Volunteer Nurses Needed for Hurricane Emergency!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Volunteer Nurses Needed for Hurricane Emergency!

We hope that you and your family have weathered the hurricane safely! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Many have not been as lucky as we have. The LA-OEP (Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness) is requesting healthcare volunteers. This includes ALL levels of nursing expertise. If you and your family are safe, please volunteer - there is a tremendous need for nurses. Call 225-389-2100 and ask for "Medical". They are expecting your call. If the line is busy, please keep calling.

Please pass this on to anyone you think may be of help. Thank you!

LSNA

Any nurses from IL interested in volunteering? Springfield area here, seriously considering going.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey guys. Try calling the Red Cross number in Louisiana. Here is the most recent number I have: 337-234-7371

If you want a list of updated information visit this website, they have the most accurate numbers and information I can find.

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

Your help is all very much appreciated. Thank you. If the numbers you call are busy, please keep trying, it is kind of hit or miss right now with our phone lines. We are relying on email to refer accurate information to other healthcare workers. Thanks again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
Any nurses from IL interested in volunteering? Springfield area here, seriously considering going.

Hi, I'm next door in Indiana and also thinking of going. Frustrated tho with the Red Cross. Called them over 24 hours ago and learned they still want a 3 week committment and they want this special disaster course to be completed first. Seems like we are wasting time here and those people are in a desperate situation with no time to spare. Even those going to "safe" places like Texas must need immediate attention, and I can't imagine that any one state has enough extra nurses around to handle this. I would think that if every willing nurse gave just 4-6 days if would make a huge difference, rather than letting us all stay home. (I completely understand that this will not be resolved in 4-6 days - but this would provide some immediate relief until better systems are implemented). Anyone got any guidance on this? What can I do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Dallas Emergency management - 214-670-4275

They need nurses to work in shelters and such.

Not sure if you have to have Texas lic or not. The BNE is expediting in some cases.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Volunteer Nurses Needed for Hurricane Emergency!

I am a labor and delivery nurse with 15 years of experience. I have had tons of calls in the past few days from travel companies asking me to take contracts to the area of the katrina victims.These are paid travel jobs but.. I just returned back to NC after a 13 week contract to Bay area of California so I cannot leave again for a long period of time. But, I am willing to give of my time for maybe a week or so to help out if I am needed. I will do it as a volunteer but I am a single mom and at this point have taken no job since returning from Calif. a few days ago.So, it would be brief. I would like to hear any feedback asap so I can know if my help is needed. I plan to do registry work in a few local hospitals here but have not dedicated any time yet and free to go and help if needed. Anyone who can give me info on how to be in touch with someone who may be able to help me get in touch with the people I need to be in touch with to help in any of the hospitals that are needing my help, please let me know asap. My prayers and thoughts are with you all in the aftermath of this disaster. I would love to help you guys there. I know you would do the same for us. Gail

LSNA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I live in Pensacola, FL and last year we were hit by Ivan. I want to share what others did for us. It was a small simple gesture, but it brought me to tears. There was a hospital in another state, unfortunately I don't even remember which state or hospital it was, but each of their nursing units chose a hospital and unit that had been affected by the storm and sent them a care package. Our unit received one of these care packages. It included all kinds of stress relief items, soaps, bath things, chocolate, candies, snacks, new nurse socks. Like I said it was simple, but so thoughtful. It meant a lot to all of us to know that others were thinking about us and that they cared.

That's a fantastic idea! Is there some way of organizing this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I emailed someone in upper management where I work to find out if the hospital is organizing anything, but nobody knows so far. But she said she was interested in going too. I never in my life thought I could feel so horribly for people that I don't even know. But I have this image of a news clip I caught earlier today of a man holding a newborn baby whose mother had died, and they had no food or water or formula to feed this tiny infant. It pulls at my heart and brings tears to my eyes to think about it. I know I need to do something.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is extremely valuable information in this entire thread. I know many want to help, but we have got to go through the proper channels. Hopefully all the information here will get you guys in touch with groups already organizing.

Thank you for you compassion and willingness to help. We will pull together through local, state, and federal chapters.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would be willing to head down also. The hospital I work for owns other hospitals throughout the gulf area that were affected by Katrina. I have contacted them directly and offered my time. I also e-mailed lsna.org to offer my time. I am in Minnesota and just recently returned from Florida. Hopefully I will be heading back south soon.

deedee :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I would be willing to head down also. The hospital I work for owns other hospitals throughout the gulf area that were affected by Katrina. I have contacted them directly and offered my time. I also e-mailed lsna.org to offer my time. I am in Minnesota and just recently returned from Florida. Hopefully I will be heading back south soon.

deedee :)

I am a psychiatric nurse from North Carolina. I too want to get on a plane tomorrow. The Astrodome is full of 11,000 people in shock. Does anyone know who I should contact in Houston to sign up?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How will the license issue be handled?

I looked on the ANA website and emailed the LA Nurses Association. All you have to do is have a current license in your home state and a picture ID. When you get your assignment in LA, contact the LA state board and they will clear you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I drove an hour and a half (each way) today to the closest Red Cross office that was providing "STAT" training for deployment to assist with Hurricane relief. I pressed the Disaster Manager several times, but the best answer I got was that RN's would be utilized in their professional capacity only if needed and otherwise would be assigned "other" duties. I don't want to go to the Gulf Coast and slop soup. Mass Support is an important task, but I'm an ED RN and I want to help in that capacity. Based on that, I'll NOT be volunteering with the Red Cross. I did, however, find a volunteer application on the Health and Human Services web site. Looks like they are desperately looking for nurses to fulfill nursing roles. Check out https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov/katrina_form.htm for more info.

Eric

Twain Harte, CA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment