By Stacey Brown
I’ve always known nursing was my calling and that I wanted to work as a nurse in another country at some point in my career. However, I never imagined it would take me across the world, working alongside an international team on the world’s largest civilian hospital ship. This past May, I spent three weeks aboard the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone, volunteering with Mercy Ships—an experience second to none.
My journey started a few years ago when I attended an Operating Room Nursing Association of Canada (ORNAC) conference. I stumbled upon the Friends of African Nursing (Canada) booth and felt drawn to their mission. I started small, gathering a parcel of medical books and supplies to be sent by Friends of African Nursing (Canada) to an operating room in Botswana. It didn’t feel like much at the time, but in hindsight, that was the first step toward something much bigger.
Later, I attended a presentation by an OR nurse who had served with Mercy Ships. Her stories of providing care to people who had limited access to healthcare left a mark on me. I was hooked. That’s when I knew I had to get involved. I signed up to volunteer, and after speaking to a few colleagues who had also served, I was even more excited—they all said it was one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
Fast forward to May 2024, when I found myself aboard the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone, supporting the contribution of Hope and Healing to people in need. Every day was filled with moments that reminded me why I became a nurse.
One of the highlights of my time aboard was participating in a mentorship program designed to support local healthcare professionals with advanced medical procedures.
During my last week, a local OR nurse joined us to observe our work on the ship, which was part of the program to help build a sustainable healthcare system in each country we visit. Hearing this nurse share his experiences from his hospital and his time on the ship was wonderful and reminded me that mentorship is one of the best parts of nursing.
Volunteering with Mercy Ships pushed me to grow as a professional, gave me confidence in my skills, and opened my eyes to other techniques. I hope to return to the Global Mercy next year if the opportunity presents itself, and I encourage any nurse who feels the pull toward this kind of service to explore the opportunity. It’s certainly an experience that stays with you.
Stacey Brown is a Clinical Resource Nurse in Vascular and Transplant Surgery at Health Sciences Centre.
If you're interested in volunteering, you can learn more by visiting Mercy Ships Canada or contacting Catherine Tremblay, Development & Volunteer Engagement Officer, at crewcanada@mercyships.ca.