James1:27

Hello All, My name is Cameron, and I'm a male undergraduate nursing student. Here's the deal: I am set on becoming a medical missionary to a third-world country, preferably East Africa (an area where the living conditions are perhaps some of the worst in the world). Before this happens, I would like to obtain an advanced nursing degree to best prepare me for serving others. I have a strong interest in working with orphans, though I am open to all scopes of practice. I would like to have the freedom to venture outside of the hospital itself to seek out those who do not have the luxury of medical care- be it monetary limitations, physical distance from a hospital, or family responsibilities that render such a venture impossible. Given these parameters, I believe that (in my extremely limited knowledge) it may be best to pursue a nurse practitioner degree... maybe family practice or pediatric practice. So my first question is: what are the most significant differences between FNP and PNP, and would it really make all that much of a difference when working in a third-world country? Which degree, in your opinion, would allow me to practice nursing on a greater, far-reaching scope? Keep in mind, East Africa has some of the highest fertility rates in the world, and consequently, pediatric nursing may be a more useful degree in a country where 50% of the population is children. Although I have listed these specific interests of mine, I am no expert in the area of administering healthcare to third-world countries. Please, if you have knowledge or expertise in the matter, tell me how I can be most serviceable to those who need it most. Thank you all for your opinions and insight. You will undoubtedly help shape my future as a nurse. God bless. In Him alone, Cameron