American Red Cross -- New Grad

[JennayZee]

Hello, All!

So, I just interviewed for a position as a blood drive staff nurse....Basically, I will be part of the blood collection and screening process....I am excited about it because I am a new graduate and jobs in my area are so freaking competitive! So, what I would like to know is this: As a staff nurse for the ARC, do I have the ability to work with the disaster relief team?

I have a passion for ER medicine and would like to become a flight nurse! Will this starting position as a 'vampire' potentially open up doors as a disaster relief specialist?? Any insight is appreciated!

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Congratulations on your interview!

Disaster Relief/Disaster Health Services is not clinical it's case management and 99% volunteer. It's replacing lost prescriptions, following up on hospitalizations, first aid at a shelter. Blood Services is a different department from Disaster Services. One does not even need to be a nurse to work in disaster health services.

You can apply to work in disaster services as a volunteer now via your local chapter. Local DHS is limited to shelter work not national disaster response teams. I believe the initial training (introduction to disaster services) is online now. National response teams require experience and additional training to respond to larger disasters.

For example nurses from DHS that responded post Hurricane Sandy worked at shelters for first aid and case management to replace lost prescriptions & other medical needs, ensured public health safety such as potable water and making sure food services was using safe, clean handling technique, ensuring hand washing. The nurses did not go to the flood areas to assess the medical needs of residents as EMS, fire rescue and the national guard handled that. The nurses did not work at the local hospitals or urgent care centers but might follow up on illness or injury with consent of the shelter resident.

Many people think disaster health services/nurses are frontline. They are not that is left to local EMS, medic & rescue squads. Red Cross does not supplement local hospital staff. (Military services nurse volunteers may in certain circumstances supplement military hospital staff but that is the military services division not disaster).

This explains disaster relief it's more case management/social services/needs assessment:

Disaster Relief | American Red Cross | Hurricane, Earthquake, Flood

Be a Disaster Volunteer | Ways to Volunteer | American Red Cross

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Most nurses I know in blood services don't do the phlebotomy as that is left to the phlebotomists. They do the screening intake, make judgement calls based on protocol if a donor is eligible and if not explain why. The nurses in the collection room monitor the donors, respond to adverse reactions such as dizziness, syncope, hematomas, trouble shoot if the phlebotomists need assistance, check hemoglobin & blood sugar per protocol. In the plasma donation centers additional monitoring is needed.

[iamalagirl]

I just signed up to blood drive volunteer as RN. I am excited too!

Will I have orientation before starting volunteer?

Is there any training?

I am waiting for any further notice regarding to my application.

I hope I can start volunteering soon!!

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I just signed up to blood drive volunteer as RN. I am excited too!

Will I have orientation before starting volunteer?

Is there any training?

I am waiting for any further notice regarding to my application.

I hope I can start volunteering soon!!

Is the role an RN blood drive volunteer or a blood drive volunteer? If the latter you hand out the sign up forms tell people where to wait for the nurse to screen, help out post donation with snacks & drinks. It would not be common for a volunteer to be involved with the clinical aspect including triage or in the collection area. If a standard volunteer no training needed, orientation would be the morning of. Good luck

[iamalagirl]

Thank you JustBeachNurse!

My volunteer position says "RN Blood Drive," and it also says multiple location (van?).

Oh Ok, I guess I don't do blood drawing. I like to provide refreshments to people too. I am excited!