E2
NURSES
MAY 2023
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Responding to international crisis
GREEN SHOOT MEDIA W ..hen strike
affected by the crisis, including patients, family members and other health care workers. Nurses who perform this kind of work are often called humanitarian nurses. According to Doctors without Borders, nurses deliver 80 to 90% of health care worldwide. These nurses often work with humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, the United Nations or the International Medical Corps that dispatch them as teams in places where they are needed. Coordinating care In a humanitarian crisis, nurses are often the ones who play key roles in coordinating medical care and resources. They are part of a team that has to work quickly and often without any prior structure to make sure patients receive the care they need. Nurses are able to create the organization and structure needed to do such things as organize medical supplies,
plan transportation and provide logistical support. Training and policy development Nurses play key roles in training and educating those affected by a crisis. For example, VOICE Amplified is a nonprofit that employs nurses to help women experiencing violence in conflict, crisis or disaster settings. In the past year, they worked with Ukrainian refugees in Poland, providing them with at-home kits that contain emergency contraceptives, cleansers and other items because so many of them experience sexual violence in the region. The education nurses provide help prevent the spread of disease and help people to care for themselves. Because nurses spend so much time on the front line, they can also contribute to policy development at local, national and international levels. Their input and testimony are crucial to lawmakers and other government officials who
are creating the policies that govern healthcare access, resources and other factors. Research and advocacy Nurses can play proactive roles in making sure there is better health care options when the next disaster or military action takes place. At research hospitals and universities, nurses can participate in research on what sort of care is needed during these emergencies and how practices can be improved or adapted. Nurses are also advocates for improved health care access in emergency situations. By telling their stories, they can raise awareness about global health issues, advocate for policy changes and support initiatives that improve health outcomes. Every day, nurses are making important contributions to international aid efforts through their expertise, compassion and skills.
disasters
or wars break out, nurses are very quickly on the scene. They are key contributors to global health and international aid efforts. However, as crucial as their first responder role is, the contributions nurses make to international aid and humanitarian efforts go beyond the immediate, palliative needs. Providing direct patient care Wherever people are being injured or disease is spreading due to an epidemic, nurses are critical care givers. They are often on the front lines providing care to patients in underserved areas, regions hit by natural or manmade disasters and war zones. They treat injuries, provide medication and manage acute and chronic conditions. They may also provide psychological support to those
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