[Washington, DC - July 5, 2011] - Health Volunteers Overseas is pleased to announce the publication of a new book written by two of its members, Jeanne Leffers, PhD, RN, and Julia Plotnick, MPH, RN, FAAN.  Volunteering at Home and Abroad: The Essential Guide for Nurses, published by Sigma Theta Tau International, is full of advice on the experience of volunteering and will be an excellent resource for anyone interested in how to choose an appropriate organization, locate an opportunity, and prepare for such a trip.

Dr. Leffers and Ms. Plotnick have many years of volunteer experience in a variety of settings and their insight will help prepare any future volunteer, whether a first-timer or an experienced volunteer.  "I am so glad that this book has been written," said Nancy Kelly, HVO's Executive Director.  "By sharing their wisdom from many years of volunteering, I hope that others will be able to have an even more productive experience.  Volunteering can truly be a transforming experience for the volunteer and the better prepared you are, the more productive the experience will be."

Copies of the book may be ordered here.  A portion of the proceeds will go to support the work of Health Volunteers Overseas, where Ms. Plotnick serves as Chair of the Board of Directors and Dr. Leffers serves on the Nursing Education Steering Committee.

A private, non-profit membership organization, HVO was founded in 1986 to improve global health through education.  HVO designs and implements clinical education programs in child health, primary care, trauma and rehabilitation, essential surgical care, oral health, blood disorders and cancers, infectious disease, nursing education, and wound care.  In more than 25 resource-poor nations, volunteers train, mentor, and provide critical professional support to health care providers who care for the neediest populations in the most difficult of circumstances.  For more information about Health Volunteers Overseas, visit the website.

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