Nursing in a Third World Country

[awojcik]

I am a current nursing student that is very interested in volunteer work that relates to my field. It was always a dream of mine to go to Africa and educate and treat patients who are in a poverty level. I have wanted to do this because I think it is important to see other cultures and countries who are so different than ours. I am looking for people who have gone on a trip to any country and done volunteer work in the field of nursing...What types of people did you care for? Where did you go? What was your day-to-day schedule? Would you recommend this to a nursing student or prospective RN? I have previously been researching but have yet found someone who has experienced this themselves.

[ixchel]

I personally have not, but my cohort had an opportunity to go to Africa over this past winter break. A handful of young ladies did go, and they had one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. Check out your program's study abroad options. If there aren't any, maybe look into other nearby universities and see if they have any opportunities you might be able to join. After you graduate, life will happen, and you may never get another chance to do something like this again. I HIGHLY recommend making this opportunity available for yourself if at all possible.

[Carrie RN]

Go to any community health center, you would be surprised what it is like here in the US.

[itinerantPHNAK]

I traveled to africa for 2 months right after i graduated nursing school. I was worked in a delivery room in Africa. I probably saw 4-5 deliveries a day in my 6-7 hour shift.

I would highly recommend traveling to anyone, however, i would say get a little bit of experience first. I loved my time in africa and it shaped the way that I view nursing how. But I constantly wished I was more comfortable with skills. The nurses there are so busy that they dont have time to stand over you while you start an IV or draw up medication. They also frequently dont have supplies that you are used to. I not only was a little shakey on starting an IV to begin with, i was now trying to do it with a straight needle. if you say you are a nurse, they are going to immediately start asking you do to do things.

Also, like Carrie RN said, a good place to start in the US would be community health centers. You will see many of the same problems here in the US as you do abroad. and similar situations, no english? no insurance? no prenatal care? Infectious diseases? ya.

In conclusion, I would recommend travel to anyone and everyone. Just make sure you are solid on nursing basics first.

[softrbreeze]

Thank you all for your excellent advice. I've often thought about doing some volunteer nursing in Africa or maybe South America myself. Will probably have to wait for retirement though....

[plainfieldguy]

It is definitely worth the experience! As a nursing student you may be limited in what you can do so check with the organization. Some trips are specifically for nursing students--I believe International Medical Relief organizes trips specifically for nursing students so that might be a good place to start. I have volunteered with Refuge International (to Guatemala), but the nursing students on that trip had a faculty member with them so I don't know what you would be allowed to do as a nursing student on your own. Do a few internet searches using terms like 'nursing mission trip' or 'international/global service learning' and you'll probably come up with other organizations.