clara76

I will certainly try that website. I have spent a lot of time the last month or so especially, but over the last year searching for volunteer opportunities that are in the U.S. or NOrth/South/Central America that I could work into my schedule and have not been very successful. I will keep trying. Thanks for the heads up!

Now that you point it out, I suppose it would be more accurate to call it an unexpected or even creative question. It did clue me into the fact that the person was listening and taking the advice to protect themselves seriously.

Scrubs definitely are an equalizer...so are patient gowns! I had one patient ask me why so many of the nurses came to work in their pj's!

I have worked with both PA's and NP's. Both are great. Most of the PA's I have worked with have been RN's first. I feel they seem to blend both models fairly well and practice more holistic medicine. I have also worked with NP's and they do seem to have a more autonomous practice. There are differences such as who can prescribe meds, etc. but that might just be in Pennsylvania. Either route you choose, it sounds like you have a true desire to provide excellant care. Good luck to you!

I could be wrong, but I think that in general, the medical model tends to be more geared to diagnosis and curing/treating. The nursing model in my view considers the whole person, and gets more involved with various aspects of the patients life, their home situation, their familiy dynamics, the patients view of being healthy and helping them to achieve the best life/health possible for them. Also, I believe the nursing model involves more patient education. I could be wrong on this, but I tend to view it this way. I know I have some literature on this, I'll try to dig it up in the next day or so.

That's hilarious!! I work at a State Funded STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) clinic and I have been asked a lot of strange questions like "Will saran wrap work as protection during oral sex if I can't get a dental dam?" But I think this is even better. Opportunities to educate the public present themselves in the most unexpected ways.....

After 25 years as an LPN I returned to school to earn my RN. One of the motivation factors was a sincere desire to be a part of short term medical missions. I am particularly interested in underserved populations and cultures with unique medical problems and needs. Is anyone aware of any ligitimate opportunities to serve as a volunteer nurse at a Native American Clinic or medical facility? I would be available for 2 weeks any time after Mid June? I know that Rosebud Reservation has or had a medical facility, but can't seem to get anywhere with inquiries. Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks, clara76