10. How do I find a sending organization?

There are many things to consider when choosing a mission organization.

First, you should agree with the organizations statement of belief. If you are a member of a church that is part of a denomination that sends missionary nurses, you may want to begin your search there. Ask the mission organization you are considering for a copy of their Statement of Faith.

Second, determine whether the organization requires you to raise your own support or will be providing a salary. Some denominational and development organizations will provide salaries for nurses. Faith-based missions require missionaries to raise their financial support.

Other considerations for selecting a mission organization include:

• Personnel policies
  • Regarding preparation and training for cross-cultural ministry
  • Member care services - how it cares for families, how it provides for the spiritual formation of its personnel
  • Health insurance, pensions and retirement
  • Its policies regarding crisis management and hostage taking
  • Ways it handles disciplinary problems
• The "personality" of an organization
  • What does it value? - Quantity vs. Quality of care? Relationships? Efficiency?
  • How does it treat its personnel - both expatriate and national?
• The financial status of the organization
• Consult Caring Across Cultures: Preparing for Effective Missionary Nursing.

There are a number of excellent websites that list health related missions opportunities. Some of the better ones are:
Christian Jobs at www.christianjobs.com
Mission Finder at www.mfinder.org
Short term Missions at www.shorttermmissions.com
Urbana at http://www.urbana.org

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