Missionary work

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jan 2, 2004

I have no advice for you but I think that would be totally awesome to help people like that.

Good luck!

Marilyn

jemb · Jan 2, 2004

A nurse I worked with at another hospital did mission work in Mexico. She flew down there with a small group of doctors and nurses one weekend a month. She was with an organization similar to "Doctors without Borders". I haven't been in touch with her for awhile, but might be able to track her down if no one on this board can help.

Nurse2bSandy · Jan 2, 2004

I did a quick google search and came up with a few sites...

http://www.mexicanmedical.com

http://www.healthenations.com

http://www.healthserve.org

there are many more out there.

I also want to do some volunteer work once I have my RN and have been researching this myself. Many of these look like good opportunities. I hope others out there actually have some experience to share.

angelbear · Jan 2, 2004

I too would love to do something like this. Please post if you find more sites with info.

Loribabble · Jan 2, 2004

I don't know of any specific organizations to Mexico, but Nurses Christian Fellowship has a mission page with information regarding organizations and also there is a Global Health Missions conference every year in Kentucky - their site has some info too. I was able to go this last November and it was awesome!

I have sone mission work in Zimbabwe. I am working on my BSN so that I can go full-time. It is a very rural hospital and the people are wonderful. We take volunteers for 2 weeks to 6 months - and would love to have any help. If you would like more information you can PM me.

http://www.intervarsity.org/ncf/missions/faq.html

http://www.medicalmissions.com/

Lori

bluesky, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2004

I'm not trying to be a troll or anything, but Mexico is actually wealthy relative to some other countries in Latin America such as Nicaragua and Guatemala that have been ravaged by war and natural disasters. Hispaniola (Haiti and Santo Domingo) is also extremely destitute.

I delivered medical supplies with a group called 'Pastors for Peace' and drove from Ann Arbor, MI to Managua, Nicaragua (through Mexico, El Salvador, etc...).

There is truely a stark contrast between Mexico and the other latin countries. Nicaragua is ESPECIALLY compelling. You will be approached by barefoot homeless children (the only worse I have seen are in the favellas in Rio and of course the famine stricken sub-Sahara) who live in run down shacks if at all. I could post some of the photographs I took so you could see but I'd have to gain access to a scanner...

zenman · Jan 2, 2004

Try MEDICO at http://www.medico.org/. in addition to those on the other posts. Also some church groups arrange mission trips. I've been to Mexico twice, once with some MD, NPs and me providing PT (I'm a Zen Shiatsu therapist also) and once with no MDs, only me and the NPs. I loved it and the people are so nice and never complain. You have to be careful though because once you get back and a patient complains about their water picther not being full you want to slap the crap out of them!

Deaconess · Jan 2, 2004

I would also love to use my nursing skills in a mission setting. Some organizations I know of are YWAM's Mercy Ships, which are hospital ships that sail to various ports offering surgeries and other medical care. YWAM also has a division called Mercy Works that also sets up medical mission trips. There is also an organization out of Oregon, Northwest something or other, that is a Christian medical organization does disaster relief work and medical mission trips. I would also ask any Christian doctors that you know if they know of any opportunities. In my region, several Christian doctors have organized their own medical mission trips through their churches.

My recommendation is to become active in an outreach and evangelism-oriented church, get some good RN experience behind you and opportunities will find you. Start praying that God would place you on the right team in the right country at the right time.

kate930 · Jan 2, 2004

I don't know of any missionary agencies that specifically target Mexico, but Hearts to Honduras has a great program.

My husband and I have went on several humanitarian missions to the Philippines. These were through a private group who footed the capital.

We really have enjoyed it and definitely plan to search out other humanitarian/missionary opportunities in a couple more years.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2004

WOW!!!

You guys are great!!! I am recieving all kinds of great tips here!!! I plan on checking EVERYONE of them out as soon as I get back home from work this evening!!! You guys are awesome!!! I just figure that it would be so rewarding!!!

Mission1 · May 17, 2008

Hey, I also do Mission Work! There are several ways to do short term Mission work as a nurse>

1) Go to hopethatheals.org they go all over the world including Mexico every year and they need nurses for their Spring 09 trip!

2) Go to levitt.com they do 1 mission trip to Israel a year! This will be the first year, It is called the Bless Israel Tour and they are a group of Messianic Jews. I have been with them before and am returning 2 more times in the next year. This is not a medical mission but it is Awesome!

3) Go to mercyships.com or mercyships.org this is a group of ships that sail to poor countries and provide medical care. I have not been with this group yet but ut sounds cool!

Hope that helps!1

God Bless and Shalom

Martha