IAm Jaime Wah A nurse with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF), i've worked in Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo, Ask me anything!

Have you ever been in a position where the conflict directly prevented or hindered your ability to treat specific patients? If so, how did you deal with that or work around restrictions to ensure patients got the care they needed?

Thanks for your question! There was a time when I was hunkered down in a safe room with live bullets flying at the same time an operation was going on. I wanted to get supplies and help but it was impossible. At the same time we were treating people that others wanted to kill. We do the best we can but there are limitations and we need to be realistic. At that time we collaborated to the Red Cross who has a mandate to protect vulnerable people. We took care of the medical treatment and they ensured their safety and transfers.

Wow, I can't even what kind of mental stability it takes work and administer medical aid in a situation like that. Thank you, and MSF, for doing such fantastic work.

MSF field workers are a pretty awesome group of people! Thanks for the question!

How do you balance your MSF gigs with life at home?

IT'S HARD!! My family is really proud of the work I do but they wish I would choose to do some other type of nursing. I've been away for 7 months and then 6 months. In between I spend a lot of time with them, vacationing, cooking... just being around. When they get used to it I go off again ;P

Thanks Jaime. GREAT work!

Thanks for the question!

It must be an incredibly depressing job to be a medical professional in the middle of a warzone. What does MSF do to ensure that nurses and doctors don't burn out, emotionally and psychologically?

Wow! Intense question! It is true that there is a lot burnt out, MSF makes sure that we get time off (long weekends and vacation) at pretty regular periods so we get a chance to disconnect. There is also a 24hr psychosocial team available to chat if things get really bad and then also psychiatrists available after the mission as well. And you alway have the option to leave if you're really not comfortable! The work can be depressing but also very rewarding to be able to make a real impact in personal way!! For me, I read a lot, exercised and made new friends to chill with!

Great answer!

Do you work in another system between missions? Is your health system OK with this kind of set up, or do you just have to hope it works out? Hopeful future MSF worker here :)

I was wondering the same thing! Do most people make MSF a career path or take leave from a permanent position?

I was wondering the same thing! Do most people make MSF a career path or take leave from a permanent position?

This is a great question for Owen actually!

That must be tough with employers...

Is there one particular question that you're really hoping someone asks? (that's really my question)

" Where can someone ship and 12 cases Steamwhistle to ?"

The good old first date question ;)

Hi, thank you for all your great work! Do you think MSF will ever allow paramedics to work overseas??

Hey Toby, MSF does not recruit paramedics. We do recognise paramedics have a lot of valuable skills, but since MSF recruits internationally we recruit professions that are (more or less) standardised in different countries. Also the other big reason is that international fieldworkers are not doing hands on care most of the time. There is a lot of coordination, supervision, training and management involved too. Hope this helps. Cheers, Owen

Thanks, that does make sense!

Can always apply as a logistician, knowing how to work around medical facilities is a huge plus!

Hi Jaime! Thanks for taking part in this AMA and your work with MSF!

• Are there any special traits or characteristics that a MSF nurse should have?
• Do you ever get to vacation in the area you are in? To go along with this, what do you do in your free time?
• What's a typical day like? How many day a week do you work?
• Have any cool stories?

• If I wanted to join MSF, what are the top 3 attributes I can add to my arsenal before I apply?

  Thanks again

This is a great question!

Hi Jaime, thanks for the AMA! I'm a registered nurse in the US interested in volunteering with MSF. I have so many questions but I'm going to try to limit it to just 2.

1. Prior to MSF, how much experience did you have working in resource poor or developing countries? Can you make any recommendations for nurses like me seeking to gain such experience?

2. Has working for MSF affected how you practice as a nurse in Canada? If you haven't yet returned to practicing in Canada, do you anticipate changes in your approach to nursing?

From a recruitment perspective becoming a nurse with MSF around the world is quite competitive so having more than the minimum criteria is often necessary (http://www.msf.ca/en/nurses) and languages spoken (especially French) come into play. In the US working in rural and remote settings can be a good start or doing short volunteer stints abroad (through your hospital for example) can give you a taste of the what it's like so that when you come to MSF you have some exp. under your belt already.

