If you're a nurse, this means you place a high value in caring for others and in playing an important role in a the healthcare industry. Many nurses find that working as a volunteer nurse can add fulfillment to their careers. Volunteering can make your time as a nurse even more rewarding as you will be helping others without expecting anything in return.
There are many opportunities for you to serve as a volunteer nurse if you have finished a CNA program or fulfilled your RN requirements. In fact, it can even be a way for a CNA to transition to an LPN. VolunteersMatter.org, a resource for nurses interested in doing volunteer work, explains that duties for volunteer nurses are often similar to the work you would be doing as an RN, LPN or CNA.
Most volunteering opportunities involve providing care to patients who can't afford health services. Under these circumstances, you might be performing basic clinical skills and direct patient care, providing food to patients, assisting with patient sanitation and doing clerical tasks.
Some volunteer opportunities can last for a year or longer and will include housing, travel and stipends. For example, the Peace Corps is typically looking for nurse volunteers to help with worldwide threats to public health such as HIV/AIDS. Working with an organization like the Peace Corps, you can provide public health education as well as clinical services. This is also a great way to meet new people, experience different cultures and travel all over the world.
There are many other organizations that offer volunteer opportunities and humanitarian work. The American Red Cross, for instance, depends on volunteers for about 95 percent of its workforce. Consider contacting a Red Cross near you to assist with services such as teaching people first aid and other lifesaving skills, helping at blood donation centers and responding to disasters. Volunteers for America is another organization that can allow you to find volunteering opportunities where you can use your nursing skills.
Contact one of these organizations today to find out how you can help. Volunteering is an excellent way to feel more connected with a community and your patients. You'll be surprised to see what a difference doing something so selfless can make on your outlook on life.
There are many opportunities for you to serve as a volunteer nurse if you have finished a CNA program or fulfilled your RN requirements. In fact, it can even be a way for a CNA to transition to an LPN. VolunteersMatter.org, a resource for nurses interested in doing volunteer work, explains that duties for volunteer nurses are often similar to the work you would be doing as an RN, LPN or CNA.
Most volunteering opportunities involve providing care to patients who can't afford health services. Under these circumstances, you might be performing basic clinical skills and direct patient care, providing food to patients, assisting with patient sanitation and doing clerical tasks.
Some volunteer opportunities can last for a year or longer and will include housing, travel and stipends. For example, the Peace Corps is typically looking for nurse volunteers to help with worldwide threats to public health such as HIV/AIDS. Working with an organization like the Peace Corps, you can provide public health education as well as clinical services. This is also a great way to meet new people, experience different cultures and travel all over the world.
There are many other organizations that offer volunteer opportunities and humanitarian work. The American Red Cross, for instance, depends on volunteers for about 95 percent of its workforce. Consider contacting a Red Cross near you to assist with services such as teaching people first aid and other lifesaving skills, helping at blood donation centers and responding to disasters. Volunteers for America is another organization that can allow you to find volunteering opportunities where you can use your nursing skills.
Contact one of these organizations today to find out how you can help. Volunteering is an excellent way to feel more connected with a community and your patients. You'll be surprised to see what a difference doing something so selfless can make on your outlook on life.
