URGENT NEED for RN Volunteers Haiti Ravaged by Earthquake

From our friends at National Nurses United: Join your fellow RNs, National Nurses United members, and the Registered Nurse Response Network on an emergency mission to help Haiti. “All of the hospitals are packed with people. It is a catastrophe,” said, President René Préval of Haiti to the New York Times. HOW CAN YOU HELP?The Registered Nurse Response Network (RNRN) is a national network of direct-care RNs that coordinates sending volunteer RNs to disaster stricken areas wherever and whenever they are needed most. RNRN was organized in 2005 when Katrina and Rita — two of the most destructive hurricanes in history — dramatically exposed America’s flawed disaster relief system.Through RNRN, we hope to send experienced RNs to provide emergency medical support to Haitians who are dire need of medical care. “We are calling on nurses throughout the U.S. to join us in this critical effort,” said National Nurses United (NNU) Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro.*RNs VOLUNTEER ONLINE HERE*MAKE SECURE ONLINE DONATIONS HEREOr – Make checks payable to:California Nurses Foundation2000 Franklin St. Oakland, CA 94612(Donations are secure, and tax-deductible to the extent of the law)* CALL THE RNRN HOTLINE (800) 578-8225WHAT TO EXPECT:Currently, telephone communication is down, and internet communication is sporadic. Aftershocks continued well through the night until approximately 3:00 o’clock this morning. Infrastructure damage is significant; the National Palace has collapsed, and the National Cathedral, many buildings have been severely damaged.All RNs will need to have a valid passport. Also, all RNs must have or be able to quickly get, Typhoid and Hepititals A and B vaccinations as well as Malaria pills.”I tried to volunteer with at least half a dozen relief agencies who said they needed nurses in the region without success. It was a matter of days after contacting [RNRN] that I arrived in my assigned hospital in Baton Rouge. The hospital was in dire need of nurses as a result of getting the bulk of medical evacuees from New Orleans, which resulted in a doubling of their census overnight. Ten minutes after my arrival, I had a nursing license in Louisiana, changed into scrubs, and went to work.”- Gulf Volunteer Diane Dengate, RN of Detroit, MichiganNational Nurses United2000 Franklin StreetOakland, Calif. 94612www.NationalNursesUnited.org