RN wants to help fight Ebola

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Hello,

I have a question for the Infectious control nurses. I am currently working as a Hospice RN and visit people in their homes. However, I feel compelled to try to go to West Africa to help in the fight against Ebola. I am older and not trained in infectious control but am willing to learn all I can. My question is would I be a help or a hindrance? I know nurses are needed and I would rather put my older life on the line and maybe spare someone with their whole life ahead of them... I appreciate any insight this community can give.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Hello,

I have a question for the Infectious control nurses. I am currently working as a Hospice RN and visit people in their homes. However, I feel compelled to try to go to West Africa to help in the fight against Ebola. I am older and not trained in infectious control but am willing to learn all I can. My question is would I be a help or a hindrance? I know nurses are needed and I would rather put my older life on the line and maybe spare someone with their whole life ahead of them... I appreciate any insight this community can give.

Thank you.

Have you looked at DWB/MSF (Doctors without Borders)? I know many nations are extremely reluctant to allow outsiders in and there are significant travel & visa restrictions. Look at USCIS or one of the west African embassy sites and see if you are even eligible for travel.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

One story on the cdc training site for those intending to deploy to the Ebola Treatment Unit in west Africa stated they were seeking nurses with recent 2-year critical care experience and the course is in conjunction with MSF/DWB.

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PBS Newshour had a piece last night about a training program put together by the USPHS, training volunteers (nurses and physicians) to go work with Ebola in Africa. The training program is in, IIRC, Alabama. I'm sure there's a link on the PBS website to the piece.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The cdc class is in person in Alabama . I will see if I have a link but it seems you must already be scheduled/cleared to work in the ETU (affiliated with an organization urgently deploying licensed healthcare professionals to the affected areas of West Africa)

Here's the link:

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/safety-training-course/index.html?mobile=nocontent&s_cid=cs_1344

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

thread moved for best response.

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