Intercollegiate College of Nursing

International Programs

Links to International Volunteer Opportunities


Most, but not all of these, are offered by religious organizations. Most do not offer paid positions and most require that participants pay their own expenses which are tax deductible. The list is divided into 2 parts: Service Organizations and Educational Opportunities. The latter group provides global learning opportunities and supervision/educational support for student participants.


Useful Resource for anyone planning to volunteer with any international organization

International Volunteer Programs Organization
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/index-principles2.htm

This site provides specific information about what to look for when choosing a volunteer opportunity, sources for various types of volunteer opportunities, and links to member organizations. Of particular help are the section “Things to Know” that lists principles and practices that assure program quality and provide a basis for selecting a worthwhile program. The section entitled “How to volunteer abroad” is particularly helpful in considering how to finance such trips and how to prepare for them.


Service Organizations

American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
http://www.ajws.org/

“AJWS supports more than 200 grassroots organizations in the developing world and Russia and Ukraine through grant making, technical assistance, emergency relief and advocacy. We also provide unique international service opportunities for the Jewish community, enabling Jews to play an active role in the process of meaningful social change. Last year we sent over 300 volunteers to the developing world.” Clicking on “Service Programs” or “Health” will give you a wide range of short term opportunities. The programs that seem the most relevant to nursing students are Jewish Volunteer Corps and the Alternative Breaks.

Christian Connections for International Health
http://www.ccih.org/

“The mission of Christian Connections for International Health is to promote international health and wholeness from a Christian perspective. CCIH provides field-oriented information resources and a forum for discussion, networking, and fellowship to the spectrum of Christian organizations and individuals working in international health.”

This site includes a database of connections to job search resources for International Health Care (see “Job Search”). There are materials on AIDS, Malaria, TB.

Global Missions Health Conference. (2004)
http://www.southeastchristian.org/gmhc_index.cfm

This site includes the latest information regarding the annual Global Missions Health Conference. The Global Missions Health Conference is a Christian conference that hopes to inspire health professionals to participate in international health care. It addresses needs, recruits volunteers, and provides international health specific training and missionary connections. This site has links to co-sponsors that are missionary organizations and international health connection websites.

International Council of Nursing
http://www.icn.ch/addresslist.htm

To represent nursing worldwide, advancing the profession and influencing health policy.

“The International Council of Nurses is a federation of national nurses’ associations (NNAs), representing nurses in more than 120 countries. Founded in 1899, ICN is the world’s first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals. Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce. “ There are no individual members of ICN. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a member of ICN, so if you are a member of ANA you are also an ICN member. This website does not provide opportunities for nursing abroad but describes activities in various countries related to professional practice, nursing regulation and socioeconomic welfare for nurses. Information in the newsroom is particularly interesting.

International Health Care Foundation (IHCF)
http://www.ihcf.net/

IHCF’s purpose is to serve Jesus Christ by serving the people of Nigeria and Ghana and meeting their health needs in whatever form they can. Nurses are currently being recruited for long term assignments in Ghana and Nigeria (see “Opportunities”).

Medecins Sans Frontiers/ Doctors without Borders
http://www.msf.org/volunteer/index.cfm and http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

“This organization originated in France is “an independent humanitarian medical aid agency committed to two objectives: Providing medical aid wherever needed, regardless of race, religion, politics or sex and raising the awareness of the plight of the people we help.” Opportunities for service are open to experienced health care professionals. Acceptance as a volunteer requires an in-person interview in New York City.

Medical Ministry International
http://www.mmint.org/main_page.aspx

MMI is an organization with “official permission to conduct medical and surgical clinics and bring supplies into each country (that it serves) without customs duty.” Those interested in short-term trips apply as volunteers and are assigned roles based on their skill level, experience, and past participation with MMI. Costs range from $660 to $875.

Mercy Ships: Bring Hope and Healing
http://www.mercyships.org/

Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated a growing fleet of hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide. The site provides information on short and long term opportunities.

Mission Finder: Classified Directories of Christian Missions Opportunities
http://www.mfinder.org/index.htm

This site is focused on helping Nursing, Dental, Medical, and Education Students find opportunities in missions worldwide. It is easy to use. You simply enter your mission interests as well as countries you would like to serve. After a few moments, the search engine will show you missions that are available, according your specified fields, through a wide variety of organizations. Current openings are highlighted on the opening page.

