Nursing in the Third World

[rpcvVanuatu]

I'm a student at an accelerated nursing program. I want to work in third world when I graduate. I'm a returned Peace Corps volunteer and the desire to practice actual nursing skills vs. public health awareness only in the places where its needed most is why I went to nursing school in the first place. Any advice on how/ where I should look for jobs when I graduate next year or if you all could share some experiences it would be helpful. As I said I have third world experience and comfort, lifestyle, relative safety is not much of an issue. I would require some form of compensation evens if its not close to what US standards are, I don't have the savings to just volunteer. I would prefer to work in an urban or semi-urban environment in a place with at least a small expat community, and English would have to be the main language at work. If learning spanish or french is a requirement at these places I can make every effort to become at least sufficient. Thanks for your feedback.

[JBudd, MSN]

I would recommend getting some experience as a nurse, not "just" as a Peace Corp volunteer. I also had plans to go 3rd world as a grad, and was strongly encouraged to get some work under my belt first. I'm really glad that I did!

Hospital conditions are very different, not just lifestyle and comfort. I've worked and taught in several different places, but as a volunteer so I can't really point you towards any companies. What was provided was meals and a room.

But procedures get done very differently, and cannot always just be changed or updated because they are set by the state as nursing protocols (really had my eyes opened by some stuff that belongs back in the 50's....). Also, getting a license to work long term is going to be challenge, as some countries have very strict rules about coming in on a work visa.

Doctor/nurse relations are also different, nursing opinions are not always respected; on the other hand, sometimes the nurses take on far more responsibility than we are allowed here with out advanced training.

Try getting some good first aid classes, perhaps even some first responder stuff; as even those services may be in short supply, depending on where you are. What will you do if there is no pacer available? (happened to me, the pt died).

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I strongly agree with the post above -- spend at least a year in a more structured setting, solidifying your skills and knowledge base. This will not only make you far more valuable in a "Third World" setting with limited resources, but also provide you with some solid verifiable work history should you later return to the US.

I am curious -- as an experienced Peace Corps volunteer, do you believe that nursing in "places where its needed most" may not be places where there is "a small expat community" and where English is the main language at work?

[rpcvVanuatu]

I can clarify a bit. After graduation I plan on working at least 2 years in a structured setting in the U.S to build my skill set and find my place in nursing a bit more. I'm thinking long term, I didn't make that clear. To settle the second question, having a small community of expats, whether it be a few non profit or business employees can be very helpful both in terms of maintaining your sanity and helping pool resources. It is also pretty rare for there not to be one in any kind of population center, by saying that I was clarifying that I am not looking to live in a super isolated setting, I've done that and it makes for a very difficult and lonely life. It commendable and rewarding in short term assignments but i want to settle in somewhere for a while. The english thing is practical, and many places use english, french or spanish as their official language because their population themselves speak a number of languages. Its true of business and to my knowledge true of medicine as well. Mostly I'm just hoping to hear other people's stories, I know international nursing is a thing, I've met some of them, I just want to hear how people got there.

[JBudd, MSN]

Well, the first time was by contacting a group written about in a ladies magazine, just called the director mentioned in the article.

The other times have been through my church denomination; mostly short term. One place I have made some really good friends, and go back every few years when I can. Airfare sure adds up though!

[Penguin67]

Just a quick FYI..."third world" is not considered to be PC. Instead use "developing country" as a term. Good luck with the Peace Cprps!

[thenursemandy]

I find "third-world" to be demeaning. My husband is from a developing nation, Kenya, not some other world, as if he is an alien or something.

Anyway, I wish you luck in your nursing journey. Dream big and go far! :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You would need to be licensed in whatever country you are practicing in. Even developing countries have legal requirements for clinical practice. Language fluency will most likely be required also. I work for a faith-based health care system. We provide volunteers for a variety of episodic crisis response teams. We pay travel & salary for those folks, but that is certainly not the norm. We do have facilities in less-developed areas of Mexico & Chile also, but these are staffed with citizens of those countries.

To my knowledge, most of the 'charitable' health care endeavors are staffed with volunteers who must also pay their own travel expenses. I do know two highly expert OR nurses & a CRNA who worked with specialty initiatives @ eye surgery & maxio-facial repair. They did receive salaries, but it was very minimal & their contracts were limited - 1 year, I think. I think the biggest problem will be wanting a 'paid' position working with a disadvantaged population.... difficult to find something that includes both.

Have you looked at the World Health Organization WHO | Programmes and projects , Salvation Army The Salvation Army International - International Health Services & Catholic Health Association International Outreach Overview - CHA? I know that there are a many of health care initiatives listed on those sites.