Summer Internships??? HELP!

[leara]

Hello, everyone!

I have been researching summer opportunities for nursing students. Sadly, I have not found many options. Because I am now in the middle of a nursing program and cannot spend a semester abroad, I would love to spend a summer overseas, working in a different healthcare setting. I know this would greatly enrich my worldview, and especially, broaden my nursing skill set and knowledge.

I am open to any nursing or healthcare internship* type program. I would prefer to travel with a Christian and/or a charitable/non-profit organization. I don't need anything ritzy or grandiose, rather I would like to travel to an area of poverty and need that I can truly be of help in.

Even if you know of a legitimate orphanage or something of the like that needs assistance medically, I would be interested in hearing about that, too.

Thanks in advance!

-Leara W.

*I'm not naive enough to be looking for a paid position. I understand that I'll be spending a pretty penny on this endeavor!

[verene, MSN]

I would talk to your school first to see if they know of programs that previous students have gone on. There may even be an option in conjunction with your school - I know my school had an option for students to spend a month in central America assisting in a community clinic and it counted for academic credit with the school, but it did have some pretty strict requirements (e.g. grades, minimum spanish speaking abilities) and only a handful of students were selected to go each year.