Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders

[MurrR]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place or not, but here goes...

I'm in high school and I know I want to be a nurse. It's just something that suits me so well, and I want to do it so bad. But after nursing school, I get a little uncertain. A hospital sure sounds like a mixed bag, and I like the sound of a community clinic but they seem a little too structured for me. I like to take initiative and make decisions without someone breathing down my neck, and it sounds like that can happen in some institutions.

SO, to the point. I've been looking at MSF today and it's something that stirs me inside. The idea of helping people who otherwise would be unhelped is something I live by. So I wanted to know if any of the nurses here have ever worked in MSF or know someone who does and if they could describe it from their point of view. Thanks. :)

[zenman]

I haven't worked with MSF but have worked with church groups providing medical care in Mexico. It was very rewarding as the people there are so glad to get any help they can. Then you come home and a patient complains that their water pitcher is empty...slap, slap!

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

What is MSF?

[Rep]

What is MSF?

A group of doctors and nurses working in every environment, whether in war or peace, just to give care to the needy and victims of war. They had a presence in Afghanistan but pulled out early this year when one of their members was killed.

[begalli]

Hello.

I know of several of our docs and a few rns who have worked with this great organization. I don't know of anyone who has recently been involved but one icu rn who participated several years ago loved and grew from the experience. I know our hosiptal is actively involved, I just don't know anyone at the moment who's doing it.

She was the only rn with 2 docs, an anesthesiologist, and a dentist. They flew a mainstream airline into Mexico and then hopped a small plane into a remote region where they had people come to them (walking) from miles away. No roads, and nothing close to the "modern" comforts we enjoy at home. They set up shop and performed exams, minor surgeries, and dental procedures. The "natives" loved them!

Deep down inside, I wish I could do something like this. My problem is that I can't afford it at this point in my life. Participants have to pay a couple thousand dollars to go and pretty much round up their own equipment and supplies.

Good luck to you. If you can do it, I would think that it would be very rewarding and fun.

[begalli]

I think it's great that you're so into nursing! Seems like you realize that nursing is more than simply tucking people into bed and you already see beyond those "we care" commercials on television.

Nursing has such broad opportunities. You want to be autonomous, you can. You do need to start somewhere however. A good place to start out of nursing school is a large teaching hospital.

Maybe one day you can run your own clinic!

:)