PACU NURSES ON MISSIONS!

NAPANc wishes to highlight those PACU and other PeriAnesthesia Nurses who travel and volunteer their time and expertise in third world countries to care for the sick and poverty-stricken people, less fortunate than ourselves, who receive free medical care and surgery from groups of health care professionals.  These people deserve the Spotlight and our "Thanks!" for aiding those in need.

Our first RN to be recognized is Fran Coates, Winnipeg Manitoba.  Fran recently returned from a trip to San Juan, Bolivia.  

Here's what Fran writes about her experience:

""Flexible, flexible, flexible" is the mantra of the nurse working in third world countries with the poorest of the poor. The supplies are sparse, the environment is whatever space has been granted to you for use, and the needs of the patients far exceed what you have to offer. The goal is to offer the best care you can in the time you have with all that you have.

You must always be mindful of the cultural aspects, ensuring that what you are doing is acceptable within the practices of the particular healthcare community you are working . If you respect their ideology they are always helpful. It can be such a rewarding experience to learn how to work together in different languages and environments to save the life of a 6 year old who is near death from a perforated appendix or to allow a man to return to work after a repair of a debilitating hernia. Some of the operations include repair of a deformity on a beautiful young child who will not have to experience what it is like to be different because of the procedures we were blessed to be able to perform.

Each mission or project allows you to exchange your experiences with others from around the world. People are so similar and yet their differences are what make this such an interesting and rewarding experience. 

The uncomfortable parts can be heat with no air conditioning, political unrest, bugs, accommodations that are not as clean or comfortable as we are used to and food that may not agree with you. 

My experience of traveling with a medical group providing surgical, dentistry and clinical care to people in need has taught me not to be afraid and that these opportunities are always a gift that allows me to grow. The bond that is created from these trips is unbreakable and makes friendships that endure despite the miles and miles between.

There are many groups that provide care to the poor of other countries. Two of the groups that I have been in contact with are Medical Missions International and Projecthands. If you are interested they are always happy to hear from you."

Thank you Fran.  Here is a photograph of her working with a Bolivian child while providing postoperative teaching to the child's mother.

Contact us...anytime!  NAPANc Office:   1506 Craigleith Road, Oakville, ON, L6H 7W3, CANADA.  Tel/Fax:  (905) 257-7522; Email:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NOTE:  All fees for products sold, membership or conference registration quoted within this website are assessed in Canadian dollars.