Nurses are present in every community, in virtually every setting. We’re everywhere.
Naturally, nurses are some of the most altruistic people on the planet. You have to admit it takes a certain personality (and dare I say it – calling – even) to care for hundreds of complete strangers throughout the year.
Even when nurses aren’t caring for others professionally, they’re often caring for others personally – in their churches, with their favorite nonprofits, during times of crisis. About 80% of the nurses I know volunteer in several capacities. (I counted five organizations I personally volunteer with; it seems like my list grows annually.)
It’s our instinct to help.
According to the ANA, there are 3.1 million Registered Nurses in the U.S. (According to NFLPN, there are an additional one million Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses in the U.S.) All of that knowledge. All of that expertise. All of that passion. Poured into our communities via volunteerism.
For perspective: If only 50% of only RNs volunteered with one organization for five hours each month, at a meager rate of $25/hour, that’s $187.5 Million of in-kind donations! Cha-Ching!
So, nurses, where do you volunteer? How many organizations do you volunteer with? Tell me about them and why you love volunteering with them. If you’re a nonprofit person, are you tapping into the nursing expertise in your community? If not, what’s the barrier? If so, how are you reaching and utilizing nurses?
Julie
July 20, 2010 9:56 pmI am volunteering in my church’s free clinic! It’s brand-new, and it’s so much fun to be part of a launch!
nursetopia
July 20, 2010 10:10 pmRock on, Julie! That’s so awesome that your church actually has a free clinic. What kind of services is the clinic launching with?
Julie
July 21, 2010 4:15 pmWe have docs, nurses, nutritionists, a diabetes educator, and a few other random professionals, depending on the night. We can do urine dips, but we aren’t doing blood draws yet. The docs will write prescriptions, and they make an effort to write from the $4 generic list whenever possible. We also have people who will connect the patients with other resources if they have a long-term medical need.
nursetopia
July 21, 2010 5:21 pmSweet!
Maxiine
February 5, 2011 10:45 pmI am an operating room nurse and use my vacation time to volunteer on sugical missions in some remote part of our world…I usually have to use my own funds to get to these places, ( Kenya, Bangkok & China) but usually breakfast, lunch and board are taken care of.
My life is enriched and I will continue to volunteer until I can no longer!!!
nursetopia
February 6, 2011 8:00 amWay cool, Maxiine!!