Volunteer Nursing in Africa - What Qualifications?

Volunteer nursing in Africa is an opportunity toAfrica or to a hospital in Livingstone, Zambia -
help those least able to help themselves. Thereright by Victoria Falls.
are many opportunities across the country andIf you have medical skills, or are currently
many levels at which you can apply your talents.undergoing medical training, then you can be a
The big question for many is what kind ofvaluable member of the team under the
qualifications do volunteer nurses in Africa need?supervision of the resident doctors and nurses at
People with internationally recognized nursingKikuyu General Hospital in Nairobi. You will be
qualifications are highly valued professionalsequally valuable administering HIV tests in a clinic
wherever you are in the world. However, if that'son the outskirts of Cape Town. Perhaps you
not you, don't think you aren't needed. In Africawould prefer to do home visits or help out at
there are volunteer opportunities for people of allelderly persons residential center.
skill levels. If you are a qualified nurse there willBut if you're not qualified, please don't think that
always be places for you. If you are a medicalyou can't be just as valuable as the qualified
student volunteering in Africa there will be manyvolunteer nurses in Africa.
places that would welcome you too. Equally thereYou can be of use in almost exactly the same
are chances for people with no recognizedareas as qualified medical staff - you just won't
qualifications. If you have the character and thebe carrying out the same procedures. You will be
kindness of spirit, for many African volunteerwhat is called a medical or clinical assistant. Just as
projects you need nothing more. Certificates andneeded, just as valuable and, for you, just as
diplomas can't take the place of a pair of willingrewarding an experience.
hands.Volunteer nursing in Africa is a big field. Qualified
There are many different places you can go.or not you can provide invaluable help to people
Volunteer nursing in Africa could take you to anstruggling to care for themselves or their families.
orphanage in Kenya, a clinic in Cape Town, SouthThis is work that changes lives. Theirs and yours.