Best Global Humanitarian Nursing Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities in 2026
If you’re like me and have ever dreamed of taking your nursing skills and passion for helping people to the parts of the world that need it most, then this article is for you. Nursing paycheques are nice, yes, but sometimes we need to give back in ways that fill our souls instead of our bank accounts. I think it is priceless to gain perspective on our privilege by being exposed to different cultures and ways of life while helping the less fortunate.
When I first began looking into humanitarian nursing, I was quite overwhelmed with the number of organizations and qualifications required to apply. I also found it challenging to find non-religious based and English-speaking organizations.
So this week I went digging through the Nomad Nurse Job Board specifically for volunteer and humanitarian nursing roles. A few ground rules I held these to:
- No faith-based organizations. I know that’s not everyone’s thing, and I wanted a list where everyone feels welcome.
- English-speaking organizations and trips.
- Open across credentials wherever possible — RN, NP, LPN, RPN, and some even accept nursing students.
Here are my top 8 organizations for volunteer and humanitarian nursing in 2026:
1. International Medical Relief: Volunteer Nursing Missions Worldwide
Open to RN, RPN, LPN, NP | Worldwide
International Medical Relief is a non-profit charity that’s been doing this since 2002 – 60,000+ volunteers with clinics in 57 countries. They run short-term missions from a few days to a few weeks. Nurses on their teams work alongside PAs, NPs, dentists, and EMS in clinics that cover acute medical care, dental care, and community health education.
They have medical trips to 57 countries including: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Jamaica, South Africa, Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, Tonga, and even domestic U.S. missions.
They even have a mission on the Amazon River where you boat to secluded communities to provide care. How cool! I hope to do this in 2027.
2. International Volunteer HQ: Volunteer Nursing Abroad for Every Experience Level
Open to RN, RPN, LPN, NP + students | Africa / Asia / Latin America / Pacific
IVHQ runs structured programs across dozens of countries with a lot of support built in for first-timers, which makes it a good option if the idea of volunteering abroad is exciting but also a little intimidating.
I volunteered with IVHQ at a turtle rescue in Indonesia when I was 18 and had a great experience. They handled all the logistics of transportation, accommodation, meals, and made me feel welcome and safe.
IVHQ is open to nurses of all levels and even nursing students and pre-students. Trips range from one week to six months.
3. Project HOPE: Volunteer Nurse Deployments for Global Health Emergencies
RNs and NPs | Worldwide 25+ countries
Project HOPE is one of the most established names in global health work, with over 65 years of impact across the world. It isn’t a “book a trip and go help” org – it’s for nurses who’ve already put in the years and want their expertise to matter somewhere urgent. Think natural disasters, outbreaks, and health crises most people only see in headlines.
Project HOPE keeps a volunteer database and reaches out when your skills match an active need. It’s a different kind of commitment than a scheduled trip, but extremely impactful.
4. Doctors Without Borders (MSF): Humanitarian Nursing Jobs Worldwide
RNs and NPs | 70+ countries
MSF is one of the most well-known paths into humanitarian work. Field nurses deliver direct patient care, from wound treatment to maternity support to nutrition programs, in crisis zones and underserved communities across more than 70 countries. You don’t need years of specialized training to get started, just a nursing diploma and a couple years of clinical experience, though language skills and prior field experience help.
5. Team Rubicon: Disaster Relief Nursing Volunteer
Open to all medical volunteers | 30+ countries
Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit, has deployed medical volunteers to more than 30 countries across every WHO global region since responding to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Rather than a formal nursing track, volunteers join as general medical providers, completing a background check and TR101 training before deploying to underserved communities after conflict and natural disasters.
6. American Red Cross: Nurse Volunteer and Paid Disaster Response Jobs
Open to RN, LPN, and NP | United States
The Red Cross is almost always hiring disaster response nurses somewhere in the U.S., and it’s one of the more accessible entry points into humanitarian nursing work. Not only do they have ample volunteer opportunities, but they also have paid positions like clinical and donor specialists.
7. Canadian Red Cross: Nurse Volunteer and Paid Disaster Response Jobs
Open to RN, LPN, and NP | Canada
Same mission, Canadian edition. Canada’s Red Cross is one of the country’s top employers offering paid positions virtually and in-office, as well as volunteer and delegate positions.
