Christian medical missions to Haiti - HELP!!

[hbgwan]

Hi all. I am desperately looking for a Christian organization who does medical missions trips to Haiti. I have only certain dates I can go since our school only gives us certain times off during the year to go. I was looking at one but it was longer than my school break. I would have had to miss a week of clinicals and that isn't good! Anyway, have any of you had any luck (either as students or as RNs) with a particular Christian organization who does medical missions trips to Haiti? If so, just list their organization and I will contact them directly.

Thanks,

hbgwan

[hbgwan, LPN, LVN]

This was my first thought. While it is admirable that the OP wants to help, her limited knowledge and experience would not be of much use to any medical mission. Such missions need people who are able to jump in with little or no supervision or direction, and a nursing student doesn't fit that bill.

firstly, "while it is admirable that the OP wants to help, HIS limited knowledge...".

see my reply to another post.

and to you as well, i am trying not to take offense to the comment that my limited knowledge would not be of much use on a medical mission. does one have to be licensed to take vitals and assist those who are?

[aura_of_laura]

No one is doubting that you feel called to do missions work.

Again, I strongly recommend that book. The men who wrote it have extensive Christian medical missions experience, and it is a superb examination of, well, how helping can hurt.

Haitians do need medical assistance, but taking vitals isn't it. I know you want to help, but they need OR nurses and surgeons, physical therapists, and grief counselors. For you to spend $1500 to go down and take vitals is not a wise use of resources. That kind of money can buy medical equipment, antibiotics, or to support someone who is well-qualified.

I'm sorry, but I feel very strongly about missions. Too often, we don't weigh the amount of good we actually achieve against the financial and human costs. Think about it - does what you're proposing offer any meaningful impact to the people of Haiti?

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

medical missions in haiti is where my heart is.

Perhaps, but your level of training isn't up to the task. Bluntly put, a nursing student has no business going on a medical mission. I'm not trying to be cruel, but that is the reality of it.

[hbgwan, LPN, LVN]

to all of those who are against me, a bsn student, going on a medical mission trip, my final statement to you is this: i did not ask you whether it was a good idea for a nursing student to go, nor did i ask you for your approval. my original post asked for names of organizations, NOT for your approval.

[momof3rascals]

Just want to send you some support. I think this is more about making a human connection and not about a cost/benefit analysis. You can't measure in dollars how much it might mean to someone that you encounter and encourage. And you can't measure what this might mean in your own life and how it might affect your decision to go back again and again and form lasting relationships with people in Haiti and with those serving long term. A lot of times those who have been there for awhile are lonely and burnt out and really get an emotional lift out of someone visiting even if that person can't contribute a whole lot. Plus bring a bagful of things that are hard to ship down. I was born and raised in Haiti and my parents were missionaries there so that is where my perspective comes from.

[hbgwan, LPN, LVN]

Just want to send you some support. I think this is more about making a human connection and not about a cost/benefit analysis. You can't measure in dollars how much it might mean to someone that you encounter and encourage. And you can't measure what this might mean in your own life and how it might affect your decision to go back again and again and form lasting relationships with people in Haiti and with those serving long term. A lot of times those who have been there for awhile are lonely and burnt out and really get an emotional lift out of someone visiting even if that person can't contribute a whole lot. Plus bring a bagful of things that are hard to ship down. I was born and raised in Haiti and my parents were missionaries there so that is where my perspective comes from.

thank you!!

[Kashia, ASN, LVN]

Your post is from awhile ago, but may be this will reach you. If you are feeling you need to go strongly than perhaps the

thing to listen to. maybe God is whispering to you. it does not take a degree to help someone! Blessings to you

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

" i am trying not to take offense to the comment that my limited knowledge would not be of much use on a medical mission. does one have to be licensed to take vitals and assist those who are?"

think about this. if you were running such an operation with limited openings for staff, would you want someone with limited skills when you could have somebody who could take vitals, assist those who are, and do a whole lot of other things that students cannot do?

pray for patience, dear. it's not all about what you want. finish school, get some good experience, and then go look up paul farmer and do as much as you can with a better skill set.

[BacktoBasics]

i don't know why people are giving you so much grief about this. i am absolutely astounded of posters telling you that you wouldn't be helpful. if god is calling you to do something then act on it. he will provide the opportunity- trust in him. haiti can use whatever support they can get. as a nursing student you can absolutely be a support to medical missions, you just need to find the right one. i'm not sure where in the country you're located but look into friends of fort liberte (http://haitifriends.com/). missions provide both medical and construction support (they're building a new orphanage).

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

I went on a medical mission trip about 5 years ago with a local church group. While we had several nurses and a doc, we also had about 10 lay people. It was an amazing experience. Wishing you the best, OP.