Nursing Assistance

OGVO’s Nursing interns in Ghana are able to learn about & experience various medical conditions not normally seen in Western countries. As a Nursing intern in Ghana you will develop your nursing skills in a hospital environment that is different from the one that you are probably used to. At times you will find the experience challenging but also hugely worthwhile.

Nursing interns in Ghana can choose to spend time in a variety of different departments within the hospitals, including accident and emergency, pediatrics, maternity, and surgery. When you first arrive at the hospital you will discuss your work schedule with your OGVO coordinator and the placement supervisor, who is a member of the hospital staff.

Our Nursing programs in Ghana are based in Kumasi, Gomoa Fetteh and in Onwe. Interns with no medical experience will be placed in Onwe, as there is more supervision and instruction for volunteers who are there on an observational and learning bases. If you are a professional volunteer, you will be placed at a hospital in Kumasi or Gomoa Fetteh. Interns with medical experience, but who are not fully qualified, can be based at either location.

Nursing interns also take part in regular medical outreach work. This may be visiting a childcare center or treating children in small villages. Interns wanting to specialize in the outreach work can join a full-time Public Health project based in Onwe in Ashanti Region. Ghana is the most popular destination for volunteers who want to go Africa. The OGVO volunteer community is large and there is much to see and do when you are not working at the hospital. During your stay you will live with a host family and experience the typical day-to-day life in Ghana.

Nursing internships in Ghana are available for shorter periods than 4 weeks. While you will be able to gain valuable medical experience on a short-term trip, we recommend staying for a longer period to allow yourself more time to get to know the local medical system, see more of a variety of conditions and procedures, and develop stronger relationships with local medical staff.

Can I use this program as part of a college or university placement? 

It is certainly possible to use one of OGVO’s programs as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. OGVO regularly receives medical, childcare, psychology and nursing placement students at our projects across Ghana and we have ties with some of the leading universities.

If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of OGVO’s programs could meet the placement requirements for your degree course then please contact us directly.

• Such global working and living experiences help you build up your resume and stand out from the rest. Potential employers admire the tenacity it takes for someone to leave their comfort zone and challenge themselves.
• International volunteer experience indicates valuable personal qualities. It shows that you are a responsible global citizen with a helping heart.
• Knowledge of a second language or a foreign culture can dramatically increase exciting global employment opportunities. It is an excellent way of developing a competitive edge in the global employment market.

• Our programs provide you a good opportunity to cultivate long lasting friendships. These networks will contribute to both your personal life and your professional life.

• Open yourself to a transformative experience as you immerse yourself in a foreign culture first hand. Expand your world-view, and challenge your personal beliefs. Life’s too short to live in a bubble.

• International volunteer/intern programs provide valuable on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Many participants have taken our programs to earn university credits towards their degree, to take a co-op term, or to earn volunteer hours for medical school applications and graduate school application.
• It helps you to enhance your language skills. The most effective way to learn a new language is to speak it in day-to-day life. It is much more rewarding than just learning it in a classroom.

• International volunteer travel is the best way to see the world as it gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself right into the local culture. What is the point of seeing the world in hotels when you can actually be a part of the local society? You will be living and working with the local people and other international volunteers.
• Endless travel opportunities are excellent ways of exploring more places in the country. Whether you like to join a wildlife/scenery tour or a cultural tour, we can provide you flexible work schedule and free travel advice to facilitate travel arrangement.

Location

Start your day after a good night's sleep in your host family’s home. Get dressed, eat breakfast and grab a tro-tro or shared taxi to get to the hospital. Don’t forget your white coat!

Your day starts at about 8am, Monday to Friday. This will, however, depend on the department you are working in. Finish up around 2pm or opt to stay longer and continue your observations. Just be sure to check with your supervisor and the local staff beforehand.

Each day, you will find yourself assisting the nurses as they go around the hospital cleaning their ward, bathing and grooming patients and remaking beds. You’ll often spend the next hour shadowing the doctor in the ward as he visits each of his patients. Under the supervision of the local nurses, you can help check vital signs and administer medication according to doctor’s instructions.

If you’d like to head home for the day, head back to your host family's house. You can then depend time getting to know your host family and playing games or watching movies in the evening.

In your free time, you can explore more of Ghana by renting a tro-tro for the day. We encourage you to learn more about Ghana’s history by visiting the Cape Coast castle. There are also a lot of hikes in the national parks. If you’d like recommendations, you can speak to our staff. They will be able to give you the best advice and tips on what to see and do while you are here.

During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in Africa with the chance to spot Lions, Leopards & Antelopes in their natural habitat.
Volunteers can also take a trip to Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana to relax in the beautiful beaches and see the famous Cape Coast castle, the Kakum Canopy walkway and Elmina castle, where slave trade begun.

NOTE: We do provide tours, therefore you can add a tour before or after your volunteer program for an additional cost. We can perform quality tours and can offer discounts to volunteers.