ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Spotlight: Donna Velasquez, PhD, RN
Published
Retired nurse finds fulfillment and new ways to care for others as an American Red Cross volunteer
The American Red Cross motto, “Sleeves Up, Hearts Open, All In,” reflects the selfless, tireless, and compassionate work performed by thousands of volunteers every day.
#Healthynurse Donna Velasquez, PhD, RN, has embodied this philosophy for the past 6 years as a Red Cross volunteer.
After completing a successful career as a nurse practitioner and the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Arizona State University, Donna still had more to give. She knew just where her skills could be of greatest use.
“As a child, I read about Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross,” Donna says. “Her work caring for soldiers on Civil War battlefields was very inspiring. And a friend of mine was a volunteer who deployed to New York City right after 9/11. After hearing about that, I knew the Red Cross was an organization I wanted to join.”
Because she was busy with her job, Donna didn’t pursue volunteering until 2018, after she retired. She was surprised to discover how easy the process was.
“The online sign-up procedure was quick,” she says. “I clicked ‘Apply,’ filled out an application, and they ran a background check. Shortly after that, I started training.”
Ample Opportunities to Serve People in Need
Donna learned there are many ways for nurses to use their skills within the Red Cross.
Nurse volunteers care for people in shelters during and after natural disasters. They also help develop programs on emergency preparedness. Nurses can also work in management and leadership roles throughout the organization.
Donna began her volunteer work as part of a disaster team in her local Arizona and New Mexico region.
“A lot of what we do involves supporting people after a house fire,” she says. “People don’t realize the impact of losing all their medications in a fire in the middle of the night. We help them contact the pharmacy and get refills. We can talk to insurance companies on their behalf and work out co-pays and authorizations if needed.”
When people lose medical equipment like walkers or glucose monitors, Red Cross nurse volunteers can help get a replacement quickly.
“We focus on empowering people during a disaster,” Donna says. “They’re often in shock and feel uncertain about what to do. We talk them through each step, offer resources, and help them regain their footing.”
Efficient Large-Scale Disaster Response
When disasters like hurricanes occur, the Red Cross mobilizes volunteers from all over the country to help.
“The logistics alone are incredible,” Donna says. “It’s so impressive to see how fast the Red Cross can get volunteers to a location. The organization provides them with cars, equipment, computers, and everything else they need to open shelters and care for people. It’s a huge operation. The minute we hit the ground, we have to work quickly and effectively as a team.”
According to Donna, standardized volunteer training is a primary reason the Red Cross is successful in deploying large teams to disaster zones.
“We may be from different regions, but our policies and procedures are the same. We know what to expect and what our roles will be. When we get there, we get it all done. And we have a huge impact in helping many people.”
Flexibility and Opportunities for Growth
Although Donna waited until she was retired to begin volunteering, she says nurses can join at any age or point in their career.
“I didn’t realize how flexible working with the Red Cross could be,” Donna says. “Other than the initial training program, there is no required commitment for how much or how often we volunteer. We sign up for shifts that work with our schedule.”
Donna also enjoys growing and learning new skills. “During COVID-19, there was less direct contact with people because of social distancing,” she says. “So, I signed up for additional training on mapping and planning for wildfires.”
The training led Donna to take on a second role in information and planning. When she’s not volunteering as a nurse, she works in the background, helping organize deployed teams. She also acts as an assistant director for some incidents.
According to Donna, volunteering for the Red Cross has given her a purpose and the means to continue contributing to society.
“There’s always something new to learn,” she says. “Volunteers can explore different roles and functions. You can travel all over the country or help right at home.”
Most importantly, volunteering has brought Donna back to the original reason she became a nurse. “I get to listen to people’s stories, care for them, and empower them to care for themselves,” she says.
Donna says her only regret is not joining the Red Cross sooner. “I wish I hadn’t waited until I retired, because there’s so much to learn and do,” she says. “Anyone can join whenever they’re ready, and I really encourage them to do so.”
Donna Velasquez, PhD, RN, is an Arizona and New Mexico regional lead for information and planning and leadership development with the American Red Cross.
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Blog #healthynurse Spotlight
12/03/2024 9:03am CST
The #healthynurse Spotlight is a shout out to nurses who are making changes in their lives to improve their health and wellness. You can too! Read their stories for inspiration here.
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