Karen recently spent 3 weeks working as a disaster team member in Shkodra, Albania. It was her first volunteer experience but will not be her last;in October she returns to Albania to train local nurses in a newly established Emergency Department.Thanks Karen for sharing your experience with us!

"Children traveled for days with their parents before arriving at the camps. They were dehydrated, some near death."

A team member gave his coat to this Kosovar gentleman. Karen came back with the clothes on her back, giving away clothing and personal items. Lucky for us she got these great shots before giving away her camera.

Karen gives these tips for nurses thinking about volunteering. "I think it's important to be in touch with your own spirituality. There will be times when you'll be stipped of everything and that's all that is left." She say, "...several years of clinical experience is necessary to truly be useful.. and a specialty- mine is pediatric ER with some adult ER experience. I really think it's important to have a strong clinical background."

Karen also recommends that nurse volunteers "...talk to someone who was on a team in the same country just prior to you. Be prepared to be self sufficent and don't go with any preconceived ideas."

And lastly, she says,"Go for the right reasons and be flexible!"


"Trust in what you love,continue to do it, and it will take you where you want to go."

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb; that's where the fruit is!"