“Working with little technology and, at times, without necessary supplies challenges my expertise, encourages my ingenuity, and brings me back to the all-important basics of neonatal care. Working in the consistently busy and understaffed Special Care Baby Unit is a very humbling experience. Working side-by-side with my Ugandan colleagues who share my love and dedication to the care of sick and premature newborns and their families makes returning to Uganda year after year a privilege.“
-HVO Nursing Education Volunteer to Uganda
READY TO VOLUNTEER?
There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.
- To begin the placement process, complete the volunteer application and submit your CV.
A NOTE ABOUT HVO’S NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM
Nursing education is central to HVO’s work to improve global nursing availability and quality. Therefore, at HVO, we are seeking experienced nurse educators and nurse practitioners (with master’s or doctoral level credentials) for formal nursing education positions. BS-prepared nurses with several years of relevant clinical experience who are comfortable with formal teaching are most welcome as clinical mentors and teachers. Areas of experience include, but are not limited to, care of people with diabetes, stroke, end-stage renal nursing with dialysis, mental health and psychiatric nursing, burn care, newborn care, care for children on ventilators, general pediatrics, ICU nursing, medical/surgical nursing, and women’s health. For more nursing volunteer opportunities, please review our Wound & Lymphedema, Hematology, and Oncology projects.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
Kampot, Cambodia—Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital (SKMH)
Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital, a non-profit hospital in the vibrant city of Kampot in Cambodia, is seeking volunteers to provide RN training in several areas. Volunteers would be working to increase the knowledge and skills of the NICU RNs around the care of the sick neonate, support the development of critical care nursing skills for nurses working in the emergency room, and increase the knowledge of staff RNs around the nursing care of patients with non-communicable diseases.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching topics: Neonatal intensive care, emergency and critical care, non-communicable diseases.
Opportunities for those-in-training: No.
Qualifications: Current nursing license and significant experience in either nursing education and/or clinical specialty work. Experience in adult med/surg, NICU, or critical care / emergency are most needed. Retirees are welcomed. All volunteers must register with the Cambodian Council of Nurses (CCN), which should be done at least 3 months in advance of the start date.
Activities: Lectures, clinical mentorship, curriculum development.
Housing: The hospital has guest houses with private rooms with air conditioning and private bath for rent for $25/day. Meals can be arranged at the guest house for an additional fee ($1/day for breakfast, $2/day for dinner. Lunch is free at the hospital). Two bungalows on campus can accommodate families.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Sihanouk Hospital
Volunteers provide lectures and clinical instruction to Cambodian nurses at Sihanouk Hospital. Volunteers also lead journal club discussions.
Assignment: 2 weeks
Teaching Topics: Nursing education – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Master’s degree in nursing or certified adult or family nurse practitioner; current license to practice; two years of teaching experience.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC)
Volunteers will work to improve nursing skills in patient triage and hematology/oncology nursing through clinical and didactic training of nurses at AHC.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Triage and hematology/oncology
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Current license required; registered nurse practitioners; at least 5-10 years of pediatrics experience.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Luang Prabang, Laos – Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC)
Volunteers will work with the LFHC staff to improve the quality and availability of neonatal nursing care. Volunteers will work with the LFHC Nurse Educator to help establish a sustainable nursing education program, as well as provide hands-on training to staff nurses.
Assignment: Two months recommended
Teaching Topics: Nursing education – pediatrics, neonatal nursing
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Current license required; master’s degree or higher preferred; at least 2 years of neonatal and/or pediatrics teaching experience preferred; previous international experience preferred.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Hai Duong, Vietnam- Hai Duong Medical and Technical University (HMTU)
Partnering with HMTU, HVO volunteers will continue to support teaching/learning and research skills of nursing faculty. Volunteers will facilitate: simulation/skills lab development; student self-study guides; teaching plans; evaluation/measurement of student learning; faculty programs of research.
Assignment: Minimum 2 weeks
Teaching Topics: Nursing education – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Current RN license, and teaching experience in a BSN program, required; master’s degree or higher; bachelor’s prepared nurses with simulation/skills lab experience accepted.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
Hue, Vietnam – Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (HueUMP)
HVO volunteers provide guidance in post-graduate and Master’s-level education in nursing. They assist Hue University faculty with nursing education methods, and offer continuing education for current hospital nurses in topics identified by the Hue University nursing department. HVO volunteers also assist with training workshops hosted throughout the year. These workshops will be two weeks in length and focus on 1-2 topics identified by the Hue University nursing department.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Nursing education – all topics; palliative care, research process and clinical/didactic methodologies of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Master’s degree; current license (active or retired); 2 years of teaching experience in nursing; expertise in a particular area.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring, research advising.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.