How do you have time to volunteer especially to other countrys?

Nurses General Nursing

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Part of the reason why I want to become a travel nurse is because I wasnt to volunteer in other countries. It seems like the only way I would afford going financially and time wise so im excites to start saving! Those of you who arent travel nurses how on earth do you get to volunteer long term or in other countries?? Thanks!

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

You pay your own expenses even you volunteer overseas as a registered nurse

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I think you are perhaps not understanding what a 'travel nurse' does. A nurse who accepts a traveling assignment GENERALLY stays in the US and fills a staff nurse position at a hospital- urban or rural- that has a need. They are not GENERALLY speaking leaving the country and performing charitable work. They are just working a regular job in a different place every 13 weeks or so.

VOLUNTEER mission-type work is done, as the PP stated, on one's own dime and on one's vacation time away from one's paying job.

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SORRY I WASNT CLEAR. I know what travel nursing is and i know what volunteer work is. The only way i see myself volunteering abroad is if i do travel assignments because i can have time off between assignments and still have work after a mission and want to work again. You see what I mean now? Work a 13 week assignment, dont renew my contract, travel abroad and volunteer, come back and set up another assignment! Also with housing covered I have plenty of $ to save to pay my OWN TRAVEL EXPENSES to volunteer missions. I want to know how non travel nurses volunteer because they have permanent jobs. If I dont travel I want to know the possibilities to volunteer while holding permanent job. How do they have time to do missions? Sorry i wasnt clear!! Thanks!!

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Please read my updated comment below. Sorry I wasnt clear!!

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Oh i made a typo! I meant those of you who are STAFF NURSES. How do you find time to volunteer! Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

AH- I understand now. My church has typically a dozen or so short-term mission trips every year. People go on their vacation time typically. For example, we recently paid for a maternity clinic for HIV+ women in the Ivory Coast, and sent a team of folks over to paint, landscape and get it ready for opening. They all have regular jobs, saved their $$ to pay their own way (some saved for over a year) and used all of their vacation time from work for the entire year to be able to go.

I guess the answer to your question is just save and sacrifice!

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Oh so they only get to go depending on their vacation time! Which means only one a year probably :( I see thanks!

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I wonder if there are any organizations that partner with health care facilities where staff would have multiple opportunities to volunteer throughout the year that way their job stays secure. That would be awesome. Sorry for the many typos. Maybe I shouldn't write posts in the middle of the night ha

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

There are several facilities/health systems that partner with specific missionary groups in my area. Sometimes if you check a facility's PR or press release archive you can find usually this information. I know the one system "co-sponsors" annual and the other system twice yearly trips. The RNs, PTs, DDS/DMD, CNM & physicians that go pay their own expenses. (CNAs & LPNs are not recognized in the countries traveled to by these groups, nor are CNAs & LPNs eligible for the type of visa used. Many countries outside the US do not recognize CNA or LPN)

As far as your goal to do 13 week travel assignments and volunteer in between for missionary work, the goal is admirable and feasible with careful budgeting. Some of the tax advantages of travel nursing (such as tax free housing & living expense stipends) are not available without a permanent home. However again with careful planning, the personal benefit of volunteer work, working in different locales several times a year can be fulfilling as that seems to be your interest.

Many countries require even volunteer nurses to meet local licensing requirements to volunteer in a healthcare role (such as meet the minimum education standards of BSN/RN) otherwise the volunteer can only perform in a administrative/support capacity. Just something to consider as you've posted an interest in furthering your education.

To get an idea of what some of the requirements and opportunities to volunteer overseas look at the doctors without borders website. Many secular groups (not all) utilize similar standards but don't require as long of a time requirement as DWB/MSF.

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

Staff nurses are usually limited to once a year as the volunteer commitment is often 3-4 weeks and most staff nurses don't get more vacation time than 4 weeks. I know one nurse that takes a personal leave of absence to volunteer and saves paid vacation for pleasure travel.

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Thanks for your info! I do plan on doing non Healthcare role volunteering!

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