RN for Red Cross?

dragonfly954 · Jan 11, 2004

They will not take paid nurses here,but will gladly let you volunteer with training!

RN30years · Jan 11, 2004

I worked for the Red Cross for over 10 years. I worked in whole blood collection for 6. It was a great Job we traveled over 150 mile radius and set up collection sites in churches and armories, schools and factories! I loved it but after I started a family the hours were not in sink with Day care providers. :) Now that my children are older I would love to go back. When I worked with the Red Cross they hired only RNs now I believe they use alot of Techs.

Good luck

sjoe · Jan 12, 2004

Just understand that if you do blood collections for the ARC, that this is a HIGHLY regulated industry. There is NO room for "winging it" or doing things your own way. The FDA treats it as it treats drug manufacturers--EVERYTHING has to ALWAYS be done EXACTLY the IDENTICAL way EVERY time and the paperwork has to ALWAYS reflect EACH LITTLE DETAIL!

I kid you not. Probably the only other kinds of nursing that are even close to this in precision and rigidity might be clinical drug research nursing and/or OR nursing.

If you want to "go with your intuition" and stuff like that, then blood collections is NOT the place for you. But if you like the idea of being able to become an expert at one part of healthcare, blood collections (like TB clinics) is a good place to do it.

RN30years · Jan 12, 2004

I worked for the Red Cross from 76-1990 I was there during the discovery of HIV transmition thru donated blood... and yes it is a very regulated industry, but it was one of the best jobs I ever had. Blood donors are healthy and generous people. It is very different than careing for the ill.

people are happy and the the staff is happy. Look into it! I think you might find it very rewarding!