Missionary Nurse
What is a Missionary Nurse?
A missionary nurse cares for patients in underdeveloped and developing regions of the world, usually through work with religious groups or churches, non-profit organizations, and humanitarian groups. Missionary nurses provide much-needed basic healthcare in areas that may not have access to medical technology or necessary resources such as antibiotics, vaccines, or even clean drinking water. In addition to providing healthcare services, missionary nurses may also provide spiritual care for their patients, often sharing their religious beliefs with the local community.
How to Become a Missionary Nurse
As in other nursing careers, aspiring missionary nurses must first complete their Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. During nursing education, elective courses in international nursing and/or foreign languages would be particularly useful for a missionary nurse. In addition, missionary nurses must have a strong foundation in spiritual beliefs and religious knowledge in order to work with a church or other religious organization.
A typical job posting for a missionary nurse position would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the type of employer and location:
- ADN or BSN-level education and active RN license
- Prior professional nursing experience required, and Certification in Basic Life Support preferred
- Foundational religious knowledge and beliefs if working with a spiritual organization
- Interest in international travel and working with people from different cultures
- Knowledge of applicable foreign language and customs a plus
What Are the Schooling Requirements for Missionary Nurses?
A position as a missionary nurse requires an ADN or BSN degree from an accredited nursing school as well as an active RN license. In addition, a background in religious studies, international nursing and/or foreign language skills are particularly helpful, and professional nursing experience is generally required. Missionary nurses must also hold a current unrestricted travel visa and valid passport. Nursing licensure in the country where they will be practicing may also be required and is often coordinated by the organization for which a missionary nurse works.
Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?
While not always a requirement for missionary nursing positions, many missionary nurses hold the Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Additionally, missionary nurses must hold a current unrestricted travel visa and valid passport before they can leave the U.S. to work as a missionary nurse.
Research faith-based nursing schools.
What Does a Missionary Nurse Do?
Missionary nurses perform the same basic tasks as traditional RNs, including assessing and caring for patients who are ill or injured. As part of their daily work, they may administer vaccinations and medications, dress wounds, or treat broken bones. In addition to these tasks, a key component to missionary nursing is working in an environment with limited resources, such as a lack of clean running water, electricity, or telephone service. Because preventing illness and infection is critical in these locations, missionary nurses also work to educate patients and communities about proper hygiene, infection prevention, and the spread of disease, as well as basic health and dental care skills. Providing spiritual counsel to patients is often a key component of the missionary nurse's job, which may include preaching, distributing, or telling religious stories or sharing their individual beliefs. Depending on the location and organization, a missionary nurse may also participate in non-medical humanitarian efforts such as digging wells, building homes, or teaching basic skills like reading and writing.
Where Do Missionary Nurses Work?
Missionary nurses work all over the world in underdeveloped and developing regions in need of basic healthcare services. They often work with:
- Churches
- Non-profit organizations
- Humanitarian groups
- Hospitals
- Clinics
What Are the Roles and Duties of a Missionary Nurse?
- Provide direct patient care to underserved populations, including treating basic illnesses and injuries, administering vaccinations and medicines, and dressing wounds
- Educate patients about proper health and dental care, basic hygiene and how to prevent infection and the spread of disease
- Assist in setting up clinics and training local medical staff
- Provide spiritual counsel to patients and local community
Missionary Nurse Salary & Employment
Missionary nurses generally enter the field because they consider it their spiritual or moral calling, rather than focusing on the salary to be made in the field. In fact, many missionary nurses work as volunteers. However, salary varies widely based on the organization that employs the nurse, and there is a high demand for trained medical staff to work in impoverished areas of the world. Here is a range of salaries you can expect:
| Average Annual Salary | |
| Lowest 25% of Earners | $61,500 |
| Median | $80,321 |
| Top 25% or Earners | $90,000 |
| Top Earners | $118,000 |
Helpful Organizations, Societies, and Agencies
- Doctors Without Borders
- International Council of Nurses
- Journal of Christian Nursing
- Global Health Ministries
