Worldwide Office: Best Volunteer Avenues for Nurses Who Want to Travel
Becoming a volunteer is one of the best ways for nurses to travel the world and use their medical skills where they are most needed. They get the chance to learn more about new countries and cultures at the same time they help to make the world a better place. There are loads of different volunteer opportunities out there for those interested in traveling to foreign lands, but not all of them are worth your time. Here is a look at some of the best volunteer avenues available for nurses who want to travel.
Nepal Medical Elective
For any nurse who wants to see the majesty of the Himalayas, the Nepal Medical Elective is a fantastic opportunity. Nurses are placed at either a hospital in Kathmandu, a hospital in Chitwan, or a medical school in Bhaktapur. They will get the chance to volunteer in many different areas, including oncology, radiology, burn unit, emergency, pediatrics, geriatrics and the ICU.
Global Vision International (GVI)
This program has projects in Thailand, South Africa, Nepal, Mexico, India, and Fiji. Volunteers of all backgrounds are accepted for this program, but anyone who has medical skills is particularly prized. Anyone getting a nursing degree would be very welcome and if you are getting an RN to BSN online in Florida or from another program, you can use your experience to help boost your resume as well. GVI’s programs are wide-ranging, but they always target low-income patients. The volunteers are able to customize their volunteer experiences of between two to 12 weeks.
African Impact
As most of us are aware, the healthcare systems in parts of Africa can be very poor. It is particularly poor or even non-existent in most rural areas. African Impact will allow nurses to practice their skills in beautiful, rural areas of Africa. This is a volunteer program that gives nurses a chance to provide medical care for people who need it the most.
Agape Volunteers
This is another volunteer opportunity for nurses who would like to make a difference in Africa. Nurses who go through Agape Volunteers will have the chance to go to Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, and Maasai-land. This program has lots of extracurricular activities that will take volunteers out to explore some of the outdoor opportunities available like hiking, rafting, and even wildlife viewing.
These are just four amazing programs that nurses can use to travel to exotic lands and help the needy. There are many other opportunities available for nurses, and the times are flexible to accommodate their schedules. Don’t just jump at the first program you look at. Do some research and ask the program representatives questions. The key is to find a volunteer experience that has the best combinations of features to make it a memorable one.
Please also review our healthcare certifications for nurses.