I'm aware that MSF can afford to be highly selective from a competitive pool of experienced candidates. I've never worked for a hospital that includes nurses in volunteer trips and with my lack of volunteer experience I'm having difficulty finding short assignments abroad that aren't voluntourism outfits. Any suggestions?

There are other NGOs that work medical Medishare, Medecins du Monde, ICRC... there are many, but sometimes it's good to go grass roots. The USVI sent a med team post Haiti. Many countries has specific teams like that. Going small is good, like going jogging at night before doing a marathon, lets you feel your strengths and lesser strengths.

There are other NGOs that work medical Medishare, Medecins du Monde, ICRC... there are many, but sometimes it's good to go grass roots. The USVI sent a med team post Haiti. Many countries has specific teams like that. Going small is good, like going jogging at night before doing a marathon, lets you feel your strengths and lesser strengths.

What is your most memorable success story?

This one sticks with me almost every day since, my last day in Tari, Papua New Guinea: http://blogs.msf.org/en/staff/blogs/chris-is-currently-out-of-the-office/last-days

Love your blog! Air guitar and all :)

I'm working on a wireless network infrastructure toolkit for sub-saharan and central African countries, are you aware of any organizations operating in the region on (it) networking?

Hmmm this is tough question, the person who might be best to answer is /u/chris_m_h

Hmmm this is tough question, the person who might be best to answer is /u/chris_m_h

Hi! I am a nursing student in Canada and I am hoping to work with MSF during my nursing career. Ideally I would like to work with MSF in the near future. What areas of nursing are most sought after by MSF? Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks :)

From a recruitment perspective (it's the same deal in the US as in Canada). There are a number of things you can do: -Be comfortable with both kids and adults. -Have experience working in remote or rural settings (low resource) -Be involved as nursing student in a global health project -If out of nursing schools be involved in short global health volunteer opportunities with other organisations or your hospital -tropical nursing course can be an asset -Languages: learn some French if possible :)

In the Congo, right now, how bad is it really? (We almost never get news, and when we do it's hard to read between the lines.)

Look up photojournalist Pete Muller. He's been published by Time, NYT, pretty much anywhere. He hits the ground in Goma it feels like once a month and he has strong opinions on the situation.

He's great actually - second.

IMO - there is a whole lot of news but it's the problem of people not caring much. I would suggest following MSF on twitter or the website or what I do is go to Ajazeera

Upvotes for your name too :)

It sure as heck sounds like an exhausting (but super-rewarding) job. So in the rare event that you have some downtime, what do you and the rest of the MSF do for recreation?

When I was in the field I built a basketball rim out of rebar and parts from a brake pad :). I've also heard of people building volleyball courts. There is also lot of dancing and some drinks for those that partake...I also watched much of 'The Wire' with my team (yes there is electricity!).

Electricity brought to you by Owen, MSF Logistician :)

Does MSF accepts students without any medical experience as volunteers who do want medical experience before they want to go to medical school?

I started as a volunteer at the Montreal offices of MSF Canada - great way to really get to know the organization and what is needed as a field worker!

Hi Jaime, Thank you so much for give us the opportunity to ask questions.

I'm currently a MN student with a focus in global health.

I'm really interested in working with MSF. I have 3 years experience in general pediatrics working as an RN. With my current education, it has enhanced my knowledge in global health issues, perspectives, capacity building and program planning.

I was wondering what kinds of role nurses play in MSF missions. For example: is it more clinical, maybe research or program management? How much clinical experience is needed?

To riff off Jaime's response ... if someone wants to make a career with MSF as a nurse there are possibilities to move into coordination/higher responsibility positions as well. Nurses play a vital role in MSF's medical programs around the world.

I guess the first step would be to do fieldwork with MSF. But for these higher leadership positions, what are some of the typical qualifications?

A whole lot of experience. :)

What is the hardest part about working for MSF ?

The hardest part for me was living and working with the same small group of people. Having a conflict at work and trying to move past it was pretty challenging! Great question!

That must be a really big challenge that takes up what little energy you have left.