Nurses W/ Humanitarian Pursuits

Vito Andolini · Oct 6, 2008

Google "UN" or call them up.

AWanderingMinstral · Oct 6, 2008

I was in the Peace Corps and I am (sort of) considering how I can use my nursing background to work in global health. I am in the process of applying to master's in public health programs. To work for the United Nations, you often need a master's degree and you must be fluent in English as well as another United Nations language (French is at the top of the list). They have multiple internship opportunities, but, because they are often in New York, it can be difficulty, if you are not born with a silver spoon in your mouth, to work for free in New York. As a nurse, however, that may be more feasible due to the higher wages and flexible work schedule. I'm really not sure if they often have positions for nurses. Nurses with a background/education in maternal and child health, public health, and international development are probably more valuable to the organization. If you have six to twelve months, you could try Doctors Without Borders. They require a minimum of two years of experience and no lengthy break from a clinical setting. In addition, facility with a foreign language, especially French, is valuable. Good luck!

IIIseeyaa · Oct 6, 2008

Thank you guys,

I wanted to be of service to others in foreign countries and thought the UN was the way to go, I am thinking of getting my Masters in leadership hoping this would help.

I was not born with any spoon in my mouth much less a silver one so I cannot afford to do anything without working. Someone told me the UN was to way to go for hamanitarian services but I guess not. I will try other avenues.

Thank you all for the information, I will look up Doctor's with Borders.

IIIseeyaa

allnurses Guide · Oct 7, 2008

If you are religious, just about all denominations have some type of service branch.

I volunteered with a small private group in Asia, saw an article about them in a women's magazine (20+ years ago, lol).

Doctors without Borders does a lot, as well as the Peace Corps. Organizations that do reconstructive surgery go all over, the JEN recently had a great article about a group that traveled all over. There are teams that have gone into Russia and, as English as a Second Language volunteers in colleges.

Google volunteer opportunities, you'll get tons of stuff.