fureigh · Sep 5, 2005

Thanks For The Info.

KBARRIN · Sep 5, 2005

I am also in Indiana and really want to do. my DH cannot get ime off work. Have you heard of any groups going from our state? I am near Fort Wayne.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2005

Please remember that even if you do not go to the area, you are helping in a very real way. As your coworkers go to the site, others will be working their extra hours, or taking more patients, or receiving patients that have been "bumped" up the line making way for evacuees.

You can also emotionally support those of our fellow nurses that were traumatized by the catastrophe. We will be seeing displaced nurses with PTSD for a while to come. My mother still has nightmares about Charley, and these people will have to deal with emotional/psychological trauma.

Be also aware that predictions are for at least another 2 hurricanes of Cat 3 or higher to hit the USA coast before the end of the season. Not to mention at least 1 storm last year occurred after the official season ended. Maria is currently increasing in strength.

In teaching facilities, we will be receiving specialty cases. From what I understand, there were bone marrow transplants done during/immediately after Katrina (because of the issue that massive myoablation was done - well before Katrina became a direct threat to NO - there was no choice but to transplant these patients. As they were severely immonosuppressed and the facilities were unable to provide optimal infection control in the initial recovery, many of us will be receiving complicated cases of these and other patients in all of our specialties needing extensive care.

Please keep these things in mind. Be a little nicer to one another and work a little harder, to improve the team effort.

Catsrule16, RN · Sep 6, 2005

check the this site for volunteering as an unpaid hhs employee eligible for workers comp coverage and reimbersement for some expenses.

http://www.hhs.gov/katrina/

health care professionals and relief personnel worker page

the office of the surgeon general and the office of public health emergency preparedness are in the process of mobilizing and identifying healthcare professionals and relief personnel to assist in hurricane katrina relief efforts. as our nation and global community is now aware, the healthcare needs resulting from katrina are critical.

we are currently looking for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and relief personnel with expertise in the following areas:

administration/finance officers

morticians*

chaplain

mortuary assistants*

clinical physicians

nursing assistants/nursing support technicians

coroners*

nursing staff directors

dental forensics*

paramedics*

dentists

patient transporters/volunteers

dieticians

pharmacists

emt*

psychologists

environmental health

physician's assistants or nurse practitioners

epidemiologists

physician chiefs of staff

facility managers

radiologic technicians*

housekeepers

respiratory therapists

it/communications officers

rns

laboratory technicians*

safety officers

lpns

security officers

medical clerks

social workers

medical examiners*

supply managers

mental health workers

veterinarians

*these categories added as of september 5, 2005.

if you are a healthcare professional or relief personnel with expertise in the above areas and would like to participate**, please complete the form below.

medical reserve corps (mrc) members:

to ensure that your local community needs are met first, please contact your local mrc unit leader prior to completing this application form. when you do complete the form, please write "mrc member" in as a specialty - this will allow us to identify you as an mrc member. for more information about the medical reserve corps, see www.medicalreservecorps.gov

the office of the surgeon general will be contacting those that meet the requirements and needs on the field as soon as we are able. however, at this time, hhs is unable to respond to individual queries regarding hurricane katrina recovery efforts through this website.

individuals who do not fit into one of the above categories can find information on volunteering at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

thank you for visiting. we appreciate and commend your efforts.

**please be advised that individuals must be healthy enough to function under field conditions.**

this may include all or some of the following:

12 hour shifts

austere conditions (possibly no showers, housing in tents)

no air conditioning

long periods of standing

sleep accommodations on bed roll

military ready to eat meals

portable toilets

these workers will be non-paid temporary federal employees, and will therefore be eligible for coverage under the federal tort claims act for liability coverage and workman's compensation when functioning as hhs employees. although there will not be any salary, travel and per diem will be paid.

assignments may last 14 days or longer. it is required that applicants have hepatitis b and tetorifice/diphtheria immunizations for this assignment.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 6, 2005

Please remember to post a synopsis of an article/information source. Include a link for everyone.

Thank you.

aa68 · Sep 6, 2005

:chuckle you need to be treated with: cazamadaddawyajicillin and gindiwitsimecine

hope it will give u a total remedy to it.

Please remember to post a synopsis of an article/information source. Include a link for everyone.
Thank you.

Mwene karani · Sep 6, 2005

Hello there, am Michael and and a profesional nurse in both psychiatric and renal nursing with skills in Counselling. As a member of the All nurses.com I learnt of the need for Volunteer nurses and am willing to offer myself.

grammyr · Sep 7, 2005

I had the privilege to volunteer for 3 days last week in Baton Rouge at LSU. There is an incredible need for mental health workers. As we can all imagine, the stress and anxiety is a very real concern for all, victims and volunteers alike.

There were many volunteers from outside Louisiana and one that I talked to said that in the beginning license was an issue, but that when he called, whoever he talked to told him to come on down. You would have to bring your valid nursing license and I would just about bet that your skills could be used somewhere.

The days that I spent at the "PMAC" were the most rewarding I have had in a very long time. They helped put life in perspective for me and a lot of other people as well. It was a very heartbreaking, but heartwarming experience for me. 99.9% of the evacuees were most appreciative of anything done for them. They were scared, hungry and dirty with most having been without medications for several days. We, as healthcare professionals, have a wonderful way of helping our sisters and brothers in a time of need. I am even prouder of my profession now than I have ever been.

Haunted · Sep 7, 2005

I have posted the information on how to help from Sandy, an RN from Kenner on this titled website. Please respond. The thread is titled "How to help" thanks much.

sunnyjohn · Sep 7, 2005

I got this e-mail from the Porter county Red Cross.

Porter County Indiana encompasses Valpariso Indiana. THis may work for nurses in NW Indiana and in parts of Chicago.

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We are conducting disaster training classes this Sunday, Sept. 11th from 9AM until approximately 6PM at the Porter County United Way office in Valpo. We will also be conducting classes on Saturday, Sept. 17th, same times, at our office. The basic prerequisites for all disaster relief workers are these classes. If you are interested in either of these classes - just show up. This training will allow volunteers to work in shelters. If you want to work in the health field there is additional Red Cross training. I am still trying to get this lined up, so at this time there is not date for this 2 day class.

Basically, what I am recommending health care workers to do is to register at fema.gov and go down that way or to take our basic training, go down as a shelter worker with your credentials and hope that once they know your skills they will use you in the appropriate health work - but there is not guarantee on that. I am sorry I cannot give you more info at this time, but I hope to see you in one of our classes since this will be a long term relief effort and we will be needing workers for a long period of time. Thank you so much for thinking of others in this difficult time.

D. Williams

Exec. Director, Porter County Chapter

American Red Cross