Working or volunteering abroad

suzanne4, RN · Apr 12, 2005

Does anyone know of programs where you can work abroad (or volunteer but get paid a stipend and airfare and all that) as an RN? I know about Doctors w/o Borders but you need 2 years experience for that. I am interested in programs that allow new grads and that are up to 6 months long.
Thanks :)

Sorry but I do not know of one place that will take you without experience...............Your learning curve doesn't begin until you actullay begin working and go thru a hospital orientation. Schooling alone doesn't prepare you for anything like this. Get the experience first, there is a reason why it is needed and wanted.

bigmona · Apr 12, 2005

Sorry but I do not know of one place that will take you without experience...............Your learning curve doesn't begin until you actullay begin working and go thru a hospital orientation. Schooling alone doesn't prepare you for anything like this. Get the experience first, there is a reason why it is needed and wanted.

thanks for the input.. just to clarify, I definitely plan on having a year's experience working somewhere before doing something like this. I should have put "relatively new" grad. I just don't want to wait 2 years.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Apr 15, 2005

If you are itching to travel and experience very different things, why don't you travel nurse after a year of experience. You can go to New York City, US Virgin Islands, a rural hospital in Texas and experience something very new and exciting. Travel for a year and then apply for Doctors Without Borders. Working internationally in impoverished places really requires at least two years experience. But if your antsy like me, try travel nursing in between.

lalaxton · Apr 15, 2005

Here is a great article on medscape by two nurses who volunteered to go over and help after the tsunami.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/501567?src=hp24.infocus

It may give you some insight into the kind of experience you may be in for.