8. 4NorthProject: Community Health Nursing Trip in the Dominican
Open to all nursing delegations | Bani, Dominican Republic
If the big-name orgs feel a little impersonal, this is the smaller, more local option —a single-location placement with a focus on community public health, access to drinking water, and pop-up medical clinics. Multiple trip dates, all around 5 days long with excursion add-ons after the mission.
Before You Apply for These Humanitarian Nursing Positions
All of these were pulled from active board listings, not full job descriptions — so before you apply to any of these, double check each organization’s specific requirements directly with them. Things like years of experience, current licensure status, required vaccinations, and language requirements can vary a lot between programs, and it’s always worth confirming details straight from the source before you commit.
Take the Leap Into Humanitarian Nursing
Whichever one of these calls to you, know this: you don’t need a flawless resume or a bottomless savings account to start. These programs are built for nurses at very different stages, so the real first step is just picking one and applying.
If you end up going, I’d love to hear how it went! Send me a message so I can share your trip with the community.
Want more humanitarian nursing roles like this?
The Nomad Nurse Job Board is updated regularly with unique, adventurous nursing gigs around the globe. You can also follow along on Instagram for even more nursing jobs and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Humanitarian Volunteer Nursing
Do I need previous experience to volunteer as a nurse abroad?
It depends on the organization. Programs like International Volunteer HQ and Team Rubicon accept nurses at all experience levels, and some even take nursing students. Others, like Project HOPE, typically look for nurses with a few years of clinical experience since they deploy into active health crises.
Can nursing students volunteer internationally?
Yes. Several organizations, including International Medical Relief and International Volunteer HQ, welcome nursing students and pre-nursing students on their teams, usually working alongside licensed nurses and other medical staff.
Are there non-religious humanitarian nursing organizations?
Yes. While many well-known medical mission trips are faith-based, organizations like International Medical Relief, IVHQ, Project HOPE, MSF, Team Rubicon, and the Red Cross operate independently of any religious affiliation.
How much does it cost to volunteer as a nurse abroad?
Costs vary widely by organization and trip length. Short-term mission trips (like those through International Medical Relief or IVHQ) often involve a program fee covering accommodation, meals, and logistics, while organizations like MSF, Project HOPE, and the Red Cross typically cover costs for accepted volunteers since they operate more like short-term deployments than paid trips. For a 1-2 week volunteer trip with logistics covered, you can expect to pay ~$1,000-$2,500 USD.
Do humanitarian nursing organizations pay volunteers?
Most short-term mission trips are unpaid or fee-based. However, some organizations, like the Red Cross in the U.S. and Canada, offer both paid disaster-response nursing positions and unpaid volunteer roles, so it’s worth checking each listing individually.
What credentials do I need to volunteer as a nurse internationally?
Most programs accept RNs, and many also welcome NPs, LPNs, and RPNs. Requirements around active licensure, years of experience, and specific certifications (like BLS or ACLS) vary by organization, so always confirm directly with them before applying.
Do I need to speak another language to volunteer as a nurse abroad?
Not usually, especially with the organizations on this list, which were chosen specifically for being English-speaking. That said, basic language skills can help you connect with patients and communities, and some organizations note it as a helpful (though not required) asset.
How long are volunteer nursing trips?
It ranges widely. Short-term missions with groups like International Medical Relief or 4NorthProject often run about a week, IVHQ programs can run from one week to six months, and organizations like MSF or Project HOPE typically involve longer-term deployments matched to active needs.
Is it safe to volunteer as a nurse in another country?
Established organizations handle logistics like housing, transportation, and safety protocols, and many require background checks and training before deployment. Safety varies by location and mission type, so it’s worth asking directly about safety measures and past volunteer experiences before signing up.
Where can I find more volunteer and humanitarian nursing jobs?
New opportunities are added regularly to boards like the Nomad Nurse Job Board. Follow the organizations you are interested in volunteering with, as needs are often first posted on social media.
If you’re interested in traveling healthcare, but need better pay than humanitarian nursing can offer, check out my guides on international travel nursing.