President Barbara Crane, RN, of the National Federation of Nurses, a leading national labor union representing more than 70,000 nurses nationwide, has issued a call to all nurses in America to make an immediate donation in support of Haitian disaster relief.
“Nurses across the country are trying to determine what they can do to help. Following the requests of the nation’s leading relief organizations, the first step is for every nurse in America to make a financial donation, no matter how large or small, so that crucial supplies can be delivered to Haitians who are in desperate need,” Crane said.
President Obama said during a White House press conference this morning: “Even as we bring our resources to bear on this emergency, we need to summon the tremendous generosity and compassion of the American people.”
“It is a natural response for nurses to want to reach out and help those in need. But we have to remember that, in the face of a massive disaster like this, the individuals who can provide the most effective aid on the ground are those with specific, unique training,” Crane said. “For the rest of us, making a donation to a recognized international aid organization will be the quickest and most effective way to help those who are suffering the most.”
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), one of the National Federation of Nurses’ constituent member states, has announced a campaign to encourage all of Oregon’s nursing professionals to donate to Medical Teams International (MTI), the Tigard, Oregon-based international relief organization.
“The amazing people at MTI are in the air right now, sending desperately needed specialized medical personnel to Haiti,” said Susan King, ONA’s Executive Director and member of the National Federation of Nurses’ National Advisory Board. “We are proud of the nurses who have the training and experience necessary to make a difference on the ground in Haiti. We encourage all nurses in the state of Oregon, and across the country, to dig deep into their hearts and wallets to make a donation today.”
The New York State Nurses Association, another National Federation of Nurses member state, released a statement today asking people to donate to the International Response Fund, and asking New York-based RNs to register with ServNY, a New York state volunteer registry program that ensures that international volunteers have access to the appropriate training needed to be effective in disaster situations.
Washington State Nurses Association, Montana State Nurses Association, and the New Jersey State Nurses Association, the other constituent members of the National Federation of Nurses, have all released similar calls for donations and, specifically, for nurses with an interest in volunteering their time to learn more about becoming an Emergency First Responder.
Nurses who are interested in gaining the training necessary to be an international disaster relief provider can visit the American Nurses Association’s website and click on the “Disaster Response in Haiti” page to learn about training opportunities.
“In the face of something like this earthquake, most nurses want to help and believe donating their time is the most useful. For nurses who want to be on the front lines, delivering care during these disasters, the National Federation of Nurses encourages you to register with your state Emergency Response Registry, and to get the training and knowledge you need to be most effective,” Crane said. “For now, though, the people of Haiti need your financial donations.”
Other relief organizations the National Federation of Nurses recommends donating to include the Red Cross and Mercy Corps.