Nurses Needed by the American Red Cross

Alabama Nurse, Sep-Nov 2003 by Lewis, Eileen

Background

Nurses have always been a cornerstone for the provision of services by the American Red Cross. Historically, Red Cross nurses have provided their assistance during times of disaster and conflict, beginning with the 1888 yellow fever epidemic and the 1889 Johnstown flood. The Red Cross Nursing Service was formally established by Jane Delano in 1909. Red Cross nursing has also had a major role in the historical evolution of nursing and nursing leadership in the United States with many Red Cross nurses, including Jane Delano, Clara Noyes, Julia Stimson and others playing strategic roles in the development of American nursing.

Nurse Involvement Today

Today more than 40,000 nurses continue to be involved in paid and volunteer capacities at all levels and in all service areas throughout the American Red Cross.

Nurse involvement in Health & Safety Services of the American Red Cross dates back to the very origins of the American Red Cross. Nurse involvement in Red Cross was very significant in the evolution of public health nursing and care giving programs. Red Cross Town and Country nursing brought health care to remote areas of the country where there were no doctors. The nation relied on the home nursing program of the Red Cross during the critical shortages of nurses during World War II. During this period, Red Cross nurses taught the lay public how to give care in the home, including infant care and home care to sick family members.

Today, as in the past, nurses are involved in all areas of Health and Safety Services. Because of their training, education, and experience they have skills applicable to a broad range of activities and roles within the Health and Safety Service. Also, because many nurses have flexible work hours, they may be ideally suited as instructors for Red Cross HIV I AIDS Education, CPR and first aid courses.

Always on the alert, the Red Cross assist the victims of some 60,000 disaster annually. Emergencies range from family house fires to the massive devastation wrought by earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. Since the early days of the Red Cross nurses have played vital roles in coping with health care needs when disaster strikes. Red Cross nurses are involved with shelter nursing, health consultation, liaison with local medical authorities, and follow-up with lost medications and medical equipment.

Red Cross offers convenient training to prepare individuals to work with the Red Cross in a disaster situation. All disaster workers are required to take Introduction to Disaster Services. DHS workers must also take specific functional training (currently Disaster Health Services 1: An Overview and Disaster Health Services Simulation). DHS I prepares workers to serve on local disasters, while DHS Simulation provide participants an opportunity to practice the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to work in the Disaster Health Services function on a disaster relief operation. In addition, all DHS workers must be current in CPR and First Aid.

Registered nurses who have experience and training in psychiatric nursing (beyond the normal rotation in nursing school) may wish to consider taking Disaster Mental Health Services training and working in that function.

Disaster Nursing CE's Available

The American Red Cross Office of the Chief Nurse has collaborated with Sigma Theta Tau (www.nursingsociety.org), the international honor society of nursing, to develop an online continuing-education offering, "Disaster Preparedness and Response for Nurses." Available at no cost to nurses, this offering is designed to provide nurses with an overview of their role in responding to a weapons of mass destruction/terrorism (WMD/T) event or other disaster. While it is not a replacement for Red Cross disaster health services training, it is an excellent way to increase the awareness of the importance of nurses in disaster preparedness and response. Nurses completing this case study can receive 2 contact hours of continuing education credit. The case study may be found at http://www. nursingsociety.org/education/case-studies/cases/SPOOO4.html.

Additional CE's may be available for the Health and Safety Services and Red Cross Disaster Training.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Eileen Lewis at lewisei@usa.redcross.org or 205458-8270. Eileen will be able to put you in contact with your local Red Cross Chapter.