[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For nurses who have devoted their careers to serving others, retirement presents the opportunity to do something new with the skills and knowledge they have developed over the years. Nurses can continue contributing to their communities by taking advantage of volunteer opportunities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With or without an active nursing license, there are plenty of ways to take part in healthcare and put your critical skills to work. Over the last year alone, thousands of nurses have come out of [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/guide-to-retirement/”]retirement[/hen-ui-link] to help during the pandemic, providing both direct patient care and working in vaccination clinics. In one Maryland community alone, six retired nurses with a combined 241 years of experience are [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/it-s-public-service-u-s-nurses-are-coming-out-n1256314″]volunteering to vaccinate residents[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although many states have changed licensing requirements in response to the pandemic, making it easier for retired nurses to return to practice, an active license is not always necessary to contribute your time. Nurses are well-suited for many opportunities that do not require a license, though might ask for additional training.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While some of the roles suggested here may be temporarily suspended or offered virtually during the pandemic, keep them on your radar if you would like to stay active and continue helping others after leaving the workforce.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Types of Internships and Volunteer Opportunities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]The American Red Cross[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The American Red Cross offers many volunteer options for retired and licensed nurses, including managing blood drives, providing disaster services, and developing and teaching training courses. Nurses who work with the Red Cross become a part of the Nursing Network, which recruits and engages nurses in fulfilling their mission. Participants can also contribute to the leadership of the Nursing Network as part of the National Nursing Committee.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Apply to fill volunteer roles by [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html” target=”_blank”]searching for available positions[/hen-ui-link]. You can search by keyword or position title, browse open positions, or take a quick quiz to determine the best options based on your experience and interests.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]COVID-19 Vaccine Administration[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Retired nurses are needed to help administer COVID-19 vaccines at clinics and mass vaccination sites nationwide. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing maintains a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/vaccination-volunteers.htm” target=”_blank”]directory of state registries[/hen-ui-link] for volunteer vaccine administrator enrollment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on your state’s rules and needs, you may be able to volunteer to administer vaccines, provide patient screenings at vaccine sites, or help out in other ways. States like Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Tennessee, for example, have called upon retired healthcare professionals with vaccine experience to join the [hen-ui-link href=”https://mrc.hhs.gov/HomePage” target=”_blank”]Medical Reserve Corps[/hen-ui-link] and may help with the license reinstatement process.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Crisis Counseling[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Retired nurses are often well-suited to work as crisis counselors, thanks to their experience and training. Volunteering with organizations like Crisis Text Line and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline allows you to put your compassion to use by helping people get the support and resources they need.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most of these volunteer positions do not require an active [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.crisistextline.org/become-a-volunteer/” target=”_blank”]nursing license[/hen-ui-link], but you will need to pass a background check and complete training. Your experience in nursing may also qualify you for leadership or supervisory roles with crisis organizations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Doctors Without Borders[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/careers/work-overseas/find-role/registered-nurses-nurse-practitioners” target=”_blank”]Doctors Without Borders[/hen-ui-link] provides lifesaving medical care worldwide to the people who need it the most. The organization requires nurses working in the field to have a valid, active nursing license. Most nurses with Doctors Without Borders work in supervisory and training roles, helping local nurses and providers develop their skills.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The organization requires practical nursing experience and knowledge in specific key areas, such as vaccine distribution or infectious disease management. For retired nurses who still have active licenses or who want a new challenge, Doctors Without Borders holds the potential to offer a life-changing experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Hospice Volunteer[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Volunteers are integral to hospice services, providing support and comfort to terminal patients and their families. Retired nurses can use their experience to help provide care and companionship for patients or respite for caregivers and family members.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some nurses lead bereavement groups, offer crisis care, or help connect families with the support services they need. Hospice volunteers may also work in an office providing clerical support, fundraising, or advocacy. Most services only require a background check, references, and training to [hen-ui-link href=”https://hospicefoundation.org/Volunteer” target=”_blank”]become a volunteer[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Professional Organizations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professional nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association and the [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nln.org/about/nln-volunteer-opportunities” target=”_blank”]National League for Nursing[/hen-ui-link] (NLN), offer multiple volunteer opportunities for both active and retired nurses. Organizations seek experienced nurses to serve on committees, review grant proposals, and help administer awards and recognition programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Retired nurses may also provide input and assistance with credentialing and professional development activities. For example, the NLN recruits nurse educators to write test items for certification and review exams. Organizations may also need volunteers to serve as ambassadors to nursing schools and employers, keeping nurses up-to-date about their work.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Patient Navigator or Advocate[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Modern healthcare is complex, and patients may need assistance managing their diagnosis and treatment, making sense of their insurance benefits, and accessing the services and support they need. Volunteer patient advocates or navigators help people get the care they need, walk them through the healthcare system, and solve problems as they come up.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As someone with experience in the field, you may be able to volunteer with a hospital, senior center, agency on aging, community organization, or nonprofit condition-specific organization (like the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.yourethecure.org” target=”_blank”]American Heart Association[/hen-ui-link] or [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.diabetes.org/advocacy/become-an-advocate” target=”_blank”]American Diabetes Association)[/hen-ui-link] to provide this service.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Hospital Nurse Volunteer[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most hospitals and health systems offer [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//internships-and-volunteer-opportunities/”]volunteer programs and opportunities[/hen-ui-link] that allow people to get involved in the healthcare community. Some facilities even have dedicated programs specifically for retired nurses, giving them a chance to provide companionship and comfort to patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other opportunities that may appeal to retired nurses include serving as patient liaisons, working in the neonatal unit or nursery, and assisting occupational or physical therapists. Contact your local hospital to inquire about their needs, which may be temporarily on hold due to COVID-19.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Renew or Reactivate Your Nursing License for Volunteering Purposes[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Every state holds its own requirements for renewing or reinstating a nursing license after you retire. In most cases, these requirements include the following:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Apply for reinstatement[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pay the required fee[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete continuing education requirements, usually determined by how long your license has been inactive[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pass state and federal background checks[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on how long it has been since you retired, you may also need to pass an exam to reinstate your license. Most states will only reinstate a license within five years of retirement unless you complete a refresher course.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The license reinstatement process varies in terms of length and depends on how many continuing education courses you need. Because of COVID-19, some states, including Maine and Wisconsin, have implemented expedited processing for reactivations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred many states to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/Inactive-and-Retired-License-Changes_COVID-19.pdf” target=”_blank”]change the license reactivation criteria[/hen-ui-link] for nurses who have retired. For instance, while state laws vary, many are allowing nurses to reactivate their licenses without paying fees or completing continuing education requirements. Depending on the license type, some states will only allow retired nurses to work in specific circumstances or for a limited time.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In states such as in [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/illinois/”]Illinois[/hen-ui-link] and Iowa, reinstatement is limited to nurses who retired with licenses in good standing within the last five years. Alternatively, states like [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/texas/”]Texas[/hen-ui-link] will issue a specific nursing license that allows you to practice only on a volunteer basis. Check with your state’s Board of Nursing to determine the requirements that apply to your situation.[/hen-ui-text]