With the city of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the flooding aftermath, hospitals have been forced to evacuate and the help of nurses and other health care professionals interested in volunteering to provide medical care and other services is needed in the area.
Volunteer Opportunities
Louisiana
The LA-OEP (Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness) is requesting health care volunteers, which includes all levels of nursing expertise. For more information, call (225) 389-2100 and ask for "Medical". If the line is busy, you are asked to please keep calling.
The Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA) is helping the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services coordinate emergency nursing eforts. If you have ER, ICU, or other hospital experience, please contact LSNA at (800) 457-6378, (225) 201-0993, or email lsna@lsna.org. According to LSNA, most e-mails are arriving but most calls are not getting through, so please keep calling.
LSNA is also helping coordinate an effort to get displaced nursing students back into other schools of nursing, in this state and others. Please email lsna@lsna.org with all your contact information, including where you went to nursing school and how far you have progressed.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Board of Nursing is coordinating efforts to create teams of relief nurses to assist in the devastated areas of the state. To volunteer as a relief nurse, please contact the Mississippi Board of Nursing at (601) 944-4840. You will receive instructions on how to volunteer.
Georgia
Georgia Nurses Association (GNA) members are currently volunteering to assist with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. It is estimated that the duration of this relief effort may be up to three months. GNA is developing a list of registered nurses who could be placed on a "standby" list and be available to assist with the care of the victims. Nurses interested in having their name placed on the "standby" list can go to the GNA website and register for the Georgia Nurse Alert System.
If you have difficulty registering, you may e-mail your interest and contact information to Shanquilla.pitts@georgianurses.org or call GNA at (404) 325-5536 to leave your name and the phone number(s) where you may be reached.
Texas
According to the Texas Hospital Association, the Governor's Division of Emergency Management is requesting the services of 200 physicians and about 380 nurses, along with other medically trained personnel -- especially respiratory therapists -- to travel to Louisiana to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), is coordinating the health care relief effort.
If your hospital can help support the medical response effort, or if you need more information to assist you in making the decision to support this appeal, please send an e-mail to TDSHS' James Bryant at James.Bryant@DSHS.state.tx.us and include your name, phone number and clinical specialty. He will contact interested individuals as soon as possible and will answer any questions you may have.
Florida
Currently, Florida does not have any specific requests for additional health care personnel.
Alabama
In Alabama, the Alabama State Nurses Association reported that the state is still in the assessment phase, but has stated that updated information about needed resources will be posted as details become available.
Nurse Licensure for Volunteers
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) recommends that nurses intereted in volunteering medical services to victims of hurricane hit areas, should contact the American Red Cross or FEMA to find out how to volunteer and to check for appropriate licensure requirements.
The Louisiana State Nurses Association recently announced that volunteers from other states need a current license from their home state and a picture ID. After assignment in Louisiana, they are asked to notify the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing office can now be reached at the LSNA office: (800) 457-6378, (225) 201-0993, or fax (225) 201-0971. You can email LSNA at lsna@lsna.org.
Health Care Coverage Waived
An order was signed by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt on August 31, to declare a public health emergency for the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. This action will allow the department to waive certain Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and HIPAA requirements as well as make grants and enter into contracts more expeditiously during this emergency.
Hurricane Katrina Relief Organizations
If you are unable to volunteer your time, individuals may also consider making a financial contribution to help cover the costs of providing services following Hurricane Katrina. These are some of the organizations accepting donations:
Nursing Organizations Lending a Helping Hand
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) has set up a collection fund for nurses who lived in the Southern coastal areas, particularly New Orleans and Mississippi. Bettye Davis Lewis, president of NBNA will be directing these funds to the survivors. Checks can be sent to: National Black Nurses Association, Inc., 8360 Fenton St, Suite 330, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, "Hurricane Survivors".
Additionally, NBNA is collecting the following items:
- Clothing: all sizes of clothing that is washed; shoes; scrubs and uniforms for nurses.
- Toiletry items: pampers, deodorant, toothbrushes & toothpaste, mouthwash, wet toilettes, diaper rash cream, adult diapers for elderly, lotion, Vaseline, razors, etc.
- Household items: bath clothes, towels, sheets, pillows & pillow cases, utensils, small radio, batteries, battery operated clocks, blankets, etc.
- Paper products: toilet paper, paper towels, rubber gloves, paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils, etc.
- Over the counter medications: Tylenol, aspirin, rubbing alcohol, vitamins, Neosporin, etc.
- Nonperishable foods, baby foods, snacks
The Mississippi Nurses Association (MNA) has begun a relief fund to assist nurses who have suffered severe losses as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The Arthur Davis Publishing Company has made an initial contribution of $5,000, and the MNA is asking others to make tax deductible donations to the Mississippi Nurses Foundation in order to provide assistance to these nurses. Donations can be mailed to: The Mississippi Nurses Foundation, 31 Woodgreen Place, Madison, MS 39110.
The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is currently in discussions with several relief organizations, including Project Hope, who ENA teamed with during the tsunami relief efforts, regarding potential opportunities for ENA members to become more actively involved. Additionally, ENA will be collecting monetary donations during its annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, September 14-17. For those attending, look for donation boxes at the registration table. Any such donations will be sent to appropriate relief agencies.