People 4 Peru
http://www.peopleofperu.org

The People of Peru Project is providing aid to the region of Peru at the headwaters of the Amazon River. Iquitos is a city of 400,000 people surrounded by thousands of square miles of jungle. This city is plagued by poverty and all that comes with it. Disease, parasites, malnutrition, rampant tooth decay and premature death are but a few.” This is the group that sponsored the trip taken by 18 students and recent graduates to provide health care. Information about future ICN sponsored trips with this group will be posted on the ICN web site.

Project Medsend
http://www.medsend.org/

"Project Medsend is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help missionaries pay back their college loans in effort to help them reach their international destination sooner. Their mission is to enable to Healthcare Workers to serve around the world.” They offer financial counseling, will work to develop funds to pay back. Associated with Global Missions Health Conference.

Unite for Sight
http://www.uniteforsite.org

"Unite for Sight is a non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness. More than 4,000 volunteers work in ninety chapters established at universities, medical schools, corporations, high schools, and in communities throughout the world. Additionally, Volunteer Teams are sent to 25 countries to provide eye care and eye health education programs to medically underserved communities.” This organization sends teams several times a year mostly in Africa. You can get on their mailing list and receive information on upcoming events.

Volunteer Anesthesia Overseas. (n.d.).
http://www.aana.com/volunteer/overseas.asp

This site is specifically designed for nurse anesthetists. It includes worldwide opportunities for CRNAs. This site also addresses information regarding passports, visas, prescriptions, health precautions, sanitation

Educational/Service Organizations

CIEE Summer Study Program in Public Health in the Dominican Republic
http://www.ciee.org/program_search/program_detail.aspx?program_id=125

One ICN student has participated in this valuable program which includes both theory and clinical classes in Public Health. Besides attending classes and learning about Public health issues and priorities worldwide and in the DR students participate in assessing community health needs and in teaching groups of young people in the cities and countryside.

Since the classes are taught in Spanish at least an intermediate level of fluency in Spanish is required. CIEE has some scholarships available. If you are interested in this program and would like some credit for your CHN course please contact Carol Allen before enrolling in the program.

Himalayan Health Exchange
http://www.himalayanhealth.com/index.shtml

"Himalayan Health Exchange is a humanitarian service program bringing together healthcare professionals who give of their time, talent and resources to provide care to the underserved populations in select, remote areas of Indo-Tibetan Borderlands, India and Nepal. Each trip combines service and adventure, with team members providing care while also experiencing the land, its natural environment, people and culture.”

Two of our students went to India with this group in the summer of 2004. They had a really great experience and were well protected and well treated by the organization. This group provides service in very remote areas so living conditions are primitive. You must like camping out and you shouldn’t be squeamish to participate in this wonderful opportunity. Students with asthma and other respiratory problems should be aware that much of the work is done at altitude and the air in the cities and houses is smoky.

International Alliance in Service and Education (IASE). October 12, 2004, from
http://www.iaseco.org/main/international_health_care.htm

“IASE (International Alliance in Service & Education) is a non-profit public benefit corporation whose primary mission is the promotion of health and education in underserved communities internationally. IASE also promotes experiential learning programs for US college students in the area of healthcare and education nationally and internationally. IASE integrates the practical techniques and philosophical foundations of the experiential learning pedagogy throughout its experiential learning curriculum, making it one of the few organizations that offers a comprehensive international experiential learning program.

IASE works in partnership with community leaders to assess community needs and to establish a working alliance between students, professionals, and communities in the areas of health and education.

IASE is committed to help support the development of health and education "community based" programs.” Opportunities are available in South Africa and Mexico as well as the US.

Nursing in Scandinavia – Summer Program in English
http://www.discopenhagen.org/Academic/Health/NS/index.shtml

Six credit summer program in Copenhagen provides clinical and theory courses in nursing taught in English. Through the program, students will gain

• An understanding of the complexity of health, nursing and patient care problems in Scandinavia
• A comparative understanding of American and Scandinavian health care and nursing systems
• The opportunity to further develop academically in the chosen area of clinical nursing
• Enhanced analytical skills
• Broad intercultural competence

This program is managed by DIS, a small organization with a reputation for providing high quality programs. Syllabi describing the program in detail are available at the web site.

Studies Abroad
http://www.studiesabroad.com/

This organization does not offer any specific nursing courses but does offer summer opportunities for intensive Spanish language and culture classes in locations around the world. They also offer one opportunity in France.

Intercollegiate College of Nursing, 2917 W Ft George Wright Dr, Spokane, WA, 99224-5291, 509-324-7360, Contact Us