The time to get prepared and be ready to volunteer is not when the disaster occurs, but before it strikes. Any registered nurse who believes that he/she will want to respond at the time of a disaster should pre-register with one of the many disaster registries and response organizations that already exist. Through these registries the registered nurse’s licensure can be pre-verified and validated; he/she will have access to disaster training and drilling; and during a disaster, he/she will be deployed through a recognized system that has been incorporated into the local, state, and national response plans. When choosing the registry or volunteer response system, it is important that the registered nurse choose one deployment system that meets his/her clinical, family, and employment situation.
For specific volunteer opportunities in Haiti:
ANA has established a database for nurses interested in participating in health mission and relief efforts in Haiti, should a call for nurse volunteers be made by an organization. If you are an RN interested in being on a call-up list, Use This Form.