Voluntary organisations

Aid agencies recruit nurses to work overseas in conflict areas or areas struck by natural disasters. Locations vary but you could be based in countries such as Afghanistan, Iran or Liberia.

Most aid agencies recruit nurses on a fixed-term paid contract of six to twelve months. In between assignments, a lot of nurses do bank or agency work. Nurses work in public health roles in hospital or community settings. Hospital-based roles are normally for surgical ward nurses or operating theatre nurses.

Starting out

You will work with local nurses managing a number of patients and providing both on-the-job and more formalised training. You might also assess where improvements can be made to processes and equipment. Community public health nurses work with leaders of local communities setting up health programmes.

Volutary organisations manage budgets and provide technical expertise and training. The work might focus on HIV and AIDS or mother-and-child healthcare. The campaign could be to reduce the stigma attached to certain diseases, prevention or health and hygiene promotion. You need to be experienced, so this area is not suitable for newly qualified nurses.

Skills required

All roles expect F grade nurses with experience of managing and training staff. Experience of overseas work is essential for community health roles and desirable for other positions. Communication skills are very important for working with different cultures and languages, and an ability to understand the political context of the region you're placed in will help. Some aid agencies will take nurses without this much experience, so it's a good idea to investigate what different organisations